Released September 11, 1977 at a cost of $199, the Atari Video Computer System was the first big name in home gaming. The system was later called the Atari 2600 after the release of the Atari 5200 in 1982. This was the first widely available home gaming system built on microprocessors and swappable ROM cartridges, making the system much more versitile than its contempory competitors. In many ways, this was the system that brought gaming into the home.

Despite being technically limited compared to the arcade systems and home computers of the same era, the 2600 was a commercial success. It remained among the most successful game consoles into the 1980’s, and was finally discontinued on January 1, 1992, having sold over 30 million units.