Apple II

Apple Computer · 1977 – 1993

One of the first mass-produced personal computers, the Apple II became the dominant computing platform for US education through the 1980s. Its open architecture and colour graphics made it a natural gaming platform, hosting landmark titles like Oregon Trail, Ultima, Wizardry, and Karateka. Many foundational RPG and adventure game conventions were established here.

Steve Wozniak designed the Apple II around a 6502 CPU, with his engineering allowing colour graphics without additional chips. The machine's eight expansion slots enabled a thriving ecosystem of hardware add-ons. Sierra On-Line, Broderbund, and SSI built their early reputations on Apple II software. The machine's longevity until 1993 reflects its educational market penetration — almost every US school had one.