History of video games/Platforms/Atari Game Brain

History
The Game Brain was developed by Atari as an early effort by the company to create a game console which used interchangeable cartridges.

Development on the Atari Game Brain was discontinued before release in order to focus efforts on the Atari 2600, which featured a more advanced design.

Technology
Each cartridge for the Game Brain essentially contained all major hardware for the console, essentially being condensed versions of previous Atari dedicated consoles.

The use of 4 rounded buttons arranged in cardinal directions is considered a precursor of sorts to the later D-Pad design.

External Resources

 * Atari Museum - Game Brain Page with history and photographs.