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Console generations: A history of gaming for parents choosing a console
Shaping childhoods from then to now - see the history of gaming that can help parents choose a console.
Every console generation leaves its mark. It might have been blowing dust from cartridges to make sure they loaded properly, listening to those start-up tones that felt like magic and watching entire worlds unfold on screens with graphics that were groundbreaking in their day. Those amazing machines helped to shape our childhoods in ways we didn’t realise at the time.
And somewhere between then and now, new generations arrived at the threshold of their own adventures. Looking back at these console generations helps parents make more confident choices today.
That first loading screen that once gave you a rush is waiting to give them theirs. The first character they choose, the first level they beat, the first moment the controller seems to become an extension of their hands—these are the memories they’ll carry forward.
Console generations connect us more than we might realise. The story keeps going, just with new heroes now picking up the controller.
Our own experiences with gaming as children have grown from those simple shared moments of fun to today’s worlds of creativity, learning and play. Looking back at the history of gaming and how consoles have changed can help us make sense of what is available now and may make it easier for you to choose the right console and other gaming gifts for your family today.
Games consoles timeline - the complete history of gaming
Explore the consoles that shaped generations of players. From the early days of the Fairchild Channel F, through classics like the NES and Mega Drive, to the PlayStation and Xbox eras that changed gaming forever. Each one tells a story of where gaming started, how it evolved, and the memories made along the way.
Many of these consoles are the same ones parents will remember growing up with.
Top games consoles of all time (according to the British public)
If you ask family members or friends spanning more than one generation what the ‘best ever’ games console is, you’ll probably spark quite a debate. We recently asked the nation to pick their favourite consoles and a clear list emerged, which probably says as much about our collective memories as it does about the devices themselves.
These are the consoles that defined childhoods, shaped gaming culture and still echo in the choices many parents are making when choosing a console for their children today.
1. Nintendo Wii
UK release: 8 December 2006
The Wii didn’t just introduce motion controls to the masses, it was the main event that brought families into the same room again. It turned living rooms into makeshift bowling alleys, tennis courts, and chaotic Wii Sports tournaments. For many parents today, it might be the first console they remember playing with their family and friends, not just near them.
Its legacy lives on in Nintendo’s focus on inclusive, movement-based fun, something many parents still value when choosing consoles for younger children.
2. Xbox 360
UK release: 2 December 2005
If the Wii was about physical play, the Xbox 360 gave us a whole new world of gaming that connected us with our friends while gaming online, together. It was the moment gaming truly expanded beyond the home, letting players race, battle, and chat with friends who were miles away. Those who grew up with the 360 remember its iconic menu sounds, its massive library, and nights spent on Halo 3 or FIFA.
For today’s teens, the DNA of the current Xbox experience, especially the social side, still traces back to this mid-noughties machine.
3. Nintendo DS
UK release: 11 March 2005
The DS was the console that made gaming portable, social and surprisingly charming. It offered brain-training, PictoChat doodles and the joyful simplicity of games like Nintendogs. For many children at the time, it went everywhere - on car journeys, sleepovers, holidays and more.
Its dual-screen design still shapes Nintendo’s approach to accessible, family-friendly play. No wonder it made the top three!
4. SEGA Mega Drive (Genesis)
UK release: 1 September 1990
The Mega Drive was loud, colourful and wonderfully ‘90s. It brought Sonic the Hedgehog sprinting onto UK screens and helped cement gaming as a mainstream hobby. For many parents now in their 30s and 40s, the Mega Drive was their first taste of fast-paced action gaming. Its simple controllers and iconic soundtracks still carry huge nostalgia power.
5. Game Boy / Game Boy Colour
UK release: 28 September 1990
The Game Boy line introduced true handheld gaming to the UK. Whether it was Tetris marathons or taking the role of Mario as he tried to rescue Princess Peach from all kinds of scrapes, the Game Boy became a companion as much as a console.
Its sturdy design and endless battery life made it the perfect device for kids, which is something many parents still subconsciously look for in modern handhelds.
6. PlayStation 3
UK release: 23 March 2007
The PS3 was futuristic and multimedia-driven: it played Blu-rays, connected online, and delivered some of the richest storytelling games ever made. Those who owned one remember the leap in graphics quality and the era when gaming really started to feel like a cinematic experience.
It paved the way for today’s PlayStation ecosystem and this immersive feel is still a major consideration for families buying consoles now.
7. PlayStation 2
UK release: 24 November 2000
The best-selling console of all time globally, the PS2 dominated playground conversations for years. It was a console that grew up with you, offering everything, from party games like Buzz! to the era-defining Grand Theft Auto titles, and acted as many families’ first DVD player too.
