-
Tennis For Two is most likely thought to be the very first video game invented in October, 1958. It was a tennis simulated game that is very similar to the game pong that was released in the 1970s. The man who created this simulation is known as William Higinbotham. https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200810/physicshistory.cfm Tennis for Two gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PG2mdU_i8k -
PONG was known as one of the very first arcade video game that was released in 1972. PONG was an arcade game that required one quarter to play. PONG was an arcade legend. http://www.museumofplay.org/about/icheg/video-game-history/timeline PONG Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it0sf4CMDeM -
Maze War was the first ever first-person shooter game ever released. It released on the computer in 1974. This game made history because it gave us some of the first-person games that will follow. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maze_War Maze War Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIPBE4crHxc -
In 1975, Atari (Creators of PONG), realized that their game was a big hit. They wanted to expand more so they decided to make the game a home version. This made there game a lot more popular and easier for it to be played. http://www.museumofplay.org/about/icheg/video-game-history/timeline PONG home version commercial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSjC-2CSSBg -
In 1977, Atari released there first video game system called the Atari 2600 to the public. With this, you could be able to play multiple games. You could also be able to play at home which was much more convenient. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_2600 Atari 2600 Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucRYLobga0g -
In 1978, Space Invaders dropped in Japan. Space Invaders was a huge hit in the arcades. Space Invaders soon expanded to the United States and this made this world go crazy over it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Invaders Space Invaders Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1jZaIPeD5w -
In 1980, one of the biggest arcade games came out, Pac-Man. Pac-Man was the first ever arcade game that featured a character that players use. Pac-Man became a big thing and people started buying merchandise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pac-Man Pac-Man Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dScq4P5gn4A -
After Pac-Man was released, one year later Donkey Kong releases. This was another big hit in the arcade scene. This game was one of the first action / puzzle games ever created. This game featured a character that was soon to be named Mario, who is soon to be another big hit in the future. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_Kong Donkey Kong Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp2aMs38ERY -
1992, Pac-Man was a big hit at the time. People wanted to get the fame and money that Pac-Man was getting. So creators released K.C. Munchkin. This game was exactly like Pac-Man. So the creators of Pac-Man accused them for copyright infringement. The creators of K.C. Munchkin (Atari) lost this court case against Pac-Man. http://www.mathpirate.net/log/2009/10/18/electronic-curiosities-pac-man-vs-k-c-munchkin/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXawm3pURjk
-
in 1983, King Kong thought the game Donkey Kong was stealing there idea. King Kong accused Donkey Kong for stealing ideas out there movie and accused them of copyright infringement. But Donkey Kong won the case because King Kong was in the public domain. This court case was decided in 1984. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_City_Studios,_Inc._v._Nintendo_Co.,_Ltd. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeKYPic50h4
-
In 1985, Nintendo releases there first Entertainment System (NES). This was a huge hit. This was the best selling gaming console of at its time. This system featured tons of popular games. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System NES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-0d6zGl06o -
In 1988, John Madden Football releases. This was the first football game for home consoles. Fans had to wait awhile for this release though. There was only 7 players on each team and John Madden refused to sponsor the game if it did not have the full 11 players. This then took another 3 years for the game to drop. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Madden_Football_(1988_video_game) John Madden Football Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EbPghLpK6c -
In 1991, SEGA drops Sonic. Sonic was another big character that people fell in love with just like Pac-Man and Mario. This franchise expanded into something much bigger to what it is today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_(1991_video_game) Sonic The Hedgehog Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJJnxHcv1z4 -
In 1993, there was a big conflict when it came to video game ratings. Parents did not know if the game that they were getting was appropriate for there kids. This led to a decision in court to add video game ratings. http://www.museumofplay.org/about/icheg/video-game-history/timeline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD-Afpg4P2U -
In 1995, Sony released the PlayStation. This home console could not be beat. it was $100 cheaper than the SEGA Saturn console so buyers went for the PlayStation over it. Sony could not be bad with this insanely popular new home console. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_(console) PlayStation 1 Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BltNSs9Vzdg -
In 1998, Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Fans went crazy over this game. This was one of the earliest games of The Legend of Zelda series and it is still a big thing today. It featured a various amount of characters that fans fell in love with. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Ocarina_of_Time The Legend of Zelda Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QvlxoX1GjI -
In 2001, Microsoft releases the XBox. Microsoft made this console to compete with the PlayStation, Everyone thought they were stupid. Sony's PlayStation was unbeatable. But Microsoft proved everyone wrong, it was a big hit. And the Xbox featured one of the biggest games up to date. It was called Halo. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox XBox Halo Gameplay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSHH6wAxV0k -
In 2006, Nintendo releases the WII. This was a big hit. it got kids on there feet to play this video game and parents liked it because it gave them exercise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73yDRm8KaWY
-
In 2011, Mojang releases Minecraft. This was a big hit and fans went crazy over it. players really liked the free roam aspect of the game as well of the building aspect of it. Minecraft is still popular today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmB9b5njVbA
-
In 2016, Pokemon GO released. Fans went insane over this game and it was one of the most popular games of 2016. It got players to go outside to find Pokemon. Pokemon GO was only really popular throughout the summer of 2016 but is still up and running today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sj2iQyBTQs
Looking for a timeline maker?
Create timelines for projects, roadmaps, history, lessons, legal cases, and stories with Timetoast. Timetoast is a timeline maker for work, school, research, and stories.