The 1970s marked the beginning of home video gaming as we know it today.  Ralph Baer, uniformly known as the father of the video game console, created and developed the infamous Brown Box, which would later become the revolutionary Magnavox Odyssey.  Few could honestly admit that this humble beginning would result in the multi-billion dollar market of today.  The advent of the microprocessor proved to be the key.

While some focused on mastering their dance moves to impress at the local Disco, others devoted their time in developing the first microprocessor and the C programming language.  Their efforts resulted in the birth of modern computing.  For once, the electronic components that once occupied more than 15,000 square feet of warehouse space was made available to the general public at a reasonably affordable rate in the form of the home computer.  This technological jump enabled the creation of the home video game console.

Many companies entered into this fledging market hoping to capitalize on this newly developed technology - some with greater success than others.  The decade spawned myriads of PONG systems and also introduced us to a new world  - programmable cartridge based systems (which this article focusing upon). Gone were the days of the dedicated console and ushered in were the true parents of today's hardware.  Fairchild Semiconductors was the first to introduce us to this advancement in the form of their Video Entertainment Center (Channel F), but Atari ended up being the king of this era with the release of the Video Computer System (2600).

The decade marked another significant feat - the beginnings of globalization within the gaming community.  Not only were systems released in various countries, but the first BBS (bulletin board system) enabled gamers from around the world to share their video game experiences via text forums.

The following takes a quick snapshot of each main console (or technology) that was released during this decade.
 

1972 - Magnavox Odyssey

The granddaddy of the home video game console.  There were no processors in this system - just a series of transistors, resistors and capacitors.  Pin-outs were contained on the individual game cards and graphical output was produced with white blocks against a black background.  Plastic colored overlays were provided to put over your television screen to enhance the graphics a bit. 

Fun Fact: Consumers were told that this system would only work with Magnavox brand televisions, which was completely inaccurate.

1975 - PC-50X Family

Improvements to the initial General Instruments AY-3-8500 (PONG) chip resulted in more game variations on this classic format.  Manufacturers wised up made a breakthrough - include the new chip(s) on cartridges.  This eliminated the need to develop a new system for every chip and significantly drove down cost.  There were a total of eight chip variations that were produced and the pin-out cartridges contained up to 10 games.

Fun Fact: The initial models still only output the games in black and white.  Later technological enhancements added color (4 colors) and sound.

1976 - Fairchild Video Entertainment System (Channel F)

The Fairchild Video Entertainment System (later changed to Channel F) was the first console to feature programmable cartridges.  Featuring built-in games, 8' controller cords and being the first to utilize microprocessor technology, the Channel F was quite innovative at the time of its release.  The following year the Atari Video Computer System (specifically named this way to directly compete against Fairchild's similarly entitled system) put the stake through this fledgling console's heart.

Fun Fact: Andrew Grove and Robert Noyce, two employees of Fairchild Semiconductors,  would eventually start a new company that some of you may have heard of: Intel.

1976 - RCA Studio II

RCA lost the race to Fairchild Semiconductors to produce the first programmable console available to the public.  The Studio II lacked controllers and relied upon the built-in numeric keypad to control the action.  Another glaring fault of this system is the black and white video output.  Though it has been proven that a few games were designed for color, RCA's rush to get this product to market resulted in the absence of this basic feature.

Fun Fact: Ralph Baer, the designer of the Odyssey, originally approached RCA to be the initial manufacturer of his new system.  RCA declined and the rest is a bad RCA memory.

1976 - 1292 APVS Family

The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System (APVS) family of consoles was basically Europe's answer to the Fairchild Channel F. The initial developer, a German company called  Radofin, was one of the first companies to license programmable hardware technology to many other companies (much like The 3DO Company did with Panasonic and Goldstar).  This strategy produces extremely positive results as nearly 25 different models were produced by various manufacturers.

Fun Fact: The Emerson Arcadia, released in 1982, was first believed to be a 1292 clone since it uses the same Signetics CPU.  In fact, the Arcadia's coprocessor was an upgrade.

