Curated timeline

Video Games History

Level up through the history of gaming. From Pong and the arcades to the console wars, 3D graphics, online multiplayer, and esports.

• Tennis for Two Created (October 18, 1958)

  William Higinbotham creates Tennis for Two, one of the first video games displayed for the public.

• Spacewar! Developed (February 1962)

  Spacewar! developed at MIT becomes the first computer game to spread to multiple installations.

• Brown Box Prototype (August 1967)

  Ralph Baer completes the Brown Box prototype, the first home video game console.

• Computer Space Released (November 1971)

  Computer Space becomes the first commercially sold coin-operated video game.

• Pong Released (November 29, 1972)

  Atari releases Pong, launching the video game industry and arcade gaming.

• Magnavox Odyssey Released (September 1972)

  The first commercial home video game console is released by Magnavox.

• Atari 2600 Released (September 11, 1977)

  Atari 2600 establishes cartridge-based home gaming and becomes a cultural phenomenon.

• Space Invaders Released (June 1978)

  Space Invaders creates the shoot-em-up genre and causes a gaming craze in Japan.

• Pac-Man Released (May 22, 1980)

  Pac-Man becomes the first character-based video game and a global cultural icon.

• Donkey Kong Released (July 9, 1981)

  Nintendo releases Donkey Kong, introducing Mario and establishing the platform game genre.

• North American Video Game Crash (1983-1985)

  Market oversaturation and poor quality games cause the video game industry to crash in North America.

• Nintendo Famicom Released (July 15, 1983)

  Nintendo Family Computer launches in Japan, revolutionizing home console gaming.

• Tetris Created (June 6, 1984)

  Alexey Pajitnov creates Tetris in the Soviet Union, becoming the most ported video game.

• NES Released in North America (October 18, 1985)

  Nintendo Entertainment System revives the North American video game industry after the crash.

• Super Mario Bros. Released (September 13, 1985)

  Super Mario Bros. defines the side-scrolling platform genre and becomes a cultural phenomenon.

• The Legend of Zelda Released (February 21, 1986)

  The Legend of Zelda introduces save files and non-linear adventure gaming.

• Game Boy Released (April 21, 1989)

  Nintendo Game Boy creates the handheld gaming market and becomes a global success.

• Sega Genesis Released (August 14, 1989)

  Sega Genesis launches in North America, beginning the 16-bit console generation.

• SimCity Released (1989)

  Will Wright's SimCity creates the city-building simulation genre.

• Super Nintendo Released (August 23, 1991)

  Super Nintendo Entertainment System launches in North America with superior graphics and sound.

• Sonic the Hedgehog Released (June 23, 1991)

  Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog establishes the company's mascot and challenges Mario's dominance.

• Street Fighter II Released (February 1991)

  Capcom's Street Fighter II revolutionizes fighting games and arcade culture.

• Civilization Released (September 1991)

  Sid Meier's Civilization establishes the turn-based strategy genre and 4X gameplay.

• Wolfenstein 3D Released (May 5, 1992)

  id Software's Wolfenstein 3D creates the template for first-person shooter games.

• Mortal Kombat Released (October 8, 1992)

  Mortal Kombat's graphic violence sparks controversy and congressional hearings about video game content.

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