First Nintendo Game System: Color TV-Game 6 (1977) – Specs, Follow-Ups, Legacy

Color TV-Game 6 (カラーテレビゲーム6) — released June 1, 1977 in Japan only.

Specs

• Type: Dedicated console (one built-in game).
• Game: Light Tennis — Pong clone with 6 variations (singles/doubles, paddle size, speed).
• Display: RF output to TV (channel 1/2). Color (unlike earlier B&W "TV Game 15" prototype).
• Controllers: Two hardwired rotary dials (paddle controllers).
• Power: AC adapter (6V) or 6× C batteries.
• Price: ¥9,800 (~$40 USD 1977).
• Sales: ~1 million units — Nintendo's first commercial hit.

Follow-Ups (Same Series)

• Color TV-Game 15 (1977) — 15 variations, external paddles.
• Color TV-Game Racing 112 (1978) — Top-down racing, steering wheel.
• Color TV-Game Block Breaker (1979) — Breakout clone, designed by Shigeru Miyamoto (first credit).
• Computer TV-Game (1980) — Othello/Reversi vs AI.

Why It Matters

Funded Nintendo's R&D → Donkey Kong (1981) → Famicom (1983) → NES (1985). The TV-Game series proved Nintendo could mass-produce consumer electronics.

Today: CIB units fetch $300–$800; loose console $100–$200.