Video game companies do their best to develop aesthetically pleasing console designs. After coming up with a design that not only works well but looks good, companies prepare to share the news with the public. The response isn’t always positive. Though players are excited about next-gen games, they may find the look of the consoles displeasing. While gamers were mostly positive about the design of the PlayStation 2, they mocked the PlayStation 3’s bulky design. The Xbox system wasn’t safe from gamer’s cruel insults. Many teased the original Xbox for being too large and bulky. Microsoft eventually resolved this with the designs of the Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
Creative fans didn’t wait around for their favorite companies to release new consoles. They decided to get to work redesigning existing consoles into new designs. Some used their talents to make their consoles match their furniture or used chrome plating. Others turned their consoles into portable gaming machines that were more powerful than other handhelds on the market.
Some console mods made gamers raise their eyebrows. There were some modders merged two different components to create multi-use machines, such as clothing with a built-in console or combining it with food. Though these may seem like unusual mods, we can’t blame them for using their property however they want.
Our list compiles some of the oddest custom consoles and some that will be sure to impress you. Even if you didn’t like how fans modded their consoles, you can’t deny that they were creative.
25 Weird: It’s Game Over For This SNES
Many gamers treat their consoles with TLC. Skadrums71 decided to do the opposite with his “Game Over Super Nintendo” mod.
This SNES has really taken a beating.
He decided to mod his console with platers of paint, embedded nails, and scratch marks. There are even burn marks around the corners of the console. To make the console slightly more unique, he added in green LEDs inside of the case. Let’s not forget the two blue eyes around the cartridge port. We can’t help but wonder if this SNES still works.
24 Weird: Love Unlicensed Games?
Tengen was a video game publisher and developer founded by Atari. They’re well-known for creating unlicensed versions of their games. Perhaps to hide the fact that these games were being released without Nintendo’s approval, these games did not look like typical NES cartridges. The games were styled like the original Atari games.
CKSigns has created a custom NES that is painted to look like a Tengen system. It fits the Tengen brand well as a company that released unlicensed games for the NES. They might as well have released an unauthorized version of the NES as well.
23 Incredible: This Cartridge Has It All
The Nintendo Game Boy wasn’t as powerful as an NES, but still had an impressive library of games. Some gamers wished they could have taken their NES with them.
Modder Airz combined his love of portable gaming and the NES. He developed a small game system built into an original NES cartridge. Inside the mod is a 2.8 inch LCD screen, buttons from an NES controller, and an emulating system. This cartridge can not only play NES games but also movies, music, and has an FM radio.
22 Weird: When Grilling Goes Too Far
Gamers were not impressed when Sony unveiled the PlayStation 3. Many joked that the console resembled a George Foreman grill. James Kingham and Brendan Foley decided that was a great idea.
They modded their PlayStation 3 into a fully working grill.
Unfortunately, the console had to have all of its components removed and replaced with a cooking surface. It can no longer play any games and has been reduced to a $600 cooking appliance. It may have been a better idea to just invest in a working grill instead.
21 Incredible: Too Bad It Can’t Fly Too
Star Wars is an incredibly popular franchise that has spawned movies, toys, and video games. It’s not surprising that some fans want to combine their favorite properties.
Major League Mods has modded their XBox into the Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon. It can play video games and shine four LED lights from its base. Not only did they craft this incredible mod, but they also posted a tutorial for others who want their own without spending a ton of money.
20 Weird: For Those Uninterested In Handheld Consoles
Several amazing new video games being released every day. Some gamers prefer to stick to older games and consoles. Jeri Ellsworth decided that she loved her older consoles so much that she wanted to bring them everywhere. She installed the components of an original NES into a purse. There’s a built-in LCD screen and two NES controllers that are attached. There’s also a switch that turns the purse into a Commodore 64. If handheld gaming isn’t for you, this is a possible solution.
19 Incredible: A Special 25th Anniversary Tribute
The Mega Man series has had a place in gamers’ hearts for decades. Over the years, the series has evolved from 2D pixel games into 3D adventures. Platinum Fungi wanted to pay tribute to the series about the robotic man in blue.
They have paid tribute to Mega Man 2’s 25th Anniversary by creating a custom NES console.
The console features the enemies of Mega Man on top. What makes this mod stand out is that the pixel images have a backlight.
18 Weird: Modernizing A Beloved Console
The NES was the first console for many gamers. It left an impression on players for years. Some preferred the 2D pixels to modern-game graphics. Kotami has decided to mod a futuristic version of the NES. The console has been transformed into an upright gaming station that’s black with blue LED lights. Gamers can also play the console horizontally like a traditional console. If you love your NES but wish it had a modern upgrade, this NEStation mod is for you.
17 Incredible: Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle
Some gamers who decide that they no longer want to pick up a controller. They may feel guilty because they’ve invested hundreds of dollars or more into their past hobby. It’s possible they still love gaming, but their consoles have seen their last days. The NES won’t play any game, no matter how much you blow into the cartridge. With this incredible NES mod from GetLoFi, you can reuse your old console and turn it into a music making machine.
