Tech specs chronology

From thecrankyhermit

1971

  • Business: Coin-Op
  • Input: Joysticks
  • Multiplayer
  • Sound
  • Video: Raster

1972

  • Media: Cartridges
  • Multiplayer: Hot seat

1973

  • Multiplayer: Team

1975

  • Multiplayer:
    • Co-Op
    • 8 Players
  • Singleplayer
  • Sound: Stereo
  • Video: Color

1976

  • Feature: Portrait mode

1977

  • Business: Retail
  • Input: Keyboard
  • Media: Cassette Tape
  • Platforms:
    • Apple II (MOS 6502)
    • Commodore PET (MOS 6502)
    • Atari 2600 (MOS 6507)

1978

  • Media: 5.25" Floppy Disk
  • Platforms:
    • Odyssey 2 (Intel 8048)
    • TRS-80 (Z80)
  • RAM: 48KB
  • Video: Apple II Hi-Res

1979

  • Platforms:
    • Apple II+ (MOS 6502)
    • Atari 8-bit (MOS 6502)
    • Intellivision (General Instrument CP1600)
  • Video: 80-column text

1980

  • Platform: TRS-80 CoCo (Motorola 6809)

1981

  • Business: Freeware
  • Input: Mouse
  • Platforms:
    • BBC Micro (MOS 6502)
    • IBM PC (Intel 8088)
    • VIC-20 (MOS 6502)
    • ZX81 (Z80)
  • RAM: 64KB
  • Software: MS-DOS 1.0
  • Sound: PC Speaker
  • Video: CGA

1982

  • Business: Shareware
  • Media: Download
  • Platforms:
    • Colecovision (Z80)
    • Commodore 64 (MOS 6510)
    • Dragon (Motorola 6809)
    • FM-7 (Motorola 6809)
    • PC-88 (Z80)
    • ZX Spectrum (Z80)
  • RAM: 128KB

1983

  • Feature: Password save
  • Media: 3.5" Floppy Disk
  • Platforms:
    • Acorn Electron (MOS 6502)
    • IBM PCJr (Intel 8088, 16-color display)
    • IBM PC XT (Intel 8088, internal hard drive)
    • MSX (Z80)
    • NES (MOS 6502)
    • PC-98 (Intel 8086)
    • Sharp X1 (Z80)
  • Software: MS-DOS 2.0
  • Sound: PCjr Polyphony
  • Video:
    • Hercules
    • PCJr 16-color

1984

  • Feature: Hard drive installable
  • Platforms:
    • Amstrad CPC (Z80)
    • Commodore 16 (MOS 7501)
    • IBM PC AT (Intel 286)
    • Macintosh (68K)
  • RAM: 256 KB
  • Software: MS-DOS 3.0
  • Video: EGA

1985

  • Feature: JAMMA
  • Multiplayer: 2 players by modem
  • Platforms:
    • Amiga 1000 (68K, OCS)
    • Atari ST (68K)
    • MSX 2 (Z80)
    • Sega Master System (Z80)
  • RAM: 512KB

1986

  • Feature: Battery backup save
  • Multiplayer: Null-modem cable
  • Platforms: Apple IIgs (WDC 65816)
  • Software: Kickstart 1.2
  • Sound: Covox

1987

  • Media: 3.5" HD Floppy Disk
  • Multiplayer: Play-by-E-mail
  • Platforms:
    • Acorn Archimedes (ARM2)
    • IBM PS/2 (Intel 386DX)
    • Sharp X68000 (68K)
    • TurboGrafx-16 (WDC 65C02)
  • Software: MS-DOS 3.3
  • Sound:
    • AdLib
    • Roland MT-32
  • Video:
    • MCGA
    • VGA

1988

  • Media: CD-ROM
  • Multiplayer: IPX
  • Platforms:
    • Genesis (68K)
    • TurboGrafx CD (WDC 65C02)
  • RAM: 1MB
  • Software: MS-DOS 4.0

1989

  • CPU: Intel 486DX
  • Multiplayer: LAN
  • Platforms:
    • FM Towns (Intel 386SX)
    • Game Boy (Z80)
  • Sound: Sound Blaster