1977 - Atari Video Computer System (2600)

Atari's mother ship set the standard for programmable based video game systems in the 1970s.  Code named 'Stella' (after one of the designer's bicycle), the 2600 was the first system to come close to delivering an arcade experience in the comforts of one's living room.  This would not have been possible if it wasn't for Warner Communication.  Atari Inc., experiencing significant cash flow problems, approached the media giant who eventually purchased the company and completed development of this classic system.

Fun Fact: In 1982, Atari changed the name of this console in Atari 2600 due to the fact that their newly released system as dubbed the Atari 5200.

1977 - Bally Home Library Computer (Professional Arcade  Astrocade)

The Home Library Computer was designed by Bally's video game division Midway (creators of the infamous Mortal Kombat series).  The technology was quite impressive for the time and rivaled the popular Atari 2600 in terms of graphical output.  The most innovative facet of this system is its multi-functional 'pistol' controller, featuring a trigger action button and a multi-directional joystick know that could also serve as a paddle controller.  Bally suffered from lack of arcade license support (Atari ate these up) and eventually could not compete.

Fun Fact: Though the cartridges resemble audio cassettes, they are in fact just regular carts.  They were designed this way to prevent cart damage (they do not protrude at all).

1978 - Magnavox Odyssey 2  Philips VideoPac

The Odyssey 2 was the first console to incorporate a full alpha-numeric keyboard along with its initial hardwired joystick controllers.  Though technically inferior to the rival Atari 2600, the Odyssey 2 did feature flicker-free graphics, a point its competitor could not make.  This console was very successful and was manufactured throughout the world by notable companies including Philips, Radiola and Schneider.  This was also the first console to actively market itself as an educational toll in addition to its programming ability.

Fun Fact: Almost all of the games for were written by one person - Ed Averett, a former Intel employee who worked closely in the development of the O2's Intel 4040 processor.

1978 - Interton VC-4000

It is undetermined if the German based company Interton developed this system on its own, or if they licensed the 1292 APVS technology from Radofin.  There are minor differences in the cart size and programming, but few would argue that it is anything but a sibling of the 1292 APVS.  The VC-4000 was mildly successful, with models released in Europe, Australia and Argentina among others.

Fun Fact: The Interton VC-4000 is considered to be in the 1292 APVS Family of consoles though there are some minor compatibility differences in cart size and game releases.

1978 - APF Imagination Machine

APF Electronics jumped into the video game craze with their release of the APF-M1000 console in 1978. This 8-bit system was designed to compete against the heavyweight Atari 2600.  It did not even come close.  But what makes this system unique is the addition of the APF MP-10 computer add-on that was released in 1979.  The base console could be docked into this module to create a hybrid computer, one of the first of its kind.

Fun Fact: Although the APF IM game library only contains 15 official releases, many more applications were available made available by its extremely active home-brew community.   

1979 - Bandai Super Vision 8000

The Bandai Super Vision 8000 debuted in 1979 and was the very first programmable game cartridge system released in Japan. This timeline (1979) and notoriety (initial entry and the developer, Bandai) may be a surprise to some simply due to the fact that Japan has been a leader in video game technology for some time, with big hitters Nintendo and Sega in the fold. Though technically superior to the competition, the high price tag ($1.3K in USD comparable in 1979) quickly doomed this console after just one year of production.

Fun Fact: Due to its controller design, some feel that this is a clone of the Intellivision, when in fact the Super Vision 8000 was released prior to Mattel's system.

1979 - Mattel Intellivision

The chief challenger to the Atari 2600, the Intellivision sported new disc controllers (either loved or hated by gamers) and superior graphical and auditorial capabilities.  With few attractive arcade or movie licenses available to them due to Atari's aggressive nature in this field, Mattel had to rely upon lesser known titles but did produce an innovative add-on - the Atari 2600 Adaptor.  The library of compatible games now more tripled for this system and the Intellivision would continue to sell into the 1990s.

Fun Fact: After possibly copying their controller design of the Super Vision 8000, Mattel approached Bandai to be the exclusive distributor of the Intellivision in Japan.

The 1970s ended up being one of the most influential decades in the history of video gaming hardware.  Technological breakthroughs abounded and successes (and at times failures) of companies that participated during this time helped inspire behemoths like Nintendo and Sega to develop into the gaming force they would become in the following decade.  Dancing was definitely a driving force during this time period - thank goodness the programmers fingers and not the John Travolta wannabes ended up standing the test of time.
 

