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Introduction of the Microprocessor (Second Generation)
The microprocessor ushered in a new era of video game consoles as it allowed or CPU-based consoles which could run whatever program was placed in it. This allowed for players to garner many more video games than before as the microprocessor allowed for cartridge based games to be used. The microprocessor wasn't really impactful in the video game console market until some time later. -
The Release of the Magnavox Odyssey (First Generation)
The Magnavox Odyssey was the first home video game console to be released as a commercial product in September of 1972. It was developed by a small team led by Ralph H. Baer -
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Console Generation Timeframe
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TV Tennis Electrotennis (First Generation)
In 1975, Epoch Co. released the TV Tennis Electrotennis, which was Japan's first home game console. It was comprised of a home version of pong that ad the unique feature (at the time) of being wireless (utilizing a UHF antenna). -
Fair Child Video Entertainment System (VES) (Second Generation)
Revolutionary system as it utilized the microprocessor chip which could run multiple games located in cartridges. -
Nintendo's Color TV-Game (First Generation)
The Color TV-Game was a series of 5 dedicated consoles released only in Japan which had a total of 3 million units sold, making it the highest selling console for the first generation. It first made its appearance in 1977. -
Video Game Crash of 1983 (Second Generation)
An influx of low-grade consoles and games (Such as E.T.), as well as the rise of the home computer use led to a period in which faith in video game consoles fell dramatically. -
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (Third Generation)
Nintendo wanted to introduce their Famicom (8-bit home video game console) into America after the Great Game Crash of 1983 by advertising it as a toy. The NES ended up being the highest selling console in North America and resurrected the Video Game industry. -
Sega's Master System (Third Generation)
While the Famicom/NES systems dominated in the US and Japan, Sega's Master System was largely popular in Europe, Brazil, and Oceania and contributed to the feud that was held between Sega and Nintendo. -
Release of the TurboGrafx-16 (Fourth Generation)
The Fourth Generation started out with the release of the TurboGrafx-16 in North America (known as the PC Engine in Japan) which introduced which had an 8-bit CPU and a 16-bit video color encoder. While it was relatively well received in North America during its initial release, it soon faded out from popularity. In Japan however the PC Engine continued to sell well and eventually briefly passed the Super Famicom in sells, paving the way for future console releases. -
Contribution of the Third Generation
During this epoch in video game history, many video games that employed the use of an RPG (Role Playing Game) were released and produced some franchises that are still around today. Some of the still living franchises produced during this era include; Super Mario Bros, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, and many more. -
Sega Genesis (Fourth Generation)
One of the TurboGrafx-16's competing contemporaries was Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis. While it did not fare well in Japan's video game market, it proved to be considerably successful in North America, Brazil, and Europe. One of the most revered game series of its time was the Sonic the Hedgehog series, which was a Sega Exclusive series, contributed to the wide success of the Mega Drive/Genesis' success. -
Release of the Game Boy (Handheld Consoles)
The Game Boy was the first handheld console released in the fourth generation and it went on to sell incredibly well beating its other competitors by a large amount. Some of the major games to make their debut on the Game Boy include Pokemon and Tetris. -
Importing of Games into Europe and Australia (Fourth Generation)
During this generation the act of importing games from the US and Japan increased a considerable amount in Europe and Australia, (which had different color encoding systems (the PAL instead of the NTSC in America and Japan)) causing the need for game optimization) due to this the areas in which consoles and games affected increased a significant amount, further contributing to the rise of the need of better games and consoles. -
Japan's FM Towns Marty (Fifth Generation)
The FM Towns Marty was a Japan exclusive released console and is most notable as being the world's first 32-bit home video game console having a backwards compatible CD-ROM and disk drive. Although they were the first of their kind, the FM Towns Marty and its sequel were not very well received in Japan, but did pave the way for the future 32-bit consoles. -
PlayStation 1 (Fifth Generation)
When the PlayStation 1 was released in Japan, it was an immediate success selling over 2 million units in the first 6 months and eventually reaching over 100 million sales world wide over the next nine years. The PS 1 was so successful because of its approach to third party developers for games, relying on not only themselves but others as well for games. -
