What is your favourite video game hardware in terms of physical design, aesthetics, and ergonomics?

[Derachi]

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about Nintendo's history of handhelds, so I started taking all of my old Game Boys and Nintendo DS systems out and messing around with them. I was going in chronological order, and when I got to the DSi, something about it struck me. It was thin, but it didn't feel fragile. It was light, but it didn't feel flimsy. The matte black plastic had just the right amount of grit. The buttons and D-pad all had a satisfying click. The stylus was just the right size, stored in just the right place. Even now, almost a decade after it's release, the Nintendo DSi still holds up as a brilliant, beautiful piece of hardware. Simply holding it feels good. It's clean, it's minimalistic, and despite it's age, still looks and feels like the future.

Just look at this thing.

Oddly enough, there's one minor detail about the DSi that I had never noticed since I bought it at launch, but instantly fell in love with it, here in 2018. I booted up the camera, just to see how well they held up quality-wise (spoiler alert: not at all). I turned the system around and... the camera indicator light is pink. Across this monolithic matte black slab of plastic is this cute little hidden gem of an indicator light. I adore it.

To see if I was crazy, I picked up my New 3DS XL shortly thereafter to compare. It somehow felt both flimsy and clunky at the same time, while looking like a toy. Unimpressed, I quickly put it back down and starting looking on eBay for some DS classics to play on this rediscovered masterpiece of a handheld.

Not that I expect anyone else to be this weirdly enamoured by a piece of video game hardware, but what are your favourites? Is there a handheld, controller or console that you just absolutely love to look at or hold?

 

[Dark Knight]

Wow, I actually came in here thinking about the DSi. It's just so pleasant. I have the blue one and I'm never getting rid of it.

I also like Virtual Boy, but only because it's ridiculous.

 

[Kiro]

I think the PS2. Just looking at it, felt like it was a home entertainment console, capable of more than just games. I don't how to express that properly. Before it, all the systems looked like video game consoles. The PS2 looked like a Media Console that fit nicely in any living room.

 

[Brian McDoogle]

I loved the compact and symmetrical nature of the GameCube, and it looked like a make believe console I created that was going to be the console after the SNES.

 

[Derachi]

Wow, I actually came in here thinking about the DSi. It's just so pleasant. I have the blue one and I'm never getting rid of it.

Click to shrink...

When the DSi originally released, I was in my late teens, so to look "cool" and "mature," I chose the black one, as did all of my friends. As an adult... well, the black one still looks phenomenal, I can't help but wish I could at least see that beautiful blue in person.

 

[Rygar 8Bit]

Always liked how the Master System looked

 

[Zaki2407]

Original Phat 60gb PS3. It felt that you just bought a fancy-looking piece oh hardware with a premium price tag.

 

[DocSeuss]

I mean,

The 8800 GTX is probably the most perfect piece of gaming hardware to ever exist.

 

[Akela]

Agree with the DSi, though I would go for the previous iteration, the DS Lite, since it maintained the GBA cartridge slot of the original while having a similar design to the DSi.

As for other consoles, I think the PS2 slim is the obvious answer - the difference in size between it and the original PS2 despite coming out only a few years after just shows how fast technology changed back in the early 2000s. Even today I would say it is the more modern looking console compared to the PS4 Pro I have next to it.

 

[Piggychan]

pc engine IFU with CD-ROM attachment back in 1988

 

[Derachi]

I think the PS2. Just looking at it, felt like it was a home entertainment console, capable of more than just games. I don't how to express that properly. Before it, all the systems looked like video game consoles. The PS2 looked like a Media Console that fit nicely in any living room.

Click to shrink...

Unless there's an obvious one I'm forgetting, I think this is thanks to the PS2 being the first major console designed to be completely interacted with from the front, instead of the top. The disc tray and power/reset buttons were all on the front, as opposed to the top, making it feel like it belonged right at home in a big entertainment centre shelf.

 

[daybreak]

I don't own one, but the Xbox One X is a beautiful piece of hardware. Love me some subtle, underhanded designs.

 

[Parfait]

PS4 classic, PS Vita.

I really love sharp edges, so the ps2 wowed me. I was underwhelmed on the PS3, then came the ps4. Whew was it a sexy console, sharp edges and angles, futuristic and aggressive but not overly so. Then they remade it for no reason into the fisher price version with bonus hamburger version that we have today. Very, very meh.

PS Vita's design is practically everything I wanted out of a handheld. Big screen, reasonable controls, not awkward to hold. It may have had a pocket problem with the analog sticks but I didn't mind it. It's just too bad sony decided to shoot it as it exited the gate with the proprietary storage.

 

[BriGuy]

I kind of like the N64. Those curves make it look really sleek.

 

[KillLaCam]

The little screen on the Dreamcast controller is still my favorite thing.