The 1970s marked the beginning of home video gaming as we know it today.  Ralph Baer, uniformly known as the father of the video game console, created and developed the infamous Brown Box, which would later become the revolutionary Magnavox Odyssey.  Few could honestly admit that this humble beginning would result in the multi-billion dollar market of today.  The advent of the microprocessor proved to be the key.

While some focused on mastering their dance moves to impress at the local Disco, others devoted their time in developing the first microprocessor and the C programming language.  Their efforts resulted in the birth of modern computing.  For once, the electronic components that once occupied more than 15,000 square feet of warehouse space was made available to the general public at a reasonably affordable rate in the form of the home computer.  This technological jump enabled the creation of the home video game console.

Many companies entered into this fledging market hoping to capitalize on this newly developed technology - some with greater success than others.  The decade spawned myriads of PONG systems and also introduced us to a new world  - programmable cartridge based systems. Gone were the days of the dedicated console and ushered in were the true parents of today's hardware.  Fairchild Semiconductors was the first to introduce us to this advancement in the form of their Video Entertainment Center (Channel F), but Atari ended up being the king of this era with the release of the Video Computer System (2600).

The decade marked another significant feat - the beginnings of globalization within the gaming community.  Not only were systems released in various countries, but the first BBS (bulletin board system) enabled gamers from around the world to share their video game experiences via text forums.

The following takes a quick snapshot of each main console (or technology) that was released during this decade.
 

1972 - Magnavox Odyssey

The granddaddy of the home video game console.  There were no processors in this system - just a series of transistors, resistors and capacitors.  Pin-outs were contained on the individual game cards and graphical output was produced with white blocks against a black background.  Plastic colored overlays were provided to put over your television screen to enhance the graphics a bit. 

Fun Fact: Consumers were told that this system would only work with Magnavox brand televisions, which was completely inaccurate.

1975 - PC-50X Family

Improvements to the initial General Instruments AY-3-8500 (PONG) chip resulted in more game variations on this classic format.  Manufacturers wised up made a breakthrough - include the new chip(s) on cartridges.  This eliminated the need to develop a new system for every chip and significantly drove down cost.  There were a total of eight chip variations that were produced and the pin-out cartridges contained up to 10 games.

Fun Fact: The initial models still only output the games in black and white.  Later technological enhancements added color (4 colors) and sound.

1976 - Fairchild Video Entertainment System (Channel F)

The Fairchild Video Entertainment System (later changed to Channel F) was the first console to feature programmable cartridges.  Featuring built-in games, 8' controller cords and being the first to utilize microprocessor technology, the Channel F was quite innovative at the time of its release.  The following year the Atari Video Computer System (specifically named this way to directly compete against Fairchild's similarly entitled system) put the stake through this fledgling console's heart.

Fun Fact: Andrew Grove and Robert Noyce, two employees of Fairchild Semiconductors,  would eventually start a new company that some of you may have heard of: Intel.

1976 - RCA Studio II

RCA lost the race to Fairchild Semiconductors to produce the first programmable console available to the public.  The Studio II lacked controllers and relied upon the built-in numeric keypad to control the action.  Another glaring fault of this system is the black and white video output.  Though it has been proven that a few games were designed for color, RCA's rush to get this product to market resulted in the absence of this basic feature.

Fun Fact: Ralph Baer, the designer of the Odyssey, originally approached RCA to be the initial manufacturer of his new system.  RCA declined and the rest is a bad RCA memory.

1976 - 1292 APVS Family

The 1292 Advanced Programmable Video System (APVS) family of consoles was basically Europe's answer to the Fairchild Channel F. The initial developer, a German company called  Radofin, was one of the first companies to license programmable hardware technology to many other companies (much like The 3DO Company did with Panasonic and Goldstar).  This strategy produces extremely positive results as nearly 25 different models were produced by various manufacturers.

Fun Fact: The Emerson Arcadia, released in 1982, was first believed to be a 1292 clone since it uses the same Signetics CPU.  In fact, the Arcadia's coprocessor was an upgrade.

