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Tennis for Two
Created by American physicist William A. Higinbotham for visitors at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Tennis for Two is credited as the first video game. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Computer Space Releases
Credited as the first arcade game machine, Atari's Computer Space released in 1971. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Magnavox Odyssey Releases
The Magnavox Odyssey was the first home video game console to release. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Atari 2600 Releases
Atari's first of many home consoles, the Atari 2600. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Period: to
The Video Game Crash
Due to the over saturation of the video game market with simple, uninspired video games, the video game market crashed. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Nintendo Entertainment System Releases
Known as the Famicom in Japan, Ninendo's NES released in 1985, and is credited for reviving the video game market. Some games that released on this console are Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda released on this console. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Sega Master System Releases
Sega's second console, the Master System, released in October of 1986 to compete with Nintendo's NES. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
The Game Boy Releases
Revolutionizing the idea of handheld gaming on the go, Nintendo released the Game Boy on April 21, 1989. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Sega Genesis Releases
The first of the fourth generation video game consoles, the Sega Genesis released in 1989. It featured competitive 16 bit graphics. Sonic the Hedgehog released on this console. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Super Nintendo Entertainment System Releases
Nintendo's first 16 bit console, the SNES released in 1991. It directly completed with the Sega Genesis. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Sega Saturn Releases
The Sega Saturn was the first of the fifth generation of video game consoles to release. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
PlayStation Releases
Sony's first video game console, the PlayStation released in 1995. It was the first console to use compact discs, and it allowed its users to also play music CDs on it. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Nintendo 64 Releases
Known for its iconic games such as Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Banjo-Kazooie, the Nintendo 64 was the last of the fifth generation video game consoles to release. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Sega Dreamcast Releaes
Sega's last home console, the Sega Dreamcast released in 1999. It was the first of the sixth generation of video game consoles to release. It was also the first console to feature online play. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
PlayStation 2 Releases
Known for being the best selling console of all time, the PlayStation 2 is Sony's second console that they released. A main factor for the PlayStation's success was the success of the PS2 was its ability to play DVDs on it. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
GameCube Releases
Nintendo's sixth generation console, the GameCube released in 2001. Games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Mario Sunshine are featured on this console. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Xbox Releases
Microsoft's first console, the Xbox released in 2001. Despite Microsoft being new to the video game market, their Xbox outsold both Sega's Dreamcast and Nintendo's GameCube. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Steam Releases
The leading game marketplace on PC, Steam, released on September 12, 2003. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Nintendo DS Releases
The best selling handheld console of all time, the Nintendo DS, released on November 21, 2004. It was the first console to feature two screens, with the lower one being a touch screen. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Xbox 360 Releases
Microsoft's second console, and the first console in the seventh generation of video game consoles, the Xbox 360, released in 2005. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
PlayStation 3 Releases
Releasing almost exactly one year after the Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 released on November 17, 2006. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Wii Releases
The best selling console out of the seventh generation consoles, Nintendo's Wii released on November 19, 2006. Its success can mainly be contributed to its unique motion controls, marketing the Wii in the light that anyone can play it. -
Wii U Releases
Nintendo's largest disappointment in a console, the Wii U, released on November 18, 2012. Not counting the Virtual Boy, the Wii U is Nintendo's worst selling console to date, only selling 13.56 million units. -
PlayStation 4 Releases
The second eighth generation console, the PlayStation 4, released on November 15, 2013. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Xbox One Releases
Microsoft's part in the eighth generation of consoles, the Xbox One, released on November 22, 2013, just days after the PlayStation 4. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Nintendo Switch Releases
Rounding off the eighth generations of consoles, Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017 to great success. The Nintendo Switch became the third best selling console of all time with 139.36 million units being sold. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
Xbox Series X/S Releases
Starting off the ninth generation of consoles, Microsoft released their Xbox Series X/S on November 10, 2020. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/ -
PlayStation 5 Releases
Quickly following Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S, Sony's PlayStation 5 released on November 12, 2020. Source: https://www.museumofplay.org/video-game-history-timeline/