How Games Got Rid of Black And White in 1989
Now I know before you say anything, console games before the late 80s did indeed have color , but not when it comes to those that you can play outside the living room. The handheld gaming world was colorless and vague since the beginning of time, until 1989 when the Atari Lynx was born. A portable entertainment machine that was so weird and unusual when it came out for the public to try, yet it’s very interesting to know about since it was one of a kind; especially with the value it provided for the average customer over 34 years ago.
The Atari Lynx was a handheld gaming console that was released during the end of the 80s. It was a significant development in the world of gaming because it was the first handheld system that was capable of displaying color graphics. It was a major achievement in handheld entertainment, considering that other popular portable gaming systems at the time, such as the Nintendo Game Boy, could only display monochrome graphics.
One of the most striking features of the Lynx was its large, backlit screen. It was a major improvement over previous handheld gaming systems because it was easy to see even in low light. The Lynx screen was also larger than the screens of most other handheld gaming systems at the time.
The Lynx also had an innovative button layout that made it easy to control games that required diagonal movement. It had two sets of directional buttons, and this allowed for smoother and more precise gameplay. It was a unique design that was quite different from other handheld gaming systems at the time.
Another interesting feature of the Lynx was its multiplayer capabilities. The Lynx could connect up to 18 systems together using a ComLynx cable, allowing for multiplayer gaming. This was quite an innovation in handheld gaming, and it allowed for some fun and competitive gaming sessions.
When the Lynx launched, it had a strong lineup of games. Some of the games were adaptations of popular Atari arcade titles, such as “Gauntlet” and “RoadBlasters.” Other games were original titles, such as “Blue Lightning” and “California Games.” There was something for everyone, and the Lynx quickly became a hit with gamers.
Despite the Lynx’s advanced hardware and innovative features, it was not as successful as other handheld gaming systems like the Nintendo Game Boy. One of the reasons for this was that the Lynx was more expensive than its competitors, and it didn’t have the same level of brand recognition. As a result, the Lynx was eventually discontinued in 1995, after only six years on the market.
But even though it wasn’t a commercial success, the Lynx still holds a special place in the hearts of many gamers. It was a revolutionary device that paved the way for future handheld gaming systems, and it had many features that were ahead of their time. Today, it is considered a collector’s item, and there are still people out there who play and develop games for it.
In conclusion, the Atari Lynx was a significant development in the world of gaming. It was the first color handheld gaming system, had a large backlit screen, a unique button layout, and multiplayer capabilities. Although it wasn’t as successful as other handheld gaming systems, it was still a groundbreaking device that paved the way for future handheld gaming systems.
Thanks for reading, my name is Ahed and I’m an 18 year old freshman in the University Of Debrecen in central Europe. I created this Magazine to document my college years and give my advice and tips on personal current experiences for others to find useful. But sometimes I write about old weird consoles like these because I’m a big fan. Make sure to clap :)
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