The first home system with color graphic? [Archive]

Nicola

10-18-2005, 12:26 PM

Hi, I need an info: which was the first home system with color graphic, including pongs? (No overlays color)
Thanks!

Nicola

davepesc

10-18-2005, 12:36 PM

I imagine someone will prove me wrong, but was it the 2600? I believe the Channel F and Odyssey only displayed white balls/paddles while using color overlays on the screen.

rbudrick

10-18-2005, 12:59 PM

I think the color Pongs started showing up around '73...I know I have a few of them, but I could be wrong about the date. Pretty good question, dude.

-Rob

s1lence

10-18-2005, 01:22 PM

I believe it was the odyssey 2 that had colors first.

davepesc

10-18-2005, 01:26 PM

Nah, 2600 was released in '77. O2 was 78.

Nicola

10-18-2005, 01:27 PM

Well, Odyssey 500 had colors, and fairchild too I think, but I don't know if there was something before.
Help me!

ROBOTRON

10-18-2005, 11:48 PM

I too think it was the Atari 2600.

Leo_A

10-19-2005, 12:02 AM

Definately wasn't the 2600

s1lence

10-19-2005, 12:58 AM

1976

Fairchild Camera and Instrument of California introduces the Channel F home video game system, the first system using plug-in cartridges for games. The system features color and sound through a television connection. Price is US$149.95 for the system unit, plus US$19.95 for plug-in cartridges.
1977
Atari introduces the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), later renamed the Atari 2600. The system uses plug-in cartridges, delivers color graphics and sound through a television connection, and uses joysticks or paddles. Price is US$190.

So, I think the Channel F is the winner.

mezrabad

10-19-2005, 01:08 AM

The Fairchild VES *was* the first programmable system with color, but I think that Atari's home versions of PONG had color. I don't think it was very sophisticated but it was color. That would've been late 1975 (for the Sears model) or Early 1976. Fairchild VES didn't come out until August of 1976, so a Pong system may have beaten it to the punch.

Cauterize

10-19-2005, 03:39 AM

There was defionately a really early Colour Pong system as i have owned one...
IIRC it was made by Binatone, but i dont think that was the earliest...

Nicola

10-19-2005, 07:28 AM

thanks for the precious infos!!!

hu6800

10-19-2005, 11:12 AM

1976

Fairchild Camera and Instrument of California introduces the Channel F home video game system, the first system using plug-in cartridges for games. The system features color and sound through a television connection. Price is US$149.95 for the system unit, plus US$19.95 for plug-in cartridges.
1977
Atari introduces the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), later renamed the Atari 2600. The system uses plug-in cartridges, delivers color graphics and sound through a television connection, and uses joysticks or paddles. Price is US$190.

So, I think the Channel F is the winner.

Did'nt SEARS come out with a color system before atari?

rbudrick

10-19-2005, 11:56 AM

Did'nt SEARS come out with a color system before atari?

I believe their Telegames line predated the 2600, so I'm guessing it was Atari's technology they were using, but I have no evidence of this. Isn't there a website that details all the pong units? I'm sure it would mention the first color system. I think Ralph Bawer might have even mentioned it in his book....

-Rob

Nicola

10-19-2005, 01:30 PM

Did'nt SEARS come out with a color system before atari?

I believe their Telegames line predated the 2600, so I'm guessing it was Atari's technology they were using, but I have no evidence of this. Isn't there a website that details all the pong units? I'm sure it would mention the first color system. I think Ralph Bawer might have even mentioned it in his book....

-Rob

http://www.pong-story.com/

this site is GREAT but has no global timeline

mezrabad

10-21-2005, 08:03 PM

Sears Telegames PONG came out in 1975. Atari made it for them and they had exclusive rights to sell it for 1975. Atari sold the same unit with their own branding in 1976. I believe bothe systems had a coloring scheme to the objects on screen but it was more like a spectrum of color that acted as a background behind the black and was revealed whenever the paddles ball or score was drawn over it. Does that make any sense?

Nicola

10-22-2005, 09:30 AM

Sears Telegames PONG came out in 1975. Atari made it for them and they had exclusive rights to sell it for 1975. Atari sold the same unit with their own branding in 1976. I believe bothe systems had a coloring scheme to the objects on screen but it was more like a spectrum of color that acted as a background behind the black and was revealed whenever the paddles ball or score was drawn over it. Does that make any sense?

Thanks!