Mattel Auto Race

Mattel Auto Race (handheld console)  1976

First handheld video game.

Gameplay video

Trivia:
1) George J. Klose, a product development engineer at Mattel, came up with the concept of repurposing standard calculator hardware to create a handheld electronic game using individual display segments as blips that would "move" on the display. Handheld video games is born.

2) A handheld game console is a lightweight, portable video game console with a built-in screen, game controls, and speakers. Handheld game consoles are smaller than home video game consoles and contain the console, screen, speakers, and controls in one unit, allowing people to carry them and play them at any time or place.

3) A light-emitting diode (LED) is a two-lead semiconductor light source. It is a p–n junction diode, which emits light when activated. When a suitable voltage is applied to the leads, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence, and the color of the light (corresponding to the energy of the photon) is determined by the energy band gap of the semiconductor.

4) Along with first pong consoles and Nintendo Game & Watch, it was unofficially copied in Soviet Union.

5) Game has simple red LED display and has no processor.

6) Emulated in MAME.