The state of video games often goes hand in hand with the state of computing, which is reflected in processing power. Until the 2010s, the vast majority of personal computers used older 32-bit processors. compared to newer 64-bit processors. The combination of economics and practicality allowed 32-bit video game systems, in particular, to continue selling well into the 2010s.

Indeed, Nintendo’s 32-bit Wii managed to outperform its more powerful 64-bit competitors, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3, despite the Wii being little more than a heavily modified 32-bit GameCube. The twenty year period of 32-bit consoles clearly marked the heyday of gaming as a whole.

10

The Wii U was a late 32-bit system

It also didn’t do much to differentiate itself from the Wii

The Wii U was Nintendo’s last 32-bit consoleas well as the final console to use a PowerPC processor. Less than a year after its launch, the Wii U was the most powerful console on the market, obviously beating its predecessor and even Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3. Unfortunately for Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony respectively released an even more powerful version. Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

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The Wii U was perhaps beaten by the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and was significantly less powerful than either due to its 32-bit processor. However, the Wii U still offers an incredible lineup of video games, many of which went on to success on the Nintendo Switch. These include Mario Kart 8 And The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

9

The Sega Saturn Shot for the stars

But I came back to Earth

The Sega Saturn was the sequel to the monstrously successful Sega Genesis. This was a significantly more powerful version of the 32x, an add-on for the Genesis. Despite launching before Sony’s all-new PlayStation, the Sega Saturn ultimately failed outside of Japan due to several factors, including the lack of a main line Sonic the Hedgehog games, which had anchored the success of the Genesis.

Another major factor in the Sega Saturn’s decline outside of Japan was that very few games were released internationally. The reason was that the Sega Saturn 3D, as the next generation follow-up to the Sega Genesis 2D, needed titles that could demonstrate its graphical capabilities. Granted, the Sega Saturn had Nights Into Dream to make up for the lack of Sonic games, but not much more than that.

8

The Sega Dreamcast was a 128-bit dream made 32-bit reality

Then this dream turned into a nightmare

The Dreamcast was Sega’s last hurray in the console market before going third party. It was far more powerful than its predecessor, the Sega Saturn, and its contemporaries, the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64. In fact, it was so powerful that Sega claimed that the Dreamcast was a 128-bit console, even though it only had a 32-bit processor.. This figure comes from the system’s 128-bit graphics coprocessor.

Regardless, the Sega Dreamcast produced many great games during its short lifespan, all powered by the system’s hardware. This included the Dreamcast’s great lineup of RPGs, as well as games like Sonic Adventure 2 And Shenmue. Although it was quickly eclipsed by Sony’s even more powerful PlayStation 2, the Sega Dreamcast is still remembered by die-hard gamers today.

7

The Game Boy Advance is like a 32-bit SNES

It was an advanced portable system for its time

The Game Boy Advance was Nintendo’s advanced answer to competitors to its aging Game Boy handheld console. Just as the Game Boy was actually a portable Nintendo entertainment console, The Game Boy Advance was actually a portable Super Nintendo entertainment console. The difference is that the Game Boy Advance was much more powerful than the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

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The Game Boy Advance built a vast library of video games. Most games were ports or remakes of older video games, such as Super Mario Advance series. There were also many quality original titles on the Game Boy Advance, including Mario and Luigi: the saga of superstars. The Game Boy Advance also had some good third-party titles in its library, many of which indeed almost resemble SNES games.

6

The Nintendo 3DS is 32-bit and 3D

It was a pretty cool gadget.

The Nintendo 3DS took the original Nintendo DS, combined it with the DSi’s improvements, and added three-dimensional elements. The result was a neat handheld console with an extremely underrated gadget. The 3D functionality was particularly prominent in previous games, but it did little to improve the experience for many players. Therefore, later 3DS games completely eliminated 3D mechanics.

Even without this gadget, the Nintendo 3DS had a solid library of video games, as well as an impressive selection of titles available on the iconic Nintendo eShop. Racing games like Mario Kart7 platform games like Super Mario 3D Earththe 3DS had a lot to offer in the gaming department. Not to mention the many Virtual Console titles that could be purchased.

5

The GameCube goes 32-bit

This is not, however, a downgrade.

