Year of Release: Never went on sale (Announced in 2002, Delayed pending further funding in 2006)
Quick Overview: In theory the Phantom Entertainment Phantom sounds like the perfect console. Not only can it read and play PC games, virtually creating a massive library of developed product, the Phantom used a direct download content system so there was no need to go to the store and pick up the latest game. It’s the future of where we’re heading with computer programs so the details of the Phantom were definitely ahead of their time, except that it was never released. Although it was supposed to come out as a direct competitor to the Xbox 360 in 2005, besides a prototype console that was seen in May 2004 the system was never released. Too bad: It received first place in Wired’s Vaporwares 2004.
Best Game on the System: Hard to tell
Since the console was never released, we’ll never know how actual gameplay would have worked out. Since it theoretically could play any PC game, there are a lot of front runners.
Reason for Downfall: Never released
It’s hard to say if the Phantom would have beat the Xbox 360 in the race to superior gaming console. It’s definitely lived up to it’s name: The gaming system is a ghost in the history of electronics that could have been.
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