Following a few years after the first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, Atari’s 2600 helped kick the home console market into a blockbuster business. Launched in 1977, Atari had a slow start, but emerged as the most popular Christmas gift of 1979 thanks to the popularity of games beyond the expected Pong. Arcade ports and original creations flooded the system, making Atari the top name in video games and innovator in the home console market.