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Mattel Launches First Handheld Gaming System
SourcePhoto SourceMattel took gaming away from arcade machines and took to people's homes with their line of LED-based handhelds. They had a specific device for each game, with popular ones being their sports games, such as "Football." -
Milton Bradley Contributes with the Microvision
Image SourceSourceAs handheld gaming starts to become more popular, companies, such as Milton Bradley, a company known for games like Hungry Hungry Hippos. They set out to be the first to introduce a console with interchangable cartridges. However, this idea soon proved complex as the company's device, known as the Microvision, failed from the start. A major problem was the screen for it, which was known to rot, and the cartridges themselves which could be permanently damaged over the slightest static charge. -
Nintendo Releases First Game Boy in Japan
Information and Photo SourceNintendo, a company best known for Pokemon and Mario games, joins the Handheld Community with their take on the console. They released the Game Boy, which sold out of its entire stock in nearly 2 weeks. This console didn't have a very good display, but the games that were on the console, such as "Tetris" and "Super Mario Land" were enough to attract people into buying what would soon be a revolutionary new way to game. -
Nintendo Innovates the Game Boy
Photo SourceSourceWith the newer technology of the times, Nintendo were able to create different variations of their popular Game Boy. One of these was the Game Boy Color, which was a backwards compatible color variant and gave game developers the option to create games that had more detailed environments. This released just 2 years after the Game Boy Pocket, which was lighter and smaller version of its predecessor. -
Game Boy Advance and Advance SP Release
Pic & Info SourceIn a matter of years, Nintendo had been able to create a system that would improve upon what the Color had done, with better processing power, graphics and aesthetics. It was also able to be backwards compatible with older games. Then came the SP which came with a new built in light and rechargable battery, These system showed major improvements upon their predecessors. -
The Nintendo DS hits the scene
Image SourceSourceWith the Game Boy coming to a close, Nintendo started working on a new handheld device called the DS. It featured two screens, with one being a touch screen. This system was a huge step up from the Game Boy and was ready to take its place with major sales coming. -
The Game Boy Micro ends the life of the Game Boy
Image & Info SourceWith the age of the Game Boy coming to an end, Nintendo decides to create a new type of Game Boy, which was their smallest and lightest system. However, this was focused mire on look than gameplay factor. You could put in in your pocket, on a keycahin and more, but it wasn't too well on gaming. This was the final version of the Game Boy before Nintendo started work on the Nintendo DS. -
Innovation comes with Nintendo DSi
Source 2Source 1On March 11, 2009, Nintendo had announced that over 100 million units for the original DS had been shipped. They then went on to make a new type of DS, known as the DSi. The screen was a bit bigger and had a better look to it, with smaller features such as an SD memory card slot and a camera. However, these features gave it a smaller battery life in the end. -
3D gaming makes an appearance
SourceNintendo makes a major improvement to handheld gaming, with the new inclusion of an optional 3D setting with their new 3DS. This system was capable of better graphics and processing, while maintaining backwards compatibility. The system's new features were also combined with features from past incarnations of the DS, making it a revolutionary way to play.
