The first generation of video game consoles lasted from 1972 to 1983. The first console of this generation was the 1972 Magnavox Odyssey. The last new console release of the generation was most likely the Compu-Vision 440 by radio manufacturer Bentley in 1983, though other systems were also released in that year.
Repetition and similarities Naming
Manufacturers placed emphasis on what the console was and what it could do to differentiate the console. The most common elements were usually: TV – Indicating the device utilized television to display its output. Color – Indicating the machine was capable of outputting color. Game – Indicating a game that could be played. Sport(s) – Indicating a sports genre game could be played. A number – Usually indicating the quantity of games available on the system.
Identical consoles Many consoles were copies of others, had very similar form factors with different inputs, or were distributed under different names in different regions. An example is the Binatone line that was released simultaneously under the names "Mentor" and "Tokyo". Name changes are most commonly exemplified by the Sears Tele-Games line, which consisted of existing Coleco, APF and Atari Consoles. The only difference was the Sears branding.
Market saturation
Name First console Year Next generation system Year GenerationAcetronicTele-Sports IV1978MPU-10001979SecondAPFTV Fun 4011976APF-MP 10001978SecondAtari Inc.Home Pong197526001977SecondAudiosonicPP-42019771292 Advanced Programmable Video System1978SecondBandaiTV Jack 10001977Super Vision 80001979SecondColecoTelstar1976ColecoVision1982SecondCommodoreTV Game 2000K1975Commodore 64 Games System1990ThirdEntexGameroom Tele-Pong1976Select-A-Game Machine1981SecondEpochTV Tennis Electrotennis1975Cassette Vision1981SecondGrandstandMatch of the Day 20001977Light Games1988FourthIntertonVideo 20001976VC 40001978SecondMagnavoxOdyssey1972Odyssey 21978SecondNintendoColor TV-Game 61977Family Computer1983ThirdPhilipsPhilips Tele-Game ES 22011975Videopac G70001978SecondRadofinBlack & White TV Game19771292 Advanced Programmable Video System1979SecondTandy/Radio ShackTV Scoreboard1976Tandy Memorex Video Information System1992FourthTomyColor Model 6011977Pyuuta Jr.1983ThirdUnisonicSportsman T1011976Champion 27111978Second
List The following is a list in alphabetical order of the manufacturers, followed by the name of the console, release year, integrated chip if it had one, and whether it came with a light gun or the option to buy one separately. This list is in no way complete, as there are hundreds of consoles, some with color, name, or hardware variations. This list contains consoles.
For comparison, there are home platforms starting with the second generation, and handheld consoles, totaling .
Released systems