Most innovative Console Manuf, through history?

[MikeMike]

Well?

I nominate Nintendo...
Wii showed the world interactive games involving your body
N64 gave us rumble-pak (now in EVERY controller)

those are just off the top of my head you guys will know more.

 

[magomago]

imo there haven't been THAT many consoles.

buttt sony brought on dual analogs



i'm also pretty sure sony had a few interactive eye toy games that involved the body prior to nintendo's wii


microsoft also threw in real storage into the console (although they quickly back peddled for a while with the xbox 360)

and if you think about it Sega has done a lot of innovation, imo, more than it should have with the Dreamcast (where it should just have focused on increasing marketshare). Samba De Amigo Maracas, The Fishing Controller, VMUs that snap into the controller (although I think Sony can share some of this glory as they came out about the same time ), and even the introduction of TRIGGERS rather than just buttons

 

[MikeMike]

imo there haven't been THAT many consoles.

buttt sony brought on dual analogs



i'm also pretty sure sony had a few interactive eye toy games that involved the body prior to nintendo's wii


microsoft also threw in real storage into the console (although they quickly back peddled for a while with the xbox 360)

and if you think about it Sega has done a lot of innovation, imo, more than it should have with the Dreamcast (where it should just have focused on increasing marketshare). Samba De Amigo Maracas, The Fishing Controller, VMUs that snap into the controller (although I think Sony can share some of this glory as they came out about the same time ), and even the introduction of TRIGGERS rather than just buttons

The N64 had triggers... hell the SNES had triggers on its remote (if by triggers you allow 'bumpers')

 

[zerocool84]

imo there haven't been THAT many consoles.

buttt sony brought on dual analogs



i'm also pretty sure sony had a few interactive eye toy games that involved the body prior to nintendo's wii


microsoft also threw in real storage into the console (although they quickly back peddled for a while with the xbox 360)

and if you think about it Sega has done a lot of innovation, imo, more than it should have with the Dreamcast (where it should just have focused on increasing marketshare). Samba De Amigo Maracas, The Fishing Controller, VMUs that snap into the controller (although I think Sony can share some of this glory as they came out about the same time ), and even the introduction of TRIGGERS rather than just buttons

Sega first console with built-in internet capability, VMU was a cool concept but didn't take off, they had tons of innovative games though but as for hardware, they're not the top. I'd say Nintendo is top with innovation as far as console hardware goes.

 

[gorcorps]

The N64 had triggers... hell the SNES had triggers on its remote (if by triggers you allow 'bumpers')

I would call neither of those triggers. Triggers aren't just a single click button, they allow a full range of motion and because of that can have pressure sensitive controls. This is really only used much in racing games, but that's the difference.

 

[MikeMike]

I would call neither of those triggers. Triggers aren't just a single click button, they allow a full range of motion and because of that can have pressure sensitive controls. This is really only used much in racing games, but that's the difference.

Then he should have said "pressure sensitive" buttons... plus quick googling seems to say that Sony had the first pressure sensitive buttons... but i haven't fully researched it.

also, there have been at least 20 + consoles...

N64, SNES, NES, GC, Wii, Genesis, Dreamcast, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS, PS2, PS3, Atari, CalicoVision, etc... We are talking about a device that has been around since the 70's with numerous bubbles, and numerous crashes... It's a very mature market.

 

[mmntech]

Nintendo by a long shot. You can argue they have weak hardware, but they basically invented the freaking D-Pad, and brought gaming back from the brink in the mid-80s.

 

[gorcorps]

Then he should have said "pressure sensitive" buttons... plus quick googling seems to say that Sony had the first pressure sensitive buttons... but i haven't fully researched it.

also, there have been at least 20 + consoles...

N64, SNES, NES, GC, Wii, Genesis, Dreamcast, Xbox, Xbox 360, PS, PS2, PS3, Atari, CalicoVision, etc... We are talking about a device that has been around since the 70's with numerous bubbles, and numerous crashes... It's a very mature market.

Because it's not just "pressure sensitive" buttons. Like you said, the PS1 had "pressure sensitive" buttons, including the face buttons. I remember a few games taking advantage of this... if you pushed on the buttons REALLY hard you can see a difference in the control. A pressure sensitive button PLUS the full range of motion (which the PS1 is lacking) is what IMO makes up a trigger. One could argue that ergonomics alone make a "trigger", so the N64 had one. The SNES definitely didn't... those are called shoulder buttons.

This is just my opinion, and what I think mago was getting at.

 

[Monster_Munch]

I seem to remember the Z button on the N64 was usually referred to as the Z-trigger. I liked the gamecube triggers that had dual functionality, analog plus digital clicking.

