Second-generation video game consoles

Second-generation video game consoles
Designer	Atari, Coleco, Elektronika, Epoch, Magnavox, Nintendo, various
Manufacturer	Atari, Coleco, Elektronika, Epoch, Magnavox, Mattel, Nintendo, Philips, various
Distributor	Sears, various
CPU	various
Graphics	various
Memory	various
Media	Integrated circuits ROM cartridges
Released	November 1976 - 1992
Added to Museum	See the post-ball-and-paddle video game consoles

Second-generation video game consoles allowed for video game experiences that weren't previously possible with consumer video game console hardware.

Many of the video game consoles in this generation utilized ROM cartridges. The first second-generation console, the Fairchild Video Entertainment System, was released in November 1976.

The poor reception of some of the video game cartridges released in this generation of consoles, and the market saturation of ball-and-paddle video game consoles in the previous one, led to the North American video game crash of 1983.

Companies involved

This generation of consoles had multiple companies involved, including those involved in the previous one. Elektronika, Magnavox, and Philips return from the first generation. Coleco and Sanyo would continue to create consoles in the third generation. Atari and Epoch continued to make consoles in the third and fourth generations. Nintendo was the only company that was active in the first and second generations which would continue to make consoles in the fifth generation and beyond.

Home consoles

Fairchild Channel-F consoles

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Fairchild Video Entertainment System Fairchild Channel F	Fairchild F8	1976	The Video Entertainment System was the first console to use ROM cartridges. It was renamed to Channel-F the next year. The branding changed on the box, but the design of the console remained the same.
	Zircon Channel F System II	Fairchild F8	1979	Fairchild left the video game industry in 1979. Zircon International purchased the company's video game assets and released a re-designed version of the console as the Channel F System II.

Consoles by Atari and its licensees

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Atari Video Computer System (heavy sixer)	MOS 6507	1977	The initial Video Computer System six-switch release by Atari. Known colloquially as the "heavy sixer" as it had thicker internal metal shielding and thicker plastic for the case molding.
	Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade (heavy sixer)	MOS 6507	1977	The initial Sears Tele-Games branded Video Computer System named the Video Arcade. Known colloquially as the "heavy sixer" as it had thicker internal metal shielding and thicker plastic for the case molding.
	Atari Video Computer System (light sixer)	MOS 6507	1978	The Video Computer System CX2600 six-switch release by Atari was updated to be lighter. Known colloquially as the "light sixer" as it had thinner internal metal shielding and thinner plastic for the case molding.
	Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade (light sixer)	MOS 6507	1978	The initial Sears Tele-Games branded Video Computer System named the Video Arcade. Known colloquially as the "light sixer" as it had thinner internal metal shielding and thinner plastic for the case molding.
	Atari Video Computer System (four switch)	MOS 6507	1980	The updated CX2600A Video Computer System release by Atari. The switches on the console were reduced from six to four.
	Sears Tele-Games Video Arcade (four switch)	MOS 6507	1980	The updated Tele-Games Video Arcade release by Sears. The switches on the console were reduced from six to four.
	Atari 2600 Video Computer System (Vader)	MOS 6507	1982	A black four switch-version that was the first to bear the Atari 2600 name. Known colloquially as the "Vader" due to its color scheme.
	Sears Video Arcade II	MOS 6507	1982	A black, streamlined console modeled after the design of the Atari 7800.
	Namco Atari 2800	MOS 6507	1983	Atari-branded version of the Sears Video Arcade II. Distributed by Namco, only in Japan.
	Atari 2600 Atari 2600 Jr. (short rainbow)	MOS 6507	1986	A sleek redesign labeled simply as the Atari 2600. Known colloquially as the "Atari 2600 Jr. (short rainbow)" due to its slim design and the fact that the rainbow only extends across the logo.
	Atari 2600 Atari 2600 Jr. (long rainbow)	MOS 6507	1986	A sleek redesign labeled simply as the Atari 2600. Known colloquially as the "Atari 2600 Jr. (long rainbow)" due to its slim design and the fact that the rainbow extends across the console.
	Atari 2600 Atari 2600 Jr. (unicorn)	MOS 6507	1986	A sleek redesign labeled simply as the Atari 2600. It is externally the same as the "Atari 2600 Jr. (long rainbow)". Internally, the three chips for CPU, graphics, and sound have been integrated as a single chip. Known colloquially as the "Atari 2600 Jr. (unicorn).

Atari 2600 clones

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Aaronix 4K TV Game	MOS 6507	198x
	Coleco ColecoVision Expansion #1	MOS 6507	1982	Adapter for the ColecoVision that contained clone hardware to play Atari 2600 games.
	CBS Columbia Home Arcade	MOS 6507	1983	CBS distributed the Gemini through the mail-order Columbia House club as the Columbia Home Arcade.
	Coleco Gemini	MOS 6507	1983	Atari 2600 clone manufactured by Coleco.