1977 - Atari Video Computer System (2600)

Atari's mother ship set the standard for programmable based video game systems in the 1970s.  Code named 'Stella' (after one of the designer's bicycle), the 2600 was the first system to come close to delivering an arcade experience in the comforts of one's living room.  This would not have been possible if it wasn't for Warner Communication.  Atari Inc., experiencing significant cash flow problems, approached the media giant who eventually purchased the company and completed development of this classic system.

Fun Fact: In 1982, Atari changed the name of this console in Atari 2600 due to the fact that their newly released system as dubbed the Atari 5200.

1977 - Bally Home Library Computer (Professional Arcade  Astrocade)

The Home Library Computer was designed by Bally's video game division Midway (creators of the infamous Mortal Kombat series).  The technology was quite impressive for the time and rivaled the popular Atari 2600 in terms of graphical output.  The most innovative facet of this system is its multi-functional 'pistol' controller, featuring a trigger action button and a multi-directional joystick know that could also serve as a paddle controller.  Bally suffered from lack of arcade license support (Atari ate these up) and eventually could not compete.

Fun Fact: Though the cartridges resemble audio cassettes, they are in fact just regular carts.  They were designed this way to prevent cart damage (they do not protrude at all).

1978 - Magnavox Odyssey 2  Philips VideoPac

The Odyssey 2 was the first console to incorporate a full alpha-numeric keyboard along with its initial hardwired joystick controllers.  Though technically inferior to the rival Atari 2600, the Odyssey 2 did feature flicker-free graphics, a point its competitor could not make.  This console was very successful and was manufactured throughout the world by notable companies including Philips, Radiola and Schneider.  This was also the first console to actively market itself as an educational toll in addition to its programming ability.

Fun Fact: Almost all of the games for were written by one person - Ed Averett, a former Intel employee who worked closely in the development of the O2's Intel 4040 processor.

1978 - Interton VC-4000

It is undetermined if the German based company Interton developed this system on its own, or if they licensed the 1292 APVS technology from Radofin.  There are minor differences in the cart size and programming, but few would argue that it is anything but a sibling of the 1292 APVS.  The VC-4000 was mildly successful, with models released in Europe, Australia and Argentina among others.

Fun Fact: The Interton VC-4000 is considered to be in the 1292 APVS Family of consoles though there are some minor compatibility differences in cart size and game releases.

1978 - APF Imagination Machine

APF Electronics jumped into the video game craze with their release of the APF-M1000 console in 1978. This 8-bit system was designed to compete against the heavyweight Atari 2600.  It did not even come close.  But what makes this system unique is the addition of the APF MP-10 computer add-on that was released in 1979.  The base console could be docked into this module to create a hybrid computer, one of the first of its kind.

Fun Fact: Although the APF IM game library only contains 15 official releases, many more applications were available made available by its extremely active home-brew community.   

1979 - Bandai Super Vision 8000

The Bandai Super Vision 8000 debuted in 1979 and was the very first programmable game cartridge system released in Japan. This timeline (1979) and notoriety (initial entry and the developer, Bandai) may be a surprise to some simply due to the fact that Japan has been a leader in video game technology for some time, with big hitters Nintendo and Sega in the fold. Though technically superior to the competition, the high price tag ($1.3K in USD comparable in 1979) quickly doomed this console after just one year of production.

Fun Fact: Due to its controller design, some feel that this is a clone of the Intellivision, when in fact the Super Vision 8000 was released prior to Mattel's system.

1979 - Mattel Intellivision

The chief challenger to the Atari 2600, the Intellivision sported new disc controllers (either loved or hated by gamers) and superior graphical and auditorial capabilities.  With few attractive arcade or movie licenses available to them due to Atari's aggressive nature in this field, Mattel had to rely upon lesser known titles but did produce an innovative add-on - the Atari 2600 Adaptor.  The library of compatible games now more tripled for this system and the Intellivision would continue to sell into the 1990s.

Fun Fact: After possibly copying their controller design of the Super Vision 8000, Mattel approached Bandai to be the exclusive distributor of the Intellivision in Japan.