16 Weird: Survival In Real Life
Survival horror games really took off with the release of the Resident Evil and Silent Hill series on the original PlayStation. Gamers loved exploring the scary fantasy worlds from their nightmares.
Well-known console modder Vandy Amka has decided to craft a survival horror-inspired PlayStation.
The case has a variety of skin textures laced together and a single eye placed in the top-right corner. If you can’t get enough of horror on your screen, then you may want this custom console.
15 Weird: For Fans Of The Moon
Legend of Zelda fans love the beautiful worlds that Link explores. In The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, there is one part of nature that stands out among the others. The Moon is an aggressive force that threatens the people on Earth. The Moon retains an angry face throughout the entire game.
Creative Box has decided to craft their Nintendo 64 in the style of the Moon. There is some additional artwork of Link on the case, but the Moon is the scary main focus of the design.
14 Incredible: Geralt’s Journey Will Never End
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt was not only released on PC but also on consoles. In the last installment of CD Projekt Red’s series, gamers continued Geralt’s long journey to find Ciri.
Javier Riquelme has brought out the spirit of the Witcher School of the Wolf on this custom PS4.
This isn’t a simple painted case mod. Javier has molded on a growling wolf and the game’s logo. Even though The Witcher III was the last of the series, it will continue to live on through this custom console.
13 Weird: Maybe It’s Time To Retire This Catchphrase
Batman has starred in several films over the years, but The Dark Knight really made an impact. The Joker taunted his foes by saying “Why so Serious?” It was a line that would quickly sweep the internet.
Carl Butler modded his Xbox 360 with the Joker’s infamous catchphrase. The console itself resembles leather that’s similar to Batman’s suit. Though the Batman emblem on top is well-done, the Joker head peeking out from the side of the console is slightly scary.
12 Incredible: Didn’t Anyone Warn You About Gaming In The Dark?
Tron is known for its futuristic costumes with glowing blue outlines. Zoki64 decided to bring those elements to life in his Nintendo 64 console mod. The controllers and console itself are covered in a black mirror finish. In daylight, it has light blue detailing. The console really comes to life when the lights are off. The console’s blue piping brightly glows so you can keep playing in the dark. Zoki64 even perfectly recreated the N64 logo to match the Tron: Legacy-inspired console.
11 Weird: Warning: The Crystals May Distract
The Legend of Zelda series has been wildly popular with gamers for decades. Fans are always excited to hear about a new installment in the series.
One creative player with a lot of time on their hands named Crystal Icing went all out on customizing their Nintendo Wii.
The used 7,500 24-karat gold Swarovski crystals to make their console shine brightly. Not only is the central console covered in diamonds, but also the base. This custom console will keep shining bright into the future.
10 Weird: A Unique Way To Recycle Sneakers
Some people love their favorite pair of sneakers so much that they don’t want to give them up easily. When the sneakers have reached their last moments in life, it can be hard to toss them out. At the same time, there may be a console lying around that still works but needs a new case. The British trip-hop group, the Sneaker Pimps, decided to solve both issues. They combined both a sneaker and an old NES in this unusual case mod.
9 Incredible: The Pizza Pizza Party Will Never End
There were several Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games released on the NES in the late 80s and 90s. The cartoon and comic book series were also still going strong. These turtles loved to fight the Foot Clan while also enjoying pizza.
Platinum Fungi decided to bring the turtles and NES together in this custom mod. The cartridge loads on the top of the van and the controllers plug into the back. To really make this custom console shine, the front headlights and interior have built-in lights.
8 Weird: A Not-So-Zen Garden
Zen gardens are meant to be a peaceful place. They often have carefully sculpted gardens and ponds filled with koi fish. This mod by Creative Box may have missed the mark. There is no cohesive color palette on the console. The landscape isn’t very proportional, and the koi fish garden is just a printout. The Asian characters written on the side of the console are also questionable. We just hope that the new owner of this custom console is enjoying their purchase.
7 Incredible: Keep A Piece Of Midgar Everywhere
The Final Fantasy series finally made a move to 3D with Final Fantasy VII. The game highly advertised the capital city of Midgar, which was also the primary location of the Shinra Electric Power Company.
MakoMod has brought the city of Midgar in this custom PlayStation custom console.
Most of the modifications are right on top of the disc reader. The city is highly detailed, including the giant cannon in the center. This custom PlayStation mod is perfect for any Final Fantasy VII fan.
6 Weird: For Those Extra Long Gaming Sessions
Nintendo works hard to ensure their consoles run well, especially after playing for a few hours. The game console still runs a change of overheating if your gaming sessions last for too long. MN PC Tech was proactive and made sure their beloved console would never overheat. They created a custom case called the “UNLimited Edited” for their Nintendo Wii with two tubes of liquid coolant. It seems like a bit too much for most gamers, but those who play for days on end without turning off their console may find this to be the perfect mod.
