Dedicated console
Encyclopedia
A dedicated console is a video game console
that is dedicated to a built in game or games, and is not equipped for additional games, via cartridges or other media.
and its many imitators. Unlike almost all later consoles, these systems were typically not computer
s (in which a CPU is running a piece of software), but contained a hardwired game logic.
By the end of the 1970s cartridge based systems had risen to prominence, and continued their lead until CD-based systems gained prominence in the mid to late 1990s.
cabinets such as pinball machines, arcade-style video games (whether coin-operated or individually owned) are usually dedicated to a single game or a small selection of built-in games and do not allow for external input in the form of ROM cartridge
s. Although modern arcade games such as Dance Dance Revolution X
and Half-Life 2: Survivor
do allow external input in the form of memory cards or USB sticks, this functionality usually only allows for saving progress or for providing modified level-data, and does not allow the dedicated machine to access new games. The game or games in a dedicated arcade console are usually housed in a stand-up cabinet that holds a video screen, a control deck or attachments for more complex control devices, and a computer or console hidden within that runs the games.
and Electronic Football, dedicated handheld video games are considered the precursors of modern handheld game console
s. Devoted to one game or a collection or built-in games, dedicated handhelds tend to employ simple VFD
or LCD
screens although older models often utilized even more primitive arrays of small light bulbs or LED
lights to produce calculator-like alphanumerical screens. Dedicated handheld systems typically comprise a screen, a number of control buttons, and a compact body that houses the game engine.
. Other dedicated consoles have been released with light gun
s, for hunting, shooting, and even archery games.
), while others contain licensed games and are distributed in mainstream stores in the West. Of the latter, Jakks Pacific
's line of TV Games is among the most famous, which includes re-releases of many vintage games, from arcade classics to Atari 2600 games, as well as games based on currently-popular characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants
. Konami
has also released a line of their classic arcade games, including Frogger
, on "plug and play" dedicated systems.
The Pelican VG Pocket
was an attempt to make a TV game with a backlit color LCD. Dedicated consoles and handheld electronic games with LCD screens that only have one game are rather distinct devices, but the release of the Pelican VG Pocket has blurred the categorization between the two.
is often thought not to be as high as it ought to be.
In 2002, the Brazilian Sega distributor Tec Toy, rereleased the Sega Master System
with numerous games built in. These are not strictly-speaking, dedicated consoles, however, as they also support cartridge-based games. As of 2006, however, no new cartridges are available for sale. Tec Toy also released a portable Sega Genesis, with LCD screen and several games built in, but it has no cartridge port.
In 2004, a miniaturized version of the Atari 7800
home consoles was released with 20 built-in games and no cartridge support. The dedicated console is actually based on a clone of the NES
hardware, but running Atari software. A newer version, Atari Flashback 2, is based on actual Atari hardware, and includes some new built-in games developed by modern hobbyist Atari 2600
programmers, as well as old favorite games. It is reported that, while the new console has no cartridge slot, it is designed such that a knowledgeable person can add one.
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
that is dedicated to a built in game or games, and is not equipped for additional games, via cartridges or other media.
History
Most of the earliest home video game systems were dedicated consoles, most popularly PongPong
Pong is one of the earliest arcade video games, and is a tennis sports game featuring simple two-dimensional graphics. While other arcade video games such as Computer Space came before it, Pong was one of the first video games to reach mainstream popularity...
and its many imitators. Unlike almost all later consoles, these systems were typically not computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
s (in which a CPU is running a piece of software), but contained a hardwired game logic.
By the end of the 1970s cartridge based systems had risen to prominence, and continued their lead until CD-based systems gained prominence in the mid to late 1990s.
Arcade games
Developing from earlier non-video electronic gameElectronic game
An electronic game is a game that employs electronics to create an interactive system with which a player can play. The most common form of electronic game today is the video game, and for this reason the terms are often mistakenly used synonymously. Other common forms of electronic game include...
cabinets such as pinball machines, arcade-style video games (whether coin-operated or individually owned) are usually dedicated to a single game or a small selection of built-in games and do not allow for external input in the form of ROM cartridge
ROM cartridge
A ROM cartridge, sometimes referred to as a cart, is a removable enclosure containing read-only memory devices designed to be connected to a computer or games console....
s. Although modern arcade games such as Dance Dance Revolution X
Dance Dance Revolution X
Dance Dance Revolution X, abbreviated DDR X or simply X, is a music video game, and a part of the Dance Dance Revolution series. DDR X was originally announced by Konami on May 15, 2008 for the North American PlayStation 2. The arcade version was announced on July 7, 2008, July 9, 2008 in Europe,...
and Half-Life 2: Survivor
Half-Life 2: Survivor
Half-Life 2: Survivor is an arcade game based on the science fiction first-person shooter video game, Half-Life 2. It was released on June 28, 2006 on Taito's Type X+ arcade system, with a 32" widescreen high definition LCD running at 1360x768 resolution...
do allow external input in the form of memory cards or USB sticks, this functionality usually only allows for saving progress or for providing modified level-data, and does not allow the dedicated machine to access new games. The game or games in a dedicated arcade console are usually housed in a stand-up cabinet that holds a video screen, a control deck or attachments for more complex control devices, and a computer or console hidden within that runs the games.
