The percent question is interesting, but it only makes a difference for complete set people. If you are not collecting a complete set, you avoid the games you don't like, and your library is not cluttered with shovelware or whatever you want to call it.
Other people should consider raw numbers--how many good games are there? You also have to somehow factor in how good the good games are. (Let's say Atari 2600 has 100 good games and Super Nintendo has 50, I would still go with Super Nintendo because I think its good games are way better than 2600's good games.) (I know the thread asks for Nintendo consoles only, but this is just for illustration purpose)
A difficult question that deserves two lists: one for absolute number of good games and one for the % of good games (console only).
Number of good games
1. NES
2. SNES
3. Gamecube
4. Wii U
5. N64
6. Wii
% of good games in overall library
1. NES
2. Wii U
3. SNES
4. Gamecube
5. N64
6. Wii
On both of these lists, Wii is by far in last. Not that there aren't any good games for it - there certainly are - but it's the Nintendo console more than any other that has literally Playstation 1-like levels of crap. Someone said 99% crap and I think that's pretty close, actually, just like PS1.
A tad off topic but I think I agree with the Wii assessments I've seen here. While the first party games are great as usual the gimmicky controller ruins it for me. So much so that I admittedly haven't given it much of a shot, same with the Wii U. I understand Nintendo feels compelled to be innovative in all they do but they've "innovated" themselves to an afterthought in the console wars by seemingly not listening to what gamers want. Next console should be at least 50% more powerful than PS4 & XB1 with a standard control scheme. If they insist on gimmicks then make them optional. Granted that the majority of Nintendo's characters are so cartoony they haven't needed anything more powerful than what they've put out but if they want to boost sales and remain a player in the hardware business then they better pander a little more to serious gamers.
The Wii U isn't gimmicky. The screen is a great idea but Nintendo hasn't promoted it. Off screen play and live menus alone are a leap ahead.
A little off topic also but the Wii U was doomed from the start. Those who had it knew how poorly it performed. Then one day and update fixed that, well why didn't they make that update before the launch?
Gonna throw in my hat here. I would say that, speaking completely 100% subjectively and personally, I find myself going back to the NES library much more frequently. I tend to prefer NES games over SNES games, and if we're gonna go even farther than that I'd say I have way more positive memories of the Genesis than the SNES when it comes to the 16-bit era.
But that's just me. I think, speaking purely as a ratio, the SNES probably has more good-to-great games - the SNES' smaller library kind of helps, and I think the games considered 'great' on the SNES would pretty easily outshine the games considered 'great' on the NES with a small handful of exceptions.
Of course, that issue of ratio comes in too - the N64 had an even smaller library and there's still a decent amount of games on that system that could be considered 'good' at worst, so where do we stand on this?
SNES hands down for me. Obviously we all speak with some form of personal bias, but to me the Super NES really was the NES on steroids... hence Super NES, lol. The top 20-50 games for this system is mind-blowing, and when you factor in the Japanese-only games (there were some fine gems there like DoReMi Fantasy and Sutte Hakkun) and fan translations (RPGs like Final Fantasy V and Secret of Mana 2 fully playable!), it's a no contest. I also love 2D fighters, and the NES lacked in that due to the era it was released in. Conversely, the SNES' lifespan of 1991-1996 put it smack dab in the 2D fighting game golden age. Although its fighters may not be tit-for-tat perfect, a lot do capture the essence and spirit of their arcade titans. Games like Mortal Kombat II, Super Street Fighter II and even a Killer Instinct or World Heroes 2 was nicely ported.
I got a lot of love and respect for the 8-bit NES, but if you put me on an island and give me the choice of either NES or SNES, I'm going SNES 100%. I just love that generation of 2D gaming (1990-1996).
Head says SNES, but heart says NES. Gotta follow my heart and say NES!
Also, on the topic of non-Nintendo systems, good call on the Neo Geo. I also would like to throw the Vectrex out there. Most of the games are entertaining, maybe a stinker or two, but overall, a great library for the Vectrex.
It's obvious the SNES was a better, more advanced console than the NES but in terms of what they could do which one had the higher quality library?
I've already replied, NES being my answer, but this thread keeps going so I thought it could still use a Poll. If you want.
Anyways. I think NES probably wins for me because of my bias for the system. It's the first one I had, it's the one I play the most, so I probably love MORE games on the system because of that.
