The first generation of video game consoles lasted from 1972 until 1979, beginning with the release of the Magnavox Odyssey. Although the Odyssey was not a huge commercial success, it led the way for other consoles, such as a home version of PONG, a popular ping-pong arcade game of the time. The console became a hit, sparking hundreds of clones, including the Coleco Telstar and APF TV Fun. Other consoles, such as Bally Astrocade and RCA Studio II were also released during this time, albeit with limited success.
In this section, we take a further look at the video consoles released during this period, with information on their specifications and games.
To find out more about the first generation handheld consoles, select an item from the menu below.
Favourites (IE)
Print This
Email This
