The title of oldest handheld game console belongs to the Mattel Auto Race, released in September 1976 — sparking the portable gaming revolution. Here's a breakdown of the pioneers that defined early handheld gaming:
🏁 1. Mattel Auto Race (1976)
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Display: Simple red LED matrix (11x11 grid).
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Gameplay: Dodge "cars" (moving LEDs) while racing vertically.
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Legacy: First battery-powered electronic handheld with a digital display.
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Price: $25 (equivalent to ~$130 today).
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Fun Fact: Designed by George Klose — inspired by calculator tech!
🔄 2. Milton Bradley Microvision (1979)
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Revolution: First handheld with interchangeable cartridges.
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Tech: 16x16 pixel LCD screen (prone to "screen rot" degradation).
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Games: 12 titles, including Block Buster (breakout clone) and Star Trek.
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Flaw: 9V battery drained quickly; fragile screen.
🕹️ 3. Nintendo Game & Watch (1980–1991)
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Impact: Perfected single-game LCD handhelds; sold 43+ million units.
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Innovations: Debuted the D-pad (Donkey Kong, 1982).
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Iconic Titles: Ball, Fire, Mario Bros.
⚖️ Key Comparison: The Early Titans
| Console | Year | Display | Library | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattel Auto Race | 1976 | LED | 1 game | First-ever handheld |
| Mattel Football | 1977 | LED | 1 game | Sold 500k+ units |
| Microvision | 1979 | LCD | 12 cartridges | First swappable games |
| Game & Watch | 1980 | LCD | 60+ models | Made handhelds mainstream |
🧩 Honorable Mentions
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TomyTronic 3D (1983): Early pseudo-3D (holographic) games.
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Entex Adventure Vision (1982): Used spinning mirrors for "projected" graphics.
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Epoch Game Pocket Computer (1984): Japan’s cartridge-based flop.
💎 Why "Auto Race" Wins
While primitive, the Mattel Auto Race established the core DNA of handhelds:
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Battery-powered ✅
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Self-contained screen ✅
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Portable play ✅
Without it, the Game Boy (1989) or Switch might never exist!
🔍 See Them Today
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Mattel Auto Race: Video demo
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Microvision: Handheld Museum Archive
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Game & Watch: Nintendo’s History Page
💡 Collector’s Note: A sealed Microvision sold for $7,200 in 2023 — proving these relics are gaming gold!
The next time you game on your Switch or Steam Deck, remember the 1976 LED grid that started it all 🕹️