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Consoles Reborn Part 3: Tiger Electronics
Consoles Reborn is a what-if series that envisions modern-day consoles being released by companies that no longer make console hardware (Atari, Sega, Coleco, etc.).
Tiger Electronics made handheld games (mostly in the 90′s) which featured big name licenses like Mortal Kombat and Sonic the Hedgehog. These handhelds were abominations in every sense of the word, as the games were crude LCD representations (think Nintendo Game and Watch) of console games. This company preyed upon unknowing parents, who bought these in droves based on title recognition alone. Dark times. Now kids won’t allow parents to buy games unsupervised.
Many children burdened with Tiger handhelds were traumatized and subject to ridicule by those who owned Game Boys. Even the kids with the Sega Game Gear and Atari Lynx would point and laugh. I’m pretty sure that’s how it all went down - I can offer no citations here. You’ll have to take my word.
Anyways, I thought I’d have some fun here and show what a Tiger console might look like. The “please Nintendo don’t sue us” capsule buttons and rounded D-pad would make their return. A swappable faceplate would also be included - a throwback to when game imagery encompassed Tiger handhelds. That little decorative touch will help tarnish credible game franchises, just like the old days!
Statistically, I am offending someone with my anti-Tiger jokes - apologies. I’m sure there was fun to be had on a few of these handhelds back in the day. Given all the gaming options that were available at the time, these seemed unnecessary.
I might make a matching console for this controller later in the series. I imagine it would look like a Leapster.
Consoles Reborn Part 2: SEGA
Consoles Reborn is a what-if series that envisions modern-day consoles being released by companies that no longer make console hardware (Atari, Sega, Coleco, etc.).
Here is a Sega console which is rather misleading at first glance. I know you’re thinking it has a rather uninspired box design. In actuality it is fashioned to look like an old-school standard-def TV set (even the 4:3 ratio is intact), with the front a re-creation of the famous Sega startup title screen. Upon starting up a Sonic game, this sequence played:
So I thought it best to capture that memorable sequence when you started up the console. Upon pressing the power button the Sega logo would illuminate, and the Seee-gaaaaa voice clip would play. Now that is nostalgia overload. It would look something like this:
Obviously this console doesn’t have the good looks of the Dreamcast, Saturn, or even the Genesis. But it does encapsulate an unforgettable moment in gaming, and that holds a lot of currency with gamers.
This design also has Sonic buttons (appearing as he does in spin mode), and a Sonic ring explosion formation on the sides for a cooling vent.
I might do a matching controller down the line, possibly a second Sega console as well (I have other ideas - Dreamcast 2, anyone?). Stay tuned.
Consoles Reborn Part 1: ATARI
What if SEGA, Atari, Coleco and a bunch of other former consoles makers decided to re-enter the console business today? To once again compete with the likes of Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo? They’d set out to release contemporary hardware that wields an unmistakable identity and persona unique to their company.
That is what the Consoles Reborn series will theorize. A what-if look at modern-yet-retro consoles released by the console makers of yesteryear.
First up is Atari, the first major player in the console business. Atari hasn’t released a new console since 1993′s Jaguar - a pretty machine though a complete misfire in execution. The Jaguar would be among the many console casualties of the 90′s. Atari still releases throwback 2600 consoles (with a large selection of games built-in), but currently the company is content to publish gaming software.
I only made the controller for this post (matching console to debut later in the series), and as you can see it takes many design cues from the 2600. The rubber-reinforced analog sticks, toggle switches, and bright orange buttons. The controller has an intentionally boxy look, another trait of the 2600′s joystick. This shape could work every bit as well as the Wii U’s tablet controller.
This controller would feature a layout similar to the Dualshock3. I probably could have added triggers (just pretend I did!), but otherwise this is a typical modern-era controller.
Look for more consoles and controller design concepts as the Consoles Reborn series continues.
BONUS IDEA: I think it would be cool if peripheral companies like Mad Catz released retro-themed controllers for modern consoles. I’d love to get a Dreamcast or Atari style controller for the 360. Unfortunately the console makers would forbid such a crossover.