 

[Jeffg010]

If Mattel would have stayed in the game they be the best.

Intellivision - Mattel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellivision


Innovations

* Intellivision can be considered the first 16-bit game console, as the registers in the microprocessor, where the mathematical logic is processed, are 16 bits wide.

* The Intellivision was also the first system to feature downloadable games. Although, without a storage device the games vanished once the machine was turned off. In 1981, General Instrument teamed up with Mattel to roll out the PlayCable, a device that allowed the downloading of Intellivision games via cable TV.

* Intellivision was the first game console to provide real-time human and robot voices in the middle of gameplay, courtesy of the IntelliVoice module. The voice chip used, the SPO256 Orator, was developed jointly by Mattel and General Instrument.[15]

* Intellivision was the first console to feature a controller with a directional pad that allowed 16 directions. The disc-shaped pad allowed players to control action without lifting the thumb and was considered by many Intellivision users to be a useful innovation. However, the ergonomics of the "action" buttons on the side of the controller were poor, and the disc-pad was perceived by potential buyers as unfamiliar. Along with cost, this was one of the factors in making the Intellivision less popular than the Atari 2600. However, it is interesting to note that the method of controlling movement on the Intellivision, with the thumb, is emulated in many subsequent video game controllers. The joystick-style controller, as seen on the VCS, has not been widely emulated on later consoles. A third-party joystick attachment was available by around 1984, that was installed by opening the controller and fitting the paddle over the disc. A flange around the hollow plastic conical joystick held it in securely when the controller's upper cover was replaced; and a much easier joystick control was the result. The Joystick was about three inches in height; it could not be gripped by the entire hand.

* The Intellivision was also the first game console or home computer to offer a musical synthesizer keyboard. The Music Synthesizer keyboard was designed as a secondary add-on for the ECS, and was intended to lead to a series of music-oriented software titles for both educational and entertainment purposes, but only one title, Melody Blaster, was ever released.

* Intellivision was also the first console to have a complete built-in character font. While Odyssey 2 had a limited character font (uppercase alphabet, numerals, and some other characters), Intellivision's system font had complete upper- and lowercase alphabets, numerals, and almost all of the punctuation and symbols found on standard computer keyboards.

 

[reallyscrued]

I would call neither of those triggers. Triggers aren't just a single click button, they allow a full range of motion and because of that can have pressure sensitive controls. This is really only used much in racing games, but that's the difference.

The Gamecube controller had the best of both worlds. It had an analog trigger that clicked when you got to the very bottom/end. Plus it's analog sticks had octagonal shape guides ala the N64, I'm not sure why that hasn't caught on.

Tie between Nintendo and Sega. Sega's Dreamcast single-handedly should have earned them the crown but Nintendo has done a few too many things since then to overlook.

Sega was awesome at knowing how to look forward, they just sucked at business.

 

[purbeast0]

i think they all have innovated in their own way, but i'd say nintendo would win it if i had to pick 1 over the other.

Nintendo
- d pad
- analog stick and trigger (n64 controller)
- motion controls (as much as i hate it, they still made it mainstream)

Sony
- dual analog stick
- optical media as primary media

Microsoft
- standardized HDD in consoles (and then made it optional, which is odd)
- xbox live online gaming

 

[digiram]

Nintendo
- d pad
- analog stick and trigger (n64 controller)
- motion controls (as much as i hate it, they still made it mainstream)

Didn't the Saturn come out with Analog first with the big ol 3D pad for Nights?

 

[American Gunner]

That is a tough one. Every one on that list contributed something major to gaming.

 

[simonizor]

Nintendo, obviously. Any other answer is just plain wrong. We wouldn't be where we are today in the console market without Nintendo. Sure, the were consoles before the NES, but none of them really took off. Nintendo showed everyone else how it was done, and they've been getting copied every since.

 

[purbeast0]

Didn't the Saturn come out with Analog first with the big ol 3D pad for Nights?

well we're talking mainstream and made things standard ... at least i am heh.

