The focus of this category is on home video game consoles, handheld game consoles, microconsoles, and dedicated game consoles, as well as the games that are made for them.
A home video game console is a device that was designed primarily for home gamers, rather than for use in commercial gaming establishments like arcades, but larger than handheld game consoles and microconsoles.
The history of video game consoles is generally sorted into eight generations, which are defined by the dominant game console in their marketplace. These changes usually represented a shift in technology. Significant shifts in the marketplace leader signaled a new generation and were often spurred by an advance in technology.
The generations are as follows: first (1972-1980), second (1976-1992), third (1983-2003), fourth (1987-2004), fifth (1993-2005), sixth (1998-2013), seventh (2005-2017), and eighth (2012-present).
The first generation began with the Odyssey series by Magnavox, which was marketed between 1972 and 1978, and ending with the Computer TV-Game in 1980, which was the final console in the Color TV-Game series by Nintendo, and released only in Japan. Other first-generation consoles included the Atari Home Pong, Coleco Telstar, and the BSS 01, a German console.
Most of the first-generation video game consoles were dedicated consoles, which suggests that they were limited to one or more games that were built-in to the system, and could not support additional games distributed by cartridge, disc, or download. Unlike later consoles, most of these systems were not true computers but were powered by a hardwired game logic.
The second generation of video game consoles saw several popular models. Fueled by the Golden Age of Arcade Video Games, many second-generation consoles were ports of popular arcade games. The generation is thought to have begun with the release of the Fairfield Channel F in 1976 and included the Atari 2600, the Magnavox Odyssey, Mattel's Intellivision, the Emerson Arcadia 2001, the ColecoVision, the Atari 5200, and the Vectrex, which was soon purchased by the Milton Bradley Company. Another notable second-generation console was the Bally Astrocade. The second generation saw the video game industry crash, that began in late 1983 and caused a major disruption in the North American market.
Also known as the 8-bit era, the third video game console generation began with the release of the Nintendo Family Computer, which later became the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and the Sega SG-1000. The Atari 7800 was sold from 1986 to 1992. The North American video game crash ended with this generation.
The 16-bit era of game consoles coincides with the fourth generation, and included the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Mega Drive/Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, Philips CD-i, and Neo Geo AES.
The fifth generation is variously known as the 32-bit era, the 64-bit era, or the 3D era, and includes video game consoles and handheld game consoles produced from October 1993 to May 2002. The best-selling console was the PlayStation, followed by the Nintendo 64, and the Sega Saturn. Others included the 3DO, Atari Jaguar, Amiga CD32, PC-FX, FM Towns Marty, and Apple Bandai Pippin.
The sixth generation (128-bit era) of game consoles began in late 1998 with the release of the Sega Dreamcast, and was dominated by the Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Microsoft Xbox.
Thus far, the seventh generation has included the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Nintendo Wii, each introducing a new breakthrough in console technology. The seventh-generation has also seen several re-releases of modern versions of classic game consoles, often in smaller form.
A handheld game console is a small, self-contained video game console with a built-in screen, game controls, and speakers, all in one unit. Mattel introduced the first of these, Auto Race, in 1976, and other companies made their own single-game, handheld consoles. The first handheld game console with interchangeable game cartridges was the Milton Bradley Microvision, which was released in 1979, but the best-selling handheld console has long been the Nintendo Game Boy.
A microconsole is a form of video game console that is designed to connect to televisions and to play games downloaded from an application store, such as Google Play. These are rather new in the market, the first being the MicroConsole, released by OnLive, a cloud gaming startup, in 2010.
The focus of this category is video game consoles, whether home consoles, handheld consoles, or microconsoles, and on the games that are designed to play on them.
