Timeline of arcade video game history: Difference between revisions

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This article contains a timeline of notable events in the history of video arcade gaming.

Pre-golden age (1971-1977)

1971

The Galaxy Game, the earliest known coin-operated arcade video game, makes its debut on the campus of Stanford University.

Computer Space, the first commercially sold arcade video game, and the first commercially sold video game of any kind, is released by Nutting Associates.

1972

Atari Inc. launches Pong, the first commercially successful video game. It is also the first arcade sports video game.

1973

Taito releases Astro Race, an early racing video game, controlled using a four-way joystick controller.^[1]

1974

Taito releases Basketball, an early example of sprite graphics, used to represent player characters and baskets.^[2]

Taito releases Speed Race, considered the first arcade driving video game,^[3] which introduces collision detection and scrolling sprite graphics,^[4] and features a high score concept and racing wheel controller.^[5] Midway releases it as Racer in the United States.^[4]

1975

Taito releases Interceptor,^[6] an early first-person shooter and combat flight simulator, controlled using an eight-way joystick to aim a crosshair at enemy sprites that scale in size depending on their distance to the player.^[7]

Taito releases Western Gun, an early two-player, run & gun, dual-stick, multi-directional shooter, and the first game to depict a gun.^[8] It is also the first to depict fragments of story as well as characters through its visual presentation.^[9]

Midway MFG. releases Gun Fight, an adaptation of Taito's Western Gun and the first arcade video game to use a microprocessor, which the original incarnation did not use, allowing for improved graphics and smoother animation.^[9]

1976

Sega releases Moto-Cross, an early motorbike racing game, which introduces a psuedo-3D forward-scrolling third-person perspective.^[10] It also introduces haptic feedback, causing the handlebars to vibrate during collisions.^[11] Sega-Gremlin re-brands it as Fonz.^[12]

Sega releases Road Race, an early forward-scrolling first-person racing game.^[13]

Atari Inc. releases Night Driver, another early example of a first-person perspective racing video game.

Atari releases Breakout, which inspires a number of Breakout clones.

1977

Sega releases Bomber, an early side-scrolling video game and a shooter game.^[14]

Golden age (1978-1986)

1978

Taito releases Space Invaders, the first blockbuster arcade video game,^[15] responsible for starting the golden age of video arcade games. It also sets the template for the shoot 'em up genre,^[16] and influences nearly every shooter game released since then.^[17]

Sega releases Secret Base, a side-scrolling shooter,^[18] which allows two-player cooperative gameplay.^[19]

Sega releases Space Ship, an early vector graphics space combat game.^[20]

1979

Namco releases Galaxian, which introduces levels and boss encounters, and is the first game to have all of its graphics in RGB colour.^[21]

1980

Namco releases Pac-Man, its biggest-selling game. One of the most influential games, it had the first gaming mascot character, established the maze chase genre, opened gaming to female audiences,^[22] and introduced power-ups^[23] and cutscenes.^[24]

Namco releases King & Balloon,^[25] which is the first game to feature synthesized voices. It is also an early example of dual-core processing, using two Z80 microprocessors, the second to drive a DAC for speech.^[26]

Namco releases Rally-X, the first game to feature background music,^[27] multi-directional scrolling,^[28] and a radar to show the car's location on the map.^[29]

DECO releases DECO Cassette System, the first standardized arcade platform, for which many games were made.

Williams Electronics release Defender, a more challenging shoot-em-up space game with control configuration of five buttons and a joystick.

1981

Nintendo releases Donkey Kong, which was one of the first platform games. It was also the game that introduced Mario (named simply "Jumpman" at the time) to the video game world.^[30]

Sega releases Eliminator, a space combat multi-directional shooter notable for being the only four-player vector game created.^[31] It featured a colour vector display as well as both cooperative and competitive multiplayer.^[32]

Konami releases Scramble, the first side-scrolling shooter with forced scrolling and multiple distinct levels,^[33] and an early example of multi-core processing, using two Z80 microprocessors and two AY-3-8910 sound chips.^[34]

Konami releases Frogger, a popular arcade action game. It also uses multi-core processing, with two Z80 microprocessors and an AY-3-8910 sound chip.^[35]

1982

Moon Patrol was created by Irem and released in the U.S. by Williams. It is the first game to use parallax scrolling.^[36]

Namco releases Pole Position, one of the most popular racing games of all time.^[37]

Sega releases Star Trek, a space combat sim featuring five different controls, six different enemies, and 40 different simulation levels. One of the most elaborate vector games ever released.^[38]

Atari released Quantum, an early arcade game to use a 16-bit 68000 CPU, for more detailed and smoother graphics.^[39]

1983

I, Robot, the first commercially produced 3D-polygonal game is released.

