10 Forgotten 90s Game Consoles That Flopped Hard

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Summary

  • Several consoles struggled in the ’90s due to poor designs, lack of quality games, or high prices.
  • The market was already dominated by giants like Sega and Nintendo, making it hard for new consoles to succeed.
  • The 32-bit era saw numerous failures, such as Tiger’s R-Zone, Atari Jaguar, and Phillips CD-I, despite ambitious attempts at innovation.

In the 1990s, video games grew into a significant industry, offering gamers popular systems such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sony PlayStation. To challenge these dominating brands, other firms released their own gaming consoles. Some of these newcomers thrived, while others were eventually overshadowed.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed that some game companies often find it tough to keep up in the massive video game industry, even if their products are top-notch. Take, for instance, those ambitious consoles that didn’t manage to sell enough units, or those controversial consoles with designs that fell short of expectations. These products are a snapshot of their time, either a shining example of innovation or a cautionary tale about missteps in design.

10. Tiger R-Zone

Tiger’s Poor Attempt At Virtual Reality

  • Developers: Tiger Electronics
  • Release Date: February 1995

Tiger Electronics were famous for producing low-cost handheld games, often purchased by parents for just a few dollars, barely meeting the criteria for video games. Thus, it’s not shocking that their venture into console gaming, the Tiger R-Zone, didn’t fare well due to its peculiar design. The device required players to attach it to their forehead and view the game through a single mirror visor, which projected the game image onto it.

It’s safe to conclude that those who purchased the Tiger R-Zone didn’t find it appealing. The console and controller design were ridiculed, and the games themselves lacked quality. In fact, the games were similar to other mini Tiger Electronics games, but they had a neon red color, much like the Nintendo Virtual Boy, though that console is generally considered to have superior visuals.

9. Sega 32X

Last Ditch Effort To Extend The Life Of The Genesis

  • Developers: Sega
  • Release Date: November 21, 1994

To match the pace set by the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega consistently worked on enhancing their Genesis console with additional hardware. One of the most recognized upgrades was the Sega 32X, which could be directly connected to the Genesis’ cartridge slot to play the latest 32-bit games as well as its own 16-bit games.

Although Sega attempted to please their fans by providing an upgrade without requiring a new system, the Sega 32X unfortunately didn’t find much success in the market. There were barely any games available for this accessory. Soon after, Sega introduced the Saturn, their dedicated 32-bit console, which led to the rapid decline of the 32X.

8. Atari Lynx 2

Improved Model That Came Out Too Late

  • Developers: Atari
  • Release Date: July 1991

As an ardent gaming enthusiast, I must confess that the Atari Lynx 2 was a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Atari Lynx. It boasted a brighter backlit screen, crisper sound quality, extended battery life, and a sleeker design, making it a promising contender against heavyweights like the Sega Game Gear and Nintendo Game Boy. Alas, fate had other plans as it found itself overshadowed by its rivals, with only a handful of games released before its discontinuation.

Rather than pursuing development on the Lynx 2, which boasted advanced 3D graphics and a vibrant color scheme, making it almost console-like in its capabilities for handheld devices, Atari chose instead to concentrate their efforts on the Jaguar, their latest 32-bit console. Despite being ahead of its time, the Lynx 2 was ultimately outshone by the popularity of the Nintendo Game Boy.

7. 3DO

Too Expensive For Most Consumers To Enjoy

  • Developers: Panasonic, GoldStar, Sanyo, Creative Labs, Samsung
  • Release Date: October 4, 1993

In an uncommon scenario, the 3DO wasn’t developed by one company but instead was produced by several – Panasonic, GoldStar, Sanyo, Creative Labs, or Samsung. Consequently, those who owned a 3DO ended up with one manufactured by any of these companies. This console was among the pioneers to offer 32-bit games, a significant advancement in its time. Unfortunately, its demise can be attributed to its high price tag of $700 (which is equivalent to approximately $1,500 today when considering inflation), and a weak lineup of launch titles that failed to captivate the market.

Following its release, the 3DO struggled due to the introduction of other 32-bit gaming systems like the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn. These competitors proved immensely successful, leaving the 3DO lagging behind in sales. Despite dropping prices over time, eventually reaching $200, it wasn’t enough to prevent the demise of this console.

6. Bit Corp. Gamate

The Taiwanese Game Boy Clone

  • Developers: Bit Corp.
  • Release Date: May 1, 1990

It’s possible that many people are unfamiliar with the Gamate by Bit Corp., a handheld console intended to rival the Game Boy. Interestingly, it shared the same dark green screen without backlighting that can be hard to see, and its design bears a resemblance to the Game Boy Advance, which was released much later.