The PS2 was more than a console; it was a gateway into modern life as we know it today, and its vast library still influences many of the current genres and franchises popular these days.
8. Nintendo 64 (N64)
UK release: 1 March 1997
If any console invented sofa multiplayer chaos, it was the N64. GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64, and Super Smash Bros turned siblings into fun rivals and friends into friendly competitors.
Its three-pronged controller may look strange now, but for many it represents carefree afternoons, blurry CRT screens and lots of laughter echoing through the house. Its focus on multi-play still inspires much family-friendly gaming today.
9. PlayStation 1
UK release: 29 September 1995
The original PlayStation changed everything. Suddenly, gaming felt cool, with the introduction of music-driven menus, 3D graphics, iconic franchises like Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, and Final Fantasy VII. For those who were teens in the late ’90s, the PS1 wasn’t just a console; it was a cultural moment, part of the same era that gave us Britpop, baggy jeans, and Saturday trips to GAME. Its influence on modern gaming genres is impossible to ignore.
10. Super Nintendo (SNES)
UK release: 11 April 1992
The SNES refined 2D gaming with timeless classics like Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Donkey Kong Country. Its colourful visuals and catchy chiptune soundtrack defined an entire gaming era.
Many people remember it as their first real “wow” moment in gaming—the leap from 8-bit to 16-bit felt enormous. Today, its legacy lives on through remasters, mini-consoles, and Nintendo’s ongoing commitment to consoles that offer fun and genuine charm over complexity.
Which games would the UK’s gaming generations bring back?
When we asked people which titles from the entire history of video games that they wanted to bring back, our results showed that:
Gen Z would bring back Wii Sports (24%)
Millennials most miss Super Mario World (20%)
For Gen X, it's Sonic the Hedgehog (16%)
10% of both boomers and those aged 80+ would want to bring back Pacman.
Retro gaming UGC showcase
Just like the console you grew up with helped to shape weekends, friendships and core memories - for many parents, these moments are now happening again - just from the other side of the sofa.
Comparing past console generations and current systems
The game consoles that we grew up with built some of our most vivid childhood memories; from ZX Spectrum or Atari consoles with groundbreaking light guns, to Mega Drives played through chunky old TVs, and even Game Boys that we hid under the duvet with a clip-on light on.
Modern consoles look sleeker, have infinitely better graphics, run faster and live online… but in many ways, they’re not as far removed from those classics as they may seem. The core ideas of play, creativity, discovery and social connection are still the same, but they’ve evolved.
The cost of games consoles over time
When today’s prices feel high, history shows they’re not out of line. Consoles have always been one of the bigger purchases for families - the difference now is how much more you get for the money.
If you’ve ever wondered how much a SEGA Mega Drive from 1990 would cost you in today’s money, you’re about to find out.
We looked at the launch price RRP for the major consoles released from the 1990s to now and adjusted the prices for inflation so you can see the difference.
Your childhood console vs today’s - comparing game console prices with inflation
Consoles have always been a big-ticket purchase. But when you adjust for inflation, many of the consoles we remember as “normal” or “affordable” actually cost the same as - or more than - today’s systems
Here’s a few things worth considering:
Today’s prices aren’t a new problem
The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X sit at around £510 in today’s money. That’s less than the inflation-adjusted launch price of the PlayStation 1 (£640) and PlayStation 3 (£620).
Nostalgia messes with our memory!
Consoles like the Mega Drive (£470 in today’s money) and Nintendo 64 (£495) felt expensive at the time too. We just didn’t call them that.
Modern consoles often offer better long-term value
Older systems had shorter lifespans and fewer built-in features. Today’s consoles double as gaming systems, media hubs, and social platforms, often lasting 6 to 8 years or more.
There have always been “entry-level” options
Just as the Game Boy (£148) and DS (£153) offered cheaper ways to play, today’s Xbox Series S (£283) and Nintendo Switch (£330) fill that same role for families on tighter budgets.
You’re not overpaying - you’re continuing a cycle and making core memories
Parents buying consoles now are often paying less in real terms than they did for their own first PlayStation, Nintendo, or SEGA system.
Other costs associated with gaming consoles
While the consoles themselves might not cost a significant amount more than they used to, there are now many other potential associated costs for gamers.
These subscriptions usually give access to digital versions of games (meaning that there are no additional costs for buying games separately) so this can work out as good value overall, especially for families that play lots of different games.