Bally Midway releases Journey, the first game with digitized sprites.

Dragon's Lair, the first video game to use cel-animated video instead of computer generated graphics.

Libble Rabble, is released by Namco.^[40] This is Namco's first game to have 16-bit graphics.

1984

16-bit processors are increasingly used in arcade machines, resulting in much more detailed and faster graphics.

Marble Madness and Paperboy are released by Atari Games.

Namco releases Pac-Land, an influential side-scrolling platform game.

1985

Gauntlet is released by Atari Games

Gradius (Nemesis in some countries) is released by Konami. Also released by Konami the same year is Yie Ar Kung-Fu, which was the basis for modern fighting games.

Space Harrier is released by Sega

Vs. Super Mario Bros., the arcade version of Super Mario Bros. originally on the Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom in Japan), is released into arcades.

Tehkan World Cup, the father of soccer games with an above view of the field, is released by Tehkan,^[41] who also release its stablemate, Gridiron Fight.

1986

Sega releases Out Run.

Chiller by Exidy is released and is an early example of blood and gore.

Post-golden age (1987-present)

1887

Namco releases Yōkai Dōchūki (known outside of Asia as Shadowland).

Technos Japan releases Double Dragon. It became a huge hit, paving the way for beat 'em up games.

1988

NARC, by Williams is released and is the first commercially released game to use a 32-bit processor.

Reikai Doushi by Home Data is released. It is the first digitized fighting game and the first claymation fighting game.

Namco releases Assault, which was the first game to make use of massive sprite rotation as well as sprite scaling. It also released Splatterhouse, which was the first game to get a parental advisory disclaimer.

Hard Drivin', by Atari Games is released and is the first arcade driving game to have 3D polygon graphics.

1989

Exterminator, the first game with fully digitized graphics, is released. It will have the highest quality digitized graphics until the release of Mortal Kombat II.

S.T.U.N. Runner is released by Atari Games and is known for early use of high-speed 3-D Polygonal Graphics.

1991

Capcom releases Street Fighter II, revolutionizing competitive play in the arcade setting and setting the template for fighting games.

1992

Midway Games releases Mortal Kombat, which features blood and fatalities.

1993

Mortal Kombat II is released, featuring high quality digitized graphics, and the most advanced sound system in arcades at the time, the DCS sound system which allowed for MP3 style compression to all sounds.
Sega releases Virtua Fighter, the first 3D fighting game.

Sega releases Daytona USA, the most successful arcade game to date.

1994

Killer Instinct is released, the first arcade game with a hard disk, up to that point the game with the highest quality graphics pre-rendered by a rendering program, featuring to this day the highest quality use of the movie background technique.

1996

SNK releases Metal Slug, a run and gun game widely known for its sense of humor, fluid hand-drawn animation, and fast paced two-player action.

1998

Konami releases Dance Dance Revolution, an arcade game with four arrow pads that the players used to "dance." This game would create many sequels and spin-offs.

1999

Rush 2049 is released, the last arcade game to bear the Atari Games logo. Atari Games in Milpitas is renamed Midway Games West, and closes its coin-op product development division.

