The History of Videogame Consoles

 

What we have here is a quick reference list of all the videogame consoles that have been released over time and a list of all the Retrospective articles that have been written so far. This guide has been broken up into decades and you can skip to certain decade if you wish to do so by pressing one of the below links.


The 70s


Magnavox Odyssey

  • Released:1972
  • Units sold:330,000

Atari PONG

  • Released:1975
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 100

  • Released:1975
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 200

  • Released:1975
  • Units sold:?

Atari Super PONG

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar Classic

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Fairchild Channel F

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 300

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 400

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 500

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

RCA Studio II

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Wonder Wizard 7702

  • Released:1976
  • Units sold:?

Nintendo Colour TV Game

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Atari Stunt Cycle

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Atari VCS 2600

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:30 million (Includes all variants)

Atari Video Pinball

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar Alpha

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar Combat

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 2000

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 3000

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey 4000

  • Released:1977
  • Units sold:?

Bally Professional Arcade

  • Released:1978
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar Arcade

  • Released:1978
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar Colortron

  • Released:1978
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Telstar Gemini

  • Released:1978
  • Units sold:?

Magnavox Odyssey²

  • Released:1978
  • Units sold:?

Atari 400

  • Released:1979
  • Units sold:?

Zircon Channel F System II

  • Released:1979
  • Units sold:?


The 80s


Mattel Intellivision

  • Released:1980
  • Units sold:3 million (Includes both version)

Epoch Cassette Vision

  • Released:1981
  • Units sold:?

Atari 5200

  • Released:1982
  • Units sold:?

Coleco Gemini

  • Released:1982
  • Units sold:?

Colecovision

  • Released:1982
  • Units sold:6 million

Emerson Arcadia 2001

  • Released:1982
  • Units sold:?

Mattel Intellivision II

  • Released:1982
  • Units sold:3 million (Includes both version)

Vectrex

  • Released:1982
  • Units sold:?

Sega SG-1000

  • Released:1983
  • Units sold:?

Atari 2600 Junior

  • Released:1986
  • Units sold:30 million (Includes all variants)

Atari 7800

  • Released:1986
  • Units sold:?

NEC Turbo Grafx 16

  • Released:1989
  • Units sold:10 million

Nintendo Entertainment System

  • Released:1985
  • Units sold:61.9 million (includes both variants)

Sega Master System

  • Released:1986
  • Units sold:13 million (Includes both variants)

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive

  • Released:1989
  • Units sold:29 million (Includes all variants)


The 90s


Sega Master System II

  • Released:1990
  • Units sold:13 million (Includes both variants)

SNK NEO-GEO (AES)

  • Released:1990
  • Units sold:?

CD-i

  • Released:1991
  • Units sold:570,000

Commodore CDTV

  • Released:1991
  • Units sold:?

Super Nintendo

  • Released:1991
  • Units sold:49.1 million (Include all variants)

NEC TurboDuo

  • Released:1992
  • Units sold:?

Sega Mega CD Mega Drive/Genesis

  • Released:1992
  • Units sold:6 million (Includes both variants)

Amiga CD32

  • Released:1993
  • Units sold:?

Atari Jaguar

  • Released:1993
  • Units sold:500,000

Nintendo Entertainment System 2

  • Released:1993
  • Units sold:61.9 million (includes both variants)

Panasonic 3DO Interactive

  • Released:1993
  • Units sold:2 million (including all variants and Sanyo and Goldstar versions)

NEC PC-FX

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:?

Atari Jaguar CD

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:20,000

Sega Mega CD for Mega Drive/Genesis 2

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:6 million (Includes both variants)

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 2

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:29 million (Includes all variants)

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 32x

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:200,000

Sega CDX/Sega Multi-Mega

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:?

SNK NEO-GEO CD

  • Released:1994
  • Units sold:?

