|
Computer Space
|
1971 Nutting Associates
|
|
|
This is Computer Space first arcade video game released. It was made by Nolan Bushnell who later on formed Atari.
It was not very popular as most people found it too complicated to play. Using the four control buttons (two for rotation, one for thrust and one for firing),
you attempted to outshoot your enemies in a duel between your spaceship and a pair of flying saucers.
|
|
Pong
|
1972 Atari |
|
|
Nolan Bushnell forms Atari and releases Pong which couldnt be simpler. Two players controlled small white bars on opposite sides of the screen.
A ball bounced between the two, and players had to maneuver their paddles up and down to intercept the ball and knock it back to the other side.
Much more commercially successful.
|
|
Tank
|
1974 Atari |
|
|
Two tanks-one black, one white-rolled and turned around a maze of obstacles and land mines, trying to shell
each other and not be shelled themselves. Notable as the first video game which used ROM chips to store graphic data.
|
|
Space Invaders
|
1978 Taito |
|
|
One of the first really successful video games, Space invaders was so popular in Japan that it caused a coin shortage. Entire arcades were opened
in Japan specifically for this game. Move your tank back and forth along the bottom of the screen and shoot endless waves of aliens marching towards
earth. Shoot the flying saucer for extra points.
|
|
Battlezone
|
1980 Atari |
|
|
Used wire models on a vector display with a green and red overlay, battle tanks, missiles and the occasional saucer in the first video game to feature
truly interactive 3-D environment.The US Armed Forces commissioned Atari to build specially modified and upgraded versions for use in tank training.
|
|
Defender
|
1980 Williams |
|
|
Designed by Eugene Jarvis. It was the first video game to feature artificial "world" in which game events could occur outside on-screen view presented
to the player. Protect the humanoids stranded on the planet from their alien abductors. Features a scanner, smart bombs, hyperspace button and a variety
of enemys. Its also infuritatingly difficult. Download our very own PC tribute to defender here.
|
|
Pac Man
|
1980 Midway |
|
|
Control pac-man around a maze eating dots and trying to avoid ghosts, get one of the four power pills to become invincible and eat the ghosts. The
was a huge hit around the world and is still being made for new consoles today. Originally named puck-man it was renamed pac-man to prevent people
scribbling out a part of the letter P.....
|