These neglected game systems are also some of the most endearing

For whatever reason, the majority of video game consoles are commercial or critical failures, either overlooked on store shelves or quickly abandoned in a cluttered closet. But even though they take a backseat to more popular systems, that doesn’t mean all of them are forgettable.
So for all you underdog lovers out there, we give you the most neglected but endearing video game consoles of all time. Break out the air duster and wax nostalgic; it’s going to be an enjoyable ride.

Sega Saturn

In the wake of the 32-bit console wars, my buddy Josh hastily decided on a Sega Saturn over the Sony PlayStation in 1995. He chose poorly. The Saturn had practically no third-party games, and Sega would go it alone to support the system for only three short years. Still, the console was the place for powerful arcade ports including “Virtua Fighter” and “Daytona USA,” and it even introduced the cult-favorite mascot found in “Nights: Journey of Dreams.”

TurboGrafx-16

Released in 1989 as the first 16-bit console — before the Genesis and Super Nintendo, even — NEC’s TurboGrafx-16 was ahead of the curve. Unfortunately, due to ineffective localization that overlooked middle-American gamers, the console was a flop. This led to most people missing such vibrant and colorful games as “Bonk’s Adventure,” “Neutopia,” “Lords of Thunder,” “Soldier Blade,” the “Crush” pinball series and “Ys Book I & II.” For shame.

Nintendo GameCube

Before Nintendo reclaimed the video game crown from Sony in 2006 with the release of Wii, the company unceremoniously launched the purple(!) GameCube in 2001. While home to dozens of great games, periodic release droughts and an overwhelming number of choice PlayStation 2 titles made Nintendo’s “Lunch Box” an afterthought. Ironically, if it weren’t for this little underachiever, Nintendo wouldn’t have changed their ways and there would likely be no Wii.

Commodore 64

Although it looks more like a fat keyboard than a dedicated game system, the Commodore 64 had a smorgasbord of great games. Released in 1982 and often overlooked by the industry-redeeming Nintendo Entertainment System, the C64 remained widely popular among some 17 million owners thanks to such 8-bit classics as “The Last Ninja,” “Defender of the Crown,” “Elite,” “Impossible Mission,” “Space Taxi,” “Wizard” and “Battle Chess.”

Sega Dreamcast

From 1988 to 2001, Sega released four home video game consoles, only one of which was a commercial success. Despite its best effort, the Dreamcast wasn’t one of them. Still, the console would go down in gaming history with its discontinuation in 2001 as one of the most beloved systems of all time. With games such as “Virtua Tennis,” “Crazy Taxi,” “2K Sports,” “Jet Grind Radio,” “MDK 2,” “Shenmue” and “Soul Calibur,” not to mention being the first-ever console to play online, it’s no wonder.

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