A Brief History of Home Video Games

Fourth Generation Terminology

(It is assumed that the reader has a basic knowledge of Computer Terminology.)

Cartridge (Cart): A box (typically plastic) which contains video game data that can be plugged into a video game system. The cartridge would play a very important role in the Fourth Generation, because the refinement of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips reduced the manufacturing costs of the cartridges. The term "cartridge" would also be shortened to "cart," the reasons for which still elude me to this day.

Controller : Anything that is used to interface with a video game system. The Second Generation joystick was replaced by the smaller joypad during the Fourth Generation by both Sega and Nintendo.

Home Video Game System: This term is used to designate systems that are specifically designed for video game use. In other words, when a home video game system is mentionned it can be assumed that it is not in reference to a personal computer. Although there have been many attempts to convert a video game system to a personal computer (mostly in the second generation) a video game system is still a system used primarily for games.

Joypad: The joypad is a variation on the joystick (Second Generation.) While the joystick constists primarily of a rod or "stick" to interface with the console, smaller buttons (usually in a cross shape) were used on the joypad. This design reduced production costs and the smaller profile allowed for simpler packadging.

Switchbox : During all generations of home video games, the Switchbox has been the box that links the system to a television. It is not to be confused with any kind of main power switch (except with certain systems such as the RCA Studio II.)