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Silicon Legends: Video Gaming Chips

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Have you ever wondered what is ‘under the hood’ of your favourite video gaming system? I was curious and embarked on finding out just what kind of silicon was at the heart of our favourite systems – from home computers, consoles to handhelds. Some of this silicon horsepower has even become as famous as the systems they run. We pried open a few machines and checked in their engine bay.

Chip:

SID – Sound Interface Device
Systems: CBM-II, Commodore 64 / 128 and Max
Function / Features: The legendary sound chip created by MOS Technologies for Commodore’s home computers / systems.

 

Chip:

VIC-II (Video Interface Chip – II)
VIC-II (Video Interface Chip – II)
Systems: Commodore 64 / 128
Function / Features: The VIC-II graphics chip was created by MOS Technologies for Commodore’s highest selling home computer, the C64 and its bigger brother, the C128. The VIC-II could display a whopping 16 colours!

 

Chips:

Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry
System: Atari Jaguar
Function / Features: The Jaguar’s infamous pair, Tom and Jerry (no, not the cartoon characters!) processors  are responsible for the graphics and sound respectively. Tom also controls the Object and Blitter processing smarts, whereas joystick control is Jerry’s responsibility.

 

Chip:

TIA
TIA (Television Interface Adapter)
System: Atari 2600
Function / Features: The Television Interface Adapter (TIA) is at the heart of the Atari 2600. It is responsible for creating the sights and sounds of your favourite (and not so favourite) games.

 

Chip:

Mikey and Suzy
Mikey and Suzy
System: Atari Lynx
Function / Features: Mikey is the custom central processing unit (MOS 65C02 CPU) and sound engine of the Lynx. The luscious visuals on the Lynx are all due to Suzy, the graphics processor.

 

 

Video Games Graveyard

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Survival of the fittest or just plain bad business decisions. Just as Betamax was left in the wake of the VHS behemoth,  the video games market is strewn with carcasses of systems and games that just never made it.

Jaguar

Some of history’s most spectacular gaming console flops come from two of the industry’s heavy hitters, Atari and Sega. The hardware manufacturing death knell was getting quite loud at Atari – they decided to throw in the towel and quit making games consoles after the Atari Jaguar was caught in the crossfire of the Sega versus Nintendo battle of the 1990s. The Jaguar was rushed to market and suffered the consequences. Selling fewer than 250,000 units just wasn’t going to cut it. Perhaps Atari should have done the math (get it!) before they embarked on the Jaguar.

dreamcast-console_arg

A few years after Atari ceased making hardware, it was Sega’s turn to wave the console making white flag. Once a pillar of the video games console industry, Sega’s Dreamcast was met with initial enthusiasm but Sega also abandoned making consoles after the Dreamcast was smashed by the new kid on the block, Sony’s PlayStation 2.

Atari_ET_arg

As for gaming flops, Atari’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial takes the gong. The game was rushed (it took 5 weeks to develop) to retail stores for the 1982 Christmas season but was such a disappointment, that millions of unsold game cartridges ended up in landfill in the New Mexico desert. Atari ordered more E.T. cartridges to be made than there were installed Atari VCS 2600 units! Again, Atari should have DONE THE MATH.



Top 5 Games Charts: March 1981

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Let’s rewind back to March 1981, dead smack in the middle of a thriving arcade age and a killer home console scene. These were heady times for Atari – they were dominating the arcades and the home video games market.

To find out what we were playing as youngsters, here are the top 5 games from March 1981 for the Atari 2600, Arcade and the venerable Game & Watch.

 Atari2600 1) Dragster (Activision)
2) Pele’s Soccer (Atari)
3) Video Pinball (Atari)
4) Fishing Derby (Activision)
5) Golf (Atari)

 

 galaga_arcade_machine 1) Pac-Man (Namco)
2) Missile Command (Atari)
3) Battlezone (Atari)
4) Defender (Williams Electronics)
5) Space Panic (Universal)

 

 GandW 1) Fire (Nintendo)
2) Manhole (Nintendo)
3) Helmet (Nintendo)
4) Vermin (Nintendo)
5) Flagman (Nintendo)

 

Best-Selling Portable Video Game Systems Of All Time

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GB    Lynx    Game Gear_1

In last week’s Best-Selling Video Game Consoles: 1972 to 2002 post, it was clear that Sony had taken the stranglehold in the consoles market in the mid 90’s. The portable games market is a different beast. From the early days of crude portability with the tabletops, to Gunpei Yokoi’s wondrous Game & Watch series, the pedigree of portable gaming had been set quite early. Once the Game Boy burst onto the scene (another Gunpei Yokoi creation), Nintendo knew they had a winner. Which portable systems gave the Game Boy a run for its money ? Look below, there should not be too many surprises.  [Read more…] about Best-Selling Portable Video Game Systems Of All Time

Best-Selling Video Game Consoles: 1972 to 2002

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Atari2600       NES       SMD

Do you remember those school-yard arguments you used to have with your friends about which video game console was better: Atari vs Intellivision or Sega vs Nintendo ?
Finally, you can check out the best-selling video game consoles from 1972 to 2002 figures below and put an end to those endless arguments – or will this just reopen old wounds ?  [Read more…] about Best-Selling Video Game Consoles: 1972 to 2002

Top 5 Games Charts: September 1995

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There was a shift in the mid 1990’s: the SNES and Mega Drive were still being enjoyed by millions around the world, however, the tide had started to turn towards the more powerful gaming systems.

Cast your mind back to September 1995. Try and recall what the top 5 games were on the Atari Jaguar, 3DO and the venerable Amiga. If you can’t remember, then I hope these charts jog your memory. Happy gaming !

[Read more…] about Top 5 Games Charts: September 1995

Retro Video Casino Games

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In a matter of minutes, you can go to any one of the thousands of online casino and poker sites like those recommended at Pokersites that have popped up in the last few years – but things weren’t always this simple. Once upon a time, and not too long ago, digital gambling games were extremely limited. Their graphics were rudimentary and there was no way to play for real money. Let us take you on a trip down memory lane with a look at five retro casino and poker games that reigned supreme before the internet revolution! [Read more…] about Retro Video Casino Games

December 1984: C64 Top 20 Games Chart

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Ever wondered what the top 20 games were on the Commodore 64 back in December 1984 ? What do you mean no ? Of course you do ! Some peer pressure never hurt anyone. Gaze below to the games chart, courtesy of ‘Your 64 & VIC20’ magazine, edition number 5. I bet the chart brings back memories (for us older retro gamers). [Read more…] about December 1984: C64 Top 20 Games Chart