Game Console Repair

The first video game was invented in 1958 on a Donner Model 30 analog computer and displayed on an oscilloscope! This rather simple game, called "Tennis for Two", well preceded the ever-famous "Pong." Since that time, video games have come a long way. With the adaptation from arcade-style games (Donkey Kong), to more personal, in-home games (Atari), to the video games that we can carry with us everywhere we go (Nintendo Game Boy), video games are becoming more and more accessible to all individuals of all ages.

The most often replaced Game Console parts include controller joysticks, HDMI ports, handheld console batteries, and optical and DVD drives for TV consoles.

Identifying which console you have is usually a pretty straightforward process -- most of the time the manufacturer is listed right on the front of the unit. The exterior casing of each console is pretty unique in terms of look, so distinguishing between them is often not hard. The Nintendo GameCube, for example, can easily be distinguished from the PlayStation 2 due to its iconic cube-shaped casing, while the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are both much larger than the Nintendo Wii.

• Wikipedia: Video game consoles
• CNET: Game console reviews and pricing