 

[Derachi]

I don't own one, but the Xbox One X is a beautiful piece of hardware. Love me some subtle, underhanded designs.

Click to shrink...

If you told me the same person who designed the DSi designed this stunner, I'd believe it. I haven't had too much hands/eyes-on time with one in person, but there's a timeless quality to the X that makes me think that, in a decade, it'll still be a beautiful box.

 

[MisterHero]

The color and sharp edges were modern and the slanted stand was futuristic.

The controller was perfect for Nintendo's games, even if the evolution into the Joy-Cons was necessary.

 

[JusDoIt]

The OG is sexy too.

 

[Nickgia]

Still the best around.

 

[Mechaplum]

My Thrustmaster TWCS Throttle. So comfy despite having so many hat switches and buttons.

 

[Ghos]

this thang

https://www.resetera.com/threads/nintendo-is-giving-away-a-labo-inspired-switch-in-australia.51557

scrumptious

it's like beach sand

i wanna put animal crossing amiibos on it

and almost any vita 2000 without a black bezel

ooh yes and another rep for the gamecube

 

[Ghost250]

Original PlayStation 2 is definitely up there as one of my favorites, the console looks so clean and the blue color gave it such an edgy look imo, that is something the slim PS2 just couldn't replicate for me. Once you had it, it felt like you got something that was bound to give you loads of entertainment, which it did.

The GameCube design was also a great one for me, really good form factor and easily transportable due to the handle. It didn't make the console look tacky either, it was rather complementing to all the other intricacies of the system.

 

[Derachi]

PS Vita's design is practically everything I wanted out of a handheld. Big screen, reasonable controls, not awkward to hold. It may have had a pocket problem with the analog sticks but I didn't mind it. It's just too bad sony decided to shoot it as it exited the gate with the proprietary storage.

Click to shrink...

I've never owned one myself, but I did like the Vita everytime I could get my hands on one. It was never really an inexpensive unit, but it (at least, the original OLED model) always looked and felt like it should cost more than it did. It had a luxurious, premium look and feel that, while it's not exactly my style, is definitely a design I can appreciate and enjoy.

 

[Arozay]

GameCube wins with the handle.

 

[Deleted member 14002]

Came here to post DSi/lite.

The DS4 and Xbone controllers are pretty great feeling.

 

[Pwnz]

I have to go with switch and pro controllers when docked. The whole hybrid thing is just so convenient.

 

[jroc74]

Interesting thread.

Taking all 3 in the title into effect, MS should be applauded because the first thing that came to mind is, I cant say the One S, X can I? lol.

I never really liked the PS One design after the PS2 came out, but for this topic it might get my vote.

And thinking about it now the phat ass PS3 can get a vote.

Handhelds, really hard to say. I played a Game Boy before, never owned one. I had a Vita. I had a 3DS amd 2DS.

I might give the vote to the Sega Genesis.

Its hard to say for me.

I mean,

The 8800 GTX is probably the most perfect piece of gaming hardware to ever exist.

Click to shrink...

oohhhI like this answer. uh oh...graphics cards might take this to another level. lol

 

[Dark Knight]

When the DSi originally released, I was in my late teens, so to look "cool" and "mature," I chose the black one, as did all of my friends. As an adult... well, the black one still looks phenomenal, I can't help but wish I could at least see that beautiful blue in person.

Click to shrink...

Aw! I hope someday you meet that fated person that owns a blue DSi :P

My fav colors always been blue so that's why I went for it, I was in college at the time. To be fair the black is still sexy.

 

[Nexus2049]

PlayStation 3 60GB, folllwed by PlayStation Vita, followed by Xbox One X.

 

[Deleted member 2145]

yeah I came in here to post a black DSi

that thing was nice

for me there isn't another piece of hardware that looks as stylish as that. it's sleek, understated, modern. ergonomics are decent, certainly better than the 3DS models for me, but it wasn't earth shattering in that area but from a design and aesthetic standpoint it's just so good.

 

[jroc74]

Forgot, OG PS4 gets a vote. Ow the edge.

 

[JusDoIt]

The current object of my desire is this bamboo SNES arcade stick, the SOZU S1 by Shika Arcades. It looks so beautiful paired with an SFC:

 

[MinerArcaniner]

PlayStation 3 60GB, folllwed by PlayStation Vita, followed by Xbox One X.

Click to shrink...

My exact sentiments to a T.

The original PS3 had to be handled like a precious artifact to avoid scratches and fingerprints, but it is easily my favorite designed console of all time.

 

[ClickyCal']

I honestly think the OG ps4, especially the version with no gloss top part looks really great.

 

[I Wanna Be The Guy]

Original Phat 60gb PS3. It felt that you just bought a fancy-looking piece oh hardware with a premium price tag.

Click to shrink...

Yeah OG PS3 was as sexy as a home console gets.

OG Vita and to a lesser extent OG PSP are the sexiest handheld designs. In addition to being sexy looking Vita was amazing to hold too.

