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One of the first known video games is released
'In 1958, Physicist William Higinbothom created a the video game "Tennis for Two". The game was very similar to pong, but it was definitely different. It was made on a cathode ray tube, eaning the display had to be very simple.' (paraphrased from editors at BNL.gov) -
Period: to
The history of video games
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First console releases
'The Magnavox odyssey was released in August of 1972, and was the very first home console for video games. It costed $99 (Which, counting inflation, is about $561.12 today) and was the start of the first generation of video gaming.' (Paraphrased from the creator of the website Magnavox-odyssey.com -
Pong releases
Pong was the first commercially succesful video game. Created by Atari, the game was like a very weird virtual ping pong. -
Pong home game releases.
'The Atari Pong home system was one of the first commerically succesful video game consoles that didnt invovle exterior items for gameplay. It was sold by sears under their "Tele-game" series of toys for Christmas in 1975. It was sold for $98, which today accounts for $431.56! The console was released a year later under Atari's name.' (Paraphrased from the creator of pong-story.com) -
The Atari 2600 releases.
'The Atari 2600, one of the most known video game consoles of all time releases, at a high price of $199-$299, which today is a whopping $777.99-$1,168.94.' (Atari). This console was one of the first to use ROM based chips inside of cartridges to play games, but it wasn't the first. -
The Great North American Video Game Crash
'The Great American Video Game Crash happened in 1983. It was a recession of the video game industry that nearly ended the industry in the west. It was caused due to a huge ammount of consoles and games of poor quality.' (Bugsplat Software) -
Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Bros release
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was released in the United States as a test run in 1985. When Nintendo released it, they marketed it more as a toy than a video game due to the crash. The release of the NES caused a revival of a nearly dead industry, meaning that Nintendo saved the industry and is why video games are as huge as they are now. It released with 18 games at launch, and the test run was only in New York. Super Mario Bros was also released with the NES -
Sega Genesis releases
The Sega Genesis was the video game console that directly competed with the NES. The Genesis had a 16 bit processor, meaning it could run things much faster, with better graphics, music, and power. It had a very aggresive advertising campaign against Nintendo, with the most famous example being "Sega does what Nintendon't". -
Nintendo Game Boy releases
The Game Boy is the first popular handheld that didnt feature one game only. The Game Boy had an 8-bit processor and featured monotone graphics. It had many loved games, such as Pokemon Red/Blue, Tetris, and Super Mario Land. -
Super Nintendo Entertainment System releases
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was made to compete with the Genesis, because the NES couldnt hold up against the superior power of the Genesis. The SNES wasn't as powerful as the Genesis, but it was very well recieved. Nintendo actually sold over 20 million more SNES consoles than Sega did with the Genesis. The SNES also had far more hit games than the Genesis, such as Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: a Link to The Past, and Star Fox. -
Sony Playstation releases
The Playstation was the most popular 32 bit console, and for good reason. It focused on new, innovative 3D games, rather than the 2D games that reigned supreme in the past. So many franchises started on this console, like Crash Bandicoot, Gran Turismo, and many more. It was also the first console to sucesfully use discs, dramatically reducing the costs of games compared to cartridges. (Time Magazine). It began one of the most succesful and most well kknown series of consoles. -
Nintendo 64 releases
The Nintendo 64 is Nintendo's first venture into the 3D markets of gaming. It was a very ppopular and succesful console and had a variety of good and well known titles, such as; The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong Country 64, Banjo Kazooie, Mario Party, Mario Kart 64, Super Smash Bros., and many more.The main issue with the console was that it still used cartridges, meaning there were limitations to what it could do. -
Game Boy Color releases
The Game Boy Color (GBC) was the successor to the Game Boy. The GBC differed from the gameboy with, like the name suggests, the addition of color instead of the peasoup green of the original Game Boy. It also had a faster processor, and many other superior specs, that made it more powerful than its predecessor. That meant it could run bigger and better games. -
Sony Plastation 2 releases
The Playstation 2 is known by many as the best console of all time. It is the successor to the Playstation that perfected it in every way. It featured a DVD player along with the ability to play games from the original Playstation. It is home to some of the most popular games of all time, such as Final Fantasy X, Ratchet and Clank, Tony Hawk Underground, and so many more. "It’s a console so recognisable, that every gamer across the world has played at least one game on it." (Lazygamer.com staff) -
Game Boy Advance releases
The Game Boy Advance (GBA) is the successor to the Game Boy Color. The GBA is a 32-bit handheld console that was ultimately more powerful than the Game Boy Color. The handheld had many redesigns, such as the GBA Micro; which as the name iplies was small, The GBA SP; which featured a flip up design and backlight, and the classic one. It's cast of well known games includes Mario Kart Advance, Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, The Super Mario Advance series, and many more. -
Microsoft XBOX releases