Recommended Resources
The Arduboy is a miniature game system the size of a credit card. Installed with a classic 8-bit game, the device can be reprogrammed from a library of open source games that are available online. Setting up the device requires a PC with an Internet connection and a Micro-USB cable to install C++ and libraries, download games for the device, and upload them to the Arduboy. Several games are available from the site, along with development and learning guides. The Arduboy may be purchased online.
https://arduboy.com/
The original Atari VCS, also known as the Atari 2600, was released in 1982 and discontinued in 1992. However, Atari has announced the release of an all-new Atari VCS and is taking preorders. The Atari VCS is a modern gaming and video computer system that will use a Linux-based operating system, and be compatible with most PC peripherals, WiFi and Bluetooth enabled, and able to stream web-based videos and entertainment features, as well as play games at up to 4K resolution.
https://atarivcs.com/
Dedicated to the Bally Astrocade home video game console and computer system, which came out in 1978, and discontinued in 1983, the site offers information for owners of the device, users, programmers, and collectors. Included are an introduction and background information, ads and catalogs for the device, copies of the Bally Alley Newsletter, game manuals and hardware documentation, Astrocade machine language and BASIC language programming, and type-in programs.
https://ballyalley.com/
Founded in 1997 by former game designers and programmers for the then discontinued Intellivision video game system, the company was originally known as Intellivision Productions. Blue Sky Rangers brings the classic Intellivision video games to modern platforms, from PCs to the self-contained Intellivision Flashback, a miniature Intellivision console. Available hardware, software, and other products are pictured, described, and made available for purchase online.
https://intellivisionlives.com/
The ColecoVision was a second-generation video game console released by Coleco Industries in 1982 and discontinued in 1985 when the company withdrew from the video game market. In 2017, Coleco sponsored the first Coleco Retro Gaming & Collectibles Expo and licensed the release of the ColecoVision Flashback, a classic game console with sixty built-in games produced by AtGames, and a line of mini arcades that are available for preorder, with other games under production.
https://coleco.com/
Begun in 2000, the Console Database includes the variations of consoles and games that exist around the world in order to be of use to people worldwide, offering information on game consoles and other game devices, accessories, instruction manuals, system specifications, and other data, including game info, game credits, photos, game reviews, and credits. Several online playable games are also featured. A site history, credits, and advertising opportunities are included.
https://www.consoledatabase.com/
Developed by FreeStyleGames and published by Activision, Guitar Hero Live was released for PlayStation 3 and 4, the Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in October of 2015, and to iOS devices in November of that year. Players use a special guitar-shaped controller to match fret patterns displayed on a note pattern on the screen in time with the music. An overview of the game is set forth, in which players take the stage as the lead guitarist of fictional bands at two fictional festivals.
https://www.guitarhero.com/
The Intellivision home video game console was released by Mattel in 1979 and was the company’s only game console until the HyperScan, which was released in 2006. Discontinued in 1990, the Intellivision is being relaunched by Intellivision Entertainment as the Intellivision Amico, offering remakes of classic Intellivision games as well completely new games, made exclusively for Intellivision. Hardware design concepts are highlighted, along with its games.
https://www.intellivisionentertainment.com/
JXD is a Chinese manufacturer of consumer electronics, including handheld gaming devices, such as the S192K, the S7800B, the S511B, the S7300C, and the S5800, each of which are highlighted online, with photos, descriptions, and other information, and made available through the site, along with accessories and downloadable firmware. Game and hardware reviews are published to the site, along with firmware upgrade instructions, and company contacts.
http://www.jxd.hk/
Mattel Electronics Intellivision
Although the site serves to commemorate Mattel’s Intellivision video game console, which was discontinued in 1990, the site is mostly about an aborted game development company, known as Intelligentvision, and to make the games it had developed available. When Intellivision was discontinued, there were several unreleased Intellivision games, so Intelligentvision was created to release these games and to create additional games in the style of Intellivision.
http://www.intellivision.us/
Created and owned by Microsoft Corporation, Xbox is a series of video game consoles, the first of which was introduced in the United States in 2001. The brand also includes game applications made to be played on the device, streaming game services, an online gaming service known as Xbox Live, and Xbox Game Studios, the game development arm. Game passes, games and devices may be purchased through the site, and a community support forum is included.
https://www.xbox.com/en-US/
Founded as a playing card company in 1889, the Japanese-based company became a video game company in the 1970s, producing several models of video game consoles and other game devices, as well as the games to play on them, beginning with a light gun shooter game, Wild Gunman, in the early 1970s. Nintendo began producing its own hardware in 1977, starting with the Color TV-Game home video game consoles. Current game devices and games are highlighted on their site.