The 1970s ended up being one of the most influential decades in the history of video gaming hardware.  Technological breakthroughs abounded and successes (and at times failures) of companies that participated during this time helped inspire behemoths like Nintendo and Sega to develop into the gaming force they would become in the following decade.  Dancing was definitely a driving force during this time period - thank goodness the programmers fingers and not the John Travolta wannabes ended up standing the test of time.
 

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A

I glance up at the two ready-for-action commandos displayed on the title screen, hoping for some type of manly 'grunt' of acknowledgement for my efforts - I am awarded with nothing but silence.  With apprehension I take a quick look down at the crumpled code page from Electronic Gamer straddling my lap.  "Try pressing the 'Start' button after the code like we told you" the text lectured back to me. OK, point made.  I proceed as directed and again wait patiently for what seemed to be an eternity (in reality it was about three seconds) for the magic to now happen. 

Yahtzee!!  I see my freedom fighter start off on level 1 with 30 lives instead of the rather measly, standard allotment of 3!  Time to go dole out some pain and punishment to the heathens!!!

I can still vividly remember the extreme rush I felt when activating that legendary Konami cheat code while playing Contra on my Nintendo Entertainment System as described above.  This article focuses on just that - extraordinary video gaming moments you will never forget.  All gamers have experienced them, each being unique with different drivers.

As some of you may know, I am an old school gamer - literally.  I had the pleasure of growing up during the advent of the video game console and have experienced first hand each new technological breakthrough in this arena.  This doesn't make me an expert - far from it.  It just means that I am old.

The following are just a few of my more memorable gaming moments that I remember to this day as though it just happened yesterday evening.  Some describe the pure excitement derived from solving an exceptionally difficult levelboss to simply being blown away by the technology.  I chose 'adrenaline' moments for each era, listed chronologically.

1975 - Atari PONG

A standard December gathering at my Uncle Glenn's home? Not!  A steady stream from 'Aqualung' by Jethro Tull was the replacement for the more traditional, tranquil holiday offerings (much to my Grandmother Alice's dismay).  The showstopper occurred when he fired up his newly acquired Atari PONG system.  Though I was quite young, I remember being amazed by what I eventually saw on his 19" black and white television screen - PONG.  The adults pretty much monopolized the gaming that evening, but my cousin Rob and I finally got our chance just before we had to leave.  We basically stunk and it was a miracle when we could manage a total of three consecutive volleys.  Still, it was pure joy and heaven for us.

1977 - Atari 2600 : Air-Sea Battle

My friend Steve (a.k.a. P-Man) was the first to have access to the new line of cartridge based systems - the Atari 2600.  Drago (another neighborhood crony) and I were pumped about this and itching to play.  Now Steve screwed up somehow on the home front very soon after this acquisition.  He was not allowed to have any of us mates over at all for one entire month - plus the 2600 was off limits to him as well.  Talk about cruel and unusual punishment!  The day finally arrived when 'our' sentence was over and we could hunker down and experience this new technology.  We were not disappointed.  The graphics for us were astonishing and when the time counter started to blink in those last 16 seconds of the round - pure adrenaline!

1987 - Nintendo Entertainment System : Castlevania II Simon's Quest

This classic is either loved or hated by Castlevania fans.  More of an RPG (role playing game) than the standard actionadventure fair the series is known for, tackling this game is not an easy task.  One particularly frustrating section for me was being stuck in front of a death-inviting lake with no where to go.  I starting chucking holy water and just about everything else I had in my sack into that cesspool to no avail.  Trial and error button combinations were then deployed at this despised location.  By a stroke of pure luck I finally issued the 'Kneel Down' command at the left hand side of this pool - a magical walkway under the raging current miraculously appeared!  Thank the heavens for this since I was really getting sick of beating through those werewolves and goblins every time 'Day' turned into 'Night' (which seemed to happen every 4 minutes or so).

