Video Game Console Lineage

A brief summary of gaming console of the past, present, and near future

Ever heard of the Wonderswan? Remember when SNK made a handheld system? Oh man, remember how much hardware came out in 1995? All those good times...


Critical Bits will use this space to provide a list of all of the major console releases in video gaming's nearly 40 year history. The chronicle will stretch all of the way back to when Magnavox pioneered the industry with their Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. This is a continuous project mind you, so be sure to check back once in a while to catch up on our progress.

For the most part we've tried to stick as close as we can to the American release dates, but in the few cases where systems only came out in other countries we obviously use the appropriate release date.

Hope you enjoy!

Eighth Generation (2011+)

Current "next-gen"

Name: Wii U
Manufacturer: Nintendo
Release Date: 2012 (expected)

Name: Playstation Vita

Manufacturer: Sony
Realease Date: December 2011 (JP), February 2012 

Name: Nintendo 3DS

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: March 2011

Seventh Generation (2004-2010)

Name: Zeebo

Manufacturer: Zeebo Inc

Release Date: June 2009

Name: GP2X Wiz

Manufacturer: Gamepark Holdings

Release Date: May 2009

Name: Dingoo

Manufacturer: Dingoo Digital Technology

Release Date: February 2009

Name: HyperScan

Manufacturer: Mattel

Release Date: 2006

Name: Nintendo Wii

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2006

Name: Playstation 3

Manufacturer: Sony

Release Date: November 2006

Name: GP2X

Manufacturer: Gamepark Holdings

Release Date: November 2005

Name: Xbox 360

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Release Date: November 2005

Name: Gizmondo

Manufacturer: Tiger Telematics

Release Date: March 2005

Name: Playstation Portable

Manufacturer: Sony

Release Date: March 2005

Name: Nintendo DS

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2004

Sixth Generation (1998 - 2004)

Name: XaviXPORT

Manufacturer: SSD Company

Release Date: August 2004

Name: Tapwave Zodiac

Manufacturer: Tapwave

Release Date: May 2003

Name: Wonderswan Crystal

Manufacturer: Bandai

Release Date: July 2002

Name: Xbox

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Release Date: November 2001

Name: Gamecube

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2001

Name: Gameboy Advance

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: June 2001

Name: Wonderswan Color

Manufacturer: Bandai

Release Date: December 2000

Name: Playstation 2

Manufacturer: Sony

Release Date: October 2000

Name: Nintendo 64 DD

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: 1999

Name: Dreamcast

Manufacturer: Sega

Release Date: September 1999

Name: NeoGeo Pocket Color

Manufacturer: SNK

Release Date: August 1999

Name: Wonderswan

Manufacturer: Bandai

Release Date: March 1999

Fifth Generation (1993-1998)

Name: Game.com

Manufacturer: Tiger Electronics

Release Date: September 1997

Name: Nintendo 64

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: September 1996

Name: Pipp!n

Manufacturer: Bandai

Release Date: 1995

Name: R-Zone

Manufacturer: Tiger Electronics

Release Date: 1995

Name: Nomad

Manufacturer: Sega

Release Date: October 1995

Name: Casio Loopy

Manufacturer: Casio

Release Date: October 1995

Name: Playstation

Manufacturer: Sony

Release Date: September 1995

Name: Virtual Boy

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: August 1995

Name: Sega Saturn

Manufacturer: Sega

Release Date: May 1995

Name: PC-FX

Manufacturer: NEC

Release Date: December 1994

Name: Sega 32X

Manufacturer: Sega

Release Date: November 1994

Name: Pioneer Laseractive

Manufacturer: Pioneer

Release Date: 1993

Name: 3DO

Manufacturer: Panasonic

Release Date: November 1993

Name: Jaguar

Manufacturer: Atari

Release Date: November 1993

Fourth Generation (1989-1993)

Name: Turbo Duo

Manufacturer: NEC

Release Date: October 1992

Name: Sega CD

Manufacturer: Sega

Release Date: June 1992

Name: CD-i

Manufacturer: Philips

Release Date: 1991

Name: Super Nintendo

Manufacturer: Nintendo

Release Date: August 1991

Name: Game Gear

Manufacturer: Sega

Release Date: April 1991

Name: Barcode Battler

Manufacturer: Epoch

Release Date: March 1991

Name: Turbo Express

Manufacturer: NEC

Release Date: 1990

Name: NeoGeo

Manufacturer: SNK

Release Date: 1990

Third Generation (1980-1989)

Atari's Lynx

September 1989

NEC's Turbografx 16

August 1989

Sega's Genesis

August 1989

Nintendo's Gameboy

June 1989

Sega's Master System

June 1986

Atari's Atari 7800

January 1986

Nintendo's Nintendo Entertainment System

October 1985

(to be continued...)

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