The term "video game console" is used to distinguish a machine designed mainly for playing video games, in contrast to arcade machines or home computers.
This section explores the history of home video game consoles from the first ever ROM cartridge-based console to the modern modern market consoles.
At the beginning there were the electronic games... Academic computer scientists began designing simple games and simulations as part of their research or just for fun.
The first-generation era usually refers to the video games, video game consoles, and handheld video game consoles available from 1972 to 1983.
The second-generation era refers to computer and video games, video game consoles, and handheld video game consoles available from 1976 to 1992.
This is the 8-bit era, began on 1983 and ended in 2003, with the discontinuation of the Famicom.
This is the 16-bit era, began on 1987 and ended in 2004, with the discontinuation of the NEO GEO.
The fifth-generation era is also known as the 32-bit era, the 64-bit era, or the 3D era, and it refers to video game systems dating from 1993 to 2006.
The sixth-generation era is also known as the 128-bit era, and it refers to video game systems dating from 1998 to 2013.
The seventh-generation of video game systems began on 2005 and can be considered ended on 2019, with the release of the latest game for the Nintendo Wii.
The eighth-generation began on 2012, with the release of the Wii U. It is expected to transition to the ninth in 2020, as Sony and Microsoft have stated plans to release the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X by then.
The ninth-generation of video game systems is coming...
