We Asked AI What the Best Video Game Console of All Time is, and the Answer Shouldn’t Surprise Anyone

The video game console wars is a never-ending topic that sees fans of Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo debate endlessly about why their favorite piece of hardware is better than others. Not to mention how much more detailed the debate becomes when PC fans enter the discussion.

But, what makes a console truly the best? Is it technology? Is it sales? Is it a lifecycle? Well, sales and technology are always changing, and lifecycle is usually determined by when a developer wants to stop publishing releases on that platform. Still, all three are viable and arguably the top three criteria when it comes to determining the best of the best alongside keeping things in context.

What does a chatbot like ChatGPT think though? Does it lean one way and prefer an Xbox over an iteration of the PlayStation? Or perhaps ChatGPT loves the handheld capability of the Nintendo Switch?

We asked ChatGPT: what is the best video game console of all time based on the aforementioned criteria. Also, keep in mind the chatbot will remind users that it doesn’t possess personal opinions or preferences. Here’s what it had to say:

"“Based on the criteria… the PlayStation 2 (PS2) is often considered one of the best video game consoles of all time. Here’s why:Technology: The PS2, released in 2000, was a significant technological advancement at the time. It featured a powerful processor, DVD playback capability, and the ability to render highly detailed 3D graphics. The console introduced innovations like the DualShock 2 controller, which added analog buttons and improved vibration feedback.Sales: The PS2 remains the best-selling video game console of all time, with over 155 million units sold worldwide. Its popularity was fueled by a diverse library of games, multimedia capabilities, and its backward compatibility with the original PlayStation games, making it an attractive option for a wide range of gamers.Longevity: The PS2 enjoyed an exceptionally long life cycle, spanning over a decade. It continued to receive support from game developers and publishers long after its successors, the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, were released. This extended lifespan allowed the console to accumulate an extensive library of games and cement its position in gaming history."

AI Selects the Best Video Game Console of All Time

Obviously, technology has far surpassed the PS2, but sales and longevity are hard to top. To this day, no other console has yet to match the numbers the PS2 did. Not to mention, developers just kept releasing versions of games on the PS2 long after successors had been released. Such is the case still for PS4 and Xbox One platforms, but not to the level the PS2 received releases.

The PS2 was such a dominant force during its era. The exclusives it had, one could argue, were unmatched across any era:

• God of War Series
• Shadow of the Colossus
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
• Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec
• ICO

Those are just a few of the titles that helped define what ChatGPT considers to be the best video game console of all time. You might not agree with it, but that’s what the chatbot has determined. Time to take the video game console wars to new battlegrounds.