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The "Brown Box"
In the 1960's, Ralph Henry Baer built the "Brown Box" which was the first gaming console. The console came with a built in game for table tennis. Extra Resources:
http://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/history-of-game-consoles-a-look-at-game-boxes-through-the-years-from-brown-box-to-xbox-3672949.html -
Magnavox Odyssey
Magnavox Odyssey (based on the designs of Ralph Henry Baer) is sold in stores. This gaming console came with overlays for the television which created the graphics for the game. Extra Resources:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1302004
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2EIsnr_cv4 -
Atari’s PONG
Atari’s PONG is released for sale at Sears for $100. Extra Resources:
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=378141 https://museum.syssrc.com/artifact/230/ https://flashbak.com/atari-nintendo-home-electronic-games-1975-1986-390812/ -
Fairchild Channel F
Fairchild Channel F was the first console that used cartridges that contained game codes. The console also had a newer handheld joystick. Extra Resources:
http://www.mathpirate.net/GameSystems/FairchildChannelF/index.html https://flashbak.com/atari-nintendo-home-electronic-games-1975-1986-390812/ -
Coleco Telstar Arcade
Coleco Telstar Arcade offered multiple controls including turn knobs, a steering wheel, and a light gun. Extra Resources:
https://www.shortlist.com/tech/gaming/history-of-the-video-game-controller/3231 https://flashbak.com/atari-nintendo-home-electronic-games-1975-1986-390812/ -
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 was released and included two joysticks, two paddles, and nine game cartridges. Extra Resources:
https://www.lifewire.com/atari-2600-console-729665 http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/timeline-of-the-video-game-system/329666/ -
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo’s Family Computer (or Famicon) was released in America. This console eventually came to be known as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System http://fandomania.com/vintage-geek-9-game-consoles/ -
Sega Genesis
Sega Genesis (also called the Mega Drive) was launched in North America. Extra Resources:
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/15476/Sega-16-Bit-Mega-Drive-II/ -
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is released in North America battling with Sega for top video console. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System
https://www.nintendo.com/ -
Sony PlayStation
Sony PlayStation with CD game cartridges Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_(console) https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ -
Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64, codenamed “Project Reality, launches in North America, Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_64 https://www.nintendo.com/ -
PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2 was released in 2000 and is the number one best selling game console of all time. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_2 https://www.statista.com/statistics/268966/total-number-of-game-consoles-sold-worldwide-by-console-type/ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ -
Nintendo Game Cube
The Nintendo Game Cube was one of the first gaming consoles to use optical discs (not CDs or cartridges). Extra Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameCube https://www.nintendo.com/ -
Xbox
The Xbox was a game console created by Microsoft and was the first American console created since Atari. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox#Xbox https://www.xbox.com/en-US/ -
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 console was unveiled on MTV and was labeled by TechRadar as "the most influential game systems" of the time. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360 https://www.xbox.com/en-US/ -
Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii was launched with its motion sensitive controllers. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii https://www.nintendo.com/ -
PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 3 was the first console to use Blue Ray Dvds for its games. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3 https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ -
Nintendo WiiU
The Nintendo Wii U not only began using HD graphics with this console, but they incorporated a touchscreen into the controler. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_U https://www.nintendo.com/ -
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 was the latest console model from Sony until the PlayStation 4 Pro was launched in 2016. Extra Resouces
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_4 https://www.playstation.com/en-us/ -
Xbox One
Xbox One was launched in 2013, and in 2017, it was outdone by the newer model - Xbox One X. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_One https://www.xbox.com/en-US/ -
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the latest model from Nintendo and is meant to be a hybrid console with its multiple ways the game console can be utilized. Extra Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch https://www.nintendo.com/
