Hardware annoyances

[Koopa64]

I'm sure we've all run into video game hardware that could have been better designed. I'll get the topic rolling:

 

- Turbo Grafx-16's AV and AC adapter cord come out on the left side. Really makes it hard to fit it in a shelf or entertainment stand.

- Sega CDX has cable ports on practically every side of the damn console. AV, AC Adapter, Headphone jacks and controller ports.

 

Any the rest of you have to share?

[Austin]

Hmm.. Consoles with pause buttons on the systems themselves.

Edited February 25, 2010 by Austin

[Christophero Sly]

Model 1 Genesis--having to run a separate audio cable from the front headphone jack because there is no stereo output from the AV connection in the back.

 

Atari 5200 4-port--routing the power supply through the RF switch.

[Vic George 2K3]

Sega CD and 32X -- requiring additional AC adapters instead of using just one.

 

Coleco Adam -- power supply through the printer.

[Video]

How about how almost every system includes the AVS cable standard.....back in the 8, 16, and 32 bit days(80/s and 90's), it was never "the standard" and by the time I upgraded my TV, it was obsolete.... Granted, that's just "greedy bastard (insert name here)" trying to squeeze some extra money from customers, not the consoles fault, but still.

 

Addon's requiring extra power bricks. For that matter, Power bricks. Those bastards piss me off. Why? Really, you have to have the cord anyways, why not chop it in half and put the brick somewhere in the middle? (like any standard notebook power supply, or the 360) or like Nintendo with the 64, plug the brick into the console, and the chord into the wall...not hard at all.

 

The 4 port 5200 switch box....cool Idea, lousy design. It works, sure, but when it dies, then what? Guess that would be time to hack the thing up.

 

Pointless console redesigns(like makeing a different shape console, or size, like PSX to PSone, or GBA to GBASP)

 

Intentionally crippling hardware just to keep someting from working that should have... (lack of BC in (input console here) when the new console has all the old console's hardware.....Sega Genesis, Nintendo DS)

[STICH666]

The 2600 and ColecoVision controllers being so damn short.

[Koopa64]

The 2600 and ColecoVision controllers being so damn short.

 

I think the 2600 in particular begs to be placed on a coffee table near the couch (or however you set your game room up, if you're far away from the TV). The RF and AC adapters are more than long enough to handle something like that. Not to mention the 2600 has all those switches on the console that are often needed to get games playing.

 

Besides, look on the bright side. Just keep a small case or pile of your favorite 2600 games on the coffee table and you can have the perfect lazy man's setup. You wouldn't have to budge at all! Everything would be right there in your grasp so your flabby ass need not move.

[Vic George 2K3]

I don't think the redesign of the GBA is pointless at all, given the original GBA's main problem is a very dim nonbacklit screen that you can hardly see even in good lighting. It's just that the original version could have been re-released with a backlit screen rather than having to go to the SP's foldable case format to do that.

[Koopa64]

I don't think the redesign of the GBA is pointless at all, given the original GBA's main problem is a very dim nonbacklit screen that you can hardly see even in good lighting. It's just that the original version could have been re-released with a backlit screen rather than having to go to the SP's foldable case format to do that.

 

I agree. Especially when Nintendo released a revision to the GBASP (the first has a front lit screen. Different from backlit). Why release a total redesign when it needs to be fixed later on? Instead just fix the original model.

[4Ks]

What really annoys me are game systems that force you to sit directly in front of them, like Intellivision and Atari 2600. Would it have killed Mattel to make the controller cords just a bit longer? And Atari could have just stuck the reset and select switches on the controller like they did with 5200.

[shadow460]

PS2: The PS1 CPU is used to run the hard disk, so that means no installing PS1 games to the drive. That is unless you get a PS1 emulator designed to run on a PS2, but then, what's the point?

PS2: Needing a separate disc to set each item up, i.e. one for the DVD remote, one for the network adapter, one for the hard disk...

DS: The stylus.

PS1: The rapidly disappearing ports on the back.

Saturn: The cartridge port.

NES: See "Saturn" above.

LaserActive: Lack of S-video, RGB, and AC-3 out. Come on, Pioneer, what gives? Extreme size and weight.

Genesis 3: Lack of extreme size and weight!

2600: The power plug's tip. Was it so hard to make one that wouldn't momentarily short out when it's removed?

5200: Everything.

7800: Backwards compati-bull. it ain't compatible if the carts don't fit!

