The video game industry has been hugely defined by the consoles released. There are a few notable milestones throughout the gaming timeline that have taken the industry in a new direction. When looking back on the development of the classic console through all of its generations, these are certainly standout models.
These platforms helped to define companies, gameplay controls, and graphics. Consoles like the NES and Wii defined the look and feel of a game. As technology has become more advanced, gaming consoles demonstrate an evolution in the industry, ensuring that gamers have the best possible experience.
10 Magnavox Odyssey (1973)
There had to be a first and the Magnavox Odyssey paved the way for all future console releases. The device was a massive deal, as it brought video gaming into the home for the first time. While it ironically came packaged with a board game, it would still be a huge step forward.
The console was developed by Sanders Associates and Magnavox. It featured two classic and simplistic controllers and boasted a version of tennis that wasn't too dissimilar to Pong. The Magnavox Odyssey might not have aged overly well thanks to its limited graphics and controls, but it's hard to deny the long-term impact and importance.
9 Atari 2600 (1977)
Atari was groundbreaking in so many ways, but the 2600 iteration brought the concept of games stored on ROM cartridges to the mass market. They didn't innovate the idea, but they ensured that it became a mainstay of the industry, with audiences getting used to playing multiple titles on a single console.
Developed by Atari themselves and previously titled the Atari VCS, the console's premise was to be able to take classic arcade hits into the home. Although more advanced systems would follow, this initial success sparked the launch of games like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Mario Bros., Space Invaders, and Pac-Man on the platform.
8 Nintendo Entertainment System (1983)
Nintendo has really mastered the console market which will become ever more apparent. But the Nintendo Entertainment System or NES was the console that launched the company into the stratosphere, changing the landscape. Initially known as the Famicom, it was a vital installment in the third generation of console design.
The 8-bit NES was one of the biggest-selling consoles of the era, and combined arcade classics with original innovations. Countless significant franchises left their mark on the platform including Donkey Kong, Zelda, and Mario. The NES continued to evolve the controller too, even including optional accessory add-ons.
7 PC (1977)
It's fair to say that home computers first properly entered the market in 1977. However, it would take quite a few years for the video game industry to catch up to the potential of the PC. There isn't a single event that catapulted it forward as a console, but it's hard to ignore the impact of PC in the video game wars.
Without the PC's development, the likes of the SteamDeck would certainly have never been created. PC is still associated with one of the most advanced methods of gaming thanks to its elite graphics and incredible processing speeds. Whether it was playing Paperboy on an Amstrad, or Fortnite on a Dell today, video gaming and PC development are vitally interlinked.
6 PlayStation (1994)
Sony's launch of PlayStation demonstrated that a few new heavy hitters were looking to enter the video game market. With a disc-driven model, powered by very capable hardware and accompanied by a groundbreakingly designed controller, the PlayStation really had it all.
The sales of the original PlayStation demonstrated that Sony was truly on to a winner. Interestingly, the console only came into development after the company failed to work with Nintendo on a new disc-based iteration of the SNES. Gran Turismo, Tekken, Metal Gear Solid, and Crash Bandicoot were just a few of the notable titles to be featured.
5 Xbox (2001)
Launching in the sixth generation of console design, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox. Attempting to dominate the industry with its longer narratives, enhanced controllers, better graphics, and processing capabilities, the disc-driven Xbox was a smash hit.
Although later Xbox releases including the 360, would truly master the console's potential, it's hard to move away from the importance of this first installment. It was a bold move that paid off, with Xbox still packing a punch today, after featuring titles like Steel Battalion, Forza, and Halo.
4 Nintendo DS (2004)
Nintendo has never stopped being an innovator. It should have come as no surprise that the video game juggernauts were on to something when they launched the Nintendo DS. A massively well-designed handheld console, that utilized cartridges; the touch screen and double monitor layout were just some of the unique elements.
The Nintendo DS sold phenomenally well and indicated that Nintendo wasn't running out of ideas. The unique gameplay system reinvented handhold devices and helped to advance franchises such as Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon thanks to the opportunities the technology provided. It would be reinvented time and again from the 2DS to the Lite and the 3DS.
3 Nintendo Wii (2006)
With lessons learned from the launch of the Nintendo DS, the video game company looked for a home console that would produce shared experiences. Enter the Nintendo Wii, which used censor technology and a remote and Nunchuk combo to depart drastically from other console models.
The interactivity associated with the Wii was off the charts, with additional accessories opening the doors for all kinds of gameplay experiences. A balance board for Wii Fit, a steering wheel for Mario Kart, and a tennis racket for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games are just a few examples of fantastic ways the Wii could change. It was the ultimate party console and a truly impressive step for Nintendo.
2 Nintendo Switch (2017)
The Nintendo Switch has become the console to beat in the modern era. It might have taken Nintendo's graphics and storytelling capabilities to another level, but it also learned how to combine the technologies of previous consoles to create a wonderfully unique product.
The Nintendo Switch boasts the touchscreen of the DS and the censor technology of the Wii. But its ability to shift between a home console and a handheld device is absolutely astounding. With an immaculate array of titles including Breath of the Wild, Metroid Dread, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the Switch has become the platform everyone wants to have. It pushed the industry forward not by centimeters but by kilometers.
1 PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X (2020)
With the modern generation of consoles currently making history, the impact of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X cannot be left out. Both consoles have demonstrated what the new era is all about, with the best graphics, sound design, load speed, and narrative potential yet.
While the array of titles available is limitless, the work that has gone into reinventing both the Xbox and PlayStation controllers showcases the advancements taking place in the industry. Right now, these are the most advanced home consoles and will take some beating before video games take another leap forward. The popularity and sales of both indicate that the community is currently enamored with the gameplay options including the new virtual reality tie-ins.