1990

  • Platforms:
    • Amiga 3000 (68030, ECS)
    • Game Gear (Z80)
    • SNES (WDC 65816)
  • Software: Windows 3.0
  • Sound:
    • AdLib Gold 1000
    • Dolby Pro Logic
    • Thunderboard

1991

  • Multiplayer: TCP/IP
  • Platforms:
    • CD-i (68K)
    • Macintosh Quadra (68040)
    • Neo-Geo (68K + Z80)
    • Sega CD (68K)
  • RAM: 2MB
  • Software:
    • Linux
    • MS-DOS 5.0
    • System 7.1
    • Windows 3.1
  • Sound:
    • General MIDI
    • Pro Audio Spectrum
    • Roland Sound Canvas
    • Sound Blaster 16
    • Sound Blaster Pro
  • Video: Super VGA/XGA

1992

  • CPU: Intel 486DX2
  • Platform: Amiga 4000 (68040, AGA)
  • Sound:
    • Gravis Ultrasound
    • Windows Sound System

1993

  • CPU: Intel P5
  • Platforms:
    • 3DO (ARM60)
    • Amiga CD-32 (68020, AGA)
  • RAM: 4MB
  • Sound:
    • Ensoniq Soundscape
    • Sound Blaster AWE32

1994

  • Platforms:
    • PlayStation (MIPS R3000)
    • PowerMac (PowerPC 601)
    • Sega Saturn (2x Hitachi SH-2)
  • Software: Browser

1995

  • Feature: Widescreen
  • RAM: 8MB
  • Software: Windows 95
  • Video:
    • 1MB VRAM
    • Direct3D
    • DirectDraw
    • Glide
    • OpenGL

1996

  • CPU: Intel P5MMX
  • Platform: Nintendo 64 (MIPS R4200)
  • RAM: 16MB
  • Software: Flash
  • Sound: DirectSound 3D
  • Video: DirectX 3

1997

  • CPU: Intel P6
  • Media: DVD-ROM
  • Platform: PowerMac G3 (PowerPC G3)
  • RAM: 32MB
  • Sound: Dolby Digital
  • Video:
    • 2MB VRAM
    • DirectX 5

1998

  • Platforms:
    • Dreamcast (Hitachi SH-4)
    • Game Boy Color (Z80)
  • Software: Windows 98
  • Sound: EAX
  • Video:
    • 4MB VRAM
    • DirectX 6

1999

  • CPU: Intel P6SSE
  • Platform: PowerMac G4 (PowerPC G4)
  • RAM: 64MB
  • Software:
    • Mac OS 8.6
    • Symbian
    • Windows 98SE
    • Windows Mobile
  • Video:
    • 8MB VRAM
    • DirectX 7
    • Hardware TnL

2000

  • Platform: PlayStation 2 (Emotion Engine)
  • Software:
    • J2ME
    • Windows 2000
  • Video:
    • 16MB VRAM
    • DirectX 8

2001

  • CPU: Intel NetBurst
  • Platforms:
    • Gameboy Advance (ARM7)
    • Gamecube (PowerPC 750CXe)
    • Xbox (Intel P6)
  • RAM: 128MB
  • Software: Windows XP
  • Sound:
    • DTS
    • EAX Advanced HD
  • Video: DirectX 8.1

2002

  • Video:
    • 32MB VRAM
    • DirectX 9

2003

  • Software:
    • BREW
    • Steam
  • RAM: 256MB
  • Video:
    • 64MB VRAM
    • DirectX 9.0b
    • Pixel Shader 2.0

2004

  • Platforms:
    • Nintendo DS (ARM9)
    • PSP (MIPS R4000)
  • RAM: 512MB
  • Software: Windows XP SP2
  • Video:
    • DirectX 9.0c
    • Pixel Shader 3.0

2005

  • Platform: XBox 360 (PowerPC Xenon)
  • Software: OSX 10.4 Tiger
  • Sound: OpenAL
  • Video: 128MB VRAM

