<P> In 1972 Magnavox released the Magnavox Odyssey , the first home video game console which could be connected to a TV set . Ralph Baer 's initial design had called for a huge row of switches that would allow gamers to turn on and off certain components of the console ( the Odyssey lacked a CPU ) to create slightly different games like tennis , volleyball , hockey , and chase . Magnavox replaced the switch design with separate cartridges for each game . Although Baer had sketched up ideas for cartridges that could include new components for new games , the carts released by Magnavox all served the same function as the switches and allowed gamers to choose from the Odyssey 's built - in games . </P>
<P> In 1972 Magnavox released the Magnavox Odyssey , the first home video game console which could be connected to a TV set . Ralph Baer 's initial design had called for a huge row of switches that would allow gamers to turn on and off certain components of the console ( the Odyssey lacked a CPU ) to create slightly different games like tennis , volleyball , hockey , and chase . Magnavox replaced the switch design with separate cartridges for each game . Although Baer had sketched up ideas for cartridges that could include new components for new games , the carts released by Magnavox all served the same function as the switches and allowed gamers to choose from the Odyssey 's built - in games . </P>
when was the first home video game console released
when was the first home video game console released
1972
1972