The XBOX was Microsoft's first entry into the console market. Microsoft, since it knew how to make fast technology, made the most powerful 128-Bit console; But that didn't mean it was ahead of the PS2 (Time Magazine). The Xbox didn't have too many popular exclusives from what I remember, But i know the most popular ones were Halo: Combat evolved, and Halo 2. Most of the exclusives were quirky games, and that's not really a bad thing. -
Nintendo GameCube releases
The Nintendo Gamecube is the successor to the Nintendo 64. The Gamecube is the least powerful 128 bit console, but it made up for that with memorable games, a great controller, and the lowet cost. The other 128 bit consoles used full sized discs, but the gamecube used small 3 inch discs to save money. Some of the most memorable games of the Gamecube are it's exclusives/. Super Mario Sunshine, Luigi's Mansion, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Pikmin, Pikmin 2, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!!, And many more. -
Nintendo DS releases
The DS (Which stands for dual screen) was a handheld console with a flip design, and its unique feature of a top screen, and a bottom screen that acted as a touch-pad. This handheld was unique and innovative, yet had a somewhat clunky design. The DS also included a stylus for use with the bottom screen. The games made use of the buttons and the two screens together nicely, with a good example being Mario Kart DS, in which the map would be on the bottom screen as you raced on the top. -
Sony PSP releases
The Playstation Portable (Marketed as PSP) Is sony's first attempt at making a handheld console. It featured a circle pad for movement, unlike the DS. The product was moderately successful, but wasn't ahead of the DS. The PSP used small discs rather than cartridges, so it did have a bit more freedom. -
Microsoft XBOX 360 releases
The XBOX 360 was the first console of the generation after the Gamecube. The console featured a removable hardrive and XBOX live, which made playing games online with friends much easier than in the past. The original versions of the console were delicate and had some rather big hardware problems, such as rapid overheating and breakdown of the console. The exclusives to the 360 were not that spectacular, mostly just more Halo games. -
Sony Playstation 3 releases
The Playstation 3 was the most popular and most powerful console of it's time, and is still widely popular today. The console had a built in Blu-Ray player, Featured the Playstation Network, and had many great exclusive games. The games include God of War III, Playstation All stars, Little big Planet 1 & 2, and many more. -
Nintendo Wii releases
The Nintendo Wii is Nintendo's 5th flagship home console, and one of their most popular ones. The Wii featured a motion controlled controler called the Wii Remote, that made use sensors inside of it to play things with movement. The motion control gimmick led it to be one of the best selling consoles of all time. It also sports the most sold video game ever, Wii Sports (Which was only that way because it came packaged with every Wii). -
Nintendo DSi releases
The DSi is the successor to the DS. The DSi was more of an ugrade rather than a successor, but it doesn't have any titles just for it. It would play DS games faster, has a better microphone, and has a camera inward and outward. It was also the first handheld in the DS line to be able to connect to a digital store to buy games. -
Nintendo 3DS releases
The 3DS was the successor to the DS/DSi, and unlike the DSi, this was a full on successor. The 3DS is much more powerful than the original DS, and featured many new things. The biggest new thing that was added as a gimmick is the option to turn on glasses-free 3D. It also featured a circle pad for enhanced in-game movement. It uses the Nintendo Eshop for digital purchases, now letting you buy whole retail games. It has many titles that are only on 3DS. It could play bigger and better games. -
Sony PS Vita releases
The PS Vita is the successor to the PSP. It's main difference is it's power, A second anolog stick, 3G connectivity, and ability to connect to the PS3/PS4. The Vita has a lot more power than the original PSP, allowing it to play better games. It uses cartridges instead of discs like its predeccessor did. It could connect to 3G and connect to the PS4. -
Nintendo Wii U launches
The Wii U is the successor to the Wii, and the start of the present generation of video games. The wii U can run 1080p graphics, Uses many types of ontrollers, and an array of excluse games. The controller that is packed with the Wii U is called the gamepad; A large controller with a screen on the bottom that is touch sensetive, meaning you can play games on the gamepad while someone uses the TV. It is the second most sold present gen console. -
Sony Playstation 4 releases
The Playstation 4 (PS4) is the most sold modern generation console. This is because "Unmatched content, gaming, apps, and exclusives make PlayStation®4 system the Best Place to Play. And with the fastest processor and memory on the market, the PS4™ moves gaming to a new level." (Sony, PS4 site). That is for the most part true, because it is the fastest console on the market right now. It contains many lovable exclusives just like the past Playstaion consoles. -
Microsoft XBOX One releases
The Xbox One is the least sold console of the modern generation. This is due to a lack of sales for months after lauch. The sale decrease was due to many issues. The console would require a kinect (The stopid motion thing), it would always be turned on, and you had to be connected to the internet to use it at all times. Though, since launch, all of those but the internet thing have been fixed. It is the second most powerful console on the market, behind the PS4. -
New Nintendo 3DS releases
The New 3DS is the succesor to the 3DS. The New 3DS is a lot faster than the original 3DS, and is completely ackwards compatible. The New 3DS features enhanced 3D effect, two new trigger/bumper buttons, and a C-stick; allowing advanced control over most games. The New 3DS is getting games that are not available on the original 3DS. Some games include Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, and many SNES games on the Eshop. It is planned to replace the 3DS entirely eventually. -