2006

  • CPU: Intel Core 2
  • Media: Blu-Ray
  • Platforms:
    • PlayStation 3 (Cell)
    • Wii (PowerPC 750CL)
  • RAM: 1GB
  • Software: Windows Vista

2007

  • Software:
    • BlackBerry
    • iOS 1.0
    • OSX 10.5 Leopard
  • Video: 256MB VRAM

2008

  • Software:
    • Android 1.0
    • WiiWare

2009

  • Software:
    • iOS 3.0
    • OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard

2010

  • RAM: 2GB
  • Software:
    • Android 2.3 Gingerbread
    • iOS 3.2
    • Windows Phone
  • Video: 512MB VRAM

2011

  • Platforms:
    • Nintendo 3DS (ARM11)
    • PS Vita (ARM Cortex-A9)
  • Software:
    • Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
    • iOS 5.0

2012

  • Platform: Wii U (PowerPC Espresso)
  • Software: iOS 6.0

2013

  • Platforms:
    • PlayStation 4 (AMD Jaguar)
    • XBone (AMD Jaguar)

2014

  • Video: 1GB VRAM

First Generation

  • Business: Coin-Op
  • Input: Joysticks
  • Media: Cartridges
  • Multiplayer:
    • 8 Players
    • Co-Op
    • Hot seat
    • Team
  • Singleplayer
  • Sound:
    • Mono
    • Stereo
  • Video:
    • Color
    • Raster

Second Generation

  • Business:
    • Freeware
    • Retail
    • Shareware
  • Feature: Portrait mode
  • Input:
    • Keyboard
    • Mouse
  • Media:
    • 5.25" Floppy Disk
    • Cassette Tape
    • Download
  • Platforms:
    • Apple II (MOS 6502)
    • Apple II+ (MOS 6502)
    • Atari 8-bit (MOS 6502)
    • Atari 2600 (MOS 6507)
    • BBC Micro (MOS 6502)
    • Colecovision (Z80)
    • Commodore 64 (MOS 6510)
    • Commodore PET (MOS 6502)
    • Dragon (Motorola 6809)
    • FM-7 (Motorola 6809)
    • IBM PC (Intel 8088)
    • Intellivision (General Instrument CP1600)
    • Odyssey 2 (Intel 8048)
    • PC-88 (Z80)
    • TRS-80 (Z80)
    • TRS-80 CoCo (Motorola 6809)
    • VIC-20 (MOS 6502)
    • ZX81 (Z80)
    • ZX Spectrum (Z80)
  • RAM: 48KB - 128KB
  • Software: MS-DOS 1.0
  • Sound: PC Speaker
  • Video:
    • 80-column text
    • Apple II Hi-Res
    • CGA

Third Generation

  • Feature:
    • Battery backup save
    • Hard drive installable
    • JAMMA
    • Password save
  • Media: 3.5" Floppy Disk
  • Multiplayer:
    • 2 players by modem
    • Null-modem cable
  • Platforms:
    • Acorn Electron (MOS 6502)
    • Amiga 1000 (68K, OCS)
    • Amstrad CPC (Z80)
    • Apple IIgs (WDC 65816)
    • Atari ST (68K)
    • Commodore 16 (MOS 7501)
    • IBM PC AT (Intel 286)
    • IBM PCJr (Intel 8088, 16-color display)
    • IBM PC XT (Intel 8088, internal hard drive)
    • Macintosh (68K)
    • MSX (Z80)
    • NES (MOS 6502)
    • PC-98 (Intel 8086)
    • Sega Master System (Z80)
    • Sharp X1 (Z80)
  • RAM: 256 KB - 512KB
  • Software:
    • Kickstart 1.2
    • MS-DOS 2.0 - 3.0
  • Sound:
    • Covox
    • PCjr Polyphony
  • Video:
    • EGA
    • Hercules
    • PCJr 16-color

