Console redesigns are pretty common whenever some time has elapsed between console generations, though they can certainly be frustrating for fans who feel as though they need to buy every single new release for a system. New console releases aren't a new thing, though. Systems as old as the NES saw revisions and updated versions hit the market well into their lifespan, making video game console revisions just about as old as video game consoles themselves.

The real question is, however, why consoles get rereleased. Some reasons are pretty obvious, such as updating a system's hardware to extend its lifespan. Systems like the PlayStation 4 Pro and the Xbox One S were released for this very reason, updating some technical shortcomings while also creating a sort of premium model for those willing to pay a little more for their games console. An updated technical model is probably the most well-known kind of console release, though it's not the only kind.

RELATED: Nintendo Switch Online to Add Game Boy and Game Boy Color Games

Xbox 360

Critical errors with a system's first version are often fixed with a system rerelease. One of the most notable examples of this is the original Xbox 360 and the infamous red ring of death. The Xbox 360 Slim fixed the hardware problems that caused the original system's repeated failures, finalizing fixes implemented in other, smaller hardware revisions.

The original NES got a rerelease known as the New-Style NES, released around the same time as the SNES's North America launch. The New-Style NES was meant to be a budget-friendly alternative to the new, more technically impressive SNES. The system had a slightly more compact Famicom-like design and fixed some of the major issues that make the original NES somewhat of a pain to own today.

The New-Style NES wouldn't be the only time Nintendo would rerelease a system as a budget option. One of their more well-known console redesigns is the 2DS, a version of the 3DS that didn't have the 3D screen and originally lacked the clam-shell design. The foldable screen from the main-line 3DS would return with the 2DS XL. The 2DS actually has a pretty solid fanbase since some find its more compact design easier to hold. It's also popular in the homebrewing community due to the low price point.

RELATED: Was the PlayStation Move a Failure?

These low-budget systems are less common nowadays, as many console developers focus on creating higher-end versions of their systems. Nintendo, however, continues to capitalize on its diverse audience by releasing these budget-conscious revisions of popular consoles. Having more affordable versions of something like the Nintendo Switch Lite or the 2DS is a great way to ensure that the system can get into the hands of as many people as possible.

Another common console redesign is where a company will create a limited-edition version of a console. There are a ton of these limited-edition or special edition video game consoles out there, with most of them having a different visual appearance to the others. One of the more well-known special redesigns was the one-of-a-kind golden Wii sent to the Queen of England. Most aren't quite as limited as that one, though.

RELATED: Each Nintendo Handheld's Biggest Rival (& A Way Each One Was Better)

These special edition systems tend to be part of a bundle with high-profile games, especially during the first few months of a system's lifespan. The lack of a solid library of games affects almost every major system for the first year or so of its life. Selling fans a limited-edition model of a system that's bundled with a launch title can help pad out profits until third-party developers can start putting out titles for the system.

Redesigns can also exist as more than just a slight upgrade to the hardware, though these kinds of console redesigns are getting a bit rarer as time goes on. Most notably, the Nintendo Game Boy had numerous redesigns that carried the handheld for over twenty years before it was retired in favor of the DS. While some may not consider the Game Boy line to be redesigns, many of them still play games released for earlier models.

The most common reason for a console to be redesigned is to update its technical performance or to release a limited-time version of said system. Older systems saw rereleases to fix glaring technical issues or create budget-friendly alternatives, though there seems to be less of a market for budget versions of most consoles. A console redesign is certainly frustrating for the consumer, though it's usually the sign of some real technical progress in the world of gaming.

Keep Reading: Why the PlayStation 5 Redesign Weighs Less