N64: Badly weighted controllers, especially with the Rumble and Transfer paks.

 

tri wing and game bit screws!!

 

The upside?

PS2: Plays DVD movies, which is still useful even today!

DS: uh, let me think...

PS1: CD Audio capabilities, visualizations

Saturn: Only a single device needed to save tons of games, OR one device needed to email all your saves to your ocmputer.

NES: hmmm

LaserActive: Compatibility! Can't beat being able to watch movies and play four of five different systems' games!

Genesis 3: Launch price

2600: Durable.

5200: Nothing.

7800: Compatibility! Once it's properly modded, of course.

N64: Durable...at least until it's opened...

[MagitekAngel]

I've got a whole list, mostly just for laughs, of course...

 

2600: When I plug the live power into the back, it sparks. That can't be good, but it never gets old.

NES: A/V ports stick out the side, making it awkward to stick in a cabinet.

Master System: The goddamn pause button is on the console deck.

SNES: The North American SNES is ugly as sin. So are the cartridges. Super Famicom had a lot more aesthetic sensibility.

Genesis: Didn't come with 4 controllers - 2 for the Genesis, 2 for the 2600.

NES 2: They took out the composite outputs. Really? Seriously? (I am aware of the rare A/V revision).

N64: The Analog sticks are subject to all sorts of dust, jamming, and otherwise calamity.

Dreamcast: They discontinued it. That is my biggest complaint. Oh yeah and the flimsy resistors in the controller ports.

PS1:

PS2: Power switch on the back tends to wear out. That and I can just put it in standby by holding reset. Goddamn complicated.

PS2 Slim: I'm certain I had a Sony Walkman that was bigger. Looks cool, but I've pulled it out of the cabinet a couple times via pulling the contoller too far.

Xbox: So... goddamn... huge.

Gamecube: Supported the most useless network adapter in the history of useless network adapters. That and the handle made it look like a lunchbox.

Xbox 360: Hah, I'm not even going to touch this one. When I plugged mine in, I swear the sun dimmed for a moment.

PS3: They took out PS2 backwards compatibility. It was like Sony sticking a big middle finger up your... nevermind.

Wii: Not enough internal storage for even a modest collection of porn. I mean games.

Game Boy: Any handheld that gives you a contrast knob and tells you to figure it out for yourself can go shove it.

Virtual Boy: It more or less encourages self-harm. I guess that's pretty funny actually.

Game Boy Color: They changed the link cable. Why? Faster data transfer? Well then explain the Game Boy Pocket. Assholes.

Game Boy Advance: Nintendo tried to sell me a new version every 2 years.

Nintendo DS: Nintendo tries to sell me a new version every 15 months.

[Vic George 2K3]

Original NES (The "N-Box", as I would now call it) -- Its cartridge slot design, which is only good for novelty, but becomes hell trying to get games to play only to meet the annoying blinking screen.

 

Every Gameboy up to Gameboy Advance -- No backlit screen. Even worse for the original Gameboy and Gameboy Pocket, moving objects tend to blur on the screen.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Vic George 2K3

[monzamess]

I don't think the redesign of the GBA is pointless at all, given the original GBA's main problem is a very dim nonbacklit screen that you can hardly see even in good lighting. It's just that the original version could have been re-released with a backlit screen rather than having to go to the SP's foldable case format to do that.

 

I agree. Especially when Nintendo released a revision to the GBASP (the first has a front lit screen. Different from backlit). Why release a total redesign when it needs to be fixed later on? Instead just fix the original model.

 

While I personally prefer the SP form factor over the original GBA, I hate that they omitted the standard headphone jack. Now you have to use a bulky adapter.

 

Pirate market to the rescue (sort of): If you really want an original-form factor GBA WITH a backlit screen, you can get a pirate version. They play GBA carts and come with a bunch of GBA games built-in. The drawbacks are, they are just clones so not 100% compatibile, don't play GB/GBC games, and (ironically) don't work with flash carts. http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24379

Edited February 26, 2010 by monzamess

[darthkur]

What really annoys me are game systems that force you to sit directly in front of them, like Intellivision and Atari 2600. Would it have killed Mattel to make the controller cords just a bit longer? And Atari could have just stuck the reset and select switches on the controller like they did with 5200.

 

You need to keep in mind the time frame in which these consoles were released. In the 70's Living Room decor still pretty much mandated a couch with coffee table placed in front of it and a console TV facing both across the room.