Coleco consoles

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Coleco ColecoVision	Zilog Z80	1982
	Coleco ColecoVision Expansion #3	TI TMS9928A	1983	Adapter for the ColecoVision that contained extra memory, as well as a printer and a keyboard to convert it to a Coleco Adam computer.

Handheld consoles

Mattel Electronics handheld consoles

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Mattel Electronics Auto Race	Rockwell B5000	1976	The first handheld electronic game. Created using a modified Rockwell International B5000 IC chip.

Nintendo Game & Watch handheld consoles

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Nintendo Game & Watch Ball	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case. Ball was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: Jolly Jongleur. It had an identical system and a unique box. Re-produced as a reward in 2009 for platinum members of Club Nintendo in Japan and in 2010 for all members at a cost of 1200 coins in Europe, North America, and Oceania.
	Mego Time-Out: Toss-Up	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case. Mego distributed Ball in North America as Time-Out: Toss Up.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Flagman	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case.
	Mego Time-Out: Flag Man	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case. Released in a standard screen format with a Silver case in 1980. Mego distributed Flagman in North America as Time-Out: Flag Man.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Vermin	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case. Vermin was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: Mole Hunt (Maulwurfsjagd). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Mego Time-Out: The Exterminator	Sharp SM5a	1980	Released in a standard screen format with a Silver case in 1980. Mego distributed Ball in North America as Time-Out: The Exterminator.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Fire (standard silver version)	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case. The silver standard Fire release was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: Help, it's Burning! (Hilfe, es Brennt!). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Mego Time-Out: Fireman Fireman	Sharp SM5a	1980	Released in a standard screen format with a Silver case in 1980. Mego distributed Fire in North America as Time-Out: Fireman Fireman.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Judge	Sharp SM5a	1980	Standard version in a silver case. Judge was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: The Hammer-Duel (Das Hammer-Duell). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Manhole (standard silver version)	Sharp SM5a	1981	Standard version in a gold case. The silver standard Manhole release was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: Danger Dig! (Achtung Graben!). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Headache	Sharp SM5a	1981	Standard version in a gold case. Helmet was distributed as Headache in the UK.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Helmet	Sharp SM5a	1981	Standard version in a gold case. Helmet was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: Be Careful With Tools! (Vorsicht Werkzeug!). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Lion	Sharp SM5a	1981	Standard version in a gold case. Helmet was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: The Lion Is Loose! (Der Löwe ist los!). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Parachute	Sharp SM5a	1981	Widescreen version. Parachute was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as Super tricOtronic: Dive Into Hell (Sprung in die Hölle). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Octopus	Sharp SM5a	1981	Widescreen version. Octopus was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as Super tricOtronic: Schnapp' den Schatz (Grab the Treasure). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Fire (widescreen version)	Sharp SM5a	1981	Widescreen version. The widescreen Fire release was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as tricOtronic: Rescue in the Trampoline (Rettung im Sprungtuch).
	Nintendo Game & Watch Popeye (widescreen version)	Sharp SM5a	1981	Released in Wide Screen format in 1981. Popeye was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as Super tricOtronic: Popeye's Boat Trip (Popeye's Bootsausflug). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Chef	Sharp SM5a	1981	Released in Wide Screen format in 1981.. Chef was distributed by Bienengraeber in Austria and West Germany as Super tricOtronic: The Crazy Kitchen (Die verrückte Küche). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mickey Mouse	Sharp SM5a	1981	Released in a Wide Screen format in 1981. Super tricOtronic: Mickey Mouse in the Chicken Coop (Micky Maus im Hühnerstall). It had an identical system and a unique box.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Egg	Sharp SM5a	1981	Released in Wide Screen format in 1981. Release of the Wide Screen Mickey Mouse without the Disney license.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Turtle Bridge	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Wide Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Fire Attack	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Wide Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Snoopy Tennis	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Wide Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Oil Panic	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong Jr. (widescreen version)	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Multi-screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mickey & Donald	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Green House	Sharp SM510	1982	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1982.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong II	Sharp SM510	1983	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mario Bros.	Sharp SM510	1983	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong Jr. (tabletop version)	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Table Top format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mario's Cement Factory	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Table Top format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mario's Cement Factory	Sharp SM510	1983	Released in New Wide Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Snoopy	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Table Top format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Rain Shower	Sharp SM510	1983	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Manhole (widescreen version)	Sharp SM5a	1983	Released in in a New Wide Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Popeye (tabletop version)	Sharp SM5a	1983	Released in Table Top format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Snoopy	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Panorama format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Popeye (panorama version)	Sharp SM5a	1983	Released in Panorama format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong Jr. (panorama version)	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Panorama format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Lifeboat	Sharp SM510	1983	Released in Multi-Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mario's Bombs Away	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Panorama format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Pinball	Sharp SM511	1983	Released in Multi Screen format in 1983.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Spitball Sparky	Sharp SM510	1984	Released in Super Color format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Crab Grab	Sharp SM510	1984	Released in Super Color format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mickey Mouse	Sharp SM511	1984	Released in Panorama format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Boxing	Sharp SM511	1984	Released in Micro VS. format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Punch-Out!!	Sharp SM511	1984	Released in Micro VS. format in 1984. Punch-Out!!-themed version of Boxing.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong 3	Sharp SM511	1984	Released in Micro VS. format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong Hockey	Sharp SM511	1984	Released in Micro VS. format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong Circus	Sharp SM511	1984	Release of Mickey Mouse without the Disney license. Released in Panorama format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Black Jack	Sharp SM512	1985	Released in Multi Screen format in 1985.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Tropical Fish	Sharp SM510	1985	Released in New Wide Screen format in 1984.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Squish	Sharp SM510	1986	Released in Multi Screen format in 1986.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Super Mario Bros.	Sharp SM511	1986	Released in Crystal Screen format in 1986.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Climber	Sharp SM511	1986	Released in Crystal Screen format in 1986.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Balloon Fight	Sharp SM511	1986	Released in Crystal Screen format in 1986.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Bomb Sweeper	Sharp SM512	1987	Released in Multi Screen format in 1987.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Super Mario Bros.	Sharp SM511	1987	A Diskun version was given to F-1 Grand Prix contest winners in Japan in 1987.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Safebuster	Sharp SM511	1988	Released in Multi Screen format in 1988.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Super Mario Bros.	Sharp SM511	1986	Released in New Wide Screen format in 1987.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Climber	Sharp SM511	1986	Released in New Wide Screen format in 1986.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Gold Cliff	Sharp SM512	1988	Released in Multi Screen format in 1988.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Zelda	Sharp SM512	1989	Released in Multi Screen format in 1988.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Mario the Juggler	Sharp SM511	1991	Released in New Wide Screen in 1991. Remake of Ball with a Mario theme.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Soccer	Sharp SM5 series	Unreleased	Unreleased Wide Screen Game & Watch soccer game. It was included as an easter egg in Nintendo 3DS Sound.
	Nintendo Game & Watch Tetris Jr.	Sharp SM5 series	Unreleased	Unreleased Multi-Screen Game & Watch Tetris game.

