Thus Begins the Console Wars

The Atari 2600, originally released in 1977 as the Atari Video Computer System, is one of the most influential home consoles in video game history.

Developed by Atari, the system built on earlier innovations like the Fairchild Channel F by using interchangeable cartridges, allowing players to expand their game library rather than being limited to built-in titles. That flexibility helped establish a new standard for the entire industry.

The Atari 2600 gained massive popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s thanks to a growing library of arcade-style games. Space Invaders, the first official home conversion of the arcade hit, significantly boosted console sales. Its simple joystick controller and relatively affordable price made it accessible to a wide audience.

However, the system’s success also contributed to problems. A flood of low-quality games from third-party developers led to declining consumer confidence, culminating in the video game crash of 1983. Despite that downturn, the Atari 2600 had a remarkably long lifespan, remaining in production into the early 1990s.

The Intellivision was released in 1979 by Mattel as a direct competitor to the Atari 2600, aiming to offer a more advanced and “intelligent” gaming experience.

Technically more powerful than its rival, Intellivision featured improved graphics, more detailed sound, and a wider range of gameplay possibilities. Its distinctive controllers included a numeric keypad with interchangeable overlays, allowing different control schemes for each game.

Early titles like Major League Baseball and NFL Football emphasized strategy and realism, helping the system stand out in a growing market. George Plimpton became a key figure in its success through memorable television commercials comparing Intellivision’s sports simulations to Atari’s.

The console enjoyed strong sales and built a loyal fan base, but newer competition and the video game crash of 1983 severely impacted the system. Still, Intellivision remains an important milestone that pushed home video games toward greater realism and technological ambition.

Phantasmagorical. I’m not sure if that’s a valid word, but it damn sure oughta be. The ColecoVision was the truth.

The ColecoVision was released in 1982 by Coleco and quickly became one of the most powerful and popular home consoles of its time. Designed to bring an arcade-quality experience into the home, it featured significantly improved graphics and sound compared to competitors like the Atari 2600 and even rivaled Intellivision in technical capability.

Its success was driven in large part by its bundled game, a near-perfect port of Donkey Kong, which showcased the system’s ability to replicate popular arcade hits. ColecoVision also became known for expandability, including an add-on module that allowed it to play Atari 2600 cartridges.

The console enjoyed strong sales and critical acclaim, but its lifespan was short. The video game crash of 1983 severely impacted Coleco, leading the company to shift focus away from video games.