 

[Derachi]

Aw! I hope someday you meet that fated person that owns a blue DSi :P

My fav colors always been blue so that's why I went for it, I was in college at the time. To be fair the black is still sexy.

Click to shrink...

I might just hit up eBay if they aren't too expensive haha. Weird question, and you might not even have these in order to check, but how does the blue of the DSi compare to the Neon Blue Joy-Cons? If it's a close match, I'll probably get one just to match those. It's an absolutely gorgeous colour.

 

[Bricktop]

I can't get behind any of the PS designs other than the Vita, which was excellent. I just think the PS2/3 look dumb and the PS4 is form over function. Some of my favorites are the Wii, Gamecube or the X. That Switch posted above is pretty damn nice as well. Nintendo, overall, has a nice history of quality console designs, unlike Sony/Microsoft.

 

[Crayon]

1. Neo Geo AVS
2. NEC Turbo Duo

That's it. Just one and two.

 

[Dark Knight]

I might just hit up eBay if they aren't too expensive haha. Weird question, and you might not even have these in order to check, but how does the blue of the DSi compare to the Neon Blue Joy-Cons? If it's a close match, I'll probably get one just to match those. It's an absolutely gorgeous colour.

Click to shrink...

Sadly I have the black joycon switch >_< even though I really wanted the neon one, at launch the black were just more available it seemed.

I could see that blue being somewhat similar though.

 

[jroc74]

I can't get behind any of the PS designs other than the Vita, which was excellent. I just think the PS2/3 look dumb and the PS4 is form over function. Some of my favorites are the Wii, Gamecube or the X. That Switch posted above is pretty damn nice as well. Nintendo, overall, has a nice history of quality console designs, unlike Sony/Microsoft.

Click to shrink...

Dammit I forgot about the Wii.

Oh man, lol.

 

[ArcaneFreeze]

My first thought was also DSi. But he XL version. I mean it looks so clean and almost professional

 

[dr.rocktopus]

Original PS4 is gorgeous. I love hard edges and corners on consoles; the PS4 looks agressive yet sleek. Ergonomically it's pretty bad - the small access to front USBs my biggest complaint. But since you don't always have to handle a console these days, I can forgive it.

I really like the PS2s. They all are so sleek. I wish they kept that lovely blue accenting.

When I think about it, the original NES is a very clean design for the time. Not a lot of forms like the SNES that followed. Again all hard lines; the details and variations were in the colours.

That being said, the N64 is all curves. It's like the same evolution cars went through going from the square 80s to the curvaceous 90s. It flows from surface to surface, again unlike the SNES. Touch points feel solid. I love the coldness of the fonts. The dots over the controller ports indicating which port is which. The density of it.

I really like the Xbox One. The original is pretty big, but MS did not fuck around after the issues with the 360. The power button actually works so I don't mind lack of physical feedback. It's quiet, it's cool. It feels substantial. The venting is gorgeous with so much definition to it in the depth of the plastic.

The Dreamcast is very close for me, but I don't like the squares circling the disc lid. I like how small it is - it enforces how futuristic it was at the time given how large the previous generation consoles were. To be honest, I like the box art of the original console release - the out of focus image and colouring make it look foreign and mysterious, which works with the launch marketing.

 

[The Praiseworthy]

It's just so Iconic <3

 

[Deleted member 29195]

There's something about the DS Lite that brings me so much joy. Maybe it's staying up all night to finish Phoenix Wright 3 or just the overall quality of the design, but whenever I think of a console's design, I always think of the little thing.

 

[Camstun187]

Gamecube. It was compact and sturdy, and fit easily into most overhead storage bins.

 

[Strangelove_77]

PS1

Incredibly iconic. Nothing after it besides maybe the GameCube ever stood out again. It was all just different boxes after it.

PSP Go

Such a premium fucking product. A thing of beauty. It never felt cramped like the GB Micro did.

 

[Princess Viola]

Never owned one, but I just love the aesthetics of the Twin Famicom

 

[Hate]

Tie with the Vita and the PSX with it's own screen.

 

[Billy Awesomo]

The OG is sexy too.

Click to shrink...

The Millionaire's console aka the King of consoles... My vote goes for the Neo Geo AES as well.

 

[Richietto]

Maaaaan the DSi is a looker. So sleek and without noticeable gaps. Nice and rectangular. I'm super partial to the bergandy DSi. Switch is second to it in terms of handhelds.

For consoles I gotta give it up to the PS2 Slim and Wii. PS2 was sooo compact and Wii felt modern and the glow of the disk tray was really nice.

For controllers I'll go with the GCN controller. Many don't like it but it's ideal for one of my favorite franchises Smash and honestly it's one of the only controllers ever made that doesn't give me hand cramps hours in. Same for the Switch Pro, which is second for me.