The History of Transparent Games Consoles

A look back at the glorious trend of see-through electronics in the late 90s/early 00s. Did you have a translucent n64, or an atomic purple game boy colour? Let me know in the comments.
Big thanks to ‪@Techmoan‬ for inspiring me to make this video with his wonderful breakdown of clear electronics • Prison Tech

[@MrSonicJuan]

The Switch Pro Controller is pretty much a see through one as well!

[@Leonguy2]

this video certainly deserves more likes, love it!

[@Flandrew]

Thank you

[@ekinteko]

@@Flandrew The best translucent colour variants seem to be: - Atomic Purple (GBC) - Sage Clear (iMac G3) - Spartan Green (Xbox) - Smoke Gray (Sega Saturn) - Ice Teal (N64) - Ruby Red (iMac G3) - Midnight Blue (GBA) - Phantom Purple (XB1) - Ocean Blue (PS2) ...other variants are just not as good. Just compare the original Atomic Purple (GBC) to the less tasteful translucent variants of Purple on the N64, GBA, PS2, and Modded Switch.

[@AtomicDudMan]

Bro I love you talking about retro gaming consoles, retro games everything man. Keep it up love your content!

[@asakawa-s8u]

Finally I figured out what's the point with all these transparent modern retro handheld consoles! Thanks for this vid!

[@RashidAlesgerov]

I love seeing the tech inside, so I've alway been fan of transparent products. Nintendo due to being a family-friendly console dipped its toes in it a lot more with variety of colours than Playstation which main target was always teenagers/adults. Whenever I see a clear console, I immediately wanna buy it :D

[@daviddante1999]

I was never a fan of see-through consoles and accessories but this was really interesting. Especially the Prison Tech. I had no idea

[@zaqueroberts1975]

I have an atomic purple switch. The joy cons are fiddly and taking the screen off was nerve racking, but it's doable. Just watch a few videos first and don't tighten the screws too tight or the clear plastic will crack.

[@Bee_Star33]

I had an emerald green PS1 dual shock back in the late 90s and I have a forest green Retrobit Tribute 64 today. I remember the transparent trend of the late 90s early 00s very well. That transparent look still looks great on modern tech while still having a classic/retro/throwback feel.

[@nexusmods9068]

EVERYTHING should be Pimp Purple!!! *Steam Deck walks in with pimp cane*

[@nexusmods9068]

I don't own a Steam Deck, but I really fucking hate how Sony and Nintendo release stupid shit eating console exclusives to this day, when online stores like Steam and GOG clearly offer a much simpler option, because this is why I' paying small fortunes for videogame history classics like Silent Hill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

[@raud5106]

I had those see through memory cards, the Controllers look so cool that way.

[@Larry-qh2kp]

i cannot believe how high quality your content it’s you deserve way more subs

[@ZuoKalp]

Pimp/Atomic Purple was, is, and always be the best color of any console, transparent or not.

[@voidvisual]

this vid popped into my recommendations. I don't think I'd ever seen a video covering this at all prior to this and for such a small channel I believe you really killed it with examples and information. cheers to more

[@stevenjlovelace]

I can't wait for the transparent plastic look to come back into style.

[@jmal]

Man, wouldn't it be cool to see modern Macs with that late '90s translucent aesthetic again?

[@yagami-chan1059]

I wish they continued making those,even if not see-through,and not only videogames but other electronics as well. I loved when a phone had color variations not just cases

[@AkiKimurr]

very nice video, thank you! pacing is just right and length is balanced, good job

[@medha8323]

thank you for making this vid (T-T)!! this aesthetic is one of my favs and this video presented them beautifully!

[@kasueli0]

I never cared for transparent electronics myself but I can't deny it was definitely very iconic

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

I never had a see through console but I've had my share of see through controllers.

[@RealBadGaming52]

i had a blue see thru ps1 contoller with dual anaolg and vibrate, i stepped on and that was that, pitty

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

@@RealBadGaming52 r.i.p. see through controller.

[@TeleManisa]

The switch pro controller is translucent too, you didn't mention it, but great video.

[@Xx_m1k3_0X1onG_xX]

Calling it now lads, this video will blow up in about 6-9 months

[@CoffeePotato]

I got super lucky and had an atomic purple shell with the original buttons installed on my switch joycons when I got it for next to nothing second hand. Absolutely love it.

[@Jakewake52]

I adore transparent plastic eletronics and as a comitment to this I argued the PS5's duelsense is dying for a transparent varient. I have recived replacement shells, led kit and a paddle mod for it today

[@cinnamondan4984]

Excellent idea

[@AtomicDudMan]

Transparent is pretty badass

[@JonathonMcClung]

Even as a kid I never liked my translucent PS1 controller. I also currently dislike the clear PC case trend, but I do like that it’s made mother boards and graphics cards look a whole lot cooler. But this video was still really interesting so thanks for that 😂

[@Shaibuli]

The company I work for has some groundwater loggers, which use a docking station made out of clear plastic. The dock even comes with a translucent USB cable to match. I cannot fathom why on earth the manufacturer has made it so, because it uses flashing led's to optically transfer the data from the loggers to your laptop. Let's just say that a sunny day, clear plastics and optical data transfer do not mix well!

