First generation of video game consoles
From WE Computers Museum
| First generation of video game consoles | |
| Designer | Atari, Coleco, Epoch, Magnavox, Nintendo, various |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Atari, Coleco, Epoch, Magnavox, Mitsubishi Electric, Nintendo, Philips, Sears, various |
| CPU | various |
| Graphics | various |
| Memory | various |
| Media | Non-interchangeable Rom chip(s) |
| Released | September 1972 - 1983 |
| Added to Museum | See below |
The first generation of video game consoles began with the Magnavox Odyssey in September 1972.
The four major console groups
The first generation of video game consoles had eight major designers, each of which would design consoles in subsequent generations. These were Atari, Coleco, Epoch, Magnavox, and Nintendo.
There were eight major manufacturers. Atari and Sears manufactured Pong consoles, Coleco manufactured Telstar consoles, Epoch manufactured TV Tennis Electrotennis, Magnavox and Philips manufactured Odyssey consoles, and Nintendo and Mitsubishi Electric manufactured Color TV-Game consoles.