Subscription services for the three main consoles:
Popular peripherals
Popular peripherals
Many people find that to make gaming even more fun, comfortable and immersive, having a space in the home dedicated to it and adding other elements to the gaming setup can really make a difference to the whole experience. These might include:
- Extra wireless controllers, headsets & other gaming accessories - Gaming monitors - Gaming chairs - Sound bars - Lights and decor
In-game purchases
Whether it’s changing the appearance (or “skin”) of a character in a game, adding expansion content, opening loot boxes or gaining access to in-game boosters, extra lives and more - many console games offer multiple opportunities for players to spend money as they go. Research in 2024 found that gamers spend an average of £540 a year on in-game purchases and game subscriptions. While subscriptions can help keep costs predictable, other extras can quickly add up.
The good news is that all of the major consoles offer ways for parents to manage in-game spending and keep costs under control.
Choosing the best games consoles for kids
The best games console for your family will depend on many factors, so we’ve highlighted some of our top child-friendly features of today’s devices to help you make an informed decision.
Strong parental controls (via app)
Xbox offers a dedicated parent-management tool: the “Xbox Family Settings” app (available for iOS/Android) lets you manage a child’s account remotely: set content restrictions (by age rating), control screen time, monitor and restrict online interactions, spending and more.
Flexible account structure
You can create child accounts under the family group, which makes it easier to tailor permissions and safety settings to each individual child (e.g. younger vs older sibling).
Time and spending controls
Through the Family Settings you can impose time limits, issue reminders for breaks, and prevent unwanted in-game purchases until you’ve approved them. It’s a helpful safeguard against impulsive spending or excessive screen time.
Wide range of games, including child-friendly titles
Xbox’s library spans age-appropriate games all the way to more mature titles, giving flexibility as your child grows. Parents can allow only those appropriate for their child’s age/day-to-day maturity.
It’s a great choice for kids when you want:
Control, flexibility, a large catalogue of games (from child-friendly to teen), and the ability to scale up as they get older.
Designed with families and younger players in mind
The Nintendo ecosystem (via the Switch) emphasises accessible, fun, broadly family-friendly games that are colourful, non-violent, easy to pick up, with many suitable for younger kids.
Flexible play styles: console and handheld
Because the Switch can be docked to a TV or used as a handheld device, it works both for shared family play (on TV) and solo portable play (in their own room).
Parental controls and restrictions built-in
The Switch lets parents manage restrictions via settings or a companion app: you can control which games are available (by age rating), set daily or weekly play-time limits, control in-game purchases, and manage online communication.
Ideal for younger children / family game nights
Because so many of its games are “friendly” and it supports local co-op/split-screen or shared play, it’s often the easiest console for younger kids (and siblings) to enjoy together.
Good for kids when you want:
Ease-of-use, family-oriented play, portability, strong built-in safeguards, especially for younger children or mixed-age siblings.
Solid parental / family-management controls
On PlayStation consoles, you can set up a “family manager” account and “child accounts.” From there you can restrict games/apps by age rating, limit spending, control online interactions or disable chat and manage privacy settings for each child.
Flexibility across ages
Because PlayStation has games spanning from family-friendly to more mature, it's a platform that can “grow with” your child. As they get older, you can adjust some restrictions.
Parental control over social and online features
You can restrict who a child can communicate with (or disable voice/text chat entirely), prevent user-generated content sharing, and manage what they can download or access, which is useful especially for younger children.
Strong game and content choice
If you want to allow more sophisticated games (for older children), PlayStation tends to have a broad, deep catalogue, but the parental-control options let you make sure you only allow age-appropriate content.
Great for kids if you want:
Long-term flexibility, ability to grow from child-appropriate games into more mature titles over time; balanced parental oversight; robust privacy and spending controls.
Versatile, multi-purpose, and easy to control
Why this works for kids and families:
Devices you already own - no need for extra hardware
Many families already have a laptop, tablet or PC at home, so using these for games (especially age-appropriate ones, or web-based/educational games) can make gaming more accessible with minimal extra cost.
Broad controls and monitoring via operating systems, plus parental-control tools
Just like consoles, modern laptop or tablet devices and OSes typically offer parental controls including: content filters, time limits, app restrictions, and purchases, whether through built-in tools or third-party “family safety” frameworks.
Good place to start younger kids or siblings with lighter games / educational titles
For younger children, tablets or laptops may offer simpler, gentler games (puzzles, educational, creative). These are also often easier to supervise than full-on console gaming.
Flexibility beyond gaming
These devices double as tools for homework, creativity, and watching videos, meaning the limits and controls you put in place apply more broadly than just “gaming time,” which can help encourage balance.
A solid choice for kids when you want:
Budget-friendly options, broad parental oversight, flexibility (games + non-games), and gradual introduction to gaming rather than a dedicated console.
Remember: Some games are exclusive to certain consoles, so it’s important to check that the games your family are most keen on playing are available on the console or device you choose before you buy it.
Find everything you need to build the ultimate gaming setup for your kids and the whole family; built for play, focus, fun and time spent together.
