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Game Systems From the 90s

If you are feeling nostalgic or simply want to learn something more about the game systems from the 90s, you have come to the right place. In this article, you will be able to read in great detail everything you need to know regarding the number one entertainment source of the last decade from the past century – the game systems from the 90s.

So, if this sounds like exactly the type of content you were looking for, ensure to read this article until the end and travel back in time with me.

Game Systems From the 90s

Game Systems From the 90s

As video gaming consoles were quite big in the nineties, they have left a huge impression on people that lasts even up to today. Although game systems from the 90s can not by any means compete with the game systems we have today, for those times, they were the absolute revolution and innovation. 

When you compare the 80s and the 90s, the number of video game players has increased almost more than twice in the last decade of the 20th century. This only speaks of the gravity of the game systems, their relevance in those times, and how much they meant to millions of people worldwide.

Ultimately, because the game systems from the 90s can be classified into three different generations, we will take a look at each of them separately. Moreover, if you want to read additional information regarding the generation consoles, click on this link.

Fourth generation consoles

The fourth generation consoles began around 1987 and ended in 1996. During this period, most games and systems programmed for the 16-bit era were released. The 2D graphics were still at full power, and only at the end of this generation people started experimenting with 3D graphics.

Fifth generation consoles

This generation of consoles started in 1993 and ended around 1999. During this period, also known as the transitional period, most of the game developers started producing 32/64-bit games and intensified experimenting with 3D graphics. 

Early sixth-generation consoles

Finally, the last generation of consoles from the 90s was the early sixth-generation console that was characterized by the release of the Dreamcast video console. After this, the release of the PlayStation 2 was the end of the early sixth generation, which officially signified the new and modern beginning in the game systems of the new century.

The Best Game Systems From the 90s

The Best Game Systems From the 90s

SNK Neo Geo (1990)

Although it is one of the lesser-known game consoles, the SNK Neo Geo completely turned the gaming community over, thanks to the price of the game system itself. Coming from Japan, the SNK Neo Geo was actually created to resemble a mini version of the traditional arcade game with impressive large arcade-style controllers.

One special thing about the SNK Neo Geo that made this game system different from others was the custom video chipset which allowed the Neo Geo to generate different non-static backgrounds. Up to that point, the game systems came with a static background only, and the custom video chipset was a groundbreaking revelation. Since then, this technological innovation and revolution have changed the appearance of the game systems from the 90s once and for all.

Unfortunately, all of these game systems stopped being manufactured at some point, and after selling about one million gaming units, this game system’s life finally came to an end in 1997.

Popular games on SNK Neo Geo

Even though the SNK Neo Geo games lived short, they made a long-lasting impression on the gaming industry and gaming experience in the 90s. One of the most popular games that almost everyone has heard about is the Metal Slug franchise which kept on going and releasing new sequels for many years after. This game has fans even today, which speaks for the fact of how big it was back in the day.

Some other games that were released from the SNK Neo Geo are Art of Fighting and Mark of the Wolves.

Sega Game Gear (1990)

The Sega Game Gear, released in Japan in 1990, represented the past century’s favorite small hand-held game system. Seeing the fame of the Game Boy, Sega wanted to take an opportunity of that and came up with a more modern solution, the Sega Game Gear.

Sega’s affordable price and the unique game library put this game system in first place among the small hand-held game systems. With 10.62 million sold units, there was not a single person who had not heard of or played on this game system.

Ultimately, with the increased number of other small hand-held gaming systems, the last batch of the Sega Game Gear came out in 1997 for the last time.

Popular games on the Sega Game Gear

One of the many reasons this game system was so loved is the game library, which consisted of 364 games and was absolutely incredible for that time. Some of these games are considered game classics even today. The most famous game titles that you could have played on the Sega Game Gear are Master of Darkness, Sonic the Hedgehog, Mortal Kombat, etc.

Read more: Best SEGA Master System Games

Super Nintendo (1990)

Super Nintendo (1990)

The Super Nintendo game system was also released in Japan in 1990. This game system, known as the SNES, was revolutionary for that time because it supported 16-bit graphics and had a one-in-a-kind sound quality that no other game system could even dream of having.

By selling about 49.1 million units, this was one of the most sold game systems of the entire last decade of the 20th century. A very interesting fact regarding this game system from the 90s is that although in the early 2000s, the 32-bit game consoles started coming out, the Super Nintendo kept selling increasingly until 2003, when it was once discontinued.

Popular games on the Super Nintendo

Super Nintendo continued the legacy of the Nintendo brand and released some of the most legendary games, such as Super Metroid, Super Mario Kart, Star Fox, Super Mario World, Super Castlevania IV, Donkey Kong Country, and many others.