A Brief History of Home Video Games

First Generation Terminology

(It is assumed that the reader has a basic knowledge of Computer Terminology.)

Ball-and-paddle : Type of controller used in the First Generation (See controller.) Typically these consisted of knobs or orbs that the game player would spin or twist to control elements of the game. It is of interest to note that these early controllers were what would be considered "analog" by current industry standards. (See analog, Sixth Generation Systems.)

Cartridge : A box (typically plastic) which contains video game data that can be plugged into a video game system, using either a preprogrammed ROM or jumper switches to store the video game data.

Controller : Anything that is used to interface with a video game system. During the First Generation (1972-1977) the controllers were typically ball-and-paddle systems (See ball-and-paddle.)

Home Video Game System: This term is used to designate systems that are specifically designed for video game use. In other words, when a home video game system is mentionned it can be assumed that it is not in reference to a personal computer. Although there have been many attempts to convert a video game system to a personal computer (mostly in the second generation) a video game system is still a system used primarily for games.

Switchbox : During all generations of home video games, the Switchbox has been the box that links the system to a television. It is not to be confused with any kind of main power switch (except with certain systems such as the RCA Studio II.)