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The popularity of the Atari 2600 VCS is what really began the video game movement. Developed by Atari and led by Nolan Bushnell, the Atari 2600 was released in 1977 after Atari merged with Warner Communications.

But the story really begins in 1975 when Atari sold about 150,000 Pong units through the Sears sporting goods department. This deal generated millions in profits for Atari. Money they would put to use developing the next big thing: The Atari Video Computer System, later renamed the Atari 2600. (Now you can imagine why Sears marketed their own version of the 2600 and games!)

Even after the 2600 was launched in 1977, it wasn't a huge success. It took the conversion of a phenomenal arcade game, Space Invaders, to really convince kids that they needed one.