Apple's iPhone

The first game system with plug-in cartridges had gaming aficionados salivating over the immediate proliferation of video games. More than 40 manufacturers created over 200 games for the system, including the future classics Pac-Man and Asteroids. Amid its success, however, Atari neglected game developers and many defected to rival game companies. Eventually, Nintendo picked up where Atari left off.

By Jeremy Caplan and Brendan Lowe