The Atari 2600, released in 1977, brought a revolutionary change to video gaming with its introduction of cartridge technology. Prior to this, games were hardwired into the console itself, limiting the types of games and making it impossible to easily switch between them. Cartridges allowed for detachable game modules. This simple yet groundbreaking innovation changed everything. Players could now swap cartridges to play a variety of games, just like changing the channel on a television. The Atari 2600’s cartridge system paved the way for the vast libraries of games we enjoy today, making video gaming more accessible, versatile, and exciting.
Prompt:
Uncover a forgotten gaming milestone: what innovative feature did [insert early video game console or system here] introduce that revolutionized gameplay and paved the way for future generations of consoles?