Timeline: Video Game History Timeline

Dec 15, 1958

First video game invented

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.

Dec 15, 1971

Computer Space is released

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

Nov 29, 1972

Pong is released

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

Sep 17, 1977

Atari

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

Apr 17, 1981

Electronic Games Magazine

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

Jan 25, 1985

Tetris

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

Oct 18, 1985

NES Released

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

Apr 21, 1989

Gameboy Released

Nintendo releases the handheld Game Boy for $109.

Aug 23, 1991

Super NES Released

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

Jul 29, 1994

Rating Board

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.

Dec 3, 1995

Playstation Released

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

Sep 9, 1999

Dreamcast Released

Video Sega introduces the Dreamcast to the United States.

Mar 4, 2000

Playstation 2 Released

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

Mar 24, 2005

PSP released

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

Nov 22, 2005

X-Box 360 Released

X-Box - 360 Released

Mar 2, 2006

Nintendo DS Released

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

Dec 2, 2006

Wii and PS3 Released

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.

Nov 1, 2007

Super Mario Galaxy Released

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.