As I said in my first post, the more SNES games I play, the more I like. So one day if I add up all the games I like SNES might win. But for now, NES all the way.
Comments
SNES 100% no questions ask if anybody knew anything
Agreed.
EDIT: Never mind. Now that I read the OP I see that this is just an NES vs. SNES question. That should have been in the title, but oh well.
Since only two systems are in the running, I'm easily going with SNES.
NES & SNES are only used as examples. Post is about any Nintendo console....
Other people should consider raw numbers--how many good games are there? You also have to somehow factor in how good the good games are. (Let's say Atari 2600 has 100 good games and Super Nintendo has 50, I would still go with Super Nintendo because I think its good games are way better than 2600's good games.) (I know the thread asks for Nintendo consoles only, but this is just for illustration purpose)
Number of good games
1. NES
2. SNES
3. Gamecube
4. Wii U
5. N64
6. Wii
% of good games in overall library
1. NES
2. Wii U
3. SNES
4. Gamecube
5. N64
6. Wii
On both of these lists, Wii is by far in last. Not that there aren't any good games for it - there certainly are - but it's the Nintendo console more than any other that has literally Playstation 1-like levels of crap. Someone said 99% crap and I think that's pretty close, actually, just like PS1.
A little off topic also but the Wii U was doomed from the start. Those who had it knew how poorly it performed. Then one day and update fixed that, well why didn't they make that update before the launch?
EDIT: Never mind. Now that I read the OP I see that this is just an NES vs. SNES question. That should have been in the title, but oh well.
Since only two systems are in the running, I'm easily going with SNES.
NES & SNES are only used as examples. Post is about any Nintendo console....
Actually, your question was which had the higher quality library, the NES or SNES.
It's obvious the SNES was a better, more advanced console than the NES but in terms of what they could do which one had the higher quality library?
EDIT: Never mind. Now that I read the OP I see that this is just an NES vs. SNES question. That should have been in the title, but oh well.
Since only two systems are in the running, I'm easily going with SNES.
NES & SNES are only used as examples. Post is about any Nintendo console....
Actually, your question was which had the higher quality library, the NES or SNES.
It's obvious the SNES was a better, more advanced console than the NES but in terms of what they could do which one had the higher quality library?
True. I should've mentioned in the question that the NES/SNES comparison was just and example.
But that's just me. I think, speaking purely as a ratio, the SNES probably has more good-to-great games - the SNES' smaller library kind of helps, and I think the games considered 'great' on the SNES would pretty easily outshine the games considered 'great' on the NES with a small handful of exceptions.
Of course, that issue of ratio comes in too - the N64 had an even smaller library and there's still a decent amount of games on that system that could be considered 'good' at worst, so where do we stand on this?
NES 100% no questions ask if anybody knew anything
Agreed.
I got a lot of love and respect for the 8-bit NES, but if you put me on an island and give me the choice of either NES or SNES, I'm going SNES 100%. I just love that generation of 2D gaming (1990-1996).
Based on the number of games per console in my collection (including handhelds)
DS (most good games)
SFC
SNES
NES
GBA
Wii
3DS
Gamecube
Famicom
GB
N64
GBC
Wii U (fewest so far; it'll move up)
the virtual boy was that bad it wasnt even worth a mention, huh?
Also, on the topic of non-Nintendo systems, good call on the Neo Geo. I also would like to throw the Vectrex out there. Most of the games are entertaining, maybe a stinker or two, but overall, a great library for the Vectrex.
Based on the number of games per console in my collection (including handhelds)
DS (most good games)
SFC
SNES
NES
GBA
Wii
3DS
Gamecube
Famicom
GB
N64
GBC
Wii U (fewest so far; it'll move up)
the virtual boy was that bad it wasnt even worth a mention, huh?
I don't own a Virtual Boy. The list only includes Nintendo consoles in my collection.
It's obvious the SNES was a better, more advanced console than the NES but in terms of what they could do which one had the higher quality library?
I've already replied, NES being my answer, but this thread keeps going so I thought it could still use a Poll. If you want.
Anyways. I think NES probably wins for me because of my bias for the system. It's the first one I had, it's the one I play the most, so I probably love MORE games on the system because of that.
As I said in my first post, the more SNES games I play, the more I like. So one day if I add up all the games I like SNES might win. But for now, NES all the way.
Although the SNES is pretty damn awesome, I just dont have/feel a connection to it.