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first gaming console
1972: First generation – dots and dials
In 1972, the humble television set was transformed from a passive device into an interactive one, with the launch of the first commercial home videogame console, the Magnavox Odyssey. -
next gen
NO COINS!!!!!!! , Second generation consoles were defined by the microprocessor. In 1976, the Fairchild Channel F (known in the UK as the Grandstand) became the first home games machine to employ one, heralding a new era of colour and sound. The limited printed circuit boards of the first generation gave way to complete games stored on cartridges, while those unwieldy dials became directional control sticks. -
1983: Third generation
turning Japanese,Like an 8-bit phoenix, the third generation of games consoles rose from the ashes of the Second Generation crash. This was the era of the 8-bit machines, bringing colourful graphics and inventive Japanese game design to the global masses. Although there had been 8-bit, and - in the case of the Intellivision - even 16-bit machines in the second generation, it was the release of Nintendo's wildly popular 8-bit console, the NES, that defined the second generation. -
Fourth generation
clash of the titans - War!
Nintendo, the undisputed king of the third generation, finally met a rival worthy of its crown. Sega released its new 16-bit Mega Drive (Genesis in the USA) in 1988, and aggressively marketed it against Nintendo's 8-bit behemoth. What followed was a veritable clash of the gaming titans, as the two machines - embodied in the public consciousness by their mascots Sonic and Mario. -
Fifth generation
The fifth generation of video games was arguably the most transformative era in gaming history, thanks to the widespread adoption of CD-Rom technology and a shift from sprite-based 2D games towards the polygonal 3D graphics that were already wowing PC and arcade gamers. It was also the generation that saw Sony enter the console market fray. A slew of competitors introduced new machines, eager to steal a march on Sega and Nintendo. Fujitsu's FM Towns Marty. -
Sixth generation
contenders ready - The Sixth Generation of consoles saw one contender drop out, a new contender take its first steps, and a move towards online gaming. Sega had a point to prove following the Saturn's disappointing performance, and it kickstarted the sixth generation in 1998 with its 128-bit Dreamcast system. The new console boasted a built-in modem for online play, detachable memory units with visual displays that could be used to play simple games on the go. -
Seventh generation
moving on up - The seventh generation of consoles was the era of wireless controllers, digital game downloads, motion control and (unless you had a Wii) high-definition graphics. The gaming landscape settled into something like its current form, as Sony and Microsoft went head-to-head with powerful machines (yes, they can run Crysis...just) that blurred the lines between console and PC. -
Eighth generation
casuals vs hardcore - The eighth generation saw Microsoft attempt to reposition Xbox as an all-in-one home entertainment device, while Sony focused more on core gamers. Nintendo continued to distanced itself from its rivals by further iterating on the unique inputs of the Wii. Launched in 2012, Wii U was backwards-compatible with all original Wii games and many accessories, and was capable of the high-def graphics and performance of Sony and Microsoft's.