The GameCube is the sequel to the influential Nintendo 64. Interestingly, Nintendo chose to use a 32-bit PowerPC processor rather than a 64-bit processor, perhaps feeling they missed out on the previous generation’s 32-bit console wars . . This choice does not, however, constitute a downgrade, because the GameCube’s powerful ATI graphics chip made it more powerful than Sony’s PlayStation 2.

Many titles in the GameCube library took full advantage of the console’s hardware. Even early titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee And Luigi’s Mansion look stunning for their day. Later games took the system even further, an amazing example being The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princessreleased shortly after the new Wii version. This shows that bits aren’t everything.

4

The Nintendo DS had two 32-bit screens

It’s twice as powerful as the Game Boy Advance

The Nintendo DS combined two screens to form a surprisingly powerful handheld console for its time. Although it wasn’t as powerful as its main competitor, the PlayStation Portable, the DS offered more variety. It was also feature-rich for its size, thanks to the 32-bit ARM processor used in the dual-screen system.

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One of the launch titles for the Nintendo DS was Super Mario 64DSa remake of the Nintendo 64 Super Mario 64 less than a decade earlier. Thanks to the ARM processor, Super Mario 64DS helped demonstrate just how capable the Nintendo DS was. While the system was known for its myriad of puzzle games, some major titles including Call of Dutyalso used the processing power of the DS to their advantage.​​​​​​​

3

The PlayStation was just a 32-bit Nintendo 64

That is to say, he was very powerful.

The PlayStation was Sony’s bet to enter the console market. Clearly, Sony hit the jackpot with the PlayStation, with the console becoming the most successful console of its generation. It helped that the PlayStation was powered by a 32-bit MIPS R3000 processor found in myriad workstation computers of its era. The R3000 is a close relative of the processor used in the Nintendo 64.​​​​​​​

Indeed, the PlayStation used its MIPS processor to its advantage, helping to create some of its most memorable games. Racing titles like Grand Tourismwhich seriously pushed the console to its limits, in role-playing games like Final Fantasy VIIwhich couldn’t have existed without the system’s processing power, the PlayStation was just as powerful on the inside as it was on the outside.

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PlayStation (Original)

Sony revolutionized gaming with a 32-bit console that introduced CD-based games, stunning 3D graphics, and a vast library of titles. It became a cultural phenomenon, home to iconic franchises like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid, and paving the way for future gaming innovations and industry domination.

2

​​​​​​​The Xbox didn’t need to be 64-bit

Just needed hardcore games

The Xbox marked Microsoft’s entry into the console market after years of dominance in the computer software industry. Although it wasn’t as commercially successful as Sony’s PlayStation 2, it outsold Nintendo’s GameCube and helped launch the enduring Xbox brand. Part of its nostalgic appeal comes from the Xbox’s hardware, which included an Intel Pentium processor and an Nvidia graphics chip.

The Xbox may only have a 32-bit processor, but it was easily the most powerful console of its generation. Chances are that even the most beloved PlayStation 2 games will look better and be more playable on Xbox than the first ones. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a great example of this. The Xbox also had its own games that took advantage of the hardware, like the Halo games.

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1

​​​​​​​The Wii was a less powerful Wii

It was also the most fun Wii

After spending two generations lagging behind Sony, Nintendo made a successful comeback with the Wii. Ironically, the Wii was considerably less powerful than Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and especially Sony’s PlayStation 3. the Wii being essentially a heavily modified GameCubefeaturing an updated 32-bit PowerPC processor compared to the 64-bit PowerPC processors used by its competitors.

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Despite its lack of power, the Wii was the most beloved of all the 32-bit consoles due to the amount of substance it offered. The Wii offers a vast library of fun games for single players and families. Whether it’s the high octane action of Mario Kart Wii or the family pleasure of Wii Sportsthe Wii had more variety than its competitors. This shows that bits aren’t everything.

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Nintendo-Wii

Revolutionizing gaming, Nintendo introduced motion-sensitive controls, allowing players to physically interact with games. With an innovative library including iconic franchises like Mario, Zelda and Metroid, it catered to both casual and hardcore gamers. Its user-friendly design and unique gameplay mechanics have made it a staple in the gaming industry.

Brand

Nintendo

Operating system

Owner

Storage

512 GB NAND flash memory

Resolution

480i, 480p, 576i

Ports

2 x USB 2.0, video out, power supply, 4 x GameCube controller ports, 2 x GameCube memory card ports

Original release date

November 19, 2006

Original MSRP (USD)

$249.99

Develop