6th Generation Game Consoles 1998-2013
The sixth generation of video games ended a lot of old traditions. By now, all home consoles used CDs as their storage media. Also, the graphics being measured in bits was coming to an end. Very little improvement is made past 32-bits in graphics. The bits represented CPU word size. however, there is more to graphics than just word size such as CPU speed, GPU speed, and memory size. All games 3D games before used polygon graphics. In this generation, the 3D graphics looked like real objects. Most of the consoles released in this time were 128-bit, so it is also called the 128-bit era. Some important titles released during this time are Final Fantasy X, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Kingdom Hearts, Resident Evil 4, Halo 2, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metroid Prime, and SoulCalibur.
Sega Dreamcast (DC)
Sega Dreamcast
The Sega Dreamcast came out in 1998 by Sega, and was Sega's last console. It had double precision 64-bit graphics (making it 128-bit). The controllers were odd, as they had a screen in the controller, which was removable. However, the Dreamcast's chances ended with the release of the Playstation 2. Many popular games were released for the Dreamcast like Resident Evil: Code Veronica, Sonic Adventure, and SoulCalibur.
Playstation 2 (PS2)
Playstation 2 and Slim
The Playstation 2 came out in 2000 by Sony. This is the best selling console of all time and is still being sold in stores today. It sold over 150 million units so far. It had a double precision 64-bit graphics (making it 128-bit) and could even play DVDs. Later, a skinnier version called the PS2 Slim was released. The console used the Dual Shock II controller and used memory cards for data storage similarly to the Playstation. Game series like Jack and Daxter started on this console. Games are still being made for this console. The console has backwards compatibility with PS1 games. The Playstation 2 was the last generation six console still in production until it was finally discontinued in 2013.
Nintendo Gamecube (GC)
Nintendo Gamecube
The Nintendo Gamecube came out in 2001 by Nintendo, and was the first Nintendo console to use optical disks. The games were burned on Mini-DVDs. It had double precision 64-bit graphics (making it 128-bit). Some notable accessories are the Gameboy Advance to Gamecube Link Cable, which allowed a Gameboy Advance to connect to the Gamecube. Also, the Gameboy Player, which connected to the High Speed port on the bottom of the console, allowed players to play Gameboy, Gameboy Color, and Gameboy Advance games on the Gamecube. Like the N64, many popular games were released like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Star Fox Adventures, a Resident Evil remake, and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The Gamecube sold about 22 million units worldwide. A version of the Gamecube was released only in Japan called the Panasonic Q by Panasonic. The Panasonic Q could play Gamecube games, as well as DVDs and CDs. A version of the Gameboy Player was also available for the Panasonic Q.
Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox came out in 2001 by Microsoft. It had 32-bit graphics. This was Microsoft's first home console in the gaming market. The Xbox could also play DVD's with a certain kit sold separately. Unlike most disk based consoles of the time, the Xbox had its own built in hard drive for storing data, and didn't require a memory card. In 2002, a service called Xbox Live was released, and allowed players to play games online with other players, however, the original Xbox live is disconnected now.The Xbox sold 24 million units worldwide.
Handhelds
Gameboy Advance (GBA)
Gameboy Advance
The Gameboy Advance was released in 2001 by Nintendo. It has 32-bit graphics, which was a step up from the 8-bit Gameboy. The GBA was also backward compatible with Gameboy and Gameboy Color games. Similarly to the Super Gameboy, you could choose from a set of color schemes for the old monochrome Gameboy games. Later, a version called the Gameboy Advance SP was released, which had a light screen and rechargeable battery. Also later, the Gameboy Micro was released, which was smaller.
N-Gage
N-Gage
The N-Gage was a handheld console and phone released in 2003 by Nokia. In the early 2000s, a lot of people were carrying both mobile phones and handheld video games. Nokia decided to combine the two into one and release a handheld that was also a phone. Multiplayer games would connect through the internet rather than a link cable. Later in 2004, Nokia released an update called the N-Gage QD. It was smaller, fixed a flaw in the cartridge slot, and was sold more efficiently.