Console Manufacturer

A console manufacturer, also known as a first-party video game publisher, is a company that manufactures and distributes video game consoles in addition to permitting third-party publishers to produce games for its platform in return to licensing fees. Historically, some of the most recognized console manufacturers include:

• Atari – first console market leader; now defunct.
• Intellivision – the alternative to Atari 2600 in 1979, Intellivision offered voice command modules and Tron; now defunct.
• Microsoft – the newest major player in the market, releasing the Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles.
• Nintendo – historically the best known console manufacturer; also the longest running company in the market, and long-time dominant market leader of the handheld console market.
• Sega – a significant manufacturer during the 16-bit era, now a third-party publisher.
• Sony Computer Entertainment – found worldwide success with its first console, the Sony PlayStation, the PlayStation 2 (which holds the record for best selling home console to date), and the PlayStation 3.