FAQs
- Why were consoles so expensive?
Games consoles have always been at the cutting edge of technology for the time of release. The earliest systems were basically computers specifically built for play, using custom chips and brand-new tech. When console prices are adjusted for inflation, many “retro” consoles cost around the same as a modern PS5 or a comparable console today. So, it’s not that prices have gone up dramatically, it’s that gaming has always sat in that premium technology space.
- Which games console is best for beginners?
It depends on your individual family but in general, the Nintendo Switch is usually considered the easiest entry point for most children. Its games are colourful, friendly, and simple to learn, and the console works on the TV or handheld. For older kids and teens who want more complex games or online play, Xbox or PlayStation typically offer a smooth step up.
- Which console has the most kid-friendly games?
Nintendo often leads the way on family-friendly play. The Switch has many games suitable for younger children, from Mario Kart to Animal Crossing, without needing lots of parental filtering. Xbox and PlayStation also offer lots of kid-friendly titles, but their whole libraries tend to lean more towards older players.
- What was the first gaming console?
The first widely recognised home games console was the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972, which was three years before Pong was launched. Magnavox Odyssey came long before Sonic, Mario, or PlayStation. Its games didn’t even have built-in graphics. You stuck transparent overlays onto the TV screen to create the “game world.” We’ve come a long way since then! Browse our timeline of games consoles through the years and find out more about the history of gaming!
- What’s the best console for families?
For families with mixed ages, a Nintendo Switch is usually the safest all-round choice. It includes lots of local multiplayer opportunities, simple controls and games everyone can share. If your family enjoys immersive cinematic games, bigger stories or online play, PlayStation or Xbox are great options, especially as children get older and want more complex experiences.
- What’s the difference between PS5 and PS5 Digital?
Both consoles play the same games at the same quality. The differences are:
- PS5 Standard has a disc drive, so you can buy games physically, as well as borrow or trade discs.
- PS5 Digital Edition doesn’t have a disc drive - you download everything online.Digital is often cheaper upfront, but you lose the flexibility of disc prices (including picking them up second hand for a big discount) and swapping games with friends or selling them on when you’re finished with them.
- Which is the safest kids games console?
Safety depends less on the console and more on the parental controls that families can utilise.
- Nintendo Switch: has extremely straightforward controls and mostly age-appropriate games.
- Xbox: has an excellent Family App with remote settings (screen time, spending limits).
- PlayStation: has strong family profiles, age filters, and privacy settings.All three can be made very safe for children - especially when you create a child profile and set age ratings before they start playing.
- Do I need a subscription for my child to play online?
Usually, you will need a subscription if your child wants to play online with their friends. These include:
- Nintendo Switch Online
- Xbox Game Pass / Xbox Live
- PlayStation PlusThese subscriptions allow online play, cloud saves and access to added game libraries. For purely offline games, no subscription is usually required, but sometimes a subscription that includes new game downloads can be good value for money for families that like to play lots of different titles.
- Are online games safe for children?
For children wanting to play online, safety can be a very real concern for parents. By using a combination of parental controls and ensuring your children are playing with a level of supervision, it’s possible to minimise risks . All of the major consoles let you:
- Restrict chat and friend requests
- Limit or turn off voice/text communication
- Avoid games with unmoderated interactions
- Limit spending on in-game purchases.For younger children, it’s often easier to stick to games they play alone or with people they know in real life.
- Which console is best for gaming on a budget?
- The Nintendo Switch often has the lowest upfront and yearly cost for many families.
- The Xbox ecosystem is also good value thanks to Game Pass, giving access to hundreds of titles without buying individual games.
- PlayStation is fantastic for older kids but tends to sit slightly higher in both hardware and software prices. It’s always worth checking out the latest games console deals to see if there are offers and promotions to help bring costs down.- Can a laptop or tablet replace a console?
Laptops and tablets are great for some kinds of gaming, especially for younger children. Tablets and laptops often have big selections of creative, educational and age-appropriate games that are available through app stores, often free of charge (although ensure your device settings have spending controls in place for in-app purchases).
They’re also great for families who want a device that can do things like homework and watching videos, films or TV shows as well as gaming. Older teens may prefer a console for better high-res performance and specific game titles that they can play with their friends online at the same time.
References
* UK Console Launch Prices (Original RRP vs 2024 Equivalent)
Data is based on the average annual inflation rates (BoE) since 1990.
Inflation multipliers used:
1990 → 2024: ×2.47
1992 → 2024: ×2.31
1995 → 2024: ×2.15
1997 → 2024: ×1.98
2000 → 2024: ×1.73
2005 → 2024: ×1.55
2006 → 2024: ×1.50
2007 → 2024: ×1.46 (From BoE inflation calculator)
