Top 10 Video Game Franchises that Debuted Before 1980
The Top Ten
Pong
Pong was released by Atari in 1972 and is one of the first commercially successful video games. It simulates table tennis with two paddles and a ball displayed on a black-and-white screen. The game was originally developed as a training exercise by engineer Allan Alcorn.
Pong was released by Atari in 1972 and is one of the first commercially successful video games. It simulates table tennis with two paddles and a ball displayed on a black-and-white screen. The game was originally developed as a training exercise by engineer Allan Alcorn.
Space Invaders
Space Invaders was created by Tomohiro Nishikado and released by Taito in 1978. It features rows of descending aliens that players must destroy with a laser cannon. The game is often credited with helping to launch the golden age of arcade video games.
Space Invaders was created by Tomohiro Nishikado and released by Taito in 1978. It features rows of descending aliens that players must destroy with a laser cannon. The game is often credited with helping to launch the golden age of arcade video games.
Galaxian
Galaxian was developed by Namco and released in 1979 as a fixed shooter arcade game. It introduced enemy characters that performed complex flight patterns instead of moving strictly in rows. The game served as a technological forerunner to Namco's later hit, Galaga.
Galaxian was developed by Namco and released in 1979 as a fixed shooter arcade game. It introduced enemy characters that performed complex flight patterns instead of moving strictly in rows. The game served as a technological forerunner to Namco's later hit, Galaga.
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail was originally developed in 1971 by Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger. It was created as an educational tool to teach students about 19th-century pioneer life. The earliest versions ran on mainframe computers such as the HP 2100.
The Oregon Trail was originally developed in 1971 by Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann, and Paul Dillenberger. It was created as an educational tool to teach students about 19th-century pioneer life. The earliest versions ran on mainframe computers such as the HP 2100.
Star Trek
The Star Trek computer game debuted in the early 1970s as a text-based strategy game. It involved navigating a grid-based galaxy to defeat Klingon ships within a time limit. The game was developed by Mike Mayfield and distributed widely on early mainframe systems.
The Star Trek computer game debuted in the early 1970s as a text-based strategy game. It involved navigating a grid-based galaxy to defeat Klingon ships within a time limit. The game was developed by Mike Mayfield and distributed widely on early mainframe systems.
Tank (Atari)
Tank was released by Kee Games, a subsidiary of Atari, in 1974. It featured two players controlling tanks in a maze and firing shells at each other. The game was notable for its use of ROM chips to store graphics data.
Zork
Zork was developed in the late 1970s by MIT students for the PDP-10 mainframe. It is a text-based adventure game that became one of the first interactive fiction titles. The game was later split into parts and published by Infocom in the early 1980s.
Zork was developed in the late 1970s by MIT students for the PDP-10 mainframe. It is a text-based adventure game that became one of the first interactive fiction titles. The game was later split into parts and published by Infocom in the early 1980s.
Speed Race
Speed Race was developed by Taito and released in 1974 as a top-down racing game. The player controls a car and must avoid traffic while maintaining high speed. It introduced a scrolling roadway mechanic to simulate forward motion.
Indy 800 (Atari)
Indy 800 was an arcade racing game released by Atari in 1975. It supported up to eight players controlling cars on a shared overhead view track. The game featured full-color graphics and used a large cabinet for multiplayer interaction.
Heavyweight Champ
Heavyweight Champ was released by Sega in 1976 as a boxing arcade game. It featured side-view characters and physical controls to simulate punching. The game is considered one of the earliest video games to depict boxing.
The Contenders
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