3D Transition of Games (Fifth Generation)
The Fifth Generation is most notable as being the hallmark for ushering in a 3D video game world from previous Pseudo-3D and 2D games. With the introduction of games Tomb Raider and Tekken, came the want and need to develop more and more 3D video games and video game consoles capable of running them. -
The Dreamcast (Sixth Generation)
The Dreamcast was created by Sega and was the first console of the Sixth Generation. Some of its features that differentiated it from its contemporaries was that it had internet capable gaming and had full SD resolution displayed at all times. Although the Dreamcast fared better than some of its previous consoles, it was not enough to save Sega from the pitfall of mounting costs and Sega eventually decided to discontinue it in 2001. -
Release of the PlayStation 2 (Sixth Generation)
The PlayStation 2 set the record as being the most sold video game console in history with having over 150 million units sold by 2011. Its astounding success was in part due to its DVD running capabilities, backwards compatible hardware, and the many game titles that were available for the console (>3,874). -
Online Gaming for Consoles (Sixth Generation)
During the Sixth Generation, there was a rise in online gaming seen in consoles, where previously much of the online gaming had been kept to computers. This allowed for players to interact with each other in games that were internet compatible (to certain extents) which garnered much attention from players who wanted online console gaming to be more prominent. The Xbox was one of the best consoles for online gaming at this time due to its service "Xbox Live" which was offered for $50 per year. -
The Nintendo DS (Handheld Consoles)
The seventh generation began for handheld consoles with the debut of the Nintendo DS. The DS went on to become the most sold handheld console to date (all models combined) and much of its success is due in part to its dual screen design which offers players a unique experience when playing games and its many different peripherals that were compatible with it. -
The PlayStation 3 (Seventh Generation)
With over 80,000 units sold within the first 24 hours of its release in Japan, the PS3 was well on its way to becoming one of the most sold video game consoles. Some of its features included 4 USB ports, 1 Ethernet port, and one HDMI port, as well as it being Blu-ray disc compatible console. One of the PS2's prominent features was its reliability in which there was only a 10% failure rate after 2 years compared to the Xbox 360's ~50% failure rate. -
Introduction of High Definition (Seventh Generation)
With the release of the PS3 and Xbox 360 came the employment of 1080p HD video output ushering in an era of high definition viewing experience for gaming and watching videos alike. With the introduction -
Introduction of the Wii (Seventh Generation)
What separated the Wii from its modern counterparts was that it was advertised to not only your average gamer but to the general public as well. Another one of its unique features was the controllers which gave the user a more interactive experience. -
The PS Vita (Handheld Consoles)
As the competitor of Nintendo, Sony had to keep up with them in the handheld console region of gaming and thus they released the PS Vita during the eighth generation. The device had a strong start in both the US and in Japan selling over 200,000 units in each country the first week and eventually dying down to ~10k per week. Despite this seeming lack of success, the device still received great reviews from some, praising it as being one of, if not the most powerful handheld gaming device. -
Release of the Xbox One (Eighth Generation)
When the Xbox One was first unveiled, it received both praise and criticism as some people saw it as a means of controlling the living room while saying that it took a step in the right direction in reference to its TV services. When it was released it was initially reported as being the fastest selling console in the US and sales reports were regularly updated with the latest sales report stating around 10 million units being sold. -
Competition Between Consoles and Mobile Devices (Eighth Generation)
Due to the increasing capabilities of mobile devices and their gaming capabilities, consoles faced some threat of being out competed by mobile game sales and the like. Part of this fear was augmented by the fact that roughly a quarter of the world's population was estimated to be in possession of a smartphone by the end of 2014. -
The Introduction of Virtual Reality Gaming (Eighth Generation)
Although still in its infancy, the realm of VR Gaming is one that has been looked into a fair amount resulting in players hoping for the wider availability of such devices capable of running a decent Virtual Reality Game. One of the "consoles" that was released fairly recently is known as the Oculus Rift which enables players to become more immersed in the world of the game that they are playing in than ever before. What does the future of Virtual Reality hold?
