“Video Game Console Timeline“
Curious about the history of video game consoles?
Video game consoles have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the early 20th century.
Here’s a detailed video game console timeline, starting from the very first console up to the present day:
1972 – Magnavox Odyssey
The Magnavox Odyssey is the first video game console.
It was created by Ralph Baer, who also invented the first home video game console.
The Odyssey consisted of a joystick and twelve paddle controllers, which could be used to control the on-screen action.
It was not a very successful console, selling only around 3,000 units.
1975 – Atari Pong
The Atari Pong was the first successful video game console, released in 1975.
It was a simple tennis game that could be played by two people.
The Atari Pong was so popular that it spawned a whole new industry, and led to the creation of many other video game consoles.
1977 – Atari Pong
Atari releases their popular VCS console, later renamed the Atari 2600.
Space Invaders is released for the system, becoming one of the most popular video games of all time.
The Atari 2600, originally released as the VCS in 1977, was one of the most popular video game consoles of all time.
In 1982, it was renamed the 2600.
The console was released with a number of popular games, including Space Invaders, which became one of the most popular video games of all time.
The Atari 2600 sold over 30 million units and was in production for over 12 years.
Console Generations Timeline
1978 – Fairchild Channel F
The Fairchild Channel F was the first home video game console with interchangeable games, released in 1978.
It used cartridges that could be swapped out to change the game.
The Fairchild Channel F was not a very successful console, selling only around 250,000 units.
1979 – Intellivision
Mattel releases the Intellivision, their answer to the Atari 2600.
The Intellivision was Mattel’s answer to the Atari 2600, released in 1979.
It was a more powerful console than the 2600, and came with a number of popular games, including Astrosmash and BurgerTime.
The Intellivision sold over 3 million units and was in production for over 10 years.
1982 – Philips CD-i
The Philips CD-i was the first CD-ROM based video game console, released in 1982.
It was a failed console that only sold around 100,000 units.
The Philips CD-i was discontinued in 1998.
1983 – Family Computer (Famicom)
The Famicom was Nintendo’s home video game console, released in 1983 in Japan.
It was a huge success, selling over 5 million units.
The Famicom was renamed the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) when it was released in North America in 1985.
The Famicom was in production for over 20 years.
1988 – Mega Drive (Genesis)
Sega releases the Mega Drive (Genesis) in Japan.
It was a more powerful console than the Famicom, and came with a number of popular games, including Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage.
The Mega Drive was released in North America in 1989 as the Sega Genesis.
Game Console Generations Timeline
1989 – Game Boy
The Game Boy was Nintendo’s first handheld video game console, released in 1989 in Japan.
It was a huge success, selling over 118 million units.
The Game Boy came with a number of popular games, including Tetris and Pokémon Red and Blue.
The Game Boy was in production for over 20 years.
1990 – Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
Nintendo releases the Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) in Japan.
It was a more powerful console than the Famicom, and came with a number of popular games, including Super Mario Bros. 3 and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
The Super Famicom was released in North America in 1991 as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
The Super Famicom was in production for over 10 years.
1991 – Mega-CD (Sega CD)
Sega releases the Mega-CD (Sega CD).
It was an add-on for the Mega Drive that allowed it to play CD-ROM based games.
The Mega-CD was not a very successful console, selling only around 2 million units.
1995 – Virtual Boy
The Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s first attempt at a virtual reality headset, released in 1995 in Japan.
The Virtual Boy was a commercial failure, selling only around 770,000 units.
1995 – PlayStation
Sony releases the PlayStation.
It was a more powerful console than the Sega Saturn and came with a number of popular games, including Ridge Racer and Tekken.
The PlayStation sold over 102 million units and was in production for over 10 years.
Video Game Console Timeline List
1996 – Nintendo 64 (N64)
Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64 (N64).
It was a more powerful console than the Super Famicom, and came with a number of popular games, including Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
The Nintendo 64 sold over 32 million units and was in production for over 5 years.
2000 – PlayStation 2.
Sony releases the PlayStation 2.
It was a more powerful console than the PlayStation, and came with a number of popular games, including Final Fantasy X and Grand Theft Auto III.
The PlayStation 2 sold over 155 million units and was in production for over 13 years.
2001 – Xbox
Microsoft releases the Xbox.
It was a more powerful console than the PlayStation 2, and came with a number of popular games, including Halo: Combat Evolved and Dead or Alive 3.
The Xbox sold over 24 million units and was in production for over 7 years.
2005 – Xbox 360
Microsoft releases the Xbox 360.
It was the first console to use a hard drive for game storage, and also had an optional wireless controller.
The Xbox 360 was very successful, selling over 84 million units worldwide.
2005 – Nintendo DS
Nintendo releases the Nintendo DS, its first handheld console with two screens.
The DS was a huge success, selling over 150 million units worldwide.
Nintendo 3DS succeeded it in 2011.
2006 – Wii
Nintendo releases the Wii, a console with motion-sensing capabilities that allows players to control games using physical gestures.
The Wii quickly becomes a massive success, selling over 100 million units worldwide.
Video Game Console Timeline Wikipedia
2006 – PlayStation 3
Sony releases the PlayStation 3.
It was the first console to use Blu-ray discs for game storage, and also had an optional wireless controller.
The PlayStation 3 was very successful, selling over 80 million units worldwide.
2011 – Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo releases the Nintendo 3DS, its first handheld console with three screens.
The 3DS was a huge success, selling over 75 million units worldwide.
The Nintendo 2DS succeeded it in 2013.
2013 – PlayStation 4
Sony releases the PlayStation 4.
Sony releases the PlayStation 4, a powerful console with advanced graphics and features that allows players to connect and play games online.
The most powerful home console ever released is the PS4.
It has sold over 100 million units as of 2019.
2013 – Xbox One
Microsoft releases Xbox One.
It was the first console to use an internal power supply and also had an optional Kinect sensor.
The Xbox One was very successful, selling over 43 million units worldwide.
2017 – Nintendo Switch
Nintendo releases Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that can be used as a handheld or home console.
The Switch is a huge success, selling over 34 million units as of 2019.
2017 – Xbox One X
Microsoft releases Xbox One X .
The most powerful console ever released that also had an optional 4K Blu-ray player is the Xbox One X.
The Xbox One X was very successful, selling over 8 million units as of 2019.
2019 – PlayStation 5
Sony releases the PlayStation 5, a powerful console with advanced graphics and features that allows players to connect and play games online.
The most powerful home console ever released is PS5.
It has sold over 4 million units as of 2020.
In conclusion:
The history of video game consoles is a long and winding one, full of ups and downs, successes and failures.
From the early days of the Famicom to the modern age of the PS5, there have been many consoles that have left their mark on the gaming industry.
Whichever console you may prefer, there’s no denying that video game consoles have come a long way since their inception, and they continue to evolve and grow with each passing year.
Thanks for reading and, as always, have fun gaming!
–The Zombie Writing Team