The Gamate, created by Taiwan’s Bit Corporation, featured an archive of forty-three games. It garnered modest success in Europe and Asia, but in other areas, it struggled to compete against a market that was already heavily dominated by the Game Boy, Atari Lynx, and Sega Game Gear.

5. Atari Jaguar

Atari’s Final Console Was Not Their Best

  • Developers: Atari
  • Release Date: November 23, 1993

In the 80s, Atari played a significant role in shaping the concept of home video game consoles with the introduction of the Atari 2600. However, when the 90s arrived, the company faced tough competition from Sega and Nintendo, ultimately struggling to keep up. Their final attempt at a console was the Atari Jaguar, launched in 1993 as they ventured into the 32-bit era. Although it boasted a few high-quality exclusive games, the Atari Jaguar did not achieve the success its creators had anticipated.

The main challenge players encountered with the Atari Jaguar was that the games generally didn’t meet the high expectations set by the hype. While there were a few underrated titles, it ultimately lacked the quality to compete effectively against other gaming systems, particularly when considering the release of the Atari Jaguar CD, which had a reputation for being faulty. Since then, Atari has moved on from this console.

4. Sega Nomad

The Precursor To The Nintendo Switch

  • Developers: Sega
  • Release Date: October 1995

In 1995, before the Nintendo Switch made it possible for players to enjoy top-tier video games both at home and on-the-go by connecting them to a television or playing directly from a handheld device, Sega Nomad had already paved the way for this convenience. Unlike the console’s later counterpart that offered downgraded versions of games, the Sega Nomad enabled gamers to insert their own Sega Genesis game cartridges into the portable system. This made it ideal for long car rides or air travel, as users could also connect it to a television when they reached their destination.

The Sega Nomad might have enriched Sega’s history significantly, but it didn’t manage to make a lasting impression. Tragically, after the disappointing outcomes of the Sega CD and Sega 32X, backing for the Nomad diminished rapidly as the Sega Saturn was about to be launched.

3. Commodore Amiga CD32

The First 32-Bit Console Ever Made

  • Developers: Commodore International
  • Release Date: September 17, 1993

In 1993, Commodore Amiga CD32 was introduced as the first 32-bit video game console, preceding PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Atari Jaguar. Yet, unlike its advertised capabilities, the graphics of the games were quite comparable to those on Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis.

The quality of games on Amiga CD32 varied from average to decent at best, failing to captivate users enough to own one in every household. Consequently, Commodore, once renowned for their computers, filed for bankruptcy within a year, and the console was discontinued as 32-bit competitors emerged to take its place.

2. SNK Neo Geo

A Powerful Machine That Few People Bought

  • Developers: SNK Corporation
  • Release Date: April 26, 1990

In essence, when moving arcade games onto systems such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) or Nintendo 64, developers needed to reduce the graphics and gameplay to make them compatible. However, with the Neo Geo by SNK, players could enjoy exact replicas of arcade games boasting some of the best visuals on home consoles during its era. Regrettably, the Neo Geo console eventually became less popular.

Back in its day, the Neo Geo stood out as one of the priciest video game consoles, retailing at a whopping $650 upon launch. That’s significantly more than what you’d pay for a PlayStation 5 today. This high price tag was largely due to the system’s impressive capabilities, featuring cartridges nearly as large as the console itself. However, in 1990, most consumers went for the more budget-friendly options like the Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo instead.

1. Phillips CD-I

Controversial Titles Killed This Ambitious Console

  • Developers: Philips, Sony
  • Release Date: December 3, 1991

Overzealousness in pursuit of innovation can sometimes result in failure, a lesson learned by the Phillips CD-I when it attempted to revolutionize gaming through CD-based titles, which later became standard. These games often incorporated Full Motion Video (FMV) and demanded various types of controllers for optimal play, ranging from action shooters to point-and-click adventure games.

The concepts behind the CD-I seemed appealing on paper, however, its implementation was its undoing. Notably, a series of poorly received titles like the trilogy of Zelda games designed for it were among the contributing factors. The CD-I’s main issue was that it was frequently plagued with defects, much like the Atari Jaguar. Users often found it challenging to make the system function smoothly, and its price wasn’t budget-friendly. Consequently, the CD-I became one of the most significant failures of the ’90s, and for valid reasons.

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2025-03-09 18:18