[monzamess]

Most of my peeves can be traced to cost-cutting so I'll try to mention others (that are probably still due to cost-cutting).

 

Wii: I hate the way extra controllers plug into the Wiimote. They should just all be wireless (yes I realize you can get 3rd-party wireless nunchucks). Nintendo goes through all this trouble to make an innovative system with wireless controllers, then tethers extra crap to them. Bleah. And you're always plugging and unplugging them.

 

Any system designed to be vertically-oriented: Totally f-s up my cabinet layout and makes me nervous. When playing GC games on the Wii my kids pulled the console over several times. At least it's durable. I rearranged the cabinet so it can sit flat now.

 

3DO: extra controllers are daisy-chained instead of plugging into the console itself. Ok in theory ("hey we can get by with one port on the console and no multi-tap adapter BS") but bad in practice.

 

TG-16: one controller port PERIOD without multi-tap BS.

 

N64: memory cards in the controllers. Again a nice idea ("hey you can keep your own personal memory card and carry it to Billy's house and stuff!!!1!!") but annoying in practice. Then games come along that store things in the cartridge, like other systems do, and it just gets confusing.

 

32X: The general public just wasn't ready for it. One of the last nails in the coffin of the concept of system add-ons. Seems like more people will whine about the weirdness of the add-on than will whine about buying a new console. Just release a new system.

Edited February 26, 2010 by monzamess

[DaytonaUSA]

 

don't play GB/GBC games http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24379

 

 

Erm..."- Compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game cartridge" according to your link.

[monzamess]

 

don't play GB/GBC games http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24379

 

 

Erm..."- Compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game cartridge" according to your link.

 

Yeah, but they don't, if you can believe the reviews. DX has a history of just blindly dumping "specs" to their product pages without fully investigating. In this case, as I understand it, the GB/GBC carts simply don't fit, like if you try plugging one into a DS or GB micro. And if you managed to get one in there, the unit probably doesn't have/emulate the Z80 and other GB/GBC hardware. Of course you CAN play GB/GBC games through a GBA-mode emulator, like on any GBA.

[BydoEmpire]

2600: Joystick ports in the back of the system

7800: Joystick ports underneath the "lip" of the front of the system, making them a little hard to access, and the difficulty switches under there are impossible to see.

 

Consoles with non-removable controller cables (Original Inty and O2 - I'm looking at you).

 

Hmm.. Consoles with pause buttons on the systems themselves.

Yeah, that's a good one. Modern consoles have done *some* things right...

[DaytonaUSA]

 

don't play GB/GBC games http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24379

 

 

Erm..."- Compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game cartridge" according to your link.

 

Yeah, but they don't, if you can believe the reviews. DX has a history of just blindly dumping "specs" to their product pages without fully investigating. In this case, as I understand it, the GB/GBC carts simply don't fit, like if you try plugging one into a DS or GB micro. And if you managed to get one in there, the unit probably doesn't have/emulate the Z80 and other GB/GBC hardware. Of course you CAN play GB/GBC games through a GBA-mode emulator, like on any GBA.

 

 

That sucks. I found a skeleton clear one on their site. I can't find a game list though. I'm actually thinking of getting this, but could you give me an idea of what games are included?

 

Btw, back on topic.

 

Hardware annoyances, worst and least problomatic:

 

NES: My first real console, and I hate it now sadly. Even when you replace the pins it goes in no time.

360: Never have I encountered a system that breaks so often. Horrible build quality as well.

Dreamcast: I know we all love the system, but I literally hold my breathe while the disk loads because I know there's a 50% chance of SOMEthing going wrong.

GB Color: I loved my GB and my Pocket, but I never bought this system because of Nintendo's laziness. The Gamegear had a backlit screen, and this was far newer and felt rushed.

PS2 Slim: My fat never gave me any issues, but I went through 2 slims because of their faulty DVD drives. I ended up going back to a fat style PS2 (my debug unit).

CDX: As cool as the system was, by the time you added the 32X and all the appropriate cords, it looked like an unbalanced, crowded mess.

[Reaperman]

it bugs me that my Atari 800XL likes to keep things in memory for a time after power-off. It makes switching games that much more annoying when you cycle the power and...nothing... Even the usual 10-count isn't enough.

 

DS Lite. Crippling pain. I get the feeling whoever designed it never bothered holding the thing. Horrible system, a shame the games are so decent on it.

 

GP2x. This is the single biggest turd I have ever paid money for. terrible controls, terrible firmware, requires *constant* messing with. Enjoy your buggy hardware with a side of buggy software.

Edited February 26, 2010 by Reaperman

[monzamess]

 

don't play GB/GBC games http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24379

 

 

Erm..."- Compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color game cartridge" according to your link.

 

Yeah, but they don't, if you can believe the reviews. DX has a history of just blindly dumping "specs" to their product pages without fully investigating. In this case, as I understand it, the GB/GBC carts simply don't fit, like if you try plugging one into a DS or GB micro. And if you managed to get one in there, the unit probably doesn't have/emulate the Z80 and other GB/GBC hardware. Of course you CAN play GB/GBC games through a GBA-mode emulator, like on any GBA.

 

 

That sucks. I found a skeleton clear one on their site. I can't find a game list though. I'm actually thinking of getting this, but could you give me an idea of what games are included?

 

Supposedly, this is the list: http://pastebin.com/fa20f4b8

(found it in one of the item's discussion topics) -- looks like games over #100 are emulated 8-bit games.

 

Sorry for the off-topic stuff everyone.

[monzamess]

DS Lite. Crippling pain. I get the feeling whoever designed it never bothered holding the thing. Horrible system, a shame the games are so decent on it.

 

I think it's aimed at little kids. But never fear, you can buy yet another DS variant, the XL/LL DSi.

[Reaperman]

oh and the ps3 controller. It's got a rechargable battery, needs to be recharged by USB. ...while the system is on. And it has to be the system too, because if I charge it on my laptop (nearby) or the wall-outlet usb adapter (nearby) it won't function as a ps3 controller until it's unplugged. What's wrong with AA batteries? I'm not poor, I can afford them.

 

I also don't get why the lower shoulder buttons are convex instead of concave. It makes using them a hassle.

[+save2600]

One thing that is a constant irritant and totally gets in the way of classic computer gaming is the fact MOST personal computers back in the day, their joystick ports were modeled too closely to the "standard" Atari 2600 one button scenario. Pressing up on the joystick to jump is beyond stupid and barely works the way you want it to. 2-buttons at least, should have been standard - and software should have insisted you had the right equipment to play.

 

Let's see... other classic gaming quibbles:

 

I agree that the 32X should have borrowed its power from the Genny (or at least was supplied with a beefier one that replaced the original Genny's), but besides that, I thought Sega did a great job maintaining relevancy with the Genesis by introducing such an add-on. Really, that 32X combo is quite impressive and had it continued to be developed for, we would have undoubtedly seen some even better stuff from it. I just think the whole concept of adding on to what you already have is great. The mentality of gaming obsolescence is obscene to me (and most of us - duh!) so anytime a company supports their products in such a way - kudos!

 

Any computer or gaming console that feeds AC into the system and relies on internal DC rectification. Especially ones where that is done on the same board as the computer & video circuitry! Not only are you potentially risking great damage to the rest of the board from diodes or other components going bad, but the process of changing AC into DC produces a lot of heat. Atari 8-bit computers, the TI-99 and the Intellivision all quickly come to mind. At least TI had enough sense to keep their power supply board separate from their CPU though. Modular systems allow for much easier repairs.

 

The Vectrex was nearly defective right out of the box! Horribly shielded audio cables, horrible audio circuit design in general and a super weak flyback transformer and power supply for the picture tube all result in the flicker, waviness and the infamous buzzing of the system. It was an expensive concept back in the day to release an X-Y based monitor gaming system, but they could have at least designed it a little better. The analogue control stick is a waste of time too. While it gives the machine a unique feel, it was totally unnecessary and only a few games even take advantage of it.

 

SMS controllers are terrible. A square pad instead of a cross for directions? Bah, you can hardly control the character in the direction you want it to go with any kind of accuracy.

 

Coiled cords for any controllers is a bad idea. What were they thinking? Sure, it looks neat and tidy, but there's too much resistance and pull on the wires. Thankfully joystick extension cords exist.

