The 8 Worst Console Launches of All Time

The Nintendo Switch 2 launch is a lesson in being thoroughly prepared for the world stage. If you don’t, people will quickly notice. From battery problems to connectivity failures, the issues are apparent and frustrating for gamers, despite the console’s high sales. What other home entertainment systems made video companies look like fools? Here’s what you need to know about the worst console launches ever. 

The Worst Console Launches in Gaming History

If a console release fails, the company wants you to forget it forever. However, the brands aren’t that lucky today. Here are eight awful launches you may have forgotten about. 

8. Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS was ultimately successful, selling over 75 million units in a decade. However, the launch almost caused headaches for the Japanese video game company. This handheld console initially experienced limited success because of the high prices. Who would want to spend $250 on a tiny device? 

The 3DS launched in early spring 2011 and faced criticism due to its high price. How did Nintendo respond? Six months later, it dropped the $250 price tag to $169, saving the handheld console from a complete disaster. The company helped the adult audience by introducing larger versions, such as the 3DS XL with New Super Mario Bros. 2. 

7. PlayStation Vita

Sony has hit the mark with nearly every generation of PlayStation. For instance, the PS3 outpaced the Xbox 360 from 2006 to 2016, selling almost 100 million units. However, there’s one system it doesn’t want you to remember — the PlayStation Vita. This PSP successor was supposed to be the next big thing until it became one of the worst console launches ever. 

The PSP Vita failed because of its price and other questionable business decisions. Unlike Nintendo, Sony didn’t address the cost or make hardware changes to suit the audience. A former executive said one of the biggest mistakes was forcing consumers to buy memory cards, thus raising fees for the end user. 

6. Nintendo Virtual Boy

The Nintendo Game Boy was famous for fun titles like Aladdin and Super Mario Land. Wait, did you say Virtual Boy? Yes, it was a real thing before the other famous handheld console. The Kyoto-based video game giant released a tabletop console called the Virtual Boy in 1995. However, it was gone by 1996. 

Numerous factors contributed to the launch’s failure. While its premise of immersing players in a private universe was intriguing, the $180 price tag was pretty steep for what the console produced. Nintendo cut the price but still couldn’t get the general public on board. The company only sold 22 games with the system before calling it quits!

5. Google Stadia

Google is a household name because of its smart technology and popular web browser. However, it once tried to create a home entertainment system to compete with its Microsoft and Sony competitors. Little did the company know it would earn the title of one of the worst console launches because of the Stadia. 

Google tried to create an online platform to rival PlayStation Plus and Xbox Cloud Gaming. However, it didn’t compel gamers to buy the system because they didn’t know what they were getting. Advertisements said you could play from anywhere, but that wasn’t necessarily true due to the connectivity requirements. Ultimately, it was shut down in 2023 after just four years. 

4. Atari Jaguar 

When you imagine Atari, you likely picture the 2600 version. This late 1970s console introduced home gaming to the world and influenced the industry you know today. By the early 1990s, Atari Corporation was ready for a new system to take the world by storm. Unfortunately, it was more like a light rain shower. 

The Atari Jaguar was doomed from the start because of its odd hardware. It looked more like a landline telephone, and the constant bugs didn’t help. If you were lucky enough to spot it at the store, the price tag probably turned you away. Subpar graphics, limited games and a dysfunctional CD attachment rendered it useless. 

3. Sega Saturn

The Genesis launched Sega into the mainstream, letting the company compete with Nintendo and other gaming giants. However, the Saturn brought it back to Earth. It became one of the worst console launches ever because Sega rushed it to get ahead of the Sony PlayStation release. 

Sega announced its new console in May 1995 — when E3 hit its stride — and said it had already shipped Saturns to retailers nationwide. If only the stores were informed before it happened! Retailers weren’t prepared for the systems and couldn’t market them. Fans also groaned at the lack of exclusive games, so the Saturn faded into irrelevancy rather quickly. 

2. 3DO

Have you ever heard of the 3DO? Panasonic would rather you not talk about it, considering it’s among the worst console launches ever. Trip Hawkins gave gamers Electronic Arts and memorable Madden games, but this system left room to be desired. Time Magazine called it the Product of the Year in 1993, so gamers got their hopes up just to be let down. 

The gamer world was ready in 1993, but The 3DO company wasn’t. Fans were prepared to play games like FIFA International Soccer and Jurassic Park Interactive, but all releases got delayed until 1994. Crash ‘N Burn was the only game available, but only one option got old after a while. The PlayStation and Sega Saturn took over and quickly made the 3DO irrelevant by the end of 1994.

1. Wii U

The first Nintendo Wii was a massive success, selling over 100 million systems in its production history. Gamers enjoyed being active with Wii Sports, Mario Kart and other titles that got them moving. However, was the original console too good? People didn’t buy into the Wii U for a few reasons, but many were happy with what they had and didn’t want a gimmicky console. 

The Wii U marketing was lackluster, so gamers didn’t feel compelled to get the hardware. Even those who bought it were underwhelmed by the game collection. How could Nintendo release a console without Animal Crossing or Fire Emblem? Add the slow interface and cheap construction to make people feel like they’re holding a children’s toy.

What Launches Were Actually Successful? 

The horror stories of the video game industry might make you think every console has a bad release. However, some hit the ground running and never stopped. Here are a few excellent examples that set the bar high. 

• Xbox 360: The Xbox 360 launch in 2005 was excellent, as it launched with Call of Duty 2, FIFA 06 and Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland.  
• Nintendo Switch: The original Nintendo Switch sold 3.5 million consoles within a few days, making it one of the best of all time. 
• PlayStation 2: The PS2 was arguably the best console of all time. In fact, Sony kept making them until just before it launched the PS4. 

Remembering the Worst Console Launches of All Time

When a console flops, it’s a bad heartbreak — sometimes worse than getting dumped by your partner. You hear the lofty expectations and hype for the hardware, only to be let down. However, there’s been a decent number of terrible releases. Sony and Microsoft may have evaded criticism, but everybody else has seen failures.