References

^ Astro Race at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Basketball at the Killer List of Videogames
^ "Interview: 'Space Invaders' creator Tomohiro Nishikado". USA Today. May 6, 2009. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
^ ^a ^b Bill Loguidice & Matt Barton (2009), Vintage games: an insider look at the history of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the most influential games of all time, p. 197, Focal Press, ISBN 0240811461
^ Speed Race at the Killer List of Videogames
^ "Tomohiro Nishikado's biography at his company's web site". Dreams, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
^ Interceptor at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Stephen Totilo (August 31, 2010). "In Search Of The First Video Game Gun". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
^ ^a ^b Chris Kohler (2005), Power-up: how Japanese video games gave the world an extra life, BradyGames, p. 19, ISBN 0744004241, retrieved 2011-03-27
^ Moto-Cross at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, p. 39, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 031333868X
^ Fonz at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Road Race at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Bomber at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Chris Kohler (2005), Power-up: how Japanese video games gave the world an extra life, BradyGames, p. 18, ISBN 0744004241, retrieved 2011-03-27
^ "Essential 50: Space Invaders". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2011-03-26.
^ Edwards, Benj. "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Space Invaders". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
^ Template:Allgame
^ Secret Base at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Space Ship at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Galaxian at the Killer List of Videogames
^ The Essential 50 - Pac-Man, 1UP
^ Playing With Power: Great Ideas That Have Changed Gaming Forever, 1UP
^ Gaming's Most Important Evolutions, GamesRadar
^ Steve L. Kent (2001), The ultimate history of video games: from Pong to Pokémon and beyond, Prima, p. 142, ISBN 0761536434, retrieved 2011-04-02
^ King & Balloon at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Gaming's Most Important Evolutions (Page 2), GamesRadar
^ Gaming's Most Important Evolutions (Page 3), GamesRadar
^ Rally-X at the Killer List of Videogames
^ [1]
^ Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, ABC-CLIO, p. 69, ISBN 031333868X, retrieved 2011-03-28
^ Eliminator at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Game Genres: Shmups, Professor Jim Whitehead, January 29, 2007, Accessed June 17, 2008
^ Scramble at the Killer List of Videogames
^ Frogger at the Killer List of Videogames
^ [2]
^ [3]
^ Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, p. 70, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 031333868X
^ 9189 at the Killer List of Videogames
^ http://www.arcade-history.com/?n=libble-rabble&page=detail&id=1384
^ http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10057

External Links

Arcade Games history

[1] Astro Race at the Killer List of Videogames

[2] Basketball at the Killer List of Videogames

[3] "Interview: 'Space Invaders' creator Tomohiro Nishikado". USA Today. May 6, 2009. Retrieved 2011-03-22.

[Barton-197-4] Bill Loguidice & Matt Barton (2009), Vintage games: an insider look at the history of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the most influential games of all time, p. 197, Focal Press, ISBN 0240811461

[5] Speed Race at the Killer List of Videogames

[Dreams-6] "Tomohiro Nishikado's biography at his company's web site". Dreams, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2011-03-27.

[Interceptor-7] Interceptor at the Killer List of Videogames

[8] Stephen Totilo (August 31, 2010). "In Search Of The First Video Game Gun". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-03-27.

[kohler19-9] Chris Kohler (2005), Power-up: how Japanese video games gave the world an extra life, BradyGames, p. 19, ISBN 0744004241, retrieved 2011-03-27

[Moto-Cross-10] Moto-Cross at the Killer List of Videogames

[11] Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, p. 39, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 031333868X

[Fonz-12] Fonz at the Killer List of Videogames

[13] Road Race at the Killer List of Videogames

[14] Bomber at the Killer List of Videogames

[15] Chris Kohler (2005), Power-up: how Japanese video games gave the world an extra life, BradyGames, p. 18, ISBN 0744004241, retrieved 2011-03-27

[1UP-50-16] "Essential 50: Space Invaders". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2011-03-26.

[1UP-10things-17] Edwards, Benj. "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Space Invaders". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-07-11.

[18] Template:Allgame

[19] Secret Base at the Killer List of Videogames

[20] Space Ship at the Killer List of Videogames

[21] Galaxian at the Killer List of Videogames

[22] The Essential 50 - Pac-Man, 1UP

[23] Playing With Power: Great Ideas That Have Changed Gaming Forever, 1UP

[24] Gaming's Most Important Evolutions, GamesRadar

[25] Steve L. Kent (2001), The ultimate history of video games: from Pong to Pokémon and beyond, Prima, p. 142, ISBN 0761536434, retrieved 2011-04-02

[26] King & Balloon at the Killer List of Videogames

[27] Gaming's Most Important Evolutions (Page 2), GamesRadar

[28] Gaming's Most Important Evolutions (Page 3), GