Nintendo Game Boy
The first popular handheld gaming system
The Game Boy was Nintendo's first entry into the market of handheld video games. Released in 1989, the Game Boy was an 8 bit gaming system that was both wireless and portable. The Game Boy was incredibly popular, selling over 118 Million units over the course of its life. As a result, titles released on the system outsold all expectations. Series such as Pokémon got their start on the system, with other series such as Mario, Zelda, and Kirby making their handheld debut.
Nintendo Corporation
“Nintendo Game Boy - Game Console - Computing History.” n.d. Accessed April 23, 2021. http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/4033/Nintendo-Game-Boy/.
Computing History UK
1989
English
Online Article
Macintosh Computer
An early graphics-based personal compute
Released in 1984 by Steve Jobs and Apple, the Macintosh (or Mac) was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a graphical interface instead of rather than the command-line interface of its predecessors. The Mac's production was based off a vertical integration model, where Apple produces all aspects of the Mac's hardware and pre-installed software.
Apple Inc.
“Macintosh by Apple – Complete History of Mac Computers.” n.d. Accessed April 23, 2021. https://history-computer.com/macintosh-by-apple-complete-history-of-mac-computers/.
History COmputer
1984
English
Online Article
Vol Libre
A very early example of 3D graphics.
The first short film that uses fractals to generate 3D graphics. Created by Loren Carpenter of Boeing in 1980, the short film represented a revolution in imaging software, and Carpenter would go on to work for Lucasfilm ILM and later Pixar.
Loren Carpenter
Arbor Video. 2015. John Lewis & Loren Carpenter - Vol Libre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSC5-rWKvEY.
SIGGRAPH 1980
1980
Short FIlm
Silicon Graphics
A high-performance computer manufacturer specializing in 3D graphics software
Founded in 1984, Silicon Graphics was a high-performance computer manufacturer which led the industry in 3D graphics software and workstations. SGI's computers focused on pushing the limits on what was possible for computer graphics, with built-in 3D and RISC processors.
Silicon Graphics Inc.
“Silicon Graphics: Gone But Not Forgotten.” n.d. TechSpot. Accessed April 23, 2021. https://www.techspot.com/article/2142-silicon-graphics/.
TechSpot
1984-2009
English
Online Article
Sega Genesis
A 16-bit console developed by Sega to be the "Next Generation of Gaming"
The system which defined the fourth generation of gaming consoles, the Sega Genesis pulled the industry into the 16-bit era. Sparking the first "console war" with the SNES, the two companies fought through a series of marketing campaigns. The Genesis was known for its large library of arcade-style titles, as well as sports games developed by third parties. By far the most popular series on the console however was Sega's own Sonic the Hedgehog.
SEGA Corporation
“History of the Sega Mega Drive.” 2021. Sega Retro. April 14, 2021. https://segaretro.org/History_of_the_Sega_Mega_Drive.
SEGA Retro
1989-1994
English
Online Article
Graphics Processing Unit
GPUs allowed for faster processing of computer graphics, leading to a smoother user experience
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) first became widely available to home computer systems in the early 1980s. Among the first and most popular of these in the decade was the NEC D7220, which utilized the technology of Large Scale Integration circuit chips to create a processor that was smaller, faster, and cheaper to produce than older models. Chips like these enabled smoother and faster graphics in both home computers and gaming consoles.
“The History of the Modern Graphics Processor.” n.d. TechSpot. Accessed April 23, 2021. https://www.techspot.com/article/650-history-of-the-gpu/.
Techspot
1980-1989
English
Online Article
Nintendo Entertainment System
A home video game console
Released in 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System was the most popular of the third generation of video game consoles. The NES helped revitalize the industry of home gaming after the Video Game Crash of 1983. Nintendo marketed the system as a toy rather than a video game system, which helped gain the trust of the public, and lead to the system selling 34 million units in North America. Many icons of gaming got their start on the NES, including Super Mario Bros, the Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, and Final Fantasy.
Nintendo Co., Ltd
Cunningham, Andrew. 2013. “The NES Turns 30: How It Began, Worked, and Saved an Industry.” Ars Technica. July 15, 2013. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/time-to-feel-old-inside-the-nes-on-its-30th-birthday/.
ArsTechnica
1985-1995
English
Online Article
Golden Age of Arcade Games
Arcade Games reached the peak of their popularity in the early 1980s
Arcade Gaming was an integral part of pop culture in the early 1980s. Titles such as Pac-Man, Galaga, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and Frogger became incredibly popular in North America, causing an explosion of interest in video arcades.
“80s the Golden Age of Arcade Games.” n.d. Video Amusement Arcade San Francisco Bay Area, California. Accessed March 30, 2021. https://www.videoamusement.com/news/80s-golden-age-arcade-games/.
Video Amusement Arcades San Francisco Bay Area
English
News Blog
Atari 2600
A home gaming console popular in the early 1980's
The posterchild for the second generation of home video game consoles, the Atari 2600 helped introduce interchangeable cartridge-based consoles to American households, replacing from fixed single-game devices. Originally released in 1977, the 2600 saw great financial success in the early 1980's, releasing two design revisions by 1982. However, due to an influx of poor quality third party titles and poor licensing decisions, Atari contributed to their own downfall in the Great Video Game Crash of 1983, marking a definite end to most consoles at the time.
Atari Corporation
“Gamasutra - A History of Gaming Platforms: Atari 2600 Video Computer System/VCS.” n.d. Accessed March 23, 2021. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131956/a_history_of_gaming_platforms_.php?print=1.
gamasutra.com
1977-1984
English
Online Article
The Best Selling Computer Ever
New Uses for Personal Computers
The Commodore 64 was a revolution to the graphics side of computers. The main difference is the way the Commodore could be connected to a screen. The device used a more generic connection port, allowing anyone with a television to have a personal computer. This forced other companies to make sure that the ease of access was available to more consumers in order to increase sales. While companies like Apple, IBM, and Atari were more talked about, the C64 outsold all of them, mainly it could do most everything its competitors could do, easier. While other computers were more powerful in different situations, the overall consumer desires seemed to be more along the lines of what the C64 was doing, which made the market chance forever due to the competitiveness of the graphics market. The C64 sold between 12.5-17 Million units at $595 per unit.
“Commodore 64.” WikiMedia Commons, PrixeH, 31 May 2006.
Creative Commons
31 May 2006