By the mid-1970's cartridges had returned with the move to CPU based consoles. With games now consisting of microprocessor based code, these games were burned onto ROM chips that were mounted inside plastic cartridge casings that could be plugged into slots on the console. When the cartridges were plugged in, the general-purpose microprocessors in the consoles read the cartridge memory and ran whatever program was stored there. Rather than being confined to a small selection of games included in the box, consumers could now amass libraries of game cartridges.
The next major entry was Intellivision, introduced by Mattel in 1980. Though chronologically coming long before the "16-bit era", the Intellivision had a unique processor with instructions that were 10 bits wide (allowing more instruction variety and potential speed), and registers 16 bits wide. The system rocketed to popularity alongside the 2600.
Though not the first system to challenge Atari, it was the first to pose a serious threat to Atari's dominance. A series of Intellivision TV ads featuring George Plimpton mercilessly attacked the Atari VCS's lesser capabilities with side-by-side game comparisons. Nevertheless, Atari held exclusive rights to most of the popular arcade game conversions.
During the early 80’s the was a crash in the US video games industry, companies went bankrupt that produce home computers and video games consoles, due high prices on computers and video games console. This lasted for about 2 years, then the famouse NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and restored the industry with its success with release in 1985 and then carried on gaining popularity into 1987.
Then during the mid 80’s the introduction of the Sega Master System, Atari 7800 and Nintendo Entertainment System became another turning point for the industry. This was come known as the console wars. With quality games such as Pac Man, Donkey Kong and Alex The Kid etc. These companies would then battle it out to become the game console.
There was one particular game I didn’t mention Tetris. One of the best games ever made. With its game being released on the Nintendo Gameboy, Sega Genesis, Turbografx – 16 and Atari handheld Lynx. It became the most successful game on those consoles and also generating a lot of revenue.
Then came the legendary Sega Mega Drive (my favourite console of course), with its 16 bit capabilities and exclusive games such (I could go for days) Golden axe 1,2 and 3, Streets Of Rage 1.2 and 3 and Shinobi (to name a few), became one of the most popular consoles along with NES. As usual Nintendo saw this a threat and released SNES, which also had some amazing exclusives such as Final Fantasy, Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda and Killer Instinct. The reasons being that game where not just pick up and play. There were skills that you would have to learn, choices needing to be made and allowing the consumer to get emotionally involved.
Coming towards the mid 90’s, and new company decided stick there noses where didn’t belong. This company is called Sony, with release of the mighty Playstation, with its new CD – ROM with excellent audio. It came as a surprise to people that games could be now played in 3d or virtual environment. This console basically made me into the hardcore gamer that I am now, with games such as Final Fantasy, Tekken, Resident Evil and you know all the rest, just sold the brilliance that was the Playstation. This then basically put Sega out of console frame.
Into the late 90’s though Nintendo were resilient from their loss and released the 64-bit N64. I mean this console was the daddy as well. With games such as Killer Instinct Gold, Zelda Ocarina Of Time, Mario 64 and last but not least the legendary Golden Eye. With Sega out of the picture a mini war began between Sony and Nintendo. Although Sega did release the Sega Saturn, which was poor, and the Sega Dreamcast, which I thought, was an amazing console (but was ahead of it time) didn’t seem to enter the frame of the Nintendo and Playstation. (God Bless you Sega!!!!!)
If you compare the computer games that were made 20 years ago to the ones made during the 80’s and 90’s, evolution was in affect. It was good that games got better and better in that space of time, as it left people wanting more and they were getting there entertainment fast. While people were writing off the games industry, it was then that people started to fully respect it, for it creative and new approach to the development of games.
Playing games during the mid 90’s was amazing, because the simple fact was that I wasn’t the only who had this amazement. Though no one else in my family like computer game apart form brother (briefly) I always had my friends. Having friends that had the same interests or should I say console, It strengthened not only my love for games but my curiosity into how they were, being only 10 or 11 at the time, I was always amazed why games were so good.
Playing game such Fifa and ISS etc with my friends but the games such as Resident Evil (naughty, naughty) and Final Fantasy, games that took you to your limits in term moral and intelligent choices. This is what interested me, to learn whilst I was playing games. Then came the renowned button bashing fighting game such as (iv never ever button bashed playing a fighting game, I just don’t know how?), Tekken, Soul Blade, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct etc, games from the fighting genre became more of skill then your usual button bashing, being able to combine a flurry of attacks known as combos, this refined the genre as one of the most difficult to master.
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