Apple Pippin

  • Released:1995
  • Units sold:42,000

Panasonic 3DO FZ-10

  • Released:1995
  • Units sold:2 million (including all variants and Sanyo and Goldstar versions)

Sega Saturn

  • Released:1995
  • Units sold:17 million

Sony PlayStation

  • Released:1995
  • Units sold:102.49 million (includes all PS variants)

Discussions about the PSone & PS2 can be found here.

Nintendo 64

  • Released:1996
  • Units sold:32.9 million

Super Nintendo 2

  • Released:1997
  • Units sold:49.1 million (Include all variants)

Sega Genesis 3

  • Released:1998
  • Units sold:29 million (Includes all variants)

Nintendo 64DD

  • Released:1999
  • Units sold:15 000

Sega Dreamcast

  • Released:1999
  • Units sold:10.6 million


Year 2000


Sony PlayStation 2

  • Released:2000
  • Units sold:Over 127 million and counting(includes all PS2 variants)

Discussions about the PSone & PS2 can be found here.

Sony PlayStation PSone

  • Released:2000
  • Units sold:102.49 million (includes all PS variants)

Discussions about the PSone & PS2 can be found here.

Microsoft X-Box

  • Released:2001
  • Units sold:24 million

Discussions about the Microsoft X-Box can be found here.

Nintendo Game Cube

  • Released:2001
  • Units sold:21.74 million

Discussions about the Nintendo Game Cube can be found here here.

Atari Flashback

  • Released:2004
  • Units sold:?

Sony PlayStation 2 Slim

  • Released:2004
  • Units sold:Over 127 million and counting(includes all PS2 variants)

Discussions about the PSone & PS2 can be found here.

XaviXPORT

  • Released:2004
  • Units sold:?

Microsoft X-Box 360

  • Released:2005
  • Units sold:Over 19 million and still counting

For all the Microsoft X-Box 360 information that you could possibly need check out My360.com.au

Atari Flashback 2

  • Released:2005
  • Units sold:?

Game Wave Family Entertainment System

  • Released:2006
  • Units sold:?

Mattel HyperScan

  • Released:2006
  • Units sold:?

Nintendo Wii

  • Released:2006
  • Units sold:Over 21.56 million and counting

For all the Nintendo Wii information that you could possibly need check out MyWii.com.au

Sony PlayStation 3

  • Released:2006
  • Units sold:Over 12 million and counting

For all the Sony Playstation 3 information that you could possibly need check out MyPS3.com.au and if Blu-ray movies interest you then take a look at MyBluRay.com.au


 

Return to top

Retrospective Articles

Mattel Intellivision Retrospective


Sega Master System Retrospective


Super Nintendo Retrospective


Neo Geo Pocket Retrospective


Gumpei Yokoi Retrospective


Nintendo Game Boy Retrospective


Nintendo 64DD Retrospective


Nintendo Game Boy Retrospective


Atari 5200 Retrospective


Sega Dreamcast Retrospective


Atari Lynx Retrospective


SNK Neo Geo Retrospective


Nintendo Virtual Boy Retrospective


Hardware Add-ons for the 16bit Era Retrospective


Atari Jaguar Retrospective


Nintendo FX Chip Retrospective


Sega Game Gear Retrospective


Sony Playstation Retrospective


Nintendo 64 Retrospective


-Guyver

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Tags: consoles History list of videogame

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MrWii 19/05/2008
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Comments

Magickstar
Kudos: 13,215
Mates: 522
Absoluetly Awesome Work Guyver!
sjt333
Kudos: 30,697
Mates: 193
what the hell is a XaviXPORT
Altered Beast
jotendo
Kudos: 16,017
Mates: 305
fabulous work

