What was the first video game console you ever owned?

I was lucky that my dad always brought home the latest video game consoles when I was growing up—even when they were nearly impossible to get at launch. As a result, I don’t remember exactly which one we had first.

I have vague memories of both Atari’s Stunt Cycle and standalone Pong consoles, but I’m not sure which came first. However, I do clearly remember getting the Magnavox Odyssey, the first commercial home video game console—which makes me assume that was our very first system.

Adjusted for today’s dollars, it cost about $755. It could only display three square dots and a single line of varying height on a monochrome black-and-white screen, with different dot behaviors depending on the game card in use. It didn’t even generate sound or track scores.

Two of the dots were controlled by players, while the third was controlled by the system. It also came with plastic screen overlays that added visual elements for each game, along with traditional board game accessories like dice, poker chips, score sheets, play money, and card decks. I think we even had the optional light gun, which was sold separately.

The next major console we owned was the Atari 2600, which, of course, revolutionized the industry. That’s the one I remember most from my childhood. It’s kinda crazy to think how far we’ve come since then—and even crazier to imagine where we might go next.

So, what was your first video game console? Do you still have it? If so, do you ever use it for nostalgia’s sake?