Price: $129.99
Release Date: 1991
In-Box: Control Deck, 2 Gamepads, Super Mario World + Super Mario All-Stars Game Paks, Manuals & Extras
Features: Parallax Scrolling, FX Chip Capability, 32K Colors Available
# of Bits: 16

Nintendo's flagship console for the War of the Super Systems. A hot seller with great graphics, innovative developers, and a steady stream of great games on the horizon. The existing library is also massive with a wide array of genres available from action-platformers to role-playing games. It has garnered a kid-friendly reputation, which may be a plus or a minus depending on the player. The SNES is going strong as a solid choice for '95.

Price: $49.99
Release Date: 1985
In-Box: Base System, 1 "Dog Bone" Gamepad, Manuals & Extras
Features: 52 Colors, Scrolling Graphics
# of Bits: 8

The former world champion of the video game world. The original Nintendo Entertainment System is undoubtedly on its way out, but it maintains a ginormous library of games and a vast assortment of accessories and gadgets. Despite its age, the Nintendo is just as fun as it was when it first launched nearly ten whole years ago. It's perfect for a young child as a beginner system or a more casual games player on a tighter budget.

Price: $119.99
Release Date: 1989
In-Box: System, 1 Gamepad, Sonic 2 Cart, Manuals & Extras
Features: Arcade Graphics, Blast Processing, Upgradability
# of Bits: 16

The first, true 16-Bit system on the market, the Sega Genesis is still a hot commodity even on the heels of its sixth birthday. Its so-so sound chip is offset by a blazing fast processor, shown off brilliantly through the stellar pack-in, Sonic 2. Sega's killer six-button gamepad makes for perfect fighting game action! The current "Model 2" even comes at a lower price! With tons of titles in stores and more on the way, Sega is an easy choice.

Price: $229.99
Release Date: 1992
In-Box: CD System, Sonic CD, Console Attachments, Manuals & Extras
Features: HiFi CD Audio, Custom Graphics, FMV Capability
# of Bits: 16

This CD attachment is an upgrade companion for your Sega Genesis. With it, you'll have access to a fleshed-out library of CD games capable of trumpeting out quality full-motion video and digital audio. We've seen some developers go full throttle in their development for the system, and others not so much. As we move into an era of CD gaming, the Sega CD is absolutely worth the price of admission if you already own a Genesis.

Price: $399.99
Release Date: 1993
In-Box: CD System, 1 Gamepad, Jurassic Park, Manuals & Extras
Features: 64M+ Pixels/Second, Millions of Colors On-Screen, CD Capabilities
# of Bits: 32

The premier foray of console-makers to the 32-Bit space is the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer System. Capable of playing CD ROMs with full-screen, full-color digital video, the Panasonic 3DO is a fine choice for players. Coming in at a steep $400 (lowered from $700), this home device will cost consumers a pretty penny. A growing assortment of titles will keep gamers occupied for hours on end. Jurassic Park is a swell pack-in, to boot!

Price: $249.99
Release Date: 1993
In-Box: Base System, 1 Gamepad, Cybermorph, Manuals & Extras
Features: Dual Processors, CD-Quality Sound, MPEG Video Support
# of Bits: 64

Atari is back on the scene with Jaguar, their entry to the next generation of video gaming. By now, you've surely seen the marketing for this one. "Do the Math," the ads purport. Using its "Tom" and "Jerry" processors, the Jag can accomplish 64-Bit gaming feats as seen in their pack-in, Cybermorph. Moving to '95 with the onset of new consoles from Sega and Sony, time will tell whether the Jag can pick up the pace with a wider selection.

Price: $59.99
Release Date: 1989
In-Box: Handheld System, Mario Land 2 Game Pack, Manuals & Extras
Features: Dot Matrix LCD Display
# of Bits: 4

Its green-and-black graphical interface may seem a touch antiquated as we approach the dawn of the 32 and 64-Bit era, but the Game Boy is stronger than ever. With a library of hundreds to choose from and consistent support by third party studios and licenses, in addition to the Super Game Boy peripheral, Nintendo has pledged to support their tiny portable for the foreseeable future. Pick up a magnifier and a fistful of AA-batteries.

Price: $129.99
Release Date: 1991
In-Box: Handheld System, Sonic 2 Cart, Manuals & Extras
Features: 4096 Colors, Lighted Display
# of Bits: 8

Sega's Game Gear is, in some ways, above and beyond Nintendo's portable device. Game Gear offers 8-bit gameplay with a lighted, liquid-crystal display in a broad range of colors. Tons of games are available for the Sega handheld from NBA Jam to Mortal Kombat, and you'll have no shortage of accessories, either. Expect brutal battery drain as the required 6 AAAs quickly peter out under the strain of the light-up screen, however.

Price: $17.99 to $20.99
Release Date: 1993
In-Box: Electronic Handheld Game
Features: LCD Display
# of Bits: N/A

Tiger Electronics returns in 1994 with a collection of all-new LCD handheld game devices. Tiger has prepared about eight versions of this gadget, utilizing acquired licenses from Power Rangers, Street Fighter II, Sonic 3 and more. It's cheap, and boy is it cheap. No graphics to speak of, nor much in terms of sound. These use two AA batteries, and are recommended for small children.