 

[akugami]

imo there haven't been THAT many consoles.

buttt sony brought on dual analogs

Nintendo actually incorporated the modern analogue controllers first. Sony saw Nintendo's public unveiling of said analogue stick which was to be the complement to it's Mario 64 game. Sony then actually released the analogue stick before the N64 console release and said if one was good, let's add another. More of a natural evolution than anything innovative. It's also why Nintendo is just as paranoid with information regarding their new consoles as Apple is with their new products.

i'm also pretty sure sony had a few interactive eye toy games that involved the body prior to nintendo's wii

Sega Activator was a motion sensing controller way before Sony or Nintendo. If we really want to jump back in time, Nintendo Power Glove (not actually an original Nintendo product) says it all.

and if you think about it Sega has done a lot of innovation, imo, more than it should have with the Dreamcast (where it should just have focused on increasing marketshare). Samba De Amigo Maracas, The Fishing Controller, VMUs that snap into the controller (although I think Sony can share some of this glory as they came out about the same time ), and even the introduction of TRIGGERS rather than just buttons

Sega is the second most innovative company. They've contributed a lot to gaming but nothing like Nintendo. As noted by another poster, the cross control pad is a biggie. The 4 way directional control pad is a Nintendo patented control method after all. Then there is the analogue sticks as we currently know them. And of course the "fad" of motion controllers.

I keep mentioning Nintendo changing its controllers because it is how we interact with our games. If the interaction sucks, the gaming will suck. It also needs to be said that most of Nintendo's new controllers are solely to further the gameplay of first party games. And I know someone will say it but Nintendo doesn't always use new technology but they do usually incorporate it in a way that wasn't previously used and helped improve gaming overall.

 

[Tom]

By far Atari. Of course to know this, you need to know the history.

 

[zerocool84]

By far Atari. Of course to know this, you need to know the history.

Only in the very beginning they did but after that they did not innovate at all and that's why they're not around any more.

 

[BD2003]

Isn't really a meaningful poll at all since there's one manufacturer who's clearly been around for far longer than the rest. As much as nintendo innovates, they're equally stubbornly conservative, sticking with cartridges while the world moved onto discs, staying SD, etc.

That being said, going by recent history, while the wii is the oddball, I have to give it up to Microsoft for being far more influential and innovative. With the original xbox, they standardized on internal storage. And the seeds of xbox live were sown, even though it didn't fully bloom with the 360.

What did the 360 give us?
- The first HD console
- Standard wireless controllers
- Standard voice chat in all games, mic packed in
- In game OS access
- Persistent friends list
- Achievements
- Bite sized, low price, digitally distributed games - XBLA
- DLC
- Game patching
- OS Updates
- Indie games

It's mostly associated with xbox live, but the list could continue. They were first on all these things, and they've basically redefined the modern gaming experience. They brought more change in any one console cycle than any company has in any previous. they packed more innovation in the platform than anything nintendo ever has. The hardware is nothing special, and they didnt add any buttons and sticks to the controller, but the software and online services associated with the 360 are the real revolution this generation, and those innovations are here to stay.

 

[zerocool84]

Isn't really a meaningful poll at all since there's one manufacturer who's clearly been around for far longer than the rest. As much as nintendo innovates, they're equally stubbornly conservative, sticking with cartridges while the world moved onto discs, staying SD, etc.

That being said, going by recent history, while the wii is the oddball, I have to give it up to Microsoft for being far more influential and innovative. With the original xbox, they standardized on internal storage. And the seeds of xbox live were sown, even though it didn't fully bloom with the 360.

What did the 360 give us?
- The first HD console
- Standard wireless controllers
- Standard voice chat in all games, mic packed in
- In game OS access
- Persistent friends list
- Achievements
- Bite sized, low price, digitally distributed games - XBLA
- DLC
- Game patching
- OS Updates
- Indie games

It's mostly associated with xbox live, but the list could continue. They were first on all these things, and they've basically redefined the modern gaming experience. They brought more change in any one console cycle than any company has in any previous. they packed more innovation in the platform than anything nintendo ever has. The hardware is nothing special, and they didnt add any buttons and sticks to the controller, but the software and online services associated with the 360 are the real revolution this generation, and those innovations are here to stay.

None of those are innovative as all of that was done long ago on PC save for achievements. They didn't make it up out of no where.

 

[BD2003]

None of those are innovative as all of that was done long ago on PC save for achievements. They didn't make it up out of no where.

And nearly every innovation nintendo brought to consoles were done on PC long ago as well. Its not like they invented the analog stick.

If you really want to go into PC gaming, its basically a microsoft platform of its own.

IMO Nintendo is a cop out answer to a somewhat silly question. I dont think theyve been as innovative as everyone gives them credit for. Their systems have generally been of consistent quality, but aside from the NES, none were especially groundbreaking. Theyre responsible for quirky little trends like rumble packs, but slow to adopt the real game changers of the the past few cycles - optical media and online. Both are far more impactful than the analog stick.

 

[akugami]

And nearly every innovation nintendo brought to consoles were done on PC long ago as well. Its not like they invented the analog stick.

If you really want to go into PC gaming, its basically a microsoft platform of its own.

