5 Best Console Redesigns

WC writes: Gamescom is just around the corner and talk is rife about a rumoured second PlayStation 3 redesign possibly being revealed at the show. It’s not just Sony looking to keep their current hardware fresh with the aid of some plastic surgery; Nintendo are about to launch the 3DS XL, the first of who knows how many revisions to the 3DS.

This got me thinking about all the other console redesigns we’ve seen down the years; I’ve put together my top 5 and here they are.

[darthv72]

some of those
are simply shrinking the casing as opposed to a "redesign". A redesign (to me) is a complete overhaul of the hardware to the point where it may be the same specs on the inside but looks nothing like the previous on the outside.

A good example is the 3do. Going from the squared front loader FZ-1 to the smaller more streamline top loading FZ-10.

Another example of a redesign would be the original top/bottom genesis/cd to the side x side models. I would have to say my favorite redesign has to be the original turbografx w/cd completely redone into the turbo duo. That thing is sexy.

[DK286K]

I agree about the Genesis & Sega CD. Both redesigns were pretty radical.

The NES top loader was also a great redesign. Although the original NES is an iconic piece of gaming history, the top loader alleviated the main problem with the original - poor connections between the cartridge and the interior contacts.

[3GenGames]

I wouldn't say the hardware has to look different, it just has to be more drastic than the PS3 big to slim. And I agree, NES redesign was insane and better in quality than the toaster. The reason it's not on the list is the list sucks, honestly. Only reason.

ETA: Also, great one below me, SP destroyed the original GBA. Although, only the late SP's. The early ones had a terrible back light still, wasn't much better.

[darthv72]

almost forgot...
the Sega CDX. It was a combined genesis/cd into a nice portable unit. despite what sega said in the user manual, the 32x does in fact work on the cdx.

[Blastoise]

GBA SP was a pretty good one, added a backlight, rechargeable battery & you could close the top down to avoid scratches.

[darthv72]

agreed
funny how that didnt make the list. I still have my original GBA that I had an afterburner light kit installed in. Of course I did that just a few months before the SP was announced.

An honorable mention would have to go to the Sega Nomad. I mean it is not only a redesigned genesis but it is a redesigned genesis with its own screen. It doubled as a console when hooked to a tv.

How cool was that?!?!?

[suicidalblues]

Still have my Nomad. Six batteries and an hours worth of gaming, and people complain about the 3ds and Vita having crappy battery life. :P

[Mac is OK]

The DS Lite was the one that made the biggest difference to me.
Also, there's not a PS3 Slim. The original model was called by it's full name 'Playstation 3', while the current one is just called 'PS3'. Nowhere in the box does it say 'PS3 Slim', so they can still use that name in the next model.

[MySwordIsHeavenly]

Gameboy Advance SP was NOT on the list?!?!?!?!?

WHY?!?!? That's the best redesign ever made!

[Siren30]

I like the look of the old ps3 better than the ps3 slim

[PoSTedUP]

indeed my chromed-out original 80gig is sexy as ****.

[MrKingofVideoGames]

and don't the slim models lack some things too (I know about backwards compatibility but isn't there less usb inputs, etc.)

I still have the 80gb Motorstorm model...

[PoSTedUP]

all other models besides the original 60 and 80gig MS bundle (one i have) dont play ps2 games, only have 2 usb ports, no SD memory card slots, and are ugly non chrome gray.

[dead_eye]

Anyone who thinks the ps3 slim is better looking than the original model should get their eyes tested.

[ChunkyLover53]

Xbox 360s and the Gameboy Advance SP were my two favorite redesigns. Even though the SP didn't make this list, it was a revolution in handheld gaming. I love how Nintendo makes their handhelds so they can fold up inside of itself and protect the screen.

[MrKingofVideoGames]

alright, I must speak up for my avatar- the Intellivision to the Intellivision 2 was a great redesign. It ushered us out of the " all electronics must have wood-grain, shiny metal, and be HUGE" era into the iconic color schemes we still see in use for consoles today.

Ah, heck, let's throw the Ngage redesign in there, too. It is a a shame that side talkin' never really took off.

[thebudgetgamer]

The redesigned 2600 was a pretty sleek looking.
http://retrothing.typepad.c...