Elektronika microprocessor games and Game & Watch clones

Image	Title	Chipset	Release	Notes
	Elektronika microprocessor tank: Lunokhod (Луноход, Moonwalker)	КР1814ВЕ2	1983	Clone of the Milton Bradley Big Trak programmable tank. Named after the Lunokhod lunar rover.
	Elektronika microprocessor game: Mickey Mouse (Микки Маус, Mikki Maus)	KB1013VK1-2	1984	Clone of Game & Watch: Mickey Mouse.
	Elektronika microprocessor game: Well, Just You Wait! (Ну, погоди!, Nu pogodi!)	KB1013VK1-2	1984	Clone of Game & Watch: Egg.
	Computer Chess (компьютерные шахматы)	KM1801VM1	1986	A computer chess system by Svetlana.
	Explorers of Space (Разведчики космоса, Issledovateli Kosmosa)	KR1814VE8	1989	Used the design of Game & Watch Egg.
	Football (Футбол, Futbol)	KR1814VE8	1989	Mechanical soccer. Clone of Super Cup Football by Tomy.
	Hockey (хоккей, Khokkey)	KM1801VM1	1989	Used the design of Game & Watch: Egg. Released for the IM-26 Digi Casse clone in 1991.
	Merry Cook (Веселый повар, Vesolyy Povar)	KB1013VK1-2	1989	Clone of Game & Watch: Chef.
	Ocean Secrets (Тайны океана, Tayny Okeana)	KB1013VK1-2	1989	Clone of Game & Watch: Octopus.
	Space Bridge (Космический мост, Kosmicheskiy Most)	KB1013VK1-2	1989	Used the design of Game & Watch: Fire.
	Winnie-the-Pooh (Винни-Пух, Vinni Pukh)	KB1013VK1-2	1991	Used the design of Game & Watch Donkey Kong Jr.. Based on the Soviet Winnie-the-Pooh short films.
	Chess Partner (ШахматныЙ Партнер, shakhmatnyy partner)	INS8050	1992	Clone of Mattel Computer Chess
	Computer Chess (компьютерные шахматы)	KM1801VM1	1992	Updated version of the 1986 computer chess system. Designed by Svetlana.
	Computer Chess (компьютерные шахматы)	KM1801VM2	1992	A computer chess system by Svetlana.