Post by solidbatman on May 15, 2010 21:45:43 GMT -5
1983
Sega SG- 1000
The Sega SG- 1000 was released in Asian markets, Australia, and New Zealand. This marked Sega's entry into the video game market. The system was mildly popular except in Taiwan where it was a huge success. Almost identical to the Colecovision in terms of colors, it had 16 KB of RAM, making it better with graphics. Sega later released the SG- 1000 II, a sleeker version of the 1000, and the SC- 3000, a computer version of the system. The SC- 3000 outsold the SG- 1000 during it's shelf life. The SG- 1000 later evolved into the Sega Master system.
Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom
Released in Japan as the Famicom in 1983, it didn't reach the US until 1985. The Famicom was released with three games in Japan: Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye. With 2KB of RAM, it was one of the more powerful systems of the time. Nintendo required that all third party developers must get approval from Nintendo to sell their game. To enforce this, Nintendo used contracts and a special chip only made by Nintendo. If a game lacked the counterpart to the chip, the game would fail to play. This insured that the market would not become filled with low quality games and that Nintendo was guaranteed a cut of profits from third party sales.
With the Japanese market controlled by 1984, Nintendo turned it's attention to North America, where the video game market was floundering. In 1985, Nintendo launched the NES in the United States. Originally, Atari was going to sell the systems in North America but the deal fell apart and Nintendo sold the NES in the States. Two bundles were released. The cheaper of the two included Super Mario Bros., and two controllers, as well as the system. The more expensive bundle came with a NES Zapper (light gun), a robot toy called R.O.B., two controllers, and the games Duck Hunt and Gyromite. The system became wildly popular in North America and led the resurgence of the industry in North America.
Many popular series began on the NES, such as Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Metal Gear (released in Japan on the MSX), and Castlevania. RPG's became popular due to the NES as well. Some of these include, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Ultima. Besides an Atari company reeling from the crash of '83, Nintendo was virtually alone in the North American market. This would change quickly as Sega and a revived Atari decided it was their turn.
1985
Sega Master System
Sega, like Nintendo, already released a system in Japan prior to the Master System called the SG- 1000. The Master System, called the Mark III in Japan, closely resembled the SG- 1000 II. In markets outside of Japan, the Mark III got a cosmetic redesign and was renamed the Sega Master System. The Master System was better with graphics than the NES, featuring 16 KB of video RAM and it was capable of producing more colors. However, Nintendo had a policy of not allowing third party publishers to produce games for any system other than the NES, forcing Sega to produce most of it's games on it's own. This left the Master System with very few games compared to the NES making it appear weaker.
In Europe, Sega found a market. Nintendo failed to control the console industry in European markets and Sega fared very well capturing a good portion of the market. In Brazil, the Master System was extremely popular. In other markets, the Master System recieved only one upgrade to a slim version called the Master System II. In Brazil, Sega released the Master System III to upgrade the Master System II, a wireless version of the system, and a wireless pink version called the Master System Girl. In North America, the Master System was quickly replaced with the Sega Genesis. The Master System can be labeled a success, especially in Europe and Brazil, where Nintendo's grip on the market was not as strong.
1986
Atari 7800
The Atari 7800 was originally released in California in 1984 shortly after it was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. It looked as if Atari was going to be back on top, especially when they managed to sponsor the 1984 Olympics. However, just after the release, Atari was sold by Warner Communications. The new ownership stopped selling 7800's and the system sat in warehouses across America. The system was re- released in 1986 after Atari 2600's flew off the shelves during Christmas 1985.
Taking lessons from the 1983 console crash, Atari mirrored Nintendo's key chip idea to prevent unlicensed games from being released. If the counterpart wasn't found, the full extent of the 7800's graphics could not be used and the system would remain in 2600 mode. Atari was hurt like the Master System due to the lack of third party developers as Nintendo had locked many of them up with contracts.
In terms of graphics, the 7800 was more powerful than the NES but less powerful than the Master System. Featuring 4 KB of RAM and 256 colors it was capable of holding it's own against Sega and Nintendo. The 7800 sold for about $60 less than the NES and Master System.
The Atari 7800 sold well in the US and was profitable. It had the largest library of games because of it's ability to play Atari 2600 games. This would be Atari's last console it would release until it's flashback system were released in 2004. In 1992, Atari announced that production of it's currently produced systems would end. This stopped the production of the 2600 and the 7800.
