7 of the Best 1980s Video Game Systems

Do you remember the good old gaming days of the 1980s? That was a decade of technological innovation that reshaped gaming in many ways. It was a decade in which more dedicated home consoles went head-to-head with gaming computers. There were a wide variety of video game systems during that period, some of which were rather obscure. These were the best 1980s video game systems.

NES

It’s fair to say that the all-conquering NES, originally the Famicom in Japan, was the king of the 1980s video game systems. Nintendo released this 8-bit console in North America during 1985 alongside its Super Mario Bros launch title. With that side-scrolling platforming game, and many other Nintendo classics, the NES revived the US gaming industry after its 1983 slump.

The NES was the finest of 1980s video game systems for numerous reasons. Firstly, because of the revolutionary Nintendo games it showcased like Super Mario Bros, Zelda, and Metroid, which had pioneering expansive gameplay. Nintendo’s stringent Seal of Quality ensured third-party games were up to snuff. The NES also had an iconic D-pad controller that replaced joysticks.

Game Boy

The Game Boy began a new era of portable handheld gaming in 1989. This was a handheld that prioritized battery durability and portability over fancy graphics. From a technical perspective, the monochrome Game Boy was one of the most rudimentary consoles in history.

However, this handheld was one of Nintendo’s biggest console hits despite its limitations. The Game Boy’s unbeatable battery life and phenomenal Tetris game bundled with it made this console the handheld of choice. Its games library also had numerous other influential franchises, such as Pokémon Red and Blue, Super Mario Land, and Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

Atari 2600

Although originally launched in 1977, the Atari 2600 reached its zenith during the early 1980s. This became one of the most enduring 1980s video game systems because of how it popularized swappable cartridges. The Atari 2600 was the pioneer of home console gaming with games like Ms Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Pitfall.

Another great thing about the Atari 2600 is that you can still play it today. The Atari 2600+ is a relaunched version of that classic console compatible with modern TVs. That console comes with a 10-in-1 cartridge that includes games like Adventure, Missile Combat, Yars’ Revenge, and Dodge ‘Em.

Commodore 64

The 1980s weren’t just about consoles because there were numerous gaming computers released during that decade. One of the most notable was the Commodore 64, which remains the highest-selling computer model in history. The C64 boasted a MOS Technology 6510 processor and dedicated coprocessors.

With powerful audio-visual hardware for its 1982 time, the Commodore 64 became one of the foremost alternatives to the Atari 2600 and NES. It was one of the best 1980s video game systems because of its affordability, SID sound chip, and dedicated video processor. Elite, Last Ninja, Sid Meier’s Pirates, and Impossible Mission were among the more groundbreaking games that showcased the C64.

SEGA Genesis

Although considered more of a 1990s console, SEGA launched the Genesis (otherwise Mega Drive) in 1988. This was a technical marvel in the late 1980s that pioneered 16-bit console gaming. It incorporated a powerful, fast Motorola 68000 processor that was ideal for replicating late 1980s arcade games.

Most of the best Genesis games were 1990s titles, but this console showed why it was one of the best 1980s video game systems with 1989 games like Ghouls n’ Ghosts, Golden Axe, and Revenge of the Shinobi. Golden Axe was an iconic hack-and-slash arcade port that revolutionized side-scrolling beat ‘em ups.

ZX Spectrum

The 1982 ZX Spectrum was a home computer gaming revelation in Europe and the UK. This was a gaming system with a chiclet keyboard based on cassette tape loading. The Speccy, as it was affectionately known, was one of the best 1980s video game systems because of its unmatched affordability, compact design, built-in BASIC programming language, and library of classic games.

Amiga 500

The 1987 Commodore Amiga 500 was one of the most groundbreaking 1980s video game systems. This was a high-end and affordable 16-bit all-in-one home computer bundled with a mouse. It could display 4,096 colors, which was a staggering graphical upgrade on the more prevalent 8-bit gaming systems.

Thus, the Amiga 500 was quite revolutionary and among the most popular European gaming platforms. With its fancy hardware and mouse, the Amiga 500 had a great library of cinematic adventures, arcade ports, and strategy titles. Sensible World of Soccer, Another World, Flash Back, Secret of Monkey Island, Dune II, and Cannon Fodder were among the most enduring Amiga 500 classics.

Those best 1980s video game systems showed that gaming isn’t a monolithic industry. While consoles like the NES, Genesis, and Atari 2600 showcased plug-and-play simplicity, the most popular multipurpose microcomputers blended game playing with design and education. However, it was the console gaming model that became prevalent during the 1990s.