Bits and Pieces: Underrated Retro Consoles

Believe it or not, there was a time when every major video game system had two or three underdogs trailing behind. Regrettably, most of them vanished if they didn’t impress consumers or find their target audience. In some cases the library of titles for these consoles wouldn’t even exceed 40, and had very little -- if any at all -- support from third-party developers.

Though each had their own unique advancements, fan base, and contribution to the games industry, the following is a list of underrated gaming consoles that faded from the market.

Atari 7800 ProSystem

Atari constantly attempted to duplicate the 2600's success, and the Atari 7800 ProSystem was no exception to this. Possibly the most underrated console on this list, Atari's 8-bit wonder rarely receives attention. Most retro gaming fans discuss the wonders of the Atari 2600, or how its successor, the Atari 5200, failed before the giant market crash of 1983. The 7800, however, doesn't even get many mentions regarding its failure against the flourishing NES and the growing Master System.

Why it's great

The Atari 7800 was ideal for arcade enthusiasts. What began as Atari's acquisition of General Computer Corporation eventually lead to the Atari 7800 and exclusive GCC titles like Food Fight. Multiple arcade favorites like Ms. Pac-Man, Centipede, Dig Dug, and many others also presented lavish arcade-like graphics. Aside from successfully recreating the venue experience at home, the best part about Atari's newest system was its backwards compatibility -- without those clunky conversion adapters -- with Atari 2600 games. Housing popular arcade classics, old favorites from the 2600, superior graphics, and smoother joystick controls than the Atari 5200, the Atari 7800 seemed exceptional.

Why it failed to last

Though the graphics were fantastic and the Atari 7800 sported popular arcade games, the library of newer titles only contained a handful of cartridges. Many audiences were also beginning to desire newer programs with more sophisticated mechanics, and Atari simply offered a revised version of what players already experienced. To make matters worse, the system's sound chip was also inferior, and made many games -- including Pole Position 2 -- sound exactly like they were on the original 2600. While Nintendo and Sega waged war on the 8-bit market, the 7800 stepped away from the stage. As a result, the company spotlight returned to the aged but popular Atari 2600.

A trickier Atari system to locate, the 7800 can be found online between $30 and $60 if loose, while boxed models range in the hundreds. Because of its smaller library of titles, Atari 7800 cartridges are harder to track in both thrift stores and game shops. Every Atari 7800 game and accessory purchase I've made was online.

Magnavox Odyssey 2

Compared to other systems like the Intellivision and Coleco Vision, Magnavox's Odyssey 2 -- released to compete with the Atari 2600 -- was not nearly as popular. Needless to say, Magnavox's newest product had numerous bells and whistles placing the system ahead of its time. Created by the same organization that sponsored Ralph Baer's Odyssey machine, the Odyssey 2 was conceived to impress audiences everywhere, while also exploring new functions in the world of gaming. Eventually taking the back seat on the market, the Odyssey 2 unfortunately fell behind.

Why it's great

For starters, the Odyssey 2 was the only home game console of its kind that sported a built-in keyboard on the unit. Though other home computer systems came and went, most of them weren't built to be the next Atari 2600 or Coleco Vision; these machines aimed more towards an audience that valued programming over basic recreation. Other perks on the Odyssey 2 included an advanced speech synthesizer and enhanced graphics, both of which were great selling points for the system. Aside from these space age features (which Magnavox was very proud of), the Odyssey 2 also offered lovable arcade clones -- including KC Munchkin, Pac-Man's estranged cousin -- similar to those found on other popular systems.

Why it failed to last

Considering its position on the market, the Odyssey 2 did well by selling over 2,000,000 units worldwide. Atari, however, managed to keep their 2600 console on top with the Coleco Vision following behind. Like Mattel's Intellivision, the Odyssey 2 was a system that -- regardless of its features and innovations -- simply failed to find a target audience. Between losing market battles against Atari and an overall lack of third-party titles, Magnavox's Odyssey 2 eventually drifted away.

Depending on the contents (box, manuals, games, etc.) and condition, most Odyssey 2 systems sell for $70-150 on auction sites. Though these keyboard wielding beasts seem to be rare in thrift stores and game shops, I’ve personally encountered many Odyssey 2 cartridges for no more than a couple of dollars.

Sega 32X

Getting little respect for the few decent games it offers, Sega's 32X Genesis attachment is a more common unit discussed among retro enthusiasts. Lacking in both ingenuity and replay value, many installments are polygonal messes with the tendency to crash. There are, however, reasonably interesting games available on this peripheral, and I'd call it a "system" if it didn't fit on top of a Genesis like some general manager's awful toupee.

Why it’s great

The video games industry soon revealed other 3D wonders (including Sega’s own Saturn), but the 32X gave consumers a healthy dose of next generation graphics for a slightly lower price. Titles including Virtua Racer, Virtua Fighter, and Shadow Squadron -- though quite "blocky" looking -- offered a more powerful home console experience comparable to arcade or PC games. Even side-scrolling classics -- like Knuckles Chaotix and Primal Rage -- were released or reimagined on this system. Aside from granting the Genesis a hefty overhaul of graphics, the 32X also allowed players to enjoy all of their original Genesis cartridges without having to remove the extension.

Why it failed to last

Poor planning on Sega's part and a lack of popular titles lead to the systems ultimate demise. For starters, many felt hesitant to pay $160 for a mere add-on. The Genesis attachment was also quite notorious for freezing in the middle of certain games. Sometimes cartridges would refuse to function at all, and no "clean with Q-tip" or "blow in it" trick provided a remedy for these issues. I actually had the pleasure of experiencing multiple crashes on my own copy of Virtua Racer, which was nowhere near the definition of "fun." Depending on the condition of your 32X, some games may not work properly, and many consumers noticed these flaws early on. Perhaps the 32X would have survived longer if it were a reliable standalone system with a greater library of games. 

Unlike other systems listed above, the 32X is usually much easier to track down and only sells for about $15-30 for the individual unit. Bundles with games and the actual Genesis console may go for more depending on the seller, but usually won’t exceed $60 -- even with a box -- on sites like eBay. I personally got mine with three games for $15, and the person who sold it acted like I was taking a rotten child or rabid animal off their hands. I guess one man’s goldmine truly is another man’s garbage.