 

Any controller that has its firing buttons on the side. Again, another stupid idea. One cannot continually squeeze their hand like that for any length of time and hope to get many shots fired off. And speaking of lame ass controllers, the Colecovision would have been better off had they put the joydisk thingy at the bottom, like Mattel had the gee-whiz to do. Mattel even had the right idea by keeping their numeric pad smooth - and a lot of games benefited from that slick concept (Baseball anyone?). Not sure who was smoking what at Coleco, but separating the digits with plastic like that was a terribly short sighted idea that should have never gone as far as consumer production.

 

Odyssey2 controllers were garbage. Again - that springy analogue like feel just doesn't work when most all of your software is written for digital inputs. The O2's "keyboard" was junk too as well as the wiring going to the controller and the wimpy square-flat fire button. Yeah, sorry O2 fans, I guess I really can't stand that system. lol

 

INTV's speech synthesizer was a cool idea, but only 4 games?

 

Besides having an awful software library, the Jaguar CD sure seems to have a very high failure rate. And again, should never have needed 2 power supplies.

 

Any console that relies on a proprietary A/V out connector. They should always have been RCA's, S-video or HDMI today. Video standards - NOT flaky console standards, but we all know what that is.

 

The thermal printer for the Aquarius. What was the point? Pretending you were a McDonald's cashier or something? lol And why not bundle that system with the necessary controllers right off the bat? Can't tell you how many times I've passed on a system because it was incomplete. Their controllers also do not have the full function keypad either and there should never have been a distinction between Aquarius and INTV cartridges. They should have been compatible from the start. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

 

Any CD based system that did not have internal memory. Memory Track, etc. Keeping the cost "down" you say? Bah - blatant marketing rip-offs is more like it. Having the ability to add more after a good sized internal bank is a completely different matter.

 

I want to say the NES with its internal pin system, but there were cleaning kits for it that helped and besides, I give 'em props for such an innovative design. It's kinda cool sliding and locking your cartridge in. That design is a lot friendlier on the contacts of a cartridge - but we all know the irony there! Because people were too cheap, lazy and didn't have the foresight to clean their systems regularly, they'd 'blow' into the cartridge ends and oxidize the living shit out of 'em. Because of this, I've seen more bad/ruined NES carts than I ever have Atari or anyone else's.

 

European 7800 pads are terribly designed as well. From the ribbed garbage on the underside where I can imagine your Cheetos finger licking hands would quickly muck up, how far the fire buttons are spaced, to where the cord exists the controller (too far right), how short the cords are and finally... to the thumbpad that looks like a cross, but is really round. Guess what? Like a SMS controller, you can hardly direct your character where you want it to go!

 

APF controllers are lame. Hold the controller in one hand, move and fire (press down) with the other? Lame.

 

The fact Atari never included 2 amplified speakers into their Heavy Sixer for stereo audio sound. That would have been awesome!

 

CDi-'s controller. <sigh> Here we go with that analogue control crap again - that's never needed and feels awful.

 

CD32's controller - again, a round pad is not the makes for an accurate pointing device. Especially when it sits off center. Dummies.

 

Any game system that sucks your optical disk in like a car stereo. That's physical contact people! Think your disks are going to last as long as our cartridge based systems? Not a chance. You won't be able to purchase laser assemblies for these things forever either. Some/most are already discontinued.

 

Other minor quibble are top loading CD based game systems. Unless its a portable system, I don't see the reason for it - 'cept maybe a cost reduction scheme. But too much gunk and dust gets into 'em and the spindle is usually based on a friction ball bearing design - that over time and a lot of use, wears out AND damages your disc.

 

Optical based systems in general. lol Yeah, I said it. I don't care for 'em for all the reasons above AND the fact most of the data on 'em are unnecessary to the gameplay. I abhor load times too. And sure, CD "quality" sound might be nice once in a while, but I'd rather hear what a well programmed DSP is capable of doing. You can have all the commercials and other non game content that many discs force down your throat. With as cheap as RAM is today, may as well be purchasing games on an SD card or simply dialing up and downloading via your internet connection and storing on a HD or other mass storage device.

 

The SuperGrafx was an excellent concept and cool looking system - but only 6 or so games that took advantage of it? That really blows.

 

Neo*Geo's CD based system was supposed to appeal to the masses by offering cheaper software than their mega cartridge monoliths. BS. Not only were the games few and far between, but they were still $60-$100 per CD! Ridiculous. Absolutely no reason why each CD couldn't have been $40 or less. The software had already been written

 

Any optically based system that required an overpriced DV cartridge to play some of its games. That's a surefire way to kill off potential sales. Hello! Video game industry? Kids historically with very little money are the ones that play video games! Today, now that these things can be had cheap - sure they're cool, but back then - I hardly knew anybody that could afford said combos. Those that could were either not interested in any of those systems (CD-i, 3D0, CD32, etc.) or were content with gaming on their computer or in the arcade.

