Atari 2600

1977

Television Interface Adapter (TIA)

Although not a full-fledged sound card, the Atari 2600 contained a Television Interface Adapter (TIA) that allowed for two channels, or voices. The first voice was a square wave, and the second was a noise channel. It was monoaural sound and 4-bits of volume control. While simple, this allowed for the beginning of music in home video game entertainment.

Combat

Atari, 1977

Combat uses pitch tones for bullets and the noise channel for explosion sound effects.

Combat promotional art.