Sega SG- 1000
The Sega SG- 1000 was released in Asian markets, Australia, and New Zealand. This marked Sega's entry into the video game market. The system was mildly popular except in Taiwan where it was a huge success. Almost identical to the Colecovision in terms of colors, it had 16 KB of RAM, making it better with graphics. Sega later released the SG- 1000 II, a sleeker version of the 1000, and the SC- 3000, a computer version of the system. The SC- 3000 outsold the SG- 1000 during it's shelf life. The SG- 1000 later evolved into the Sega Master system.
Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom
Released in Japan as the Famicom in 1983, it didn't reach the US until 1985. The Famicom was released with three games in Japan: Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye. With 2KB of RAM, it was one of the more powerful systems of the time. Nintendo required that all third party developers must get approval from Nintendo to sell their game. To enforce this, Nintendo used contracts and a special chip only made by Nintendo. If a game lacked the counterpart to the chip, the game would fail to play. This insured that the market would not become filled with low quality games and that Nintendo was guaranteed a cut of profits from third party sales.
With the Japanese market controlled by 1984, Nintendo turned it's attention to North America, where the video game market was floundering. In 1985, Nintendo launched the NES in the United States. Originally, Atari was going to sell the systems in North America but the deal fell apart and Nintendo sold the NES in the States. Two bundles were released. The cheaper of the two included Super Mario Bros., and two controllers, as well as the system. The more expensive bundle came with a NES Zapper (light gun), a robot toy called R.O.B., two controllers, and the games Duck Hunt and Gyromite. The system became wildly popular in North America and led the resurgence of the industry in North America.
Many popular series began on the NES, such as Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Metal Gear (released in Japan on the MSX), and Castlevania. RPG's became popular due to the NES as well. Some of these include, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Ultima. Besides an Atari company reeling from the crash of '83, Nintendo was virtually alone in the North American market. This would change quickly as Sega and a revived Atari decided it was their turn.
1985
Sega Master System
Sega, like Nintendo, already released a system in Japan prior to the Master System called the SG- 1000. The Master System, called the Mark III in Japan, closely resembled the SG- 1000 II. In markets outside of Japan, the Mark III got a cosmetic redesign and was renamed the Sega Master System. The Master System was better with graphics than the NES, featuring 16 KB of video RAM and it was capable of producing more colors. However, Nintendo had a policy of not allowing third party publishers to produce games for any system other than the NES, forcing Sega to produce most of it's games on it's own. This left the Master System with very few games compared to the NES making it appear weaker.
In Europe, Sega found a market. Nintendo failed to control the console industry in European markets and Sega fared very well capturing a good portion of the market. In Brazil, the Master System was extremely popular. In other markets, the Master System recieved only one upgrade to a slim version called the Master System II. In Brazil, Sega released the Master System III to upgrade the Master System II, a wireless version of the system, and a wireless pink version called the Master System Girl. In North America, the Master System was quickly replaced with the Sega Genesis. The Master System can be labeled a success, especially in Europe and Brazil, where Nintendo's grip on the market was not as strong.
1986
Atari 7800
The Atari 7800 was originally released in California in 1984 shortly after it was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. It looked as if Atari was going to be back on top, especially when they managed to sponsor the 1984 Olympics. However, just after the release, Atari was sold by Warner Communications. The new ownership stopped selling 7800's and the system sat in warehouses across America. The system was re- released in 1986 after Atari 2600's flew off the shelves during Christmas 1985.
Taking lessons from the 1983 console crash, Atari mirrored Nintendo's key chip idea to prevent unlicensed games from being released. If the counterpart wasn't found, the full extent of the 7800's graphics could not be used and the system would remain in 2600 mode. Atari was hurt like the Master System due to the lack of third party developers as Nintendo had locked many of them up with contracts.
In terms of graphics, the 7800 was more powerful than the NES but less powerful than the Master System. Featuring 4 KB of RAM and 256 colors it was capable of holding it's own against Sega and Nintendo. The 7800 sold for about $60 less than the NES and Master System.
The Atari 7800 sold well in the US and was profitable. It had the largest library of games because of it's ability to play Atari 2600 games. This would be Atari's last console it would release until it's flashback system were released in 2004. In 1992, Atari announced that production of it's currently produced systems would end. This stopped the production of the 2600 and the 7800.
