Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- eop:guides:home_console_buying_guide [2022/02/07 19:39] – io55admin
+++ eop:guides:home_console_buying_guide [2023/02/26 18:39] (current) – [Last updated 4th April, 2022. Coming soon...] io55admin
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 ====== Home Console Buying Guide ======
+==== Last updated 4th April, 2022. Coming soon... ====
 **Buy at your own risk. Any home console's model, regardless of it's baseline, has the potential to do worse compared to supposedly inferior models. Nothing is guaranteed.**
-On this page, is a summary of io55.net's recommendations of which version of every home console is best to buy. When determining our decisions, we primarily base it off of functionality and reliability, not price. Price fluctuates, but objective capabilities and reliability mostly doesn't. Each listing for each home system will supply the name of the best version to get (eg. Wii RVL-001), which revision within a version to get (if applicable, eg. RVL-CPU-40/60), and the reasoning of choosing the given version/revision. //This list assumes that one is a normal consumer that will not mod their system unless they have to//. In other words, this list aims to detail the best systems as in their stock form, as modding adds a level of difficulty not everyone wants to reach. If you'd like to get a detailed summary of all the home console revisions and versions out there, check out the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Console Revisions Overview]]!
+On this page, is a summary of the wiki's recommendations of which version of every home console is best to buy. When determining our decisions, we base it off of functionality and reliability, not price or cosmetics. Price fluctuates, cosmetics are subjective, but capabilities and reliability are objective. Each listing for each home system will supply the best version to get (eg. Wii RVL-001), which revision within a version to get (if applicable, eg. RVL-CPU-40/60), and the reasoning for the given version+revision. //This list assumes that one is a consumer that will not mod their home system unless they have to//. In other words, this list aims to detail home systems as in their stock form, in order to not complicate decisions. If you'd like a detailed summary of all the home console revisions and versions out there, check out the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Console Revisions Overview]]!
-All information is pulled from the [[eop:essays:game_console_revisions_overview|Console Revisions Overview]], which in turn pulls from the wiki page for each documented home system. If a home console is not on this list, it either has no version/revision differences, or it's differences are entirely cosmetic, which is also something io55.net will not decide on, because these cosmetics will be almost entirely subjective. To find the sources for all this information, view the wiki pages for the systems.
+If a home console is not listed here, it doesn't have any extant versions or revisions. The term "revision" is used for internal changes that have no perceptible exterior difference to the user, while the term "version" is used for external changes of relative significance, such as a redesign or remodel.
 If you want to specifically know which home systems have the best hacks, homebrews, and so on, check out the [[eop:guides:home_console_buying_guide_for_eops|Home Console Buying Guide for EOPs/Hacks]]!
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 **How to Identify?** Quite simply, look to see if the 2600 system has 6 switches on the top: 3 to the left and right of the cartridge slot. If you have this, then you have a Six Switch 2600. Otherwise, you have a later version.
-=== Recommended Revision Within: CX2600 "Light Sixer" ===
+=== Recommended Revision: CX2600 "Light Sixer" ===
 **Why?** This revision of the Six Switch is the most common one, produced during 1978-1980. While there is an aforementioned earlier "Heavy Sixer" revision, they offer only a subtle benefit in build/output quality, with a much larger cost and crucially, a much lower likelihood to actually find it. For this reason, it's better to simply acquire a "Light Sixer".
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 ==== Sega Master System ====
-==== Sega SG-1000 ====
+=== Recommended Version: Master System (original) ===
+**Why?** They're very easy to find, and they have all the features of the Master System. Of the 3 Master System versions which exist, there is the original MS, the Master System II, and the Power Base Converter, which is actually just a Sega Genesis addon, so it will be excluded for now. The Master System II is somehow worse than the original in all aspects nowadays, as it's rarer, more expensive, lacks composite out and the Sega Card slot, and may even have worse sound. The original Master System, being the first MS released, will have all of these features.
