Arcade gaming has a long and exciting history, but do you know which machine holds the title of the oldest arcade game? Let’s dive into the origins of arcade machines and the very first games that started it all.
🎮 The Oldest Arcade Machine: Computer Space (1971)
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Released: 1971
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Developer: Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, who later founded Atari
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Gameplay: A space combat game where players control a rocket ship trying to destroy flying saucers
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Significance:
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Widely considered the first commercially sold arcade video game
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It used a custom-built computer and displayed simple graphics on a black-and-white screen
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Paved the way for the massive video game industry and iconic titles like Pong
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What Came Before Computer Space?
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Electro-mechanical games: Before video screens, arcades had games using lights, motors, and mechanical parts (like pinball machines).
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Examples include “Periscope” (1966) and “Kiss Kiss” (1966), which were popular amusement devices but not video games.
Why Is Computer Space Important?
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It marked the transition from mechanical amusements to electronic video gaming.
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Although it wasn’t a massive commercial hit, it inspired Nolan Bushnell to create Atari’s Pong (1972), which became the first arcade blockbuster.
Other Early Arcade Milestones
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Pong (1972): The first hugely successful arcade game and the template for many video games to come.
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Space Invaders (1978): Popularized arcade gaming worldwide and started the golden age of arcade video games.
🛒 Interested in Classic Arcade Machines?
You can find retro and replica arcade cabinets at stores like:
Final Thought
Computer Space (1971) holds the honor as the oldest commercial arcade video game and sparked the video game revolution we enjoy today. From those humble beginnings to today’s immersive arcades, gaming history is rich and fascinating!