Top 10 hidden gem consoles

Ladies and gentlemen, I begin this article with a question. Are there really "hidden gem" consoles out there? Or were they simply avoided?
Well believe it or not, there are a few consoles around that were amazing but for the most part, unknown.
But be warned: When I say most of them are rare, I meen the expensive kind of rare. That said, EVERYTHING on this list CAN BE BOUGHT. Thats my one rule! So, shall we?




JVC Wondermega (1992-1996)

You wanna talk innovation? How about a 23 year old video game console that allowed you to play your own music! Equiped with midi and microphone ports. This was a very early at "all you need entertainment console" that this current gen is trying to acomplish...




SSD XaviXPorT (2004-2009)
This lil device that looks like one of those slimline  dvd players you used to get in the mid naughties (because slim and silver was so scifi at the time,right?) Was in fact a motion capture console, predating the Nintendo Wii by two years. The console was more of a virtual sports centre than games console as sports games were pretty much the only thing on the menu. Naturally it was overshadowed by the Wii... But with such a catchy name like "The ssd XaviXporT" I cant for the life of me think why.




Sega MultiMega/CDX(1994-1996)
Finally a name we can trust!
This thing wasnt JUST a slimmed down version of the Sega CD. It also backed up as a walkman (portable cd players for the younger folk) powerd by just 2 lithium AA batteries! So answer me this,fanboys. Can your... XBONE do that? Theyre about as portable as my nans washing machine. Love you Microsoft




PSX (2000-2004)
Yes that abreviation actually meens something! What a beast. This badboy is a ps1, ps2, dvd player, dvd recorder and video/audio/image editor. It can even sync up to the psp for music and video(not sure about games). It was also the 1st playstation console to use the
XMB interface (similar to psp and ps3). Unfortunatly they never left japan but has never seemed to stop people buying japanese only games and consoles before. These things are rare enough, but if you manage to find one in silver, then you have just bagged your self a 2004 limited edition psx! Good luck.




SDK NEO-GEO (1994-1998)
Now many veteran hardcore gamers will argue that this is not an "obscure console". Only to then make youtube rants about how unappreciated the NEO-GEO was...Go figure. Anyway.
This console is possibly the most powerful 16-bit console going. Created to bring arcade games to your home in perfect quality, most games are about 500 mb which is crazy for 16 bit cartriges. Most of the games are arcade ports and sadly, no, there arent alot of rpgs (imagine Final Fantasy on this beast!),
The neo geo pocket is also noteworthy! A black and white 8bit portable console with allot of punch!




Apple Pippin(1994-1997)

Even apple had a shot of video gaming!
Just like the 3DO, apple decided to liscense this console out to other companies to manufacture (most notable being Bandai). Based on the tech from apple macs at the time, the Pipin was designed to bring they're computer games to the tv. Unfortunatly poor Pipin was overshadowed both comercially, critically and technically by its main competetors, the Sony Playstation and the Sega Saturn. Also what the hell was wrong with apple? Pipin? Really? You named your console after an old womans lap dog? Poor Pipin.




Nokia N-Gage (2003-2006)
Acording to wikipedia the name is a pun on the word engage! Yeah thanks for clearing that up guys, many potentially sleepless nights, avoided. Moving on. This handheld console, ugly as it may be, was one of the 1st hand held console to support 3d graphics that wouldnt want to make your head expload! Combining a mobile phone with a game console is a thing most emulator junkies take for granted but 12 years prior, this was pretty innovative and bold.




JXD S7800 (2013-Present)
Now, you might be thinking;
But why would I want an emulating android console, if I have a powerful tablet/phone?
Well 1st of all, it already comes equiped with pretty much all of the high quality emulators available and plays even the dreamcast and psp games flawlesly, it also has all the onboard console style buttons. If your gonna emulate then this thing is the closest to being perfect.
This big boy has a 7 Inch hd screen and is twice the size as the psp! It also has a micro sd port and very strong battery! A brilliant tool for game footage capturing too.






Hyperkin RetroN5 (2014-present)

Ever wanted to play all of your favorite cartriges in one console?
Well the Retron 5 is perfect! Well, almost. The box allows you to play NES/Famicom, Genesis/MegaDrive, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance games from all regions! You can also input cheats and "save state", you can even tweak the visuals and it has a hdmi support for crips visuals . The Retron5 has all the benefits of both emulation and traditional gaming, in one box. There a few snags like the controler not bei g to everyones standards but that is changable as its only a standard bluetooth system.






Panasonic Q: (2003-2006)
The Nintendo Gamecube lacked something crucial, the CD/dvd player. But imagine a Gamecube capable of playing CDs, DVDs and Gamcube discs! Thats where Panasonic comes in. When Nintendo and Panasonic teamed they created possibly the most stunning, Sci-Fi looking cube. With LED display for track number etc and even LEDs for the comtroler ports combine with a chrome steal chasis, this thing looks amazing! Again, it unfortunatly was only released in Japan but my god, that will not stop me from purchasing the best looking console I have ever seen.



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Why do game movies suck so bad?

Ladies and gentlemen, I begin this article with a question: Why the hell do video game movies suck? Sure, everyone has a guilty pleasure or two, but generally they are bad.
It's gotten to the point where as soon as we hear "Movie Adaptation", we switch off and move on.

So, what's going on? Why is it so hard for these big budget companies to make a decent movie adaptation? Well, after doing some research, I realised that there are three main reasons why.

Games are different to movies. (Omg mindblown):
Yes, it is obvious to us, but clearly not for the hollywood people. Making a game into a movie isnt just about finding people who look like the characters in the game and copying the story. You have to focus on different mechanics of the story because it was originaly written for a player to interact with. That said, you don't want to alienate people when they watch it (resident evil movies?). So a reimagening and retelling of our favorite titles would atleast be a  different experience. Same plot, same characters. Is that so hard?

2.- PLAY THE DAMN GAMES AND ENJOY THEM!:

The problem with most movie producers is that they arent gamers and haven't even played the game theyre trying to adapt! This is probably the biggest flaw they have. You cant just read a script and off you go. Again, it's not a movie, it's a game!

3.- We can't watch a movie adaptation and expect the same feeling:
Yes, to some extent, we are PARTLY to blame. See, us gamers, we have a tendancy to be... "fanboys". Rant all you want about fanboys ruining your favorite franchise, but at some point you will be that fanboy... Ofcourse there is a difference between having fanboy moments and BEING a fanboy... Much like theres a difference between being a fanboy and being a TROLL. But I digress.
We have to accept that we aren't going to get the same vibe as we would if we were to play the game. That said. Even though it won't be the SAME vibe, doesn't meen it wont be a good one.

Before we leave with a sour taste in our mouths, here are 3 of my favorite "video game movies":

Tomb Raider: Mainly because Angelina Jolie kills that roll! Honestly I cant think of a better person to play the geroine tomb raider! The concept and action sequences are impressive! Even though the story wont be for everyone, its damn entertaining!

Resident Evil: Degeneration/Dammation:
CGI movies seem to be hit and miss but oh my this is awesome. Action packed with the same amount of gore and monsters.

Silent hill: Not the second one (urgh).
This movie payed attention to detail.
Note that the director chose to make the monsters very visible as apose to the games "fear what you can bearly see". Yes, its flawed but with quality, atention to detail and with lots of silent hill law references, all open minded fans should take a look.

Do not touch alone in the dark... That is all



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