Game On
With any industry, there are always people looking to get in on the fun, and video games are no stranger to that fact. With the success of video games as a whole and arcades being one of the most popular places for kids at the time, many people thought of how they could improve video games even further. Because of this, many people decided to make a console that players could bring home with them and enjoy the games in the comfort of their own homes. and the very first home consoles were
The very first home console released with the popular game "Pong" a game with three square dots and one line. without the Megnavox Odyssey home consoles may have never been invented.
Atari brought the acrade experience to homes with the game Pong, which wasn't the first time the game was playable at home, but did make Atari a household name recognized even to this day.
This was the first console with swapable game cartridges, centered around the 8080 microprocessor and interchangeable circuit boards. Although the console only had a small library to begin with, homebrewd development continues to this day with the release of the Arlasoft Collection in 2022.
Not the first, but the console that made interchangeable cartridges the norm for the video game industry.
The first true rivalry between video game consoles, threatening to dethrone Atari, with rich graphics and complex gameplay, the Intwllivision had many popular games to compete with Atari, such as Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Donkey Kong, and even an NFL game one of the first licensed sports games.
The N.E.S. is responsible for saving the video game entertainment industry. With new and more recognized video game types like 2-D platformers, R.P.G.'s, and adventure games, the N.E.S.'s popularity made video games a mainstream media. Super Mario Bros., Mike Tyson's Punch Out, Kirby's Adventure, Ninja Gaiden - all started on the N.E.S. and the world never looked back.
Tiger Electronics would become known as the "cheap", alternative solution for gaming on the go. Simplified, and limited gameplay mechanics aside, the Tiger Electronics LCD Handheld brought some of gamings biggest franchises to the platform including Sonic 3, Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, Castelvania, Mario Bros, and those of licenced cartoons including Thundercats, and Transformers.
An 8-bit third-generation home video game console. this console had more "horsepower" but lacked the wealth of third party support. Despite this, the console had a promenent fanbase outside of America, with games like Street Fighter 2, and Mortal Kombat 3.
The system that made Sega a household name in America. The Sega Genesis was capeable of fast sprite scaling that set it apart from the competition. Feturing titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Castlevania Bloodlines, and Disney's Aladdin, the Sega Genesis was a tough competetor for other's to deal with.
A system that proved that video games weren't only about graphics, but instead the intuitiveness of softwear. It's library included Gargoyles Quest, Tennis, and Super Mario Land. However, the system debued many mainstays such as Kirby and Dr. Mario.
The Supernentendo further solidified Nintendo's place in video game dominence with a console that could create sudo a 3-D effect. The SNES was able to bring the world many iconic retro games still popular today including Super Mario World, F-Zero, Megaman X, Donkey Kong Country, Killer Instinct, and Earthbound.
The Sega CD was the first console to bring CD-based gaming into popularity. With the Sega CD, the console had more storage for game data as opposed to the game cartridge. This also led to having the ability to show full-motion and higher quality audio. The Sega CD had a library of games that included Sonic CD, Earthworm Jim special edition, and Hideo Kojama's Snatcher.
A complex and overdesigned console able to run 2-D and 3-D games, being a powerhouse for any 2-D game and an adequite 3-D processor. it's 2-D library included X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Vampite Savior.
An interestig entry in Nintendo's library of video game consoles, notable for it's red color palette and portable tabletop platform. The Virtual Boy had games like Wario Land, Mario Tennis, and Golf.
The Playstation is known for being the first "grown up" video game console, with ports of arcade game's and many original titles such as Crash Bandicoot, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy 7, Tekken, and Resident Evil being only a fraction of their library.
Symbolized as the Gen-X and Millennial generations, staring some of the world's most popular games including Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Mario Kart 64, the original Super Smash Brothers, and the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. Due to a partnership with Rare, many more games were introduced such as Banjo Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Diddy Kong Racing, and Goldeneye 007.
Sega's last home console, pulling out all the stops for the companies last hurrah. With launch titles like Soul Calibur, House of the Dead 2, and Hydro Thunder. Despite the short lifespan, the Sega Dreamcast revolutionalized the video game industry with it's natevily built online capabilities, bringing MMORPG's to home consoles for the first time. The Sega Dreamcast remains one of video game's most beloved consoles.
The first console that would standardize mainstays such as a built in harddrive and broadband capability. While the console is known for introducing the Halo Series, it also had some of Segas tripple-A releases including Panzer Dragoon Orta, Outrun 2006, House of the Dead 3, and more.
The Gamecube was unfortunately passed off as a "kiddie" game console, but wound up being a more powerful console than the compeeting PS2. With Titles like Mario Kart Double Dash, Super Mario Sunshine, Eternal Darkness, Legend of Zelda Windwaker, Metroid Prime, and Smash Brothers Melee.
Nintendo was known for trying new ideas for their games and consoles, but the DS was unique and completely new concept for handheld gaming. Two screens, touch screen, a built in microphone, and even wifi capability.
The Wii proved that creativity trumps specs in the gaming industry. With motion controls, Nintendo was able to take the guessing out of controls with intuitiveness, as evident with the most popular pack in games Wii Sports. While most know the Wii for its "wiimotes" the Wii is also known for being the first backwards capatability nintendo console with the Gamecube library, the use of avitars, the Mii's, and lifestyle content with the news and weather Wii channels. The Wii was such a popular console, Queen Elizabeth had one herself.