The oldest handheld game console is the Microvision, released by Milton Bradley in 1979.
🕹️ Microvision: The First Handheld Game Console
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Release Year: 1979
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Manufacturer: Milton Bradley (MB)
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Screen Type: LCD (liquid crystal display)
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Game Media: Cartridges
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Power Source: 9V battery
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Notable Game: Block Buster (similar to Breakout)
🔍 Why the Microvision Was Revolutionary
Before the Game Boy and even the Nintendo Game & Watch, the Microvision was the first handheld console with interchangeable game cartridges. That means it wasn’t just a single game built into the device—you could buy additional cartridges to play different games, just like modern handhelds.
This was a huge leap forward at the time, even though the system had serious limitations:
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The LCD screens were very basic and easily damaged.
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Game library was small (around 12 total games).
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The screen and game logic were embedded in each cartridge, making them costly to produce.
👾 Legacy and Influence
While it wasn't a massive commercial success, the Microvision laid the groundwork for future handhelds. Its cartridge-based model directly influenced systems like:
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Nintendo Game & Watch (1980)
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Nintendo Game Boy (1989)
These successors refined the concept and improved on hardware, paving the way for decades of portable gaming.
📦 Can You Still Find One Today?
Yes—but they're rare and typically sold as collector’s items. You can check retro gaming stores, eBay, or specialty vintage electronics websites. Just beware of screen rot and battery leakage in old models.
🎮 Handheld Console Comparison: Microvision vs. Game & Watch vs. Game Boy
| Feature | 🟤 Microvision (1979) | 🟡 Game & Watch (1980–1991) | 🟢 Game Boy (1989) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Milton Bradley | Nintendo | Nintendo |
| Game Format | Swappable cartridges | Built-in single games | Swappable cartridges |
| Display Type | Monochrome LCD | Segmented LCD | Dot matrix LCD (4-shade grayscale) |
| Screen Size | 16 x 16 pixel grid | Varies (typically 28x28 or segmented) | 160 × 144 pixels |
| Audio | Simple beeps | Basic tones | 4-channel sound |
| Battery Life | ~6–10 hours (9V battery) | ~6 months (button cells) | 10–30 hours (4x AA batteries) |
| Game Library Size | ~12 games | ~60+ units (1 game per unit) | ~1,000+ titles worldwide |
| Portability | Bulky for its time | Extremely compact and pocketable | Pocketable but thicker than Game & Watch |
| Multiplayer Support | No | No | Yes (via Game Link Cable) |
| Save Function | No | No | Some games had battery-backed saves |
| Backlight | No | No | No (until Game Boy Light/Advance SP) |
| Durability | Prone to screen damage | Very durable | Very durable |
| Price at Launch | ~$50 USD | ~$10–$30 USD (per unit) | ~$89.99 USD |
🟤 Microvision (1979)
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Pros: First cartridge-based handheld, innovative concept
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Cons: Fragile LCDs, very limited screen and games
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Legacy: Set the standard for future cartridge-based handhelds
🟡 Game & Watch (1980–1991)
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Pros: Simple, addictive games, introduced the D-pad
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Cons: Only one game per unit, no expandability
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Legacy: Inspired the Game Boy’s design and controls
🟢 Game Boy (1989)
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Pros: Interchangeable games, solid battery life, portable gaming powerhouse
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Cons: No backlight, chunky form factor
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Legacy: Became the best-selling handheld of its generation, defined mobile gaming for decades
🏆 Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Innovation | Microvision |
| Portability | Game & Watch |
| Game Library & Longevity | Game Boy |
| Best All-Round Experience | 🟢 Game Boy |