Handheld games
First released in the 1970s, and characterized by games such as Mattel Electronics' Auto RaceMattel Auto Race
Mattel Auto Race was the first in the line of many Mattel Electronics games, and is credited with being the first handheld game that was entirely digital, even predating the Milton Bradley Microvision, having no moving mechanisms except the controls and on/off switch...
and Electronic Football, dedicated handheld video games are considered the precursors of modern handheld game console
Handheld game console
A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable electronic device with a built-in screen, game controls and speakers. Handheld game consoles are run on machines of small size allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place...
s. Devoted to one game or a collection or built-in games, dedicated handhelds tend to employ simple VFD
Vacuum fluorescent display
A vacuum fluorescent display is a display device used commonly on consumer-electronics equipment such as video cassette recorders, car radios, and microwave ovens. Invented in Japan in 1967, the displays became common on calculators and other consumer electronics devices...
or LCD
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
screens although older models often utilized even more primitive arrays of small light bulbs or LED
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
lights to produce calculator-like alphanumerical screens. Dedicated handheld systems typically comprise a screen, a number of control buttons, and a compact body that houses the game engine.
Hunting and fishing games
Dedicated consoles have appeared for fishing games, where the unit's body itself becomes a specialized controller in the form of a rod and reelFishing rod
A fishing rod or a fishing pole is a tool used to catch fish, usually in conjunction with the pastime of angling, and can also be used in competition casting. . A length of fishing line is attached to a long, flexible rod or pole: one end terminates in a hook for catching the fish...
. Other dedicated consoles have been released with light gun
Light gun
A light gun is a pointing device for computers and a control device for arcade and video games.Modern screen-based light guns work by building a sensor into the gun itself, and the on-screen target emit light rather than the gun...
s, for hunting, shooting, and even archery games.
Game watches
Rising to popularity in the early 1980s, game watches are electronic wristwatches that allow the wearer to access an included video game that uses the display in the watch's face as its screen. Game watch buttons which originally may have been used for setting hour and minute gain secondary functions in relation to the needs of the game.Plug and play games
Most modern dedicated home game systems are popularly referred to as "plug and play," because they are based on modern technology which enables the hardware and software of the entire game to be within a single controller, with no separate console at all. Some of these are clones of old games, and are produced in China or Southeast Asia (i.e. Power Player Super Joy IIIPower Player Super Joy III
The Power Player Super Joy III consoles are a line of unauthorized handheld Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom clones manufactured by NRTRADE that are sold in North America, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The system resembles a Nintendo 64 controller and attaches to a TV set...
), while others contain licensed games and are distributed in mainstream stores in the West. Of the latter, Jakks Pacific
Jakks Pacific
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a range of products that feature numerous children's toy licenses...
's line of TV Games is among the most famous, which includes re-releases of many vintage games, from arcade classics to Atari 2600 games, as well as games based on currently-popular characters, such as SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
. Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
has also released a line of their classic arcade games, including Frogger
Frogger
Frogger is an arcade game introduced in 1981. It was developed by Konami, and licensed for worldwide distribution by Sega/Gremlin. The object of the game is to direct frogs to their homes one by one. To do this, each frog must avoid cars while crossing a busy road and navigate a river full of...
, on "plug and play" dedicated systems.
The Pelican VG Pocket
Pelican VG Pocket
The Pelican VG Pocket is a handheld dedicated console, built by Jungletac and sold by Performance Designed Products LLC under their Pelican Accessories brand. It was the first console of its type to have a 2" backlit color LCD screen....
was an attempt to make a TV game with a backlit color LCD. Dedicated consoles and handheld electronic games with LCD screens that only have one game are rather distinct devices, but the release of the Pelican VG Pocket has blurred the categorization between the two.
Popularity
Dedicated consoles tend to have appeal over traditional game systems, especially as they often have several games on one system for less than the cost of a single game for a popular console system; thus making some dedicated systems a more economical choice. These games suffer in reputation, however, as quality controlQuality control
Quality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
is often thought not to be as high as it ought to be.
Modern retrogaming revival
Beginning with the 2001 release by Toymax (and later Jakk's Pacific) of the Activision TV Games, there has been a revival of interest in dedicated consoles by nostalgia-driven retrogamers. The subsequent 2002 release of the Atari 10-in-1 system prompted speculation of an Atari revival.In 2002, the Brazilian Sega distributor Tec Toy, rereleased the Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
with numerous games built in. These are not strictly-speaking, dedicated consoles, however, as they also support cartridge-based games. As of 2006, however, no new cartridges are available for sale. Tec Toy also released a portable Sega Genesis, with LCD screen and several games built in, but it has no cartridge port.
In 2004, a miniaturized version of the Atari 7800
Atari 7800
The Atari 7800 ProSystem, or simply the Atari 7800, is a video game console re-released by Atari Corporation in January 1986. The original release had occurred two years earlier under Atari Inc. The 7800 had originally been designed to replace Atari Inc.'s Atari 5200 in 1984, but was temporarily...
home consoles was released with 20 built-in games and no cartridge support. The dedicated console is actually based on a clone of the NES
Nes
-Localities:In Norway:* Nes, Akershus, a municipality in the county of Akershus in Norway* Nes, Buskerud, a municipality in the county of Buskerud in Norway* Nes, Hedmark, a former municipality in the county of Hedmark in Norway...
hardware, but running Atari software. A newer version, Atari Flashback 2, is based on actual Atari hardware, and includes some new built-in games developed by modern hobbyist Atari 2600
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
programmers, as well as old favorite games. It is reported that, while the new console has no cartridge slot, it is designed such that a knowledgeable person can add one.