1977
NINTENDO

COLOR TV-GAME 15 (CTG-15)

MESA
COLOR TV-GAME 15 (CTG-15)

📜 History & Legacy

The Color TV-Game 15 (CTG-15), released by Nintendo in 1977, marked a pivotal moment in the company's transition from a toy manufacturer to a video game giant. Designed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric, the CTG-15 was Nintendo's second foray into the home console market, following the Color TV-Game 6. It built upon its predecessor by offering a wider array of built-in light gun games, primarily variations of Light Tennis, reflecting the popularity of arcade games like *Pong* at the time. The console was a significant success in Japan, helping to establish Nintendo as a key player in the burgeoning video game industry.

The CTG-15 was innovative for its time, offering selectable game variations and adjustable difficulty levels, features that were not common in home consoles of that era. The console's simple design and focus on accessible gameplay made it appealing to a broad audience, contributing to its commercial success. Its impact extended beyond sales figures, as it helped to pave the way for Nintendo's future console endeavors, including the hugely successful Famicom/NES. The Color TV-Game series, and the CTG-15 in particular, demonstrated Nintendo's ability to identify and capitalize on emerging market trends, setting the stage for their later dominance of the video game world. The console's legacy is as an important stepping stone that cemented Nintendo's future path into the global video game arena.

⚙️ Specifications

  • ❖ CPU: Discrete Logic
  • ❖ GPU: Discrete Logic
  • ❖ RAM: N/A (Discrete Logic)
  • ❖ Storage: N/A (Games Built-In)
  • ❖ Media: N/A (Games Built-In)
  • ❖ Display: Composite Video Output
  • ❖ Controllers: Two hardwired light guns
  • ❖ Sound: Mono sound
  • ❖ Power: AC Adapter
  • ❖ Games: 15 Light Tennis variations

🎮 Top 10 Games

  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 1)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 2)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 3)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 4)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 5)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 6)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 7)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 8)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 9)
  • ★ Light Tennis (Variation 10)

💡 Curiosities

  • ? Did you know that the Color TV-Game 15 was only released in Japan?
  • ? Did you know that the console was designed by Masayuki Uemura, who later designed the Famicom/NES?
  • ? Did you know that the light guns were connected directly to the console and could not be detached?
  • ? Did you know that the Color TV-Game 15 was the second in a series of five Color TV-Game consoles?
  • ? Did you know that the console's success helped to fund Nintendo's development of arcade games?
  • ? Did you know that the console used discrete logic instead of a microprocessor?
  • ? Did you know that the console's packaging featured artwork by manga artist Ken Ishikawa?
  • ? Did you know that the Color TV-Game 15 came in a bright orange case?
  • ? Did you know that the console's games were variations of *Pong*, but with light gun support?
  • ? Did you know that the success of the Color TV-Game 15 allowed Nintendo to invest in the development of more advanced game technologies?