[@Protosilver97]

Does it start melting?

[@mazda9624]

Fun fact: All fat Playstation 3 models (2006-2009) that look black aren't actually black. They are made of semi translucent plastic. Just shine a flashlight on one and you'll see what I mean.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

There are also aftermarket transparent shells you can buy for consoles that never had one. For example, I bought one for the original Wii. The system looks absolutely fantastic with a clear shell.

[@3nkidu465]

Where?

[@IVChan]

You're going big!

[@bassguitari928]

Back in the ‘80s there were also some prototype Atari 7800 systems made in translucent cases, apparently to test the plastic molds. 🙂

[@CatSimulator2000]

It's kind of funny that one of the latest modern revivals of this trend is...portable retro gaming emulation consoles, which are a throwback to this era in and of themselves.

[@ravec9245]

ps1 had a black anniversary edition, also there was a green and a blue one for debug units and another black for home development check your facts

[@novelezra]

Don't forget see-through Kevin Bacon.

[@ikagura]

I really like that late 90's-early 00's trend but I do also appreciate the metallic one from the mid-00's. I am sure some modded GBA SPs and PSPs as these.

[@hrrawr]

The see-through iron is a perfect closing joke.

[@NatsuVindex]

Great video ,you won a sub

[@Fusorf]

I’ve done the atomic purple switch mod and let me tell you it’s not as hard as it looks. It’s pretty quick too and so worth it 😍

[@johue2458]

Nice video on a great channel!

[@malic_zarith]

I think Sony made a black PS1 as some kind of developer kit. I hear it plays games from every region.

[@ikagura]

Yep, the Net Yaroze.

[@bb_lou]

Forza Horizon 5 Xbox controller is mostly transparent yellow with some blue and pink accents. They painted part of the rumble motor to make it look like a piston when spinning, changed some of the colors of the internal wires to fit the color scheme as well as made the inner frame transparent too to let the Xbox logo light illuminate the whole controller. I got incredibly lucky and found it at Best Buy while going to buy the 20th anniversary one, wanting a clear upgrade from my 360 controller (pun intended). There also were a few clear colored New 3DS faceplates, though I don't know if that really counts. Great video! Big fan of clear electronics myself, learned about design too! Now to hope for fun colors and clear electronics to come back in style.

[@Thumper17]

I have a Jungle Green N64 and controller. I bought a jungle green Everdrive and pair of Brawlerpad controllers for it, it looks so sick.

[@rjd1922]

My first game system ever was a transparent purple Game Boy Color.

[@jonathaningram8157]

I recently bought a retroid pocket 3+ which has a transparent blue case. I'm excited because I never had transparent case younger.

[@jeffyp2483]

i had the glacier gba, and the atomic purple gbc. miss em both.

[@js100serch]

I love transparent game consoles and controllers. I recently built a Transparent Blue Sega Dreamcast with a Transparent Blue controller. I can't get enough of these items. I want a green N64 and an Ice Blue one, I have the Purple one.

[@xXdarkdekuXx]

watching this downloaded on my clear rg350p game console

[@RobiticDuck]

Grey N64 paired with the Atomic Purple controller is my favorite color combo for that system. My GBC is solid teal, but I should grab an Atomic Purple to match!

[@piurtv]

1:35 This clear blue/white version of the Nintendo64 was sold in Europe too as the last "wave" of Nintendo64 before the Gamecube came in, and like some of the first Nintendo64 put on the market, it was bundled with Super Mario 64. We didn't have the clear red though. 5:48 We didn't even need to wait for the SP to find this "metallic" design on the GBA line, the first GBA got new shell colours after some years, like a black one, and, to get back to the topic, of course, a metallic silver one that was called "Limited edition platinum". 6:30 I got this blue 2DS, I was really happy they did a see-through one. Well, I bought it because I found it used for a nice price, plus I got an offer there since I got 10€ off a used (but in good condition) Zelda : A link between worlds with it. So I didn't really chose it but I was glad it was this particular model. I wish this trend got back, even newer phones had it at a moment : For example, the LG Fx0, first and, to my knowledge, only Firefox OS LG smartphone was available in only one colour that was some kind of beige see-through. Also Xiaomi did some see-through versions of their Mi8 and Mi9 smartphones but the components we could see were not the real ones.

