Every Gaming Generation, Ranked

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As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that we’ve been splitting video game history into neat chunks we call console generations, even though the boundaries between these eras can be blurry. It seems our love for organization is what drives this classification.

In every era, you’ll often find at least three significant contenders, and sometimes a single company introduces more than one console. This raises the debate about which generation was the most superior.

Essentially, I’ll rely on Wikipedia’s explanation for the eras of home video game consoles, as it becomes quite confusing during the seventh and eighth generations because Nintendo didn’t align with the industry standard.

I will evaluate each one according to the quality of the consoles within the console generation, the abundance of groundbreaking, era-defining games they produced, and I will strive for impartiality in my assessment.

9.
First (1972-1980)

The Foundation

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel it’s unfair to compare the first generation of home consoles to today’s gaming powerhouses. It’s like asking a hundred-year-old man to compete in a marathon against Usain Bolt – there’s just no comparison! The advancements in technology, graphics, and gameplay over the years have made modern games unrecognizable from their predecessors.

Indeed, Pong existed. Notably, the Magnavox Odyssey offered as many as 28 distinct games, among them one that bore a resemblance to Pong. Interestingly, the Coleco Telstar too was essentially another iteration of the popular game, Pong.

The Magnavox Odyssey stood out as the undisputed champion of its era, offering a unique gaming experience that other systems of the time couldn’t match, even though it used a more rudimentary method involving physical overlays placed on televisions for gameplay.

In simpler terms, the technology used is quite old, providing amusement for just a few minutes. Nevertheless, board games remain engaging compared to others. It seems that advanced games may not evolve much for some time.

8.
Second (1976-1992)

Awkward Years

Indeed, while the initial version helped establish game consoles as a household item, it unfortunately oversaturated the market with low-quality games, leading to a decline in their popularity. Today, it’s often overlooked.

These classic systems, such as the Atari 2600 and Mattel Intellivision, carry a lot of historical weight, but their simplicity often left even the more complex games struggling to run, and the less complex ones fell short compared to the quality of games found in arcades.

I find Breakout enjoyable even now and then. Pac-Man could be thrilling if it wasn’t toned down compared to its original arcade form. Back in the day, Adventure was astonishing, and even today, it remains puzzlingly complex.

There isn’t much more I can add about these libraries that hasn’t already been discussed. They are straightforward and pleasurable, yet it would be challenging to discover something as captivating as a mobile game.

7.
Fifth (1993-2006)

A Rough Transition To 3D

Among generations, it’s often agreed that the fifth generation stands out as the most visually unappealing overall. Games like Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and N64, along with many of their notable titles, were primarily focused on early 3D graphics, which aren’t particularly aesthetically pleasing by today’s standards.

While there are several notable exceptions, such as Symphony of the Night remaining a stunningly beautiful and exceptional game even today, or

Despite its frequent use of repeated assets and Sonic R’s distinctive, playful aesthetic.

Most of these games, to be frank, are either overly simplistic representations that can be confusing at times, or they focus excessively on details, resulting in a frame rate of around 20 per second with occasional drops.

Among the numerous games available here, many are enjoyable and entertaining, yet a significant number of them have poor gameplay mechanics and lack aesthetically pleasing visuals. However, there are a few dedicated developers who persevered and focused on creating 2D games that stand out due to their quality.

6.
Third (1983-2003)

Overstayed Welcome

It’s clear that the NES revolutionized gaming, the Atari 7800 has its place, and the Sega Master System remains a favorite in Brazil. However, when it comes to their game library, there’s only a slim chance they have a real standout title.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve come to appreciate the unique charm of the Sega Master System, especially its underestimated takes on 16-bit gaming legends. However, when considering the overall collection of games for this system, it’s clear that there’s more fluff than fantastic finds.

Navigating through a multitude of hastily assembled sports titles, inferior remakes of contemporary games, and poorly adapted arcade versions can be quite a messy journey, especially if you’re on the hunt for quality, even among the classics.

Super Mario Bros., despite its popularity, doesn’t quite live up to expectations when revisited, and I regret to inform you that many NES games you passionately defend don’t stand the test of time as well as you might recall.

5.
Ninth (2020-present)

I Hate It Here

Currently residing within the realm of contemporary gaming consoles, I can’t help but reminisce about the past. Oh, how wonderful it was then! If only I could turn back the clock. The prices of games are a hefty $80 these days, and consoles seem to be more expensive than a month’s worth of groceries. Moreover, AAA titles disappoint me more frequently than not.