Barbie as the Island Princess
ICC_06
Kudos: 18,636
Mates: 521
Nice work Guyver, you do awesome work with this and it's very much appreciated
Resident Evil 4
Guyver
Kudos: 21,355
Mates: 222
Thanx guys. When time allows I'll make one on all the portables released.
MyWii - Miscellaneous
Jofra01.9
Kudos: 18,942
Mates: 115
now this is what I like good article, maybe just have when the consoles were discontinued but that would probably be impossible to find out about some but still good work
Action Girlz Racing
ssseean
Kudos: 567
Mates: 112
yay the BBQ came out in 2006. Never knew that
Mario Kart Wii
jrp95
Kudos: 2,021
Mates: 264
Connorq has a sega dreamcast not a bad system pretty good graphics!!
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Guyver
Kudos: 21,355
Mates: 222

ssseean said: yay the BBQ came out in 2006. Never knew that



lol yeah that's an odd lokking console.

jrp95 said: Connorq has a sega dreamcast not a bad system pretty good graphics!!



I still have mine as well, the DC set the standard for the systems we play now.
MyWii - Miscellaneous
BlakKnight
Kudos: 5,744
Mates: 135
dang... there are 20 of those that i have never even heard of
never knew magnavox used to be in the video game market.
Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City
moosechild
Kudos: 6,209
Mates: 627
barely heard of any in the 70's
heard of some of the 80's
know all the 90's and 00's ones
Galaga
Guyver
Kudos: 21,355
Mates: 222
Some of the really early systems can't even be played on a flat screen TV
MyWii - Miscellaneous
Omi
Kudos: 7,419
Mates: 155
Oh, good man Guyvies!

Atari Flashback?! I want me one of them! Can you use the old cartridges with it?

And I'm surprised the N64 sold so few. I would of thought there'd be a lot more 64 owners in the world than that.

And... that Mattel HyperScan looks scary
Harlster
Kudos: 8,763
Mates: 51
Nice guide Guyver! Your "blast from the past" projects are full of knowledge and they are a great asset to Mywii!
But seriously man, great guide man! I'm sure you put a lot of work into it!
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Rus_a7
Kudos: 8,419
Mates: 143
Apple Pippin?

As in Apple Apple?
Wow
MyWii - Miscellaneous
Wiioff
Kudos: 2,177
Mates: 195

Awesome job Guyver! I never new that so many consoles existed.
MX Vs ATV Untamed
RAMBo1
Kudos: -16
Mates: 0
cool GOOD job
thegame10
Kudos: 5,660
Mates: 244
wheres the handhelds?
Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
Juniiz
Kudos: 1,125
Mates: 50
This is cool!!!! Comprehensive...brings back memories
Mario Kart Wii
Guyver
Kudos: 21,355
Mates: 222

thegame10 said: wheres the handhelds?



There have a seperate home here www.myds.com.au/ and on MyPSP. The list was just getting to big so I split it up into two.
MyWii - Miscellaneous
Natronus
Kudos: 205
Mates: 5
Man....
Never knew there were THAT many consoles...
But good work Guyver!
Shalesh
Kudos: 817
Mates: 62
Ok the Coleco Telstar Combat from 1977 and the Coleco Telstar Arcade from 1978 look pretty sweet for their time

And i think i saw one of those NEC PC-FX's from 1994, walking around in one of the Star Wars movies
zanthor
Kudos: 86
Mates: 4
WOW! I've never heard of a lot of those either but even though this list is large, it still feels incomplete to me somehow. What about machines like Commodore 64, Amiga and Atari ST?

Now, before anyone says anything, I KNOW these machines are not "technically" classified as games consoles (they were actually marketed as personal computers). Indeed, the definition of a video games console is: "The term "video game console" is used to distinguish a machine designed for consumers to buy and use solely for playing video games from a personal computer, which has many other functions, or arcade machines, which are designed for businesses that buy and then charge others to play". BUT, how something is marketed and how it actually ends up being used are two different things. I don't think anyone would argue that:

1. These machines were predominantly used as games machines despite the fact they also had other functions.
2. These machines (especially Commodore 64 and Amiga) are responsible for defining and being the forerunners of many of the game genres we know and love today.
3. Their game libraries are SO extensive that their contribution and influence on the gaming industry as a whole has been substantial.