+**How to Identify?** Since the recommended version to get is just the normal Master System, simply do not buy one that is small and lacks a reset button, that says "Master System II" on the cartridge door.
+=== No Master System Revisions! ===
 ===== 4th Generation =====
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 ==== Sony PlayStation ====
+=== Recommended Version: PlayStation (original/"fat") ===
+**Why?** Excluding minor version changes like Yaroze/Debug, there are 2 versions of the PlayStation, those being the "Fat" and the "Slim" PSone. For the PSone, one can see that Sony merely shrunk the system down and removed the serial/parallel ports. While it may be a slightly more reliable system, this is not certain, unlike the removal of ports. The PSone is also slightly more expensive than the original PlayStation, which can be somewhat reliable, have the best video quality, and preserve all of the I/O (except RCA) for a reasonable price. Thus, it makes sense to get the original PlayStation, for preserving all ports (in the right revision) at a cheaper price. If reliability is a huge issue for you, it may be better to get a PSone, but ultimately all PlayStation drives are unreliable, and the best long-term solution is an ODE, of which the PSone cannot use as of yet. More details in the [[eop:video_game_consoles-home:5th_generation:sony_playstation|main revisions article]] for the PS1; please read if you do not know the benefits of an ODE.
+**How to Identify?** For simply identifying the "Fat" PlayStation regardless of the revision, it's very simple as the console is a big blocky system, gray in color. If for some reason you cannot figure out the color, look for sharp corners and a raised disc tray cover. Systems in black or blue are "Fat" Yaroze or Debug PS1s, respectively.
+=== Recommended Revision: Most likely the SCPH-5501 ===
+**Why?** First, the reason for the uncertainty. There are two generally "good" revisions of the PS1 that have the best featureset, these being the SCPH-5501 and SCPH-7001/7501. The reason for the uncertainty is Optical Drive Emulators or ODEs; the 5501 can support either xStation or PS10, while the 7001/7501 only supports PS10. In general, xStation appears to be superior, but installing it will remove the ability to use the original PS1's drive, unlike the PS10. More details in the [[eop:video_game_consoles-home:5th_generation:sony_playstation|main revisions article]] for the PS1. The decision assumes that "having options" is superior than not having options (in relation to an ODE). As for the rest of the revision's positives, the SCPH-5501 is best mostly because of the improved drive reliability (over the 1001), the superior video ram (allowing higher bit shading and faster graphics calculations), the closest-to-full I/O (parallel, serial, AV out - only RCA/DFU is missing and it's not as important), and a potentially slightly clearer video output. The 7001/7501 possesses the exact same things, except maybe the clearer video output.
+**How to Identify?** Simply look at the bottom of the system for the black and white sticker. At the top right, you will find the model number. If you are unable to view this sticker (damage/no pictures), check the back of the system. While this approach is NOT enough to determine between 5501 and 7x01 systems, it is enough to determine if a system is or is not one of those 3. Systems with RCA ports (red/white/yellow) are NOT one of these 3 revisions; they would be a SCPH-1001 or SCPH-5903 (SE Asia exclusive). It could also be a Debug or Yaroze unit, but they would have been "eliminated" earlier (different color). Continuing on, a system lacking the large "parallel" port on the back right side is NOT one of these 3; it would be a SCPH-9001. If, for some reason, you cannot even view the back of the system, then you would mostly be out of luck. However, if there are any pictures of the drive tray open, this can help you at least figure out if it's the SCPH-1001. SCPH-1001 systems have the "black area" (laser location) of the drive tray on the top, while all other systems have it on the right side.
 ===== 6th Generation =====
 ==== Microsoft Xbox ====
+=== Recommended Version: Xbox ===
+**Why?** There is only one version of the original Xbox. All meaningful differences are within the revisions (1.0, 1.1, etc.).
+**How to Identify?** N/A
 ==== Nintendo GameCube ====