Fourth Generation

  • CPU: Intel 486DX
  • Media:
    • 3.5" HD Floppy Disk
    • CD-ROM
  • Multiplayer:
    • IPX
    • LAN
    • Play-by-E-mail
    • TCP/IP
  • Platforms:
    • Acorn Archimedes (ARM2)
    • Amiga 3000 (68030, ECS)
    • Amiga 4000 (68040, AGA)
    • CD-i (68K)
    • FM Towns (Intel 386SX)
    • Game Boy (Z80)
    • Game Gear (Z80)
    • Genesis (68K)
    • IBM PS/2 (Intel 386DX)
    • Macintosh Quadra (68040)
    • Neo-Geo (68K + Z80)
    • Sega CD (68K)
    • Sharp X68000 (68K)
    • SNES (WDC 65816)
    • TurboGrafx-16 (WDC 65C02)
    • TurboGrafx CD (WDC 65C02)
  • RAM: 1MB - 2MB
  • Software:
    • Linux
    • MS-DOS 3.3 - 5.0
    • System 7.1
    • Windows 3.x
  • Sound:
    • AdLib
    • AdLib Gold 1000
    • Dolby Pro Logic
    • General MIDI
    • Gravis Ultrasound
    • Pro Audio Spectrum
    • Roland MT-32
    • Roland Sound Canvas
    • Sound Blaster
    • Sound Blaster 16
    • Sound Blaster Pro
    • Thunderboard
    • Windows Sound System
  • Video:
    • MCGA
    • VGA
    • Super VGA/XGA

Fifth Generation

  • CPU:
    • Intel P5
    • Intel P6
  • Feature: Widescreen
  • Media: DVD-ROM
  • Platforms:
    • 3DO (ARM60)
    • Amiga CD-32 (68020, AGA)
    • Nintendo 64 (MIPS R4200)
    • PlayStation (MIPS R3000)
    • PowerMac (PowerPC 601)
    • PowerMac G3 (PowerPC G3)
    • Sega Saturn (2x Hitachi SH-2)
  • RAM: 4MB - 32MB
  • Software:
    • Browser
    • Flash
    • Windows 95
  • Sound:
    • DirectSound 3D
    • Dolby Digital
    • Ensoniq Soundscape
    • Sound Blaster AWE32
  • Video:
    • 1MB - 2MB VRAM
    • DirectX 1-5
    • Glide
    • OpenGL

Sixth Generation

  • CPU:
    • Intel P6SSE
    • Intel NetBurst
  • Platforms:
    • Dreamcast (Hitachi SH-4)
    • Gameboy Advance (ARM7)
    • Game Boy Color (Z80)
    • Gamecube (PowerPC 750CXe)
    • PlayStation 2 (Emotion Engine)
    • PowerMac G4 (PowerPC G4)
    • Xbox (Intel P6)
  • RAM: 64MB - 256MB
  • Software:
    • BREW
    • J2ME
    • Mac OS 8.6
    • Steam
    • Symbian
    • Windows 98 - XP
    • Windows Mobile
  • Sound:
    • DTS
    • EAX
    • EAX Advanced HD
  • Video:
    • 4MB - 64MB VRAM
    • DirectX 6 - 9.0b
    • Hardware TnL
    • Pixel Shader 2.0

Seventh Generation

  • CPU: Intel Core 2
  • Media: Blu-Ray
  • Platforms:
    • Nintendo DS (ARM9)
    • PlayStation 3 (Cell)
    • PSP (MIPS R4000)
    • Wii (PowerPC 750CL)
    • XBox 360 (PowerPC Xenon)
  • RAM: 512MB - 2GB
  • Software:
    • Android 1.0 - 2.3 Gingerbread
    • BlackBerry
    • iOS 1.0 - 3.2
    • OSX 10.4 Tiger - 10.6 Snow Leopard
    • WiiWare
    • Windows Phone
    • Windows XP SP2 - Vista
  • Sound: OpenAL
  • Video:
    • 128MB - 512MB VRAM
    • DirectX 9.0c
    • Pixel Shader 3.0

Eighth Generation

  • Platforms:
    • Nintendo 3DS (ARM11)
    • PlayStation 4 (AMD Jaguar)
    • PS Vita (ARM Cortex-A9)
    • Wii U (PowerPC Espresso)
    • XBone (AMD Jaguar)
  • Software:
    • Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
    • iOS 5.0 - 6.0
  • Video: 1GB VRAM