page_title: AY-3-8500
section_title: AY-3-8610
hierarchical_section_title: AY-3-8500 / AY-3-8610
caption_attribution_description: English: A picture from a AY-3-8610 removed from a Soundic Pong machine Español: Una fotografía de un AY-3-8610 sacado de una máquina de Pong marca Soundic
context_page_description: The AY-3-8500 "Ball & Paddle" integrated circuit was the first in a series of ICs from General Instrument designed for the consumer video game market. These chips were designed to output video to an RF modulator, which would then display the game on a domestic television set. The AY-3-8500 contained six selectable games — tennis, soccer, squash, practice, and two rifle shooting games. The AY-3-8500 was the 625-line PAL version and the AY-3-8500-1 was the 525-line NTSC version. It was introduced in 1976, Coleco becoming the first customer having been introduced to the IC development by Ralph H. Baer. A minimum number of external components were needed to build a complete system.
  The AY-3-8500 was the first version. It played seven Pong variations. The video was in black-and-white, although it was possible to colorize the game by using an additional chip, such as the AY-3-8515.
context_section_description: The AY-3-8610 was a major update from General Instruments. It played more games (10), like basketball or hockey, with higher-quality graphics. It was nicknamed "Superstar" by GI. It was in black and white, although it was possible to add color by using an additional AY-3-8615 chip.
  Prior to producing the 8610, GI created the AY-3-8600. The pin configuration was the same as the 8610, but it was missing the two rifle/target games, bringing the total number of games down to 8.
caption: AY-3-8610 chip from 1980
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