Over the years video games have provided so many of us with so much joy. However, sometimes a great idea gets lost in translation. Here are just some of the biggest blunders in video game history.



Virtual boy


In 1995 Nintendo released the first follow up to the Game Boy with horrifying results. The Virtual Boy was this terrible 3D goggle thing that you put your face into and “enjoyed” the red on black graphics. Headaches, stiff neck and eye strain were the by-product of playing this console. Needless to say, it tanked. I played one once at a Blockbuster when it was first released, and that was one time too many. Nintendo went back to the drawing board tail between legs. To be fair, it was the only failed console Nintendo released which is more than I can say for…



Sega CD/32X/Sega Saturn


Believe it or not, Sega used to make consoles. Moving forward they have been spending the last decade or so doing the thing they do best, making games. But during the 1990’s Sega was really into experimenting with people’s money, yielding brutal Hindenburg-style results. First it was the Sega CD in 1992. As the name would suggest, it was a CD-ROM add on to the successful Sega Genesis. It was pricey, no one made games for it, and the games they did have ran at a slower frame rate than their existing 16-bit counterparts. Harsh.
Next for Sega was the 32X, yet another add on for the Genesis (insert sound of bomb dropping from sky). As I remember there was only one game for it. Again, price, lack of third party support and an overall lack of Sega support killed this one. That’s it right? No, Sega would go on to make not one but two more systems.
On May 11, 1995 the Sega Saturn was released in North America. It was crazy expensive, $700! Crazier still, they are anywhere between $225-$1000 on ebay. I should have kept mine. After three years, few games, disgruntled console owners and bad memories the Saturn was discontinued. I remember how I felt as I swore I would never buy another Sega product ever again. I think many people felt just as I did because in late 1998 Sega released its newest console, Dreamcast. Even though the system was the improvement Sega has been aiming for, it was too little, too late and nobody bought one. Game over.



CDi


In 1991 Royal Philips Electronics attempted to enter the video console wars by pairing up with Nintendo to create an add on for the Super Nintendo. Long story short, the deal fell through and Philips was left with a $700 paperweight. Ouch. Nintendo did give CDi the right to make games featuring Nintendo characters. Those games, (three Zelda, one Mario) were some of the worst ever made. Double ouch.



Atari Jaguar


This blunder needs no introduction. Just the name ‘Atari Jaguar’ is synonymous with just about the biggest dud in video game history. In 1993, Atari re-entered the console business for the last time with the Jaguar. It was over priced, (why were all these terrible consoles $700?) hard for developers to make games for and had this controller that didn’t fit in the average person’s hands. Like Sega, Atari went back to just making games and left the console market for good.



This has just been a taste of the worst. Honorable mentions go to; Panasonic 3DO, Amiga C32, Nokia N-Gage, Neo-Geo and Gizmondo. Stay tuned.

On this day in 1995, during the first ever E3, Sega CEO Tom Kalinske made the surprise announcement that its new console, the Sega Saturn, was already onshopshelves.

Sega had previously revealed that the console would launch in the United States on September 2, prompting Sony — with its PlayStation — to announce a competitive September 9 release at a lower price.

Taito has spent the past couple years trotting out old arcade favorites for a new generation, including Bubble Bobble and Space Invaders. Their next update began life as an arcade game, but the remake will be based on the PSOne version, which launched in 1997.

revealed last August, RayStorm HD is slated to hit XboxLive Arcade and PlayStation Network next week. It will feature an Arcade Mode, Extra Mode and Ranking Mode in addition to updated graphics.

RayStorm is actually part of a trilogy that includes RayCrisis and RayForce, the latter of which made it to the Sega Saturn. It’s a fairly standard shooter with vertically scrolling stages.

Classic Game Room HD reviews the SEGA SATURN PS3 Controller for Playstation 3 PS3 game console (also works for PC games and MAME arcade video games). This Sega Saturn style controller has a USB connection which allows it to work with the PS3. The Sega Saturn PS3 controller is ideal for space ship shooters (SHMUPS) like Xevious Resurrection and others. Get that real Saturn style gamepad with a slick design and easy to use d-pad. PS3 joystick fighting game pad gamepad modded controller.

The PlayStation net praises itself any large RPGs, but Grandia was a remarkable omission up to now. That is not the case, which begins tomorrow, as Sony confirmed the port PS1 for an American release.

Originally back approved for the Sega Saturn 1997, formed Grandia it to the PlayStation two years later. It received considerable applause on both consoles and main header finally two consequences up. It descends discussable of the first play, but the fight is a high point by the entire row.

Grandia was present in the Japanese PlayStation net since last year, therefore it is nice to finally see an English release. By the turn-created strategy play Greed Corp and the PSP mini age of the Zombies is connected.