[@hydrasfang]

I don't know how relevant it is to this but when I was a kid I had what I vaguely recall to be a small learning computer for children it had 4 wire legs that each had a suction cup and maybe 2 antennas but the legs and antenna were yellow, while the rest of it was made in a translucent green and colored matt purple. It also came with a custom keyboard designed for it, it didn't have or need a mouse. I also remember it seemed to express some level of emotion based on what you did on it. Like if you made it happy it would try to rock side to side if happy and shake if upset or disappointed. I believe it also made sounds but I've honestly forgotten what the sounds were and can only vaguely recall some of the details the main one I can't is the name of it as well as who produced it or when my grandparents got it because it was at least 20ish years ago give or take. It could have also been originally for me or a hand me down from one of my older brothers. The main problem is my grandparents who had bought it have both passed away and I doubt my immediate family will remember what I'm talking about. If anyone recalls something about this please help.

[@MaximilianEnVT]

Adding onto those GBC seethroughs, during the Olympics Nintendo was offloading old stock by opening unsold handhelds and slapping olympic stickers on them (the boxing kanga to the animal mascots) nothing different about them, they were sold at huge discounts because i guess Nintendo wanted to get rid of them? Nope it was to clear stock and make room for the Advance and all the other good things that come with it. i didnt complain, i got a brand new Colour and a stack of games for like 20aud at the time which was a huge sale at the time.

[@Dominickudo]

The translucent trend was more of a 90s thing like the Y2K style.

[@caitub]

When Donkey kong 64 came out my parents bought it for me for my bday, it came with the transparent green N64 console system and expansion pack. Good memories

[@videos8159]

I remember those design. I even got the transparent gameboy basically everyone of my friends got those as well but I never realised that this fell out of style. Actually rly sad because I like the goofy look. It's kinda nerdy

[@s8v1]

now that smartphones are having back panels partly made of glass, i do hope there will be phones released with a transparent back

[@kaplisisdx8651]

I love the transparent N64s. I dont know why it became so popular back then, but i think they look great and give these consoles a higher value, like a special edition. I'm not a fan of the black and white consoles of today, but i get that its more practical...

[@chungus1149]

they still look beautiful except translucent black. I simply don't understand why you'd want that. translucent colorless is similarly ugly but at least you can still see through it

[@pippin3430]

4:57 ngl, I liked that controller that I thought it was the one used at there marketing since it was using mostly the indigo (and later platium). I get why you don't see the point, it still kind of cool design to me (like how they made a GBA SP with an platium and onyx colors combined)

[@MeredithLynnViolin]

You should totally make the playstation 2 controller video! Sounds super interesting. I always wanted the ssx tricky snowboard controller as a kid but didn't realize how many non-traditional controllers actually existed wow

[@kittymae335]

I have the atomic purple GBC, and a transparent purple tamagotchi as well. I thought seeing inside electronics was just the coolest thing.

[@yungfella666]

I got this blue translucent shell for my sp and it's so beautiful

[@acepedro12]

The Xbox 360 had a Halo 4 special edition that was at least partially see-through, made to resemble Cortana I suppose.

[@thomaspantrias9635]

My own 2ds is the see-through Blue Alpha Sapphire edition. Not a big fan of that design but it grew up on me after so many years I have it.

[@lsynno]

Aww I used to have a "Crystal" translucent Xbox. It was awesome.

[@hicknopunk]

I have a clear Neo Pocket b&w model.

[@Gigatech151]

Playstation 1 had charcoal/satined black console that was on sale on Europe. It was also a developer kit... this was made to take advantage of a legality, in order to sell them in a certain country there.

[@Luuute]

I swear I've seen that blue see through Mac in multiple Disney shows like Lizzie McGuire

[@RyanHaney55]

I have a see-through purple N64 controller, along with solid gray and royal blue versions. My Switch Pro controller is see-through black. Sometimes I just stare at it. None of my consoles have been translucent, though.

[@abhirao8582]

Prior to the Gameboy Color, Nintendo released the Gameboy Light in Japan which also had a few transparent models.

[@ClarenceFlanagan]

The Original PlayStation had a black system released for the Net Yaroze development concept, if that counts. Always thought it looked really cool!

[@nekozilla1316]

I had atomic purple Gameboy color, sadly my mom gave it away. I also had an Ice blue N64 and I'm pretty sure my ps2 controller was see-through. I also got an atomic purple shell for my switch recently

[@magnawaves]

I have that exact switch shell. It's piss easy to swap the joycons and all that, you've just got to have a little patience and snap some pics along the way to help you remember how it all goes

[@frothcat6133]

Bring back official transparent consoles and accessories please. Still have my transparent gameboys

[@hansolodolo92]

Pimp purple😂😂😂 loved purple, orange, and green. Blue was cool just a tad too light for me

[@BigRed3000]

Now I wish they made transparent GameCubes

[@piurtv]

There were transparent aftermarket cases for the Gamecube back then, their purpose was more than just the looks since they allowed the NGC to read full size DVDs, making it easier to burn pirate games for it.

