Perhaps it just takes more than a shitload of computing power for the TNG version to be so lifelike and it wasn't until the huge Galaxy Class was designed along with enough excess power that it became viable within a starship.
Before that starships had a rudimentary version that was workable, but not as impressive because not only the computing power needed, but also the energy demand took power away from more important systems.

Before that starships had a rudimentary version that was workable, but not as impressive because not only the computing power needed, but also the energy demand took power away from more important systems.
