Console Exhibition at GamePlaza
Discover the Evolution of Video Game Consoles
Step into the fascinating world of video game history at GamePlaza. Our Console Exhibition takes you on a journey through more than four decades of gaming, from the earliest home consoles to today’s modern gaming systems.
Whether you grew up playing on the Nintendo Entertainment System, spent countless hours with the original PlayStation, or recently discovered gaming through the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 5, our exhibition showcases the consoles that shaped generations of players.
More Than a Console Collection
GamePlaza is more than a display of old hardware. It is an interactive exhibition where gaming history comes to life. Our collection features iconic systems from Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Sega, Atari, Commodore, Philips, Magnavox, Mattel, VTech, Interton, and other pioneering manufacturers.
From the first 8-bit adventures to modern 4K gaming, every console tells part of the story of how video games became one of the world’s most influential forms of entertainment.
Nintendo Consoles
Nintendo has been one of the driving forces behind the video game industry since the 1980s. Our exhibition includes many of the company’s most important systems, illustrating how Nintendo continuously reinvented home and handheld gaming. Playable Nintendo consoles include:
- Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
- Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
- Nintendo 64
- Nintendo GameCube
- Nintendo Wii
- Nintendo Wii U
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
- NES Classic Edition
- SNES Classic Edition
Visitors can also see the Nintendo Wii Balance Board, one of gaming’s most innovative accessories. Explore the complete Nintendo collection on our dedicated Nintendo Exhibition page.
PlayStation Consoles
Sony changed the gaming industry forever with the release of the original PlayStation in 1994. Since then, every PlayStation generation has introduced new technology, unforgettable exclusive games, and millions of lifelong fans. Our PlayStation collection includes:
- PlayStation 1
- PlayStation 2
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 4 Pro
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation Classic
Experience how PlayStation evolved from CD-ROM gaming to today’s high-performance consoles. Learn more on our PlayStation Exhibition page.
Xbox Consoles
Microsoft entered the console market in 2001 and quickly established Xbox as one of gaming’s biggest brands. At GamePlaza you can discover:
The exhibition also features Xbox Kinect, the revolutionary motion-sensing technology that brought controller-free gaming into millions of homes. Visit our Xbox Exhibition page for the complete story.
Sega Consoles
Before Sony entered the market, Sega was Nintendo’s biggest competitor. Our Sega collection includes:
Discover the legendary rivalry between Nintendo and Sega, the birth of Sonic the Hedgehog, and the innovations that influenced modern gaming.
Classic & Rare Consoles
Gaming history extends far beyond the biggest brands. Our exhibition also includes several rare and historically important systems that helped shape the early years of home entertainment. These include:
- Atari 2600
- Philips CD-i*
- Philips Videopac G7000*
- Commodore 64*
- Magnavox Odyssey 2*
- Mattel Intellivision*
- VTech CreatiVision*
- Interton Video Computer 4000*
- Ouya*
*These consoles are part of the exhibition but are not currently playable.
Interactive Gaming Experience
Unlike many traditional museums, GamePlaza encourages visitors to play. Many consoles throughout the exhibition are connected and ready to use, allowing guests to experience authentic controllers, original hardware, and classic games exactly as they were designed.
Whether you want to revisit childhood memories or introduce younger generations to retro gaming, there’s something for every age.
Why Visit the GamePlaza Console Exhibition?
- One of Switzerland’s largest collections of video game consoles
- Playable retro gaming systems
- Consoles spanning more than 40 years of gaming history
- Rare consoles that are difficult to see elsewhere
- Perfect for families, gamers, schools, collectors, and tourists
- Learn how video game technology evolved across generations
Console Collection Overview
Explore the evolution of video game consoles from the late 1970s to today.
The table below highlights the consoles in the GamePlaza collection, their manufacturer,
release year, and console generation.
| Console | Manufacturer | Release Year | Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | Nintendo | 1983 | 3rd |
| SNES | Nintendo | 1990 | 4th |
| Nintendo 64 | Nintendo | 1996 | 5th |
| GameCube | Nintendo | 2001 | 6th |
| Wii | Nintendo | 2006 | 7th |
| Wii U | Nintendo | 2012 | 8th |
| Nintendo Switch | Nintendo | 2017 | 8th |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo | 2025 | 9th |
| NES Classic Edition | Nintendo | 2016 | Mini Console |
| SNES Classic Edition | Nintendo | 2017 | Mini Console |
| PlayStation | Sony | 1994 | 5th |
| PlayStation 2 | Sony | 2000 | 6th |
| PlayStation 3 | Sony | 2006 | 7th |
| PlayStation 4 | Sony | 2013 | 8th |
| PlayStation 4 Pro | Sony | 2016 | 8th |
| PlayStation 5 | Sony | 2020 | 9th |
| PlayStation Classic | Sony | 2018 | Mini Console |
| Xbox | Microsoft | 2001 | 6th |
| Xbox 360 | Microsoft | 2005 | 7th |
| Xbox One | Microsoft | 2013 | 8th |
| Xbox One X | Microsoft | 2017 | 8th |
| Xbox Series X | Microsoft | 2020 | 9th |
| Xbox Kinect | Microsoft | 2010 | Accessory |
| Master System | Sega | 1985 | 3rd |
| Mega Drive | Sega | 1988 | 4th |
| Saturn | Sega | 1994 | 5th |
| Dreamcast | Sega | 1998 | 6th |
| Mega Drive Mini | Sega | 2019 | Mini Console |
| Atari 2600 | Atari | 1977 | 2nd |
| Philips CD-i | Philips | 1991 | 4th |
| Philips Videopac G7000 | Philips | 1978 | 2nd |
| Commodore 64 | Commodore | 1982 | Home Computer |
| Ouya | Ouya | 2013 | 8th |
| CreatiVision | VTech | 1981 | 2nd |
| Video Computer 4000 | Interton | 1978 | 2nd |
| Intellivision | Mattel | 1979 | 2nd |
| Magnavox Odyssey² | Magnavox | 1978 | 2nd |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play the consoles?
Yes. Many consoles in the exhibition are fully playable. Some rare or fragile systems are displayed for historical purposes only.
How many consoles are on display?
Our exhibition features dozens of consoles from major manufacturers, representing more than four decades of gaming history.
Which brands are included?
Our collection includes Nintendo, Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Sega, Atari, Commodore, Philips, Magnavox, Mattel, VTech, Interton, and more.
Is the exhibition suitable for children?
Absolutely. Visitors of all ages can explore the history of gaming, and many of the playable systems are family-friendly.
What makes GamePlaza different?
GamePlaza combines the atmosphere of a gaming museum with the excitement of a hands-on experience. Instead of simply viewing consoles behind glass, visitors can actively play many of the systems that defined generations of gamers.
Are you ready to play?
Discover GamePlaza, Zurich’s interactive video game museum, where over 40 years of gaming history come to life. Located in Altstetten, our hands-on exhibition lets you play authentic arcade machines, classic consoles, handhelds, gaming PCs, pinball machines, and virtual reality experiences. Whether you’re a retro gaming enthusiast, a curious family, or a first-time visitor, GamePlaza offers a unique journey through the evolution of video games in one of Switzerland’s most interactive gaming attractions.