History Of Video Games

Space War Created

Sep 14, 1961

In 1961 Space War was created

First Light Gun

Sep 14, 1967

In 1967 the first light gun was created

Computer Space

Sep 14, 1971

In 1971 the first arcade machine ( Computer Space) was created.

Magnavox Odyssey

May 24, 1972

Magnavox Odyssey the first home console is released

Atari

May 24, 1972

In 1971 Bushnell and Dabney found AtariThey name the company after a term from the Japanese game "Go". "Atari" is equivalent to "check" in a chess game.

Pong is created

May 24, 1972

The first game created by Atari is Pong. Ping-Pong, the original name, is already copyrighted, so the makers name it Pong after the sound of a ball hitting the paddle.

Gunfight is created

Sep 14, 1975

Gunfight, the first "computer" game is released. It is the first game to use a microprocessor instead of hardwired solid-state circuits.

Telstar Released

Sep 14, 1976

Coleco releases its first home video-game console called Telstar.

Atari 2600

Sep 17, 1977

Atari introduces its first cartridge-based home video system called the Video Computer System which later becomes known as the Atari 2600.

Space Invaders in Arcades

Sep 17, 1978

Midway introduces Space Invaders into arcades. It is the first arcade game that tracks and displays high scores.

Cosmos Developed

Sep 17, 1979

Atari develops a handheld console that displays holograms. Named "Cosmos," this product was never released.

Asteroids allows high scorers to enter three initials

Sep 17, 1979

Asteroids is the first game to allow high scorers to enter three character initials to be stored in the machine.

Battlezone: The first 3D game

Sep 17, 1980

Battlezone is first 3-D game ever created. It is set in a virtual battlefield and was later enhanced by the U.S. government for training exercises.

Defender released

Sep 17, 1980

Defender, the first game incorporating a "virtual world" is introduced. The game uses a "radar" scope at the top of the screen to inform users of the surroundings since the screen is too small to display all of the action.

Electronic Games Magazine Released

Sep 17, 1981

Arnie Katz and Bill Kunkel found the first video-game magazine, Electronic Games.

Atari 5200 Released

Sep 17, 1982

Atari releases the Atari 5200 to compete with Coleco's Colecovision.

Dragon Lair Released

Sep 17, 1983

Cinematronics debuts Rick Dyer's Dragon Lair, the first video game to feature laser-disc technology.

Commador 64 Introduced

Sep 17, 1983

The Commodore 64 is introduced. It is the most powerful video-game console to date and the least expensive.