If you were a gamer in the mid to late-90s, you were likely more than satisfied with the state of gaming. The 90s saw the establishment of the console wars as we know them today. However, instead of Sega stepping up to the plate to take on Nintendo convincingly (168澳洲幸运5开奖网:let's not talk about the Saturn), a new player had emerged: Sony. The first 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:PlayStation chan꧂ged the way the public looked and interacted with games.
The Nintendo 64 and Sony PlayStation were the consoles to beat, and both came with some robust technologies. Today, these systems look elementary, but back then, they were changing the state of gaming. So, which was more powerful? Which had the better specs for the time? Let𝔉's take a walk back down memory lane to ex⛎plore these two groundbreaking consoles.
Updated April 15th, 2021, by Jason Wojnar: Most people are in agreement that the console wars are ridiculous. Even Nintendo has since stopped trying to directly compete and started doing their own thing with innovative consoles like the Nintendo Wii and the Switch. However, some love keeping the flame of war alive. Even though these consoles are over 20 years old, we cannot help but keep comparing the two. In the spirit of friendly competition between two older consoles, we opted to add even more entries.
13 🌌 Cartridge Vs. CDs - PS1
Nintendo stayed with cartridges while Sony embraced the CD format for games. While cartridges had their pluses, CDs gave the PS1 a significant leg up in several areas. For one, they fit more space, allowing developers to try things like putting 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:more FMV cutscenes withi☂n a product. Several notable companies dedicated all of their resources to PS1 because of CDs. Square notoriously switched from developing Final Fantasy games for Nintendo consoles over to the PS1, which was a huge blow to Nintendo's console dominance.
12 ♒ Controller P🉐orts - N64
Which console had the better controller is another conversation, but Nintendo was smart to put four ports on the system right out of the box. The PS1 only came with two and requires a separate accessory to plug in more෴ controllers.
Perhaps it was a cost cutting measure, but it was a bummer for kids with a PS1 who𝔍 could not play with three others simultaneous just because Sony decided to have two ports. Adding the extra step is just confusing for consumers.
11 Playing Games Across Multiple Discs - PS1 🌳
On the N64 it was virtually impossible to spread out a game over multiple cartridges. This was extremely limiting for a lot of developers. Compare it to the PS1 where several of the most iconic games came on two or more discs. Final Fantasy 7 came out on three CDs, and Metal Gear Solid's story takes up two. It was a miracle and technical achievement for 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Resident Evil 2 to get po💜rted to the N64, a game which came on two discs and involves interactions between two different characters based on which scenario you pl🧜ay first.
10 𝐆 RAM And Memory -N64 🐻
It's easy to forget that at one time, Nintendo had the su𓄧perior specs in many ways. This category starts off with the N64 as the winner. An N64 had 4mb of RAM (8mb if the expansion pack is included).
On the PS1's first rodeo, this console only offered 2mb of RAM and memory. So, as you⛎ were running through your favorite games, you would have more of an opportunity to save those adventures on the 🌞N64.
9 Ease Of Programming - PS1 ꦛ ♔
The PS1 was a much simpler system, structural wise. It had a dedicated video decoder and sound chip, which made it easier to run what looked like more sophisticated graphics. This setuꦺp also made🍃 it much easier for studios to program games for the system.
This situation has likely led to what w🌠e see today. Sony has always been known to be friendlier to third-party developers, a stark contrast to Nintendo, who keeps most things "in-house."
8 Graphics/Polygons Per൩ Second - N64
In th⭕e graphics department, Nintendo took the victory on this one. While Sony did have more realistic-looking characters and environme๊nts, the overall graphical sharpness goes to the N64. This has everything to do with a measurement called "textured polygons per second."
The PS1's system could process 180,000 polygons, while the N64 processed one million. This measurement is one that is not as🥂 relevant as it was back then since graphics have graduated beyond polygons. However, it does shed some light on how graphics were perceived back in the 1990s.
7 Local Multiplayer - N64 ꦐ
This one also goes to N64. At the time, the N64's console design was revolutionary. Instead of including only two ports—which the Ps1 ha💜d—the N64 had four. This mad♛e it possible for players to easily play with three of their friends.
The television also formatted into four split screens, which definitely came in handy for games like Mario Kart or Mario Party. With this move, the N64 solidified Nintendo as the "party console" that it is known for today. Other notable multiplayer titles include 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark
6 🌌 Better Sound - PS1
The PS1's sound processor produced CD-quality sound, and the N64 paled in comparison. Much of this is due to the168澳洲幸运5开奖网: PS1's sound-related hardware as well as the CD format.
The 𒊎CD itself made it easier for developers to build games and match these graphics with realistic sound choices. In addition to the sound, the PS1 also had more robust cutscenes and🦄 more realistic renderings for their games.
5 Loading Times - N64 🔯
While the CD format idea for PS1 was interesting, unique, and definitely set them ap𒊎art, it came with its own drawbacks. The CD format technology and the power needed to run it made load times an issue on the PS1.
On the other hand, the N64's cartridges were simply a "plug-and-play" experienceꦍ. 🌄There were not any long loading times, so players could jump right into the gaming experience.
4 🎶 Controller Handling - Ps1
The N64's three-pronged controller was definitely a gamechanger. It didn't look like anything that had come out before it, and the analog stick made it easy for players to 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:take advantage of 360-degree motion.
Nevertheless, the N64 controller was known to be uncomfortable for some players. The controller was also susceptible to severe wea﷽r-and-tear. Here, the PS1 wins out. The design for the first controller is so durable and functional that Sony hasn't changed up the base design for i༺t since the launch of the PS1.