Fairchild Channel F

Introduced by Fairchild in 1976, the Channel F was the first console to use a microprocessor and the first to use ROM cartridges. The use of a microprocessor also made it the first console that could provide rudimentary AI for computer controlled players.

While innovative, the Channel F had limited capabilities, even for its time, with only a resolution of 102x64, 64 bytes of RAM, and an 8 color palette. Audio was originally produced directly by a speaker in the console. Attached to the console were two controllers, unique among on console in that they use a cap mounted on top of a hand grip. The cap could be pushed and pulled to act as an eight direction controller or twisted to work as a paddle. It also acted as a two direction button that could be pushed down or pulled up from the neutral position.

Originally sold as the Fairchild Video Entertainment System, it was quickly renamed as the Channel F to avoid confusion with the Atari VCS. In 1979, Fairchild sold the rights to the Channel F to Zircon International who re-launched the system as the Channel F System II which had such innovations as detachable controllers, audio routed through the RF signal to the television and a new design of the console itself. Internally, the hardware was identical. Zircon also licensed the technology to a number of European companies who produced various compatible consoles.

By the time Zircon stopped selling the system in 1983, 27 cartridges, called "Videocarts" by Fairchild had been produced for the United States market in addition to two built in titles, Hockey and Tennis. Many of these cartridges would include multiple games, or at least variations of a common game concept as selectable options. Additional games may have been produced by the various European partners who licensed the system for distribution. By the end of its run, an estimated 350,000 Channel F machines had been sold, quite successful compared to the dedicated machines and simple consoles that had preceded it, but absolutely dwarfed by the Atari 2600 as well as the Intellivision and other consoles of the late 1970s.