Game consoles that combine ovens, refrigerators or chicken nugget are the strangest products ever born for gamers.
Chicken Nugget Console
To prepare for the 40th anniversary of the legendary Tetris in 2024, fast food brand McDonald’s in China has just released a handheld game console shaped like a Chicken nugget pre-installed with the famous puzzle game. The console costs around $4.24 and is available for a limited time only. Customers in China can order the device to go with a McDonald’s meal.
KFConsole
McDonald’s isn’t the first fast food company to make game consoles. In December 2020, KFC announced a device called “KFConsole”. This is a game machine that combines a fried chicken warmer from a cooperation between KFC and computer hardware company Cooler Master. However, so far there has not been any further information about the device announced, the gaming community thinks that this project has been canceled.
BL6
In 2020, the American beer brand Budweiser launched a game console that combines beer cooling called “BL6”. The device comes pre-installed with 6 Bandai Namco titles including Tekken 7 and SoulCalibur V. However, this machine is only sold in very limited quantities for charity purposes. Gamers who want to own BL6 will have to spend up to more than 50,000 USD.
Super Lady Cassette Vision
Released in 1984 in Japan, the “Super Lady Cassette Vision” is a female-only gaming console. Produced by the Epoch company, Super Cassette Vision has the same power as the legendary “4-button” (NES) but has a very limited game list. Combined with competition from Nintendo, the manufacturer Epoch then had to leave the game console business.
Coleco Telstar Arcade
Released in 1977, “Coleco’s Telstar Arcade” was the most versatile console at the time. The left side of the device has a steering wheel and gearshift paddles, the right side has a light sensor gun and the front of the device is a control button. However, this product suffered failure after 13 different upgraded versions in just 2 years, causing Coleco to go bankrupt.
PiPP!N
Few people know that technology giant Apple has also “attacked” the game console market. In 1995, Apple Computer released a device called “PiPP!N”. Running on the Macintosh operating system, the product was presented to consumers as a low-cost computer that did not come with a keyboard. Instead, Apple integrated the “AppleJack” controller into the device. However, with the “affordable” price of 599 USD (compared to 299 USD for PlayStation 1) combined with a mere 25 games, PiPP!N became one of Apple’s biggest disasters.
Virtual Boy
It is hard to believe that the first virtual reality (VR) product was released by Nintendo in 1995. With a design that included a headset and a controller, the “Virtual Boy” was a game console designed to resemble like VR glasses at the moment.
At that time, this product was promised superior technological capabilities ahead of its time. But many Virtual Boy users say that the experience it brings is not as advertised by Nintendo. Virtual Boy only has a monochrome red and black screen with a less impressive 3D effect, causing eye pain. With only 770,000 units sold, Nintendo had to stop production and kill the Virtual Boy just a year after its launch.