[@ElricSowrd]

I used to have a See-through PS2 Controller. I still own a See-through Gameboy Advance.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

if i didn't already own a Pikachu n64 i would defiantly have a translucent one. The crazy thing is other than the common funtastic ones and the half and half there were many other models made they actually happen to be some of the rarer n64 as one was just sold in one store in japan. The orange xbox is actually an intresting so to celebrate xbox live's launch in the US they made many xboxs that were orange to go with live's color at the time but someone at microsoft really like the orange but also really liked halo and so he blended them together making like 2 or 3 of those also with the green the halo one was so popular that microsoft put out many green ones that didn't have the halo logo on it.

[@KarlHessey-db6mf]

Bring back the translucent, switch 2 translucent, would be cool

[@JS-oi5jt]

you skipped the DaiHawks and Jusco N64

[@buzzholden2425]

My dad went to prison before he met my mom and I was always fascinated with the see-through TV he had

[@dishonoredknight3568]

What was the first console to have different colors or varients of the same hardware

[@BowserTheSecond]

Colourful transparent electronics are a hallmark of Y2K era blobbytech.

[@MrCromocrunch]

I miss having so many colored electronics.

[@RealBadGaming52]

I had a Transparant PS1 Contoller, a Transparant, Transparant Tomagichi, A GBA transparant for a short while, PSOne Memory card and thats about it, and those purchase werent made by mean anywya , i was 11 in 2000 lol i guess there was no avoiding it

[@aortaplatinum]

Oh god you reminded me those creepy ass Evangelion life sims exist with that Dreamcast mouse. Nothing says "I missed the point of NGE" more than official NGE merch lol

[@TheZogeking]

Great video! :o

[@eladiocofresi5202]

Nintendo heavy usage of the see through consoles inspired the design of the Jaguar Nuyell/Singer Izek sewing machines, which were made to be used with the Gameboy. The machines are mainly white with see through teal trim, which has the most visible portion on the top.

[@juanda680]

Those were the Days

[@piotrbijak3545]

The nintendo switch pro controller is actually slightly translucent

[@PalmOasisOff]

It's funny how I recently bought a GameCube Switch controller that is pink peach see through

[@danieljimenez1989]

You missed the smoke black 2ds that came out in Japan. That's not very well known but looks great in my opinion.

[@cutegamesclub]

I think the reason that see-through consoles/tech were more available in japan was that gaming was considered an activity for everyone much earlier on over there; japan had a wide variety of games that appealed to lots of different genders and ages, whereas in the west gaming was primarily being marketed to boys and young men. western consoles were trying to look more "badass" than playful. Kind of like how in NA promotional material, Kirby always has angry eyes but in japan he's just C:

[@RealBadGaming52]

interesting take on it , most video games magazines and ads had half naked busty women on the cover to try and sell it. in Japan gaming is a lagitmized, but here in the west Vidoegames still languish in the real between Movies and Toys and too often viewd by parents as the latter. and the US Games are Murder Training simulators according to the media

[@SkyfighterZX]

I think most modern electronics dont have transparent shells because they have lots of shielding so you can't see much apart of the metal sheet which is pretty boring, look at that switch example you showed, looks cool but the controllers look much better than the main console because of exactly that, the playstation is basically impossible bc it has too many layers of stuff and the xbox is a small fridge packed so it would be vety hard to see anything, also the "fashion" standards shifter with time as its normal so i believe it might take a while for transparency to come back, if it ever does, but fashions have a tendency of reappearing overtime

[@Flandrew]

Very interesting point

[@JCtechwizard]

Where is the link to Techmoan's video?

[@rjd1922]

Where's the link to the video about prison tech? It's not in the description.

[@NinPossible]

Maybe this is why Nothing Phone chose to go transparent on the back. Maybe if Apple did it again, other brands would definitely follow them!

[@ed3n4pf]

Im looking for a ps2 slim clear case, price don't affraid me. Thanks. Great video btw, didn't about all those color variations for N64 !

[@2ndbleak]

Oh hell yeah

[@arkdetective]

Just want to say there was a resident evil: code Veronica dreamcast that was see through red iirc, which was, you guessed it, japan exclusive.

[@Pierogo]

I was wondering if they ever made a transparent PS1 - sad that they didn't, I'd get it just for the drip. Overall great vid and it deserves way more views, but I can feel the repetitive background music making me slowly lose my mind.

[@coopercummings8370]

There wasn't an official one, but there were tons of aftermarket housings that came in clear, although the ones from the time weren't the greatest quality. There are a couple companies making high quality transparent shells for old consoles now though

[@Kyush4]

the psx came in black, midnight blue and white