Console-ation Prizes Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sega Genesis

While Sonic wasn't Sega's first official mascot (that was Alex Kidd), he quickly became the most popular from the company after the release of the fast-paced platformer "Sonic the Hedgehog", which almost single-handedly pushed the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive through its console generation after releasing in 1991. Due to the dissolution of Sega's console business with Dreamcast, Sonic later made appearances on several different consoles, occasionally in his own games and occasionally teaming up with Super Mario for the Olympic Games on various Nintendo consoles.

Answer: Xbox

One of the first big hits for Microsoft, "Halo", developed by Bungie and released in 2001, ended up becoming a flagship title in the console line's early days, inevitably becoming a system-mover when the Xbox 360 and Xbox One released. The series has followed Master Chief as he's scoured the galaxies breaking down planet-destroying rings known as Halos. Real-time-strategy titles ("Halo Wars") have also been released in the series.

The original "Halo" also appeared on PC, though not until 2003.

Answer: PC

Developed by Maxis and distributed by EA Games, "The Sims" became a quick best-seller upon releasing on the PC in 2000 (and, later, on the PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox). While console releases had their charms, the PC game would be developed with numerous expansions, all adding in unique items, areas, and people.

The series would then go on to reinvent itself every once in a while, with each one starting from scratch and releasing new expansions each time. It took only two years before "The Sims" became the top-selling PC game of all time; "Myst" held that title before.

Answer: Gamecube

While the original "Metroid" was an NES classic released in 1986 (though 1987 in America), "Metroid Prime" brought the series into the third-dimension as a futuristic platformer/shooter where the player took on the role of protagonist Samus Aran. Releasing in 2002, it was a Gamecube-exclusive (and Player's Choice title) though it was later ported to Wii to make use of motion controls on the Wii Remote device.

The creators at Retro Studios later went on to reinvent the "Donkey Kong Country" series on the Wii and Wii U.

Answer: NES

One of the most popular early games in the "Super Mario" series, "Super Mario Bros. 3" first appeared on the Famicom/NES in 1988 (in Japan, but in 1990 in the U.S.). The game has since appeared on the SNES, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, and countless handheld devices in the Nintendo family. Mario has been, by and large, a Nintendo-exclusive property; he's rarely seen in materials outside their own line (though it has happened under odd circumstances!).

Answer: NES

While Square(-Enix) has shifted the "Final Fantasy" series across nearly every console line up and down the history books, it got its start with Nintendo in Japan in 1987 on the NES/Famicom, later appearing on the console in the U.S. in 1990. Simplistic as an RPG compared to later sequels (I mean, compare "I" with "XV"), the game had a strong following, leading to a number of sequels on the NES.

By the ten-year mark, the series had released its seventh game-- "Final Fantasy VII", go figure-- on the PlayStation 1.

Answer: PlayStation 2

Co-created by Square-Enix and Disney, "Kingdom Hearts" is a unique hack-and-slash RPG title that combines the worlds and characters of Disney and "Final Fantasy" with a few original characters to lead the way. A Sony exclusive series for many years, the first step off the beaten path began in 2004 with the Game boy Advance title "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories". Development for "Kingdom Hearts III" was also announced on Xbox One, making the franchise a rare one to appear on each of the 'big three' companies' products.

Answer: PC

Originally only on the PC (when it released in 2003), no one knew "Call of Duty" would become as big a hit as it did. It's unsurprising that the game eventually released on consoles (Xbox 360 and PS3) since later sequels became instant best-sellers. The first game in the series took place during World War II, providing what was, in 2003, realistic sequences in American, British, and Soviet campaigns from over the years.

The series wouldn't attempt to visit modern settings until its fourth game.

Answer: Xbox 360

Like "Halo" before it, "Gears of War" took on the mantle of rough-and-tough shooters for Microsoft's console line, this time debuting with Microsoft's second home system, the Xbox 360. While "Halo" was characterized by a bright, futuristic style, "Gears of War" was much dirtier, heavier, and darker in tone. Award-winning upon release, the series commenced in 2006, eventually making it to PC in 2007 and re-releasing on Xbox One in 2015.

Answer: PlayStation 1

Originally known as "BioHazard" when it was first released in Japan in 1996, "Resident Evil's" first title was, at first, a PlayStation exclusive before it made its way to PC and Sega Saturn. Eventually, when the game was remastered, it also ended up appearing on Nintendo consoles, XBLA, and PSN.

The original game in the series saw a task force head into a dark forest to uncover the mysteries going on at a spooky mansion. Zombies ensued.