IF you ultimately had to determine...

[EvilEvoIX]

I choose the Sega Genesis. I enjoy the TG16/PCE immensely, but the Genesis was the first console I bought after a few years of playing mostly NES and it captured my time and attention more than any other generation. The leap in graphics and sound were significant and I built some of my fondest gaming memories during that era.

Game series like Sonic the Hedgehog, Toe Jam & Earl, Shining Force, Phantasy Star, Thunder Force, Streets of Rage, Road Rash, Lunar, the Strike games, and some excellent single entries (Castlevania: Bloodlines, Dynamite Headdy, Gunstar Heroes, Strider, Aladdin, Herzog Zwei, Crusader of Centy, Liberty or Death, General Chaos, way too many more to list) kept the Genesis fresh and interesting over the years and I never ran short of great games to play on it. The Genesis library boasts literally hundreds of games that appeal to me. Likely no other console, except the original Playstation, bears this distinction.

Due to its FM chip, the Genesis wasn't a favorite for many when it comes to its sound, but it is for me (I dig the quirky, mechanical, and oftentimes cold and brash sounds of it). When I realized what it takes to coax a particular sound from this type of synth, I began even more to appreciate a lot of my favorite games' soundtracks and effects, as well as the effort put forth in creating them. He's sited a lot, and with good reason, but Yuzo Koshiro was creating sounds on this thing that really stood alone at the time. But even the more simplistic and "vanilla" sounds (by comparison) from other Genesis games still sound great to me and my ears always perk up when I hear a Genesis track or sound effect!

Finally, I love the controller and its evolution over the years. The 6-button Genesis game pad stands side-by-side with the 2nd generation US Saturn 'pad as the two best and most comfortable controllers I've ever used. It's quick, responsive, and I find it works well in all genres, including fighting games (never had any trouble executing 1/4 circle and half circle moves, etc). If I could, I'd use one on every console I own, when appropriate.

I don't discriminate. I own all of the wide-release (and some not so wide-release) US and import consoles from the 80s to the 90s and I play all of them at some point or other. They all have their place and each has games that rank among my favorites, but the Genesis was "it" for me for a long time and has permanently captivated 11-year old me, somewhere in my subconscious.

Great post in so many ways.  I really enjoy the FM sound but agree that if done bad it sounds like a bunch of farts or a blown sub-woofer with a bunch of washers bouncing around on top.  It's a very clear sounding system, especially Model 1 units.

For me it would be the Neo Geo AES.

First having a stack of Neo games itself is just appealing and the DEPTH of gameplay especially in the fighters is almost unmatched.  Such a chess game with these games and since they were designed to rob you of quarters it's you against the machine right off the bat, it's not your friend, it's there to rob you and do it quickly.  I'd like to master a lot more of the fighters, and 1CC some Metal Slug series.  It goes without saying 2 player battles even with something as mutinous as Windjammers (Flying Power Disc) can just go on for hours.

[EvilEvoIX]

I hope you guys understand I'm not bashing the PCE when I say stuff like that.  I adore my PCE.  It's just that the Genesis has more, cheaper titles that I like than teh obey.  The cheapest PCE game I've ever bought was $15, and I could get like 3 Genesis games for that much.

You better be careful with those opinions, some people go ape shit over those thoughts and post miles of still pictures.

[ProfessorProfessorson]

Do you not know how to use the edit button? Its considered nice to not have a$$holes clog threads with doublepost.

[Necromancer]

My vote's for OBEY or GTFO!  'Tis a given.

You better be careful with those opinions, some people go ape shit over those thoughts and post miles of still pictures.

Like the scorpion, you just can't help yourself.

[soop]

Tough question.

I guess it's easy to get nostalgic about shit and remember golden moments, irrespective of when they happened.
I personally have a LOT of really great memories of the PSP.  But if I had to choose ONE system, do I want one that I know so much about already?  I mean I've played (and enjoyed) a LOT of PC Engine games in my time, but I still get stoked when I find quirky little games like Echoshift.

Truth be told, I can't answer. I know that if I could save one console from a fire, it would be my PC Engine combo, maybe my SGX.  But if I went to jail or something and I could take one with me?  Might even be my 360.

[jeffhlewis]

My desert island system would probably be the Genny/MD, with the Saturn probably being the more logical choice due to the depth and quality of the library. Simply a nostalgia choice, if I grew up with the TG-16 I'd probably be saying that.

[wildfruit]

actually i changed my mind
game boy advance ftw
and cos i can play it on the toilet

[turboswimbz]

actually i changed my mind
game boy advance ftw
and cos i can play it on the toilet

You don't have a potty chair in your game room?

For Shame 

[MrFlutterPie]

actually i changed my mind
game boy advance ftw
and cos i can play it on the toilet

When I first got my Game Boy B&W my dad sat on the can for 2 hours straight playing it.  When he got up his butt and legs were asleep so he had to stumble around the room to work it out while my mom laughed her ass off at him. 

My favorite game I used to plan on the crapper was TMNT:Fall of the Foot Clan

[esteban]

STATUS: As I think about it more and more...I think the Famicom/NES might be the console I'd want. In my earlier post, I said FC/NES was a close second...but I think it's in the lead. The sheer number of amazing games for FC/NES is the reason why it crushes all other platforms.

I feel bad for betraying my beloved FC/NES!

Of course, had I initially voted for FC/NES, this post would be about how the PCE should have gotten my vote.

I CAN'T DECIDE BETWEEN THE TWO! 

[Tatsujin]

We have already four EvilEvoIXes..HAAALP!!!

[turboswimbz]

We have already four EvilEvoIXes..HAAALP!!!

[wildfruit]

actually i changed my mind
game boy advance ftw
and cos i can play it on the toilet

You don't have a potty chair in your game room?

For Shame 

more shame. the game room is now the wife's home office
i have no game room

[ProfessorProfessorson]

We have already four EvilEvoIXes..HAAALP!!!

Its possible he has 4 accounts here like he does on the Neo forums. You never know lol.

[EvilEvoIX]

We have already four EvilEvoIXes..HAAALP!!!

Its possible he has 4 accounts here like he does on the Neo forums. You never know lol.

Naw I just need one here.  Why go through the trouble any more?  I am still trading on most video game forums and I got a stack of games coming to me from this site soon enough.