So, really my question is a philisophical one. Ie, shoud a machine that is intended to be used as a personal computer be reclassified as a games console when it's primary use becomes games? (to be continued in next post)
zanthor
Kudos: 86
Mates: 4
If you don't allow this, then you basically just block out a whole era of games that helped to shape the games console industry.

And, if you measure up todays "consoles" against the definition of a videoa games console in my previous post, they also do not fit the definition. THey now connect to the internet, browse the web, play DVD and Blu-ray dics, etc, etc. In other words, they have more functions than JUST playing games, which relaly means that the previous definition of a games console is obsolete.

Phew, think I got carried away there
biinkii
Kudos: 1,101
Mates: 19
Guyver, you've done an awesome job. That was a lovely walk down memory lane. I still remember playing pong on the Atari 2600 junior!

Well done, mate!

Zanthor, I understand what you're saying. We had an amiga that was mainly used for games - Sierra Winter Olympics, California games, etc, etc. It was a great machine, and the PC/Amiga cross compatibility was wonderful. I guess, though, it was still strictly speaking a personal computer rather than a games console. Perhaps it deserves its own category instead!
De Blob
jackoltene
Kudos: 33,896
Mates: 1723
well done guyver
Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City
biinkii
Kudos: 1,101
Mates: 19
Hey Guyver, just looked at the MyDS link, and there are a whole lot of single games missing (like Donkey Kong, the Game/Watch series etc). Was that on purpose?
De Blob
zanthor
Kudos: 86
Mates: 4
Sorry, I did forget to give Guyver credit for a job well done in my post! It is by far and away the best list I've seen of this nature.
Guyver
Kudos: 21,355
Mates: 222
Interesting response zanthor and I do agree with your points. When making this article I was weighing up the idea of adding Commodore and Amiga systems in, but the article was getting too big I even had to separated the portable gaming systems www.myds.com.au/
I personally had some great gaming experiences on C64, C plus4 and 128D, heck I still have my plus4 around somewhere. At least now we can get a few games from the Virtual Console and with out the Loooooooong load times. The idea of doing a separate list for gaming/hobby/personal computers has been floating around, but where would we stop? At the end of the Commodore and Amiga series or keep going into the PC gaming scene.

biinkii said: Hey Guyver, just looked at the MyDS link, and there are a whole lot of single games missing (like Donkey Kong, the Game/Watch series etc). Was that on purpose?


Apart from the Game and Watch series there was a massive amount handheld systems that only featured the one game. So the list was limited to cartridge swappable portables.
And again, thanx for the feedback guys
MyWii - Miscellaneous
zanthor
Kudos: 86
Mates: 4
Yes, good point regarding the nature of this list, ie, it could be never ending if you let it be. I suppose the line has to be drawn somewhere. Speaking of C64 titles, do you have any idea when we might see some on Vitual Console in Oz?
biinkii
Kudos: 1,101
Mates: 19
Guyver, awesome job, mate. You've worked very hard on these lists!

Thanks for your feedback, too.
De Blob
BK
Kudos: 368
Mates: 33
This is a master piece wow look at them all and look what it brought up from all that working yeah they made the Wii! YAY!
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Wii_Attack
Kudos: 1,498
Mates: 162
This is way awesome! Great work, it must've took a long time...

Huuie
Kudos: 3,160
Mates: 34
Brilliant blast from the past there!

I might be wrong but the N64DD never made it into production did it?
Mario Kart Wii
boxhunter
Kudos: 5,101
Mates: 142
Excellent Job man.
Miss the good old days
dswiirockz
Kudos: 1,029
Mates: 76
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!
5 stars
Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
Quintano
Kudos: 10
Mates: 4
i got a Mattel Intellivision its still pretty cool!!!!
impo
Kudos: 3,897
Mates: 146

boxhunter said: Excellent Job man.

Miss the good old days



my good old days were when i whacked the tv 20 times until i could actually see the game i was playing
good old days
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
 
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