Video Game History Timeline

First video game invented

Dec 15, 1958

Physicist Willy Higinbotham invents first video game at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. His game, a table tennis-like game, was played on an oscilloscope.

Computer Space is released

Dec 15, 1971

Computer Space becomes first video arcade ever released. 1500 games are distributed. Public consensus is that it is too difficult to play.

Pong is released

Nov 29, 1972

Atari's Pong is released with help from Sears Roebuck. They sell it exclusively, with the Sears Tele-Games logo.

Atari

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. It retails for $249.95

Electronic Games Magazine

Apr 17, 1981

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

Tetris

Jan 25, 1985

The popular game Tetris is developed by Russian programmer Alex Pajitnov. IT is played on a PC.

NES Released

Oct 18, 1985

Nintendo's NES is released in the US after being test-marketed in NY on year earlier

Gameboy Released

Apr 21, 1989

Nintendo releases the handheld Game Boy for $109.

Super NES Released

Aug 23, 1991

Super NES is released in the US by Nintendo for $249.95

Rating Board

Jul 29, 1994

Resuting from the Senate investigation, the Entertainment Software Rating board is created. Ratings are now given to video games and are maked on the games' packaging to indicate the suggested age of players and violent content.

Playstation Released

Dec 3, 1995

Sony brings the Playstation to the US and sells the console for $299.

Dreamcast Released

Sep 9, 1999

Video Sega introduces the Dreamcast to the United States.

Playstation 2 Released

Mar 4, 2000

Ps2Sony's PlayStation 2 launches in the US for $299.99 and is sold out by early morning.

PSP released

Mar 24, 2005

PSPSony releases the PSP, a portable system with large, high-resolution display.

X-Box 360 Released

Nov 22, 2005

X-Box - 360 Released

Nintendo DS Released

Mar 2, 2006

DS
Nintendo releases the Nintendo DS, a portable system with two screens, one of which can be used as a touch screen.

Wii and PS3 Released

Dec 2, 2006

Wii commercialsNintendo releases the Wii, a gaming system that lets gamers use the controllers in revolutionary ways, such as swinging it like a tennis racket, holding and tilting it like a steering wheel, and more. Sony also debuts the PS3, a very sophisiticated and expensive game system.

Super Mario Galaxy Released

Nov 1, 2007

Super Mario Galaxy CommercialNintendo releases Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii. It continues the adventures of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach as they face their old foe Bowser.

Playstation 4 Released

Nov 15, 2013

ps4 ReviewPlaystation 4 Released in the united states to overall less sales than the Xbox 1

Xbox 1 Sales beat Ps4

Dec 28, 2014

OutsellsOn Black Friday of 2014 X-Box1 sales outshine those of PS4.