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Atari Pong
This early console was certainly not the first of its kind (both the 'Brown Box' and 'Odyssey' pre-dated the Atari) but Nolan Bushnell's Pong single-handedly defined the video game industry (and its future) with his ping-pong themed arcade game -
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
The NES was the first console released post 1984-tech crash. The console was sold in the USA with the classic games, Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt, along with the accompanying lightgun, robotic operation buddy (R.O.B.), and original controllers. Reaching its height of popularity during the '80s, the NES paved the way for the Japanese gaming giant. -
Sega Master System (SMS)
The original SMS was released as competition to the NES and was superior in many ways, including technologically. The console had better graphics and better sound than the Nintendo console, and could also play game cartridges and credit card-sized 'Sega cards. -
GameBoy
When Nintendo's GameBoy first hit American markets, it came pre-loaded with a relatively unknown PC game called 'Tetris.' During the first holiday season post-launch, Nintendo went on to sell over one million GameBoy consoles. -
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
The Super NES was Nintendo's response to a decline in NES sales in the early '90s following the arrival of the Sega Genesis in 1989. The 16-bit machine boasted 32K colours, and could also support special effects, including scaling, rotating, and transparency. Super Mario World was included as a pack-in game, much to the delight of fans. This console continued to sell for another eight years--a lifetime in console years! -
PlayStation
Nearing the end of Super NES's run, console manufacturers and designers were attempting to integrate discs into the hardware. The result was Sony's PlayStation, where, for the first time ever, CDs were used instead of game cartridges. The most detrimental effect of this switch however, was an increase in piracy, as discs were much easy to copy than the traditional cartridge. -
Nintendo 64 (N64)
Unlike Sony, Nintendo's next instalment of its console still relied on the more expensive game cartridges. The decision, it was rumoured, was so that Nintendo could enforce its licensing hold over all games. The console went on to sell millions of copies, thanks to the help of Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, and The Legend of Zelda franchise. Five years later, Nintendo would release their optical disc-based GameCube console but would be knocked out by competition from the Xbox and PS2. -
PlayStation 2 (PS2)
As the followup to PlayStation's revolutionary disc-based console, the PS2 continued to revolutionise gaming technology. This time however, the PS2 boasted the Emotion Engine, a unique CPU customised by Sony and Toshiba allowing players to run old PlayStation games on the console, as well as modern DVDs. -
Xbox
Some called it the 'Death Star' and 'the PC in a black box' but Microsoft's Xbox crept onto the scene as 'the black horse' of consoles. A year before its release, Bill Gates asserted at a game developers conference that the Xbox 'would transform the way we consume electronic equipment' and boy, was he right. Touting a relatively unknown game, Halo: Combat Evolved (now synonymous with the Xbox itself), the Xbox quickly beat out the Nintendo GameCube and PS2 as the consumer's console of choice. -
Nintendo Dual Screen (DS)
The Japanese giant once again wowed fans with its revolutionary dual screen handheld console, the DS. The DS also possessed voice recognition capabilities, allowing players to input commands instead of the traditional manual method. -
Xbox 360
The successor to Microsoft's massively successful Xbox, the 360 model gave fans a chance to play in high definition due to the 360 internal Core system, while providing wireless controller support. Three versions of the 360 were available: Core (the entry-level model), Premium (with a 20GB detachable hard disc drive), and Elite (HDMI output, 120GB hard drive, and a cool matte black finish). -
PlayStation Portable (PSP) 1000
The original PSP was a powerful machine--it possessed the same capabilities as the PS2 (it could support music, photos, and movies, as well as games) but was a much smaller model. A couple years later, Sony released the PSP 2000. The same machine but 19 per cent slimmer and 33 per cent lighter than its predecessor, it is no surprise that the PSP (both versions) sold over 25.5 million units worldwide. -
Nintendo Wii
This interactive game console offered a revolutionary wireless remote giving players a new approach to gaming. Most interestingly, however, was the 'Wii-mote'--the motion sensors in the remote that captured the player's movement as they swung the controller in a mock game of tennis. Paying homage to its roots, it also had an infrared light at the end of the controller (à la Duck Hunt) so players could point and shoot at the screen. -
PlayStation 3 (PS3)
A seventh generation game console, the PS3 was released as Sony's response to the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360. Boasting a slick unified online gaming service, the PS3 allowed players to stream videos, music, and movies. The console was also Blu-ray disc-friendly and had ample storage space (the base model had a 20GB hard drive). -
PlayStation Vita
Equipped with two analogue sticks, a nifty touch screen, and built-in cameras, the PS Vita was a sexy update to the heftier PlayStation Portable. The refurbished handheld console also boasted some of the most impressive and fun-to-play games ever, including EA Sports FIFA Soccer, Touch My Katamari, and Unchartered: Golden Abyss. -
Wii U
is the first Nintendo console to support HD graphics. The system's primary controller is the Wii U GamePad, which features an embedded touchscreen, directional buttons, analog sticks, and action buttons. The screen can be used either as a supplement to the main display or in supported games to play the game directly on the GamePad. The Wii U Pro Controller can be used in its place as a more traditional alternative. -
Nintendo 3DS
The handheld offers new features such as the StreetPass and SpotPass tag modes, powered by Nintendo Network; augmented reality, using its 3D cameras; and Virtual Console, which allows owners to download and play games originally released on older video game systems. -
PlayStation 4 (PS4)
was released to critical acclaim, with critics praising Sony for acknowledging its consumers' needs, embracing independent game development, and for not imposing the restrictive digital rights management schemes like those originally announced by Microsoft for the Xbox One. Critics and third-party studios also praised the capabilities of the PlayStation 4 -
Xbox One
The Xbox One received mostly positive reviews for its refined controller design, multimedia features, and voice navigation. Its quieter and cooler design was praised for making the console more reliable than its predecessor on-launch, but the console was generally criticized for running games at a technically lower graphical level than the PlayStation 4. -
PlayStation 4 PRO (PS4)
Enhanced have specific optimizations when played on this model, such as 4K resolution graphics and/or higher performance. For games not specifically optimized, an option known as "Boost Mode" was added on system software 4.5, which can be enabled to force higher CPU and GPU clock rates on existing games to possibly improve performance -
Nintendo Switch
It is a hybrid console that can be used as a home console and portable device. Its wireless Joy-Con controllers, with standard buttons and directional analog sticks for user input, motion sensing, and tactile feedback, can attach to both sides of the console to support handheld-style play -
Nintendo Switch Lite
If a game supports Joy-Con functions such as HD rumble, IR Motion Camera and Joy-Con motion sensors, some features will not be available using Nintendo Switch Lite alone. Joy-Con controllers (sold separately) are required to use these features.