Your list of Xbox innovations is basically just the same exact thing done on PC's. Except on a console. A console is really nothing but a computer that has one specific task. That task being to play games.

IMO Nintendo is a cop out answer to a somewhat silly question. I dont think theyve been as innovative as everyone gives them credit for. Their systems have generally been of consistent quality, but aside from the NES, none were especially groundbreaking. Theyre responsible for quirky little trends like rumble packs, but slow to adopt the real game changers of the the past few cycles - optical media and online. Both are far more impactful than the analog stick.

Ok...Nintendo is the cop out answer because they didn't invent a lot of the stuff they innovate with. Well, your listing the "innovations" from the Xbox is in many people's opinions not valid because MS merely transplanted the things we've been doing on PC's to the Xbox.

Nintendo on the other hand may have used existing technologies but they coupled it with software to create new gaming experiences or used it in completely different ways not originally imagined. Therein lies much of their innovation.

Analogue input is a very old in and of itself. Analogue controls as created by Nintendo and how it is used (3D platformers) is very new and Nintendo was the first at it.

I'm not saying optical media isn't a game changer and I'm not saying online gaming isn't a game changer. They are. However, and again, these are merely features transplanted from PC's. Nothing new in how they are used at all. In the case of optical media, it's mostly just expanding the available storage space of the medium holding the game data. That does give developers more freedom to create richer gaming experiences but I'd call it evolutionary rather than revolutionary. And when I think innovation I think revolutionary.

 

[BD2003]

Your list of Xbox innovations is basically just the same exact thing done on PC's. Except on a console. A console is really nothing but a computer that has one specific task. That task being to play games.



Ok...Nintendo is the cop out answer because they didn't invent a lot of the stuff they innovate with. Well, your listing the "innovations" from the Xbox is in many people's opinions not valid because MS merely transplanted the things we've been doing on PC's to the Xbox.

Nintendo on the other hand may have used existing technologies but they coupled it with software to create new gaming experiences or used it in completely different ways not originally imagined. Therein lies much of their innovation.

Analogue input is a very old in and of itself. Analogue controls as created by Nintendo and how it is used (3D platformers) is very new and Nintendo was the first at it.

I'm not saying optical media isn't a game changer and I'm not saying online gaming isn't a game changer. They are. However, and again, these are merely features transplanted from PC's. Nothing new in how they are used at all. In the case of optical media, it's mostly just expanding the available storage space of the medium holding the game data. That does give developers more freedom to create richer gaming experiences but I'd call it evolutionary rather than revolutionary. And when I think innovation I think revolutionary.

So the difference lies in the fact that nintendo is also a software company? Theyve made classic, high quality games, but they could just have easily done the same on another platform. Mario 64 would have been just as ground breaking with a dual shock. But thats just one game.

Xbox live may have taken features from the PC, but it put them together in an innovative way. Achievements were a brand new idea. Packing in a microphone was a game changer, even if ventrilo existed. PSN is a pale shadow of XBL, and lets not even get started on nintendo online. It took what, 2 years from sony to ship a controller with analog sticks? XBL is still unmatched. Had MS not entered this market, online console gaming would NOT be what it is right now. Nintendo certainly wouldnt have been the one to innovate there, and Sony's PS2 online offering was also a joke. Theyre still just reacting to what MS does.

 

[reallyscrued]

Isn't really a meaningful poll at all since there's one manufacturer who's clearly been around for far longer than the rest. As much as nintendo innovates, they're equally stubbornly conservative, sticking with cartridges while the world moved onto discs, staying SD, etc.

That being said, going by recent history, while the wii is the oddball, I have to give it up to Microsoft for being far more influential and innovative. With the original xbox, they standardized on internal storage. And the seeds of xbox live were sown, even though it didn't fully bloom with the 360.

What did the 360 give us?
<snip>

A PC.

Fixed. Yeah...real innovate. Oh and if "being around the longest" meant anything, Atari's Jaguar wouldn't have sucked and Sega would still be in business. Nintendo doesn't really just have a seniority advantage.

Sony gets way too much credit for dual analog sticks. Dual Dpads were used before, it was only a matter of time two analog sticks would come into play after the 64's huge success with them. In fact, Goldeneye 64 and Perfect Dark had the option for dual analog (but you had to use two controllers). That shit was awesome.

The dualshock wasn't really innovative I would say, just packing more of what's already been invented into its package. A new revision of a Phenom II clocked at 5 ghz with 24 megs of cache wouldn't be innovative, new architecture like bulldozer should be.

Btw, the 3DO uses optical media before Sony did, and there was another console before that to use it (can't remember atm).