TSV
Video Game Console Generations - TSV
Video game console generations are historical classifications based on the technological evolution and market development of home video game consoles. From the first generation in the 1970s to the current ninth generation, each era is distinguished by representative hardware and its characteristics. Major manufacturers including Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and Sega have competed to develop gaming culture.
game console
home video game
gaming history
Famicom
PlayStation
Xbox
Switch
code slug name description keyTechnology period representativeConsoles
1 first-generation First Generation The dawn of home video game consoles. Dedicated consoles were mainstream. Transistor circuits, built-in games 1972-1977 [{"name":"Magnavox Odyssey","manufacturer":"Magnavox","year":1972},{"name":"Color TV Game","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":1977}]
2 second-generation Second Generation Cartridge-based consoles emerged. Atari 2600 became popular. Microprocessor, ROM cartridges 1976-1983 [{"name":"Atari 2600","manufacturer":"Atari","year":1977},{"name":"Game & Watch","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":1980}]
3 third-generation Third Generation (Famicom Era) Famicom emerged and Japan's gaming industry leaped forward. 8-bit CPU, scrolling capability 1983-1992 [{"name":"Famicom / NES","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":1983},{"name":"Sega Mark III / Master System","manufacturer":"Sega","year":1985},{"name":"Game Boy","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":1989}]
4 fourth-generation Fourth Generation (16-bit Era) 16-bit consoles emerged. Music and graphics evolved dramatically. 16-bit CPU, CD-ROM, Mode 7 1987-1996 [{"name":"PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16","manufacturer":"NEC Home Electronics","year":1987},{"name":"Mega Drive / Genesis","manufacturer":"Sega","year":1988},{"name":"Super Famicom / SNES","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":1990}]
5 fifth-generation Fifth Generation (3D/CD-ROM Era) 3D polygons and CD-ROM became mainstream. PlayStation debuted. 3D polygons, CD-ROM, 32/64-bit CPU 1993-2006 [{"name":"PlayStation","manufacturer":"Sony","year":1994},{"name":"Sega Saturn","manufacturer":"Sega","year":1994},{"name":"Nintendo 64","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":1996}]
6 sixth-generation Sixth Generation (DVD/Online Era) DVD playback and online features became standard. Microsoft entered with Xbox. DVD, broadband connectivity, 128-bit CPU 1998-2013 [{"name":"Dreamcast","manufacturer":"Sega","year":1998},{"name":"PlayStation 2","manufacturer":"Sony","year":2000},{"name":"Nintendo GameCube","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":2001},{"name":"Xbox","manufacturer":"Microsoft","year":2002}]
7 seventh-generation Seventh Generation (Motion Control/HD Era) HD graphics and motion controls characterized this era. Wii was a massive hit. HD graphics, motion controls, Blu-ray 2005-2017 [{"name":"Xbox 360","manufacturer":"Microsoft","year":2005},{"name":"PlayStation 3","manufacturer":"Sony","year":2006},{"name":"Wii","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":2006}]
8 eighth-generation Eighth Generation (Smart/Social Era) Smart device connectivity and SNS features became standard. PS4 and Xbox One competed. x86 architecture, SNS integration, cloud gaming 2011-present [{"name":"Nintendo 3DS","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":2011},{"name":"Wii U","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":2012},{"name":"PlayStation 4","manufacturer":"Sony","year":2013},{"name":"Xbox One","manufacturer":"Microsoft","year":2013}]
9 ninth-generation Ninth Generation (Hybrid/Next-Gen Era) Fusion of home and portable gaming, 4K/8K support are features. Hybrid design, SSD, ray tracing, 4K/8K 2017-present [{"name":"Nintendo Switch","manufacturer":"Nintendo","year":2017},{"name":"PlayStation 5","manufacturer":"Sony","year":2020},{"name":"Xbox Series X/S","manufacturer":"Microsoft","year":2020}]