History of video game consoles (third generation)

The third generation of video game consoles began on July 15, 1983. The third generation began with the release of the Nintendo Family Computer, or better known as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega SG-1000. This generation helped end the North American video crash of 1983. This resulted in a shift from the United States to Japan as the leading country for home video games. In the third generation the displays changed from single-screen (or flip-screen) graphics to scrolling graphics.

The best-selling console of this generation was the NES/Famicom. This was followed by the Sega Master System and the Atari 7800. The NES/Famicom system remained the best-selling home console until the PlayStation in 1996. Some of the consoles in the third generation used 8-bit processors. However, systems like the Mega Drive/Genesis used 16-bit processors. The NES/Famicom system was the most popular video game console in the United States. Jack Ivan Booth was the founder of the Atari 7800. Due to inflation of the USD $ this is worth a lot more now.

Home systems
Comparison
Name SG-1000 Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System Mark III/Master System Atari 7800 Manufacturer Sega Nintendo Sega AtariConsole200px200px200px200pxLaunch prices¥15,500¥14,800US$199.99CA$240¥24,200US$199.99US$140.00Release dateMediaCartridge and Cassette (SG-3000)Cartridge
Floppy disk (Japan only)Cartridge and data cardCartridgeTop-selling gamesN/ASuper Mario Bros. (pack-in), 40.23 million (as of 1999) Super Mario Bros. 3, 18 million (as of May 21, 2003)Hang-On and Safari Hunt (Pack-In)Pole Position II (pack-in) Backward compatibilityNoneNoneSega SG-1000 (Japanese system only)Atari 2600Accessories (retail)N/AFamicom Disk System
NES Advantage
NES Satellite
NES Zapper
Mattel Power Glove
NES Power Pad
NES R.O.B.
More...Light Phaser
Sega 3-D Glasses
Sega Control Stick
Sega Handle Controller
Sega Paddle Control
Sega Pro Action Replay
Sega Remote Control System
Sega Rapid-Fire Unit
Sega SG Commander
Sega Sports PadXG-1CPUNEC 780C (Zilog Z80 clone)
3.58 MHz for NTSC, 3.55 MHz for PALRicoh 2A03 (based on MOS Technology 6502)1.79 MHz (1.66 MHz PAL)NEC 780C (Zilog Z80 clone)3.57 MHz (3.54 MHz PAL)Custom, 6502C (based on
MOS Technology 6502)1.79 MHzMemory2 kB Main RAM16 kB video RAM2 KB main RAM2 KB video RAM256 bytes sprite RAM28 bytes palette RAM8 KB main RAM16 KB video RAM4 KB main RAMVideo256x192 resolution32 sprites, maximum of 4 sprites per scanline16 colors64 sprites (8 per scanline)256x240 resolution25 simultaneous colors53 color palette256x240 resolution64 sprites (8×8 or 8×16)32 simultaneous colors64 color paletteUnlimited sprites320x200 resolution25 simultaneous colors256 color paletteAudioMono audio with:
3 voices
noise/vibrato effectMono audio with:
Two square waves
One triangle wave
One noise generator
One DPCM channel
One FM synthesizer (Famicom Disk system, Japan only)Mono audio with:
Three square waves
One noise generator
9-channel, 2-operator FM synthesizer (Japan only)Mono audio with:
 Two square waves

 Sales comparison 

 Console  Units sold worldwide  Japan  Americas  Elsewhere Nintendo Entertainment System  61.91 million (as of December 2009)  19.35 million (December 2009)  34 million (December 2009)  8.56 million (December 2009) Sega Master System  11.8 million  1 million (1986)  United States: 2 million (1992)  Brazil: 5 million (2012)  Western Europe: 6.8 million (1993) (cf. here, here, and here)  Atari 7800  3.77 million (December 1990)Matthew, Matt (May 26, 2009). Atari 7800 Sales Figures (1986 - 1990), Gamasutra.  Unknown  United States: 2 million (June 1988)  Unknown

 Sales comparison 

 Console  Units sold worldwide  Japan  Americas  Elsewhere Nintendo Entertainment System  61.91 million (as of December 2009)  19.35 million (December 2009)  34 million (December 2009)  8.56 million (December 2009) Sega Master System  11.8 million  1 million (1986)  United States: 2 million (1992)  Brazil: 5 million (2012)  Western Europe: 6.8 million (1993)  Atari 7800  3.77 million (December 1990)  Unknown  United States: 2 million (June 1988)  Unknown

Handheld systems
Nintendo's Game & Watch was very popular in the third generation. It continued to do so until 1991, when it was discontinued.

 Popular games 
 Super Mario Bros.
 The Legend of Zelda
 Dragon Quest 
 Final Fantasy 
 Mega Man 2 
 Metal Gear

 References 

Category:History of video game consoles