What Is the Oldest Video Game Console? (Magnavox Odyssey, 1972)

Depends on definition. Three key milestones:

1. First Commercial Home Console

Magnavox Odyssey (1972) — Designed by Ralph Baer. Cartridge-based (circuit jumpers), no CPU, analog circuitry, plastic screen overlays for color. 28 games (12 included). ~350,000 sold.

2. First Prototype (Pre-Commercial)

"Brown Box" (1968–1970) — Baer's lab prototype. Ping-pong, volleyball, light-gun. Demonstrated to Magnavox → Odyssey. Displayed at Smithsonian.

3. First Computer Game (Not a Console)

"Spacewar!" (1962) — PDP-1 mainframe (MIT). Two ships, gravity star. Not a consumer device.

"The Game" (1972) — PDP-11 program by Greg Thompson. Early networked multiplayer. Still a mainframe program.

Why Odyssey Wins

• Dedicated consumer hardware.
• Interchangeable games (cartridges).
• TV output (RF).
• Commercial distribution.

Atari Pong (1975) came later. Odyssey = Generation Zero.