What was a popular 90s gaming console?

The 1990s were a golden age for gaming consoles, defined by fierce competition and groundbreaking innovation. Here are the most popular consoles that defined the decade, ranked by sales, cultural impact, and legacy:

🏆 1. PlayStation 1 (PS1)

  • Release: 1994 (Japan), 1995 (WW)

  • Sales: 102.5 million units

  • Why Dominant:

    • First console to use CDs (more storage, FMV, cheaper games).

    • Revolutionized 3D gaming with Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil.

    • Targeted mature audiences (vs. Nintendo/Sega’s family focus).

  • Iconic Games:

    • Gran Turismo (10.8M) | Tekken 3 (8.3M) | Crash Bandicoot (6.8M)

  • Legacy: Established Sony as a gaming giant.

  • UK Price (1995): £299
    ▶️ PS1 Classics on PS5

🥈 2. Nintendo Game Boy

  • Release: 1989 (technically late ‘80s, but dominated ‘90s)

  • Sales: 118.7 million units (all models)

  • Why Dominant:

    • Tetris (bundled) made it a cultural phenomenon.

    • 30-hour battery life (4x AA batteries).

    • Pokémon Red/Blue (1996) sparked a global craze.

  • Iconic Games:

    • Pokémon Red/Blue (47M+) | Tetris (35M) | Super Mario Land (18M)

  • UK Price (1990): £69.99
    ▶️ Game Boy on Switch Online

🥉 3. Super Nintendo (SNES)

  • Release: 1990 (Japan), 1992 (UK)

  • Sales: 49.1 million units

  • Why Dominant:

    • Peak 16-bit era: Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country.

    • Crushed Sega Genesis in Europe/Japan (though Genesis led in the US early on).

  • Iconic Games:

    • Super Mario World (20M) | Donkey Kong Country (9M) | Street Fighter II (6.3M)

  • UK Price (1992): £150
    ▶️ SNES Classics on Switch

⚡ 4. Sega Genesis / Mega Drive

  • Release: 1988 (JP), 1990 (UK)

  • Sales: 30.8 million units

  • Why Dominant:

    • “Blast Processing” marketing + edgy attitude (“Genesis does what Nintendon’t!”).

    • Sonic the Hedgehog (1991) became Sega’s mascot, rivaling Mario.

  • Iconic Games:

    • Sonic the Hedgehog (15M) | Mortal Kombat (5M) | EA Sports titles

  • UK Price (1990): £190
    ▶️ Mega Drive Mini

💎 Honorable Mentions

Console Why Popular Key Game
Nintendo 64 (1996) Revolutionary 3D + 4-player local multiplayer Super Mario 64
Sega Saturn (1994) Cult arcade ports (Virtua Fighter) Panzer Dragoon Saga
Game Boy Color (1998) First-color handheld, Pokémon boom Pokémon Gold/Silver

📊 1990s Console Sales Comparison

Console Global Sales Best-Selling Game Defining Trait
PS1 102.5M Gran Turismo (10.8M) CD-ROM, 3D revolution
Game Boy 118.7M Pokémon Red/Blue (47M+) Portable domination
SNES 49.1M Super Mario World (20M) 16-bit perfection
Genesis 30.8M Sonic the Hedgehog (15M) Attitude, speed
N64 32.9M Super Mario 64 (11.9M) Analog stick, 4-player

🔑 Why the PS1 Won the ‘90s

  1. CDs > Cartridges: Cheaper games, full soundtracks, FMV cutscenes.

  2. Third-Party Loyalty: Square (FFVII), Konami (MGS), Capcom (Resident Evil) ditched Nintendo.

  3. Edgy Marketing: “Enos live in the country. Enos live in the city. Enos live everywhere.”

🎮 How to Play ‘90s Classics Today

  • Original Hardware: eBay UK (SNES: £80–£150, PS1: £40–£70).

  • Mini Consoles:

  • Emulation:

    • Steam Deck / Retro handhelds (Retroid Pocket 4 Pro).

    • Nintendo Switch Online (SNES/GB/N64 games).

✅ The Verdict

The PS1 was the most popular home console of the ‘90s, while the Game Boy ruled portables. Together, they shaped modern gaming—from 3D worlds to mobile play.

"The '90s gave us gaming’s greatest evolution: pixels to polygons, solitude to multiplayer, cartridges to CDs. It was chaos. It was glorious."

Relive the era:

Which ‘90s console defined YOUR childhood? Share below! 👇🎮