First Home Video Game Console: Magnavox Odyssey (1972)

The first commercially available home video game console is the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972.

While the "Brown Box" prototype by Ralph Baer (1968) preceded it, the Odyssey was the first to reach consumers. It used a unique technology: simple analog circuitry with plastic screen overlays for visuals, rather than generating graphics directly on-screen like later consoles.