Oh, wherefore art thou?

Did you know that Ouya exists? What about the MegaCD? If you're like me, then your answer to both of those questions is probably 'no.' And if you're shaking your head right now in disbelief at how you could have possibly missed those consoles, then you're in good company.

In this article, we'll take a look at some gaming consoles that have completely passed us by – for better or for worse. You might even find out about a console that you never even knew existed! So without further ado, let's jump in and take a look at some of history's most underrated and oftentimes, forgotten gaming systems.

Atari Cosmos

The Atari Cosmos was a home video game console that was released in 1982. The console was notable for its unique design, which featured a transparent case that allowed users to see the internal components of the system.

Unfortunately, the console was not very successful and was soon discontinued. One of the main reasons for its failure was its high price tag; at $349, it was one of the most expensive consoles on the market at that time.

Additionally, the console had some technical problems that caused many games to glitch or freeze. As a result, gamers were not very enthusiastic about the system, and it quickly disappeared from store shelves shortly after.

The Atari 2600 Jr.

Released in 1986 as a budget version of the well-received Atari 2600. It was smaller, cheaper, and sleeker than the original model, and it even came in a variety of fun colors. However, the Jr. failed to recapture the magic of the original 2600 and was discontinued just two years after its release.

One possible reason for its failure was its lack of games. While the original Atari 2600 had a large and varied library of titles, the Jr. only had a handful of games that were compatible with it. In addition, the Jr.'s lower price point may have deterred potential customers who viewed it as a cheap knock-off of the real thing.

Whatever the reasons for its failure, the Atari 2600 Jr. is now a collector's item, and its retro appeal continues to draw interest from gamers and nostalgia buffs alike.

Bandai Playdia

The Bandai Playdia was one of the most hyped gaming consoles of the early 21st century. Promising to revolutionize the gaming industry, the Playcadia was released to much fanfare in 1994.

Despite a strong start, the console was a commercial failure, selling less than what was projected. There are several reasons for Playdia's demise. First, the console was significantly more expensive than its competitors. Secondly, it lacked must-have games, and thirdly, like many start-up consoles, it was plagued by technical problems where games would freeze or shut off completely.

As a result of its poor performance, Bandai was forced to discontinue the platform just two years after its release, focusing instead on its line of action figures. Despite its failure, Playdia remains an important part of gaming history.

Sega Genesis Nomad

The Sega Genesis Nomad was released in 1995 as a handheld version of the popular 16-bit console. Despite its sleek design and wide range of features, the Nomad was a commercial failure, selling less than 500,000 units worldwide.

There are several reasons for its lackluster performance. First, the Nomad was released at a time when the handheld gaming market was dominated by Nintendo's Game Boy. Second, its high price point ($180) made it inaccessible to many potential customers.

Finally, the Nomad had trouble with battery life, lasting only two-to-three hours on a single charge whereas the Gameboy would last about 6-8 hours. While the Sega Genesis Nomad failed to make a dent in the handheld gaming market, it remains an interesting footnote in video game history.

Gone But Not Forgotten

So, there you have it. Four old gaming consoles that (almost) nobody remembers and four that have literally passed us by. I know that at one point, I had a chance to pick up a super mint Sega Nomad hand-held but opted not to buy it. Since then, I've been kicking myself as I have not been able to find a complete one again.

While some of these systems had their moments, they ultimately failed for a variety of reasons, from being too ahead of their time, to simply not catching on with the times, and not having enough quality controls in place to prevent the hardware from malfunctioning.

If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to check out any of these consoles, be sure to do your research first. you might just find an interesting piece of gaming history waiting for you.