The unscrupulous tactics like microtransactions, deluxe versions, loot boxes, and more have consistently persisted, and with Nintendo’s decision to continue these practices on the rumored Switch 2, the outlook appears bleak.

Among all the fantastic games this generation has offered, none are directly tied to the console’s hardware, and one game in particular stands out as a testament to its uniqueness.

It seems we’ve barely scratched the surface of this period, and I can only cross my fingers for better times ahead. While I appreciate many of the contemporary titles on these platforms, it’s disappointing that most are rehashes of the same game repeatedly. Nowadays, I find myself leaning more towards indie games instead.

4.
Fourth (1987-2004)

The Classic Era

As a gamer, stepping back to the fourth generation, I’d recommend grabbing titles from the third if you can, but crank up the quality to the max! It’s almost like those games from that time were just waiting to be fully realized into what we now recognize as modern video gaming.

Titles such as Super Metroid, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Fatal Fury, and Chrono Trigger are timeless classics that continue to impress even in the modern era. If reintroduced as independent games on platforms like Steam, they might be perceived as newly-minted releases with no loss of credibility.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis were undeniably the top dogs back then, still fondly remembered by many. However, let me not forget to mention the Neo Geo – it may not have been number one, but boy, it sure held its own, especially in Brazil where it’s still a beloved classic today.

Despite having modest hardware capabilities, these limitations gave birth to remarkable classics that are now cherished more deeply than any other entries in this collection. Although I don’t harbor a sense of nostalgia towards them, their enduring appeal is evident.

3.
Eighth (2012-Present)

Nearly Perfected

Modern technology follows a progression, reaching a peak or plateau at the top. In my opinion, the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch fall in the pre-peak phase of this progression, explaining why many current releases are still compatible with these systems.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve had the pleasure of owning these consoles. They were quite affordable, making game development an accessible dream for many creators like myself. Their power was more than enough to bring my gaming ambitions to life without any restrictions. And let me tell you, the games created for them are timeless classics that continue to be enjoyed by gamers today.

In the years ahead, it’s likely that Forza Horizon 5 will be hailed as one of the greatest racing games ever made, and Persona 5 has been known to inspire ordinary folks to embrace their quirky side online.

Most original titles tended to be quite enjoyable, unless they were marred by microtransactions or other corporate annoyances, if you select carefully, there are some gems to discover.

2.
Sixth (1998-2013)

Limited, But Lasted

These gaming consoles had varying fortunes: The GameCube struggled in sales, the Xbox was moderately successful, the Dreamcast ultimately doomed SEGA’s presence in the console market, while the PS2 became one of the highest-selling systems ever. Despite their differing fates, I find an equal affection for each of them.

I have a strong affection for… They’re all like undiscovered treasures that I gradually unearth, and the Dreamcast was truly remarkable, particularly considering it launched some fantastic titles such as Sonic Adventure 2 and Crazy Taxi despite facing financial difficulties.

The Xbox boasts a multitude of games that approach modern standards in graphic quality, while the PS2 offers an extensive collection featuring titles like Kingdom Hearts 2, Pro Skater 3, Devil May Cry, and a built-in CD player.

This generation boasts a remarkable blend of lesser-known treasures and major powerhouses, ensuring there’s something for every type of player on each console platform. Each system offers unique features that make gaming experiences delightful across the board.

1.
Seventh (2005-2017)

Calm Before the Storm

It seems that the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii were introduced at just the right moment in terms of technological advancement. They offered features such as downloadable content (DLC), digital games, updates, and even some unique motion-controlled gadgets. However, they had very little of the microtransaction issues that later became commonplace in the gaming industry.

This generation has been graced with some absolutely awe-inspiring, game-changing titles such as Minecraft, Halo 3, Super Mario Galaxy, Grand Theft Auto V, Portal 2, Skyward Sword, and the list could continue indefinitely, encompassing all the top-tier games that have emerged during this period.

2011 stands out as one of the most remarkable years in video game history, boasting a fantastic assortment of top-tier games that truly shone on their respective consoles. These consoles were more than capable of delivering gaming experiences that rival or even surpass the quality we see today.

This generation was its peak, a time when all elements harmoniously aligned, as indicated by the fact that no system from this era struggled with poor sales. Each one was exceptional, each one was cherished, and every individual had a preferred game from this period.

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2025-04-29 18:40