Top 10 Video Game Firsts
04. First 8-bit Game Console
Most gamers know that the first 8-bit video game console was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) right? Hold on a second... Wrong. Yes, the NES was the first 8-bit home video game console to dominate the market, but it was not really the first 8-bit game system, because it shares that distinction with Sega's SG-100 gaming console -- you see both were released on 15 July 1983 in Japan.
Now granted the SG-100 was ONLY released in Japan, whereas the NES ended up seeing staggered releases in first Japan, then North America, then South America, followed by Europe, and then finally four years after its original JP release date, it was released world-wide (that is to say wherever in the world that games were sold).
Why is that important? Well, the 8-bit consoles represent the third-generation of game consoles, and their expanded depth and color palates, combines with the massive boost in the amount of RAM/ROM that they had available when the system was combined with the cartridges that they used meant that games could finally grow to epic proportions - or at least as epic as 8-bit could get.Bear in mind that in addition to the very well known and loved titles like Super Mario Brothers, Metroid, and Mega Man, the 8-bit era also saw the introduction of the first Final Fantasy game (a game that ended up spawning a massive series of both single-player RPG and MMORPGs), and let us not forget that that generation also brought us the first game in the Metal Gear series.
It was a major and notable first... But once the technology hit this hi-tech level with each new generation the bit-depth doubled at a rate that, while slower than Moore's Law dictated it should be, nonetheless provides an ever-increasing measure of game play depth, quality, and eyeball candy. And we have the NES to thank!
Whats the first 3D Shooter? Find out on the next page...
I was thrown off by the "First 3D shooter question, as it isn't necessarily accurate.
For one thing, it associates 3D to equate to FPS, which is incorrect. Considering the number of vector-based or even sprite-based flight games that started in the 80s, many of these had a step up on Wolfenstein as far as 3D engines go. I mean, Red Baron's vector graphics presented a much more real 3D "shooter" than Wolfenstein.
Secondly, if you ARE simply talking FPSes, while Wolfenstein 3D is the first widely honored game, the same engine was used for the older Catacombs 3D, featuring largely identical mechanics, minus the commercial success and recognize-ability.
Given your attention to detail in so much else on this article, this seems a rather strange area to veer away from the otherwise well-researched path.
turns out you can do good and still turn out evil. Just saying.
that descibes ea and activision