https://www.nintendo.com/
Oculus, a division of Facebook, specializes in virtual reality hardware and software products, releasing the Oculus Rift in 2012, the Oculus Go in 2017, and the Oculus Quest in 2018, each of which is described in detail, including promotional videos and demos, and made available for purchase online. Setup information is included. Applications and games available for its products are featured, and also made available for online purchase. Pages for game creators and developers are included.
https://www.oculus.com/
Released in the United States in 1972, the Magnavox Odyssey was the first commercial home video game console, and a few different versions were produced until it was discontinued in 1975. This site serves as a tribute to the video game device, describing its development, versions, and system, as well as the accessories and games that were made for the device, a copy of the operation manual, advertising for the device, and other resources for collectors.
http://www.magnavox-odyssey.com/
Known in Japan and France as the PC Engine, and elsewhere as the TurboGrafx-16, the PC Engine is a cartridge-based home video game console manufactured by NEC Home Electronics from 1987 to 1994. The PC Engine Software Bible features a list of games manufactured for the console, which are listed in alphabetical order. Other resources include system and game manuals, advertising copy, wallpapers, and comparisons of the various versions of the games.
http://pcengine.co.uk/
The Amiga CD32 was a home video game console developed by Commodore and released in Europe, Australia, Canada, and Brazil in 1993 and discontinued in 1994 when Commodore filed for bankruptcy protection. Created by gamers and collectors of Amiga CD32 games, Project CD32 features pictures, scans, videos, and music from games released for the CD32, including CD32 games, non-games, titles, hardware, and other information. Its use of icons is explained.
http://www.amigacd32.com/
Created in 1999, PSX Extreme offers news, reviews, previews, interviews, features, and articles relating to the video game industry and associated technology, with a primary focus on the Sony PlayStation brand. News, reviews, and previews of each of the PSX consoles are put forth, along with news and reviews of PlayStation games for the PC and gaming devices. Its editors and contributors are acknowledged, bugs and errors may be reported via a form, and a discussion forum is available.
https://psxextreme.com/
The Sega Genesis is a home video game console developed and distributed by Sega. Released as the Mega Drive in Japan in 1988, it was released in North America as the Genesis the following year. In other places and times, it has been marketed under different names. Sold to Majesco Entertainment in 1997, it was discontinued in 1999. However, in September 2019, it will be reintroduced as the Sega Genesis Mini, with forty classic games, again produced by Sega.
http://genesismini.sega.com/
Owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the PlayStation (PS) is a video game brand that currently includes four video game consoles, an online game service, a media center, a line of controllers, two handhelds, and a phone, as well as some magazines. Based in Japan, the company was launched in 1994. Its game devices and accessories and games may be purchased online, and subscription-based and free games may be played on its game portal.
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/
Started in 1999, Super Smash Bros. is a series of crossover video fighting games published by Nintendo that features characters from other of its most popular franchises. Gameplay, within the series, differs from most other fighting games. Rather than depleting an opponent's life bar, the objective is to launch their opponents off the stage. The most recent episode of the game can be purchased from the site, which includes information on its fighters, objectives, stages, items, and music.
https://www.smashbros.com/
The informational site offers photos, descriptions, release dates, initial prices, and other details of vintage video game consoles to those of today. Its index page highlights the top ten video game consoles of all time. Others are sorted by decade, from the 1970s to the 2000s and beyond, ten game consoles that didn’t catch on, and game console clones. Game consoles produced by the top brands, Atari, Coleco, Magnavox, Mattel, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony, are included.
http://www.thegameconsole.com/
Published for the Sony PlayStation Portable in 2006, Valhalla Knights is a fantasy, role-playing game that take place in a world populated by human beings, elves, halflings, and other races of beings who live together in a paradise surrounded by forests and clear streams, until the Dark Lord returns to reclaim his throne as ruler of the land. After years of war, the Dark Lord was eventually defeated, but the spilled blood caused the land to be cursed.
http://www.valhallaknights.com/
The official site for the Legend of Zelda fantasy action-adventure video game franchise, developed and published by Nintendo, offers an overview of the setting and gameplay for the series, which is a mixture of puzzles, action, adventure, battle, and exploration. A glossary of game characters and other game items are presented, and Nintendo hardware, accessories, and game software may be purchased through the site. A customer support area is included.
https://www.zelda.com/
