Best Gaming Console A Brief History

Introduction

For the longest time video games ruled the living rooms of every household. Not only did it provide entertainment, but in some ways it stimulated the minds of children and of course some adults. Video games have evolved from a simple side-scrolling platform to a full 3D-based adventure and from what we have seen so far, something far more interactive.

Read on as we take you through this brief history of video game consoles.

1972 – Magnavox Odyssey:

This era was considered to be the start of the first generation of gaming consoles. With the code name ‘Brown Box’ that was originally started in 1968, the Magnavox Odyssey was powered by six C batteries and works much like a traditional board game. It became the basis of almost all the consoles that preceded it.

1975 – Pong:

probably one of the best arcade games to come out, Pong simulated a game that even up to now is still being played by millions. The game was made by Atari.

1977 – Atari 2600 VCS

Released in 1977 the Atari 2600 VCS came with a controller that became one of the iconic symbols of video gaming. It was also one of the first consoles to utilize the use of ROM cartridges to store and distribute games.

1980 – Intellivision:

A shortcut for ‘Intelligent Vision’, the Intellivision was Mattel’s first video game console and proved to be a worthy avesary to the Atari 2600. It offered a plethora of games including golf games that provided realistic sound.

1985 – Nintendo Entertainment System:

1985 saw the release of the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System or better known as NES and is considered to be one of the best video game consoles in history. It came with popular titles such as Super Mario Bros and Duck Hunt, which I’m sure was part of everyone’s childhood.

1989 – Gameboy:

Everyone definitely knows about the Game Boy. One of the first handheld consoles to be released, this 8-bit handheld saw the release of the company’s best hits that can be played in a more portable way. It also was succeeded by other versions like the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Pocket.

1995 – PlayStation:

The release of Sony’s PlayStation marked a new era for video games. It offered better 3D graphics, and it was even popular 11 years after it launched. The PlayStation also came with the first DualShock controller, which include vibrating motors for a more realistic gaming experience.

1996 – Nintendo 64:

The Nintendo 64 was in competition with Sony’s PlayStation and while the latter had more games in its library, the Nintendo 64’s 388 games were mostly critically acclaimed, making it one of the most recognized consoles in history.

2000 – PlayStation 2:

Part of the sixth generation line of game consoles, the PlayStation 2 became one of the most popular gaming consoles of all time, selling more than 155 million units. It was so popular that even up until 2013 games were still being made for the console. The first generation of PS2s were also backwards compatible with PlayStation One titles.

2001 – Xbox:

Microsoft’s first gaming console offered the first time gamer can go online and connect with other players, which we now all know as Xbox Live. Given Microsoft’s expertise with online networking, the Xbox paved way for online gaming that was previously only limited to the PC.

2004 – Nintendo DS:

Nintendo surprised everyone with the release of a dual screened DS handheld console in 2004. While many didn’t quite get the dual screen design, it was clear with the games that was released thereafter that Nintendo still makes the best games for the platform. This variant was followed by a more popular version, the 3DS, that was released in 2011.

2005 – PlayStation Portable:

Sony also ventured into the world of handheld gaming with the PlayStation Portable, or PSP for short. It offered Remote Play, which lets you connect to the PlayStation 3 (to be released a year after) and stream the game directly to your PSP. It was followed by the less successful PSP Go and the PlayStation Vita.

2005 – Xbox 360:

The Xbox 360 expanded on the Xbox Live gaming experience and offered more exclusive titles compared to the PlayStation 3. Launched one year earlier than the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 gained more sales numbers thanks to its early launch.

2006 – PlayStation 3:

Despite early problems with launch, the PlayStation 3 came roaring with powerful specifications and offered free online gaming compared to Xbox Live’s paid subscription. The first generation of PlayStation 3s were able backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 games, making it a top choice for gamers on the platform and was the first console to support Blu-ray disc playback

2006 – Nintendo Wii:

While Sony and Microsoft were busy competing with high-end graphics, the Nintendo Wii focused more on gaming experience. The innovative Wii remote isn’t just a controller, but it became a peripheral that you would need to play the game.

2012 to present – Eighth generation consoles:

2012 saw the start of a new era of console gaming. The first was Nintendo who redesigned the Wii console and called it the Wii U. The new console offered a high res screen placed on the wireless controller which emulates the dual screen function of its DS handheld line.

The following year, both eighth generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft that featured top-of-the-line specifications, making it somewhat at par with most high-end PCs. It also offered various social functions like online video streaming or even letting you watch TV while playing a game.

The Future:

From what we are seeing at the moment, the future of gaming lies not on the power of the hardware, but with the accessories that add to the experience. With augmented reality becoming popular nowadays, Sony and Microsoft have already introduced the next step in gaming. These include virtual reality headsets that you wear on your head and gives a more interactive view of the game your playing.

Now imagine playing something like Uncharted or Silent Hill in virtual reality – that would definitely give me the thrills.

To match the new Great Gaming Consoles with the best Gaming Audio, You can check our Gaming Audio Section.