1992 - Nintendo Super Entertainment System : Super Star Wars

This game is extraordinarily difficult, to the point of being frustrating at times.  One poorly timed jump and it was instant death for my Jedi hero.  Thank goodness it contained one of the best Easter Eggs in the history of video games (in my humble opinion) - "The Cave of 99 Free Lukes".  Following the directions as outlined in my Game Informer magazine, I bravely stepped off the specified cliff and furiously cranked on the Left directional button as my Padawan plummeted downward.  At the last moment before it was 'goodbye Luke', I spotted the ledge to the secret cave entrance, barely making it to safe ground.  I would not be disappointed.  With proton blaster in hand, I unleashed the weapon's fury into the blank recesses of this grotto and 'Free Lukes' starting appearing everywhere!!  To this very day that is one of the best rushes I have ever had.

1994 - Panasonic 3DO : Shock Wave

I admit it - I was the first in line at my local Electronics Boutique to buy this system for $699 upon its launch back in 1993.  Not a good move, I know.  But when I first fired up Shock Wave, I was completely blown away!  Yes, FMV (Full Motion Video) had already been introduced in earlier systems, but the Panasonic 3DO did take it to the next level back in the day.  The intro alone was impressive, making me feel like I was the star protagonist in an actual movie.  When my star fighter absorbed its first 'neon-green proton' hit, my squad Commander promptly appeared in my HUD (Heads Up Display) and barked at me "This is not a game Lieutenant!!".  At that point I was hooked. (Side note: Does anyone else think that Commander was kind of hot?)

1994 - Panasonic 3DO : Out of this World

Though I did not want to include two 3DO games in this listing, I would be remiss if I did not include this experience in this article.  From the moment the artistic polygon animations were displayed in the intro, I was roped in.  In gaming sessions with my buddies Drago and Cola, we collectively beat through this game until we hit the wall.  Our Lester, in a prone position, was presented in a domed room and was subjected to an almost instantaneously electrocution. Almost two hours later, despite all the running, blaster fire, throwing up force fields, etc. we were still getting fried in this room of pain.  Cola's turn was up and we were prepared for more of the same, except Drago uttered two words in an almost inquisitive voice - "crawl backwards".  Yessss!!  Our Lester finally avoided the lethal charge and was gratefully free to exit from this living hell. 

1996 - Sony Playstation : King's Field

I admit to being somewhat of a fanboy of this series, but this game truly rocks.  The Playstation has been recently released in the US and King's Field was one of the first to exploit the true power of this fledgling console.  Upon firing up this FP (First Person) RPG game I was greeted with dark, ominous music that appropriately set the tone for my upcoming adventure.  After a so-so intro the screen fades from black to reveal the brooding island that I have been shipwrecked upon.  I was amazed as I maneuvered my viewpoint to check out my local surroundings.  This was one of my first experiences with FP technology (to this degree) and I have been a fan ever since.  This was truly a treat for all of my senses, right up until the point where I took my first three steps and plunged to my death in the icy cold waters of Melanat.

2001 - Sony Playstation 2 : Grand Theft Auto III

Everyone knows this game so I won't spend any time prefacing this classic.  Sure, I had run over old ladies with walkers in Road Rash and had my share fair of fun decapitating foes in Mortal Kombat, but this was nothing compared to the mayhem that awaited me in Grand Theft Auto III.  Sniping innocent civilians was a blast, but what I remember most was being astonished by the size of the gaming arena known as Liberty City - it was HUGE and mine to exploreexploit as I saw fit.  Thank goodness I enjoy this explorative aspect of video gaming since I frequently found myself completely lost in this sprawling city navigating my 'Stallion' without any real type of plan. (I do admit that my favorite part of this game is still taking off the limbs of pedestrians with my Sniper rifle.)

2006 - Microsoft Xbox 360 : The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

From the very moment I was able to control my paladin in the dark dungeon recesses at the very onset of this game, pure ecstasy is the only way I can describe it.  Though I rather prefer the surreal atmosphere of its predecessor (Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) to the 'Sound of Music' environment now presented to me, I can't help but to find myself almost being able to smell the dandelions as I make my way through the foothills of Cyrodiil.  Now this is what 'Next Gen' is all about!

The preceding blurbs depict just a few of my most prized gaming experiences and recollections.  As stated earlier, the trigger to these can be almost anything - success with a cheat code, the thrill at dispelling a nasty Boss to even your combatant's demise during an online session of Halo.  The drivers change from individual to individual.  There is one commonalty though - let these gems keep on happening!

Let's hear about your standout moments in gaming!