 

Atari 8-bit computers such as the 130XE that bragged about having 128kb RAM, but no commercial software that took advantage of it (that I'm aware of) or its goofy bank switching array. Oh and placing the cartridge port in the back. Thumbs down big time! Should have been on top OR the left hand side IMO. Also, continually re-releasing the same 8-bit hardware well into the late 80's that didn't change a thing 'cept maybe for the OS or a different, less buggy revision of Basic. Atari 8-bit computers should have evolved to include better graphics and sound. Not the same ol' same ol' forever. Idiots.

 

Commodore's 128 is one kick ass 8-bit system. Easily the Cadillac of all 8-bits. Only real gripe is that it was released too late and not enough software to take advantage of what it was capable of. Releasing it during or a little after the Amiga was retarded. An Atari-like move for sure. Thanks Atari and Commodore for royally screwing yourselves and your loyal user base over and over again! lol

 

Atari ST should have never been released with a single sided drive. Price/cost/value aside - whatever. Horrible move IMO. I don't even care that it's external - but 360kb?!? Also, no easy consumer friendly way to expand the 520 past 512kb was incredibly shortsighted as well. Building a closed (or darn near it) architecture computer system makes absolutely no sense to me at all. I bet a lot of people were pissed with Atari back then as instead of building on your investment, they were persuaded to purchase a wholly new computer. I'm sure the ST freaks will cry foul - but c'mon - just about every C= product could be much better expanded and EVERY Amiga had way better expansion capabilities back then. Arguably, later years in trying to keep up, the A1000 was a PITA cost wise to continually be investing in, but I'm mostly talking about RAM and other expansions comparatively.

 

TI-99 platform should not have died the sudden death it did. Befuddles me how such a large company such as TI could botch their own computer. Thankfully, there was and continues to be a great support network for the system. I remember in the late 80's, some of the best software was being released for the TI. Folks that ran the User groups and fanzines at the time were incredible too. The TI truly is a great system - and can be expanded to the hilt if one so desired. Only other real gripe though would be the single joystick port that was incompatible with the 2600 sticks. There are adapters available however, but again - no software written for 2-button play <surprise>.

 

Apple ][ series didn't evolve as quick as it should have. Besides case revisions and designs, pretty much stayed the same until the ][gs came along. Until then, graphics and sound capabilities were pretty weak. Can't help but think about C= products again. While most other companies were trying to cash in on stagnant hardware, Commodore trudged ahead. With (just about) each computer release came great changes. PET-Vic20-C64-C128 and all the various Amiga models all usually offered something different and beneficial that the others didn't. Not saying they didn't re-hash some successful products (C64c, Amiga 600, being a smaller A500), but their offerings that way at least were kept minimal.

 

Would have been nice to see more StarPath Supercharger games. Maybe even a SuperCharger II with more memory, better graphics and sounds yet.

 

Can't help to NOT bring up the Jaguar again. It's architecture with the three main processors was too goofy for mainstream 3rd party software companies to want to fudge with. Probably doesn't matter anyway as Atari would have eventually botched them and their dealings with said software companies sooner than later. I just feel things would have been a little different for a little while longer had the system been designed to be more programmer friendly. Pretty arrogant of Atari to think people would tolerate programming such a system as they did with the 2600 once. Yet another example of Atari not keeping with the times and operating within their own bubble.

 

Amiga 1000 inverting the gender of their serial and parallel connections AND adding voltage to them, making them completely unsafe and incompatible to use <choke> IBM compatible stuff back then without a gender changer, etc. They corrected the gendering on every other model since then, but kept the voltage rails as to power digitizers, modems and such.

 

Blurriness of the Lynx's screen when scrolling. Contrast pretty much non-existent on the system as well.

 

Nintendo NOT improving the original Gameboy for all those years. Always hated how backwards the system was compared to the Lynx and other portable systems at the time. Guess they knew what they were doing as you can't argue with success, but jeez- that system sucked and still sucks! lol

 

Whew! I think this concludes my "gripes" of systems I've been intimate with or at least had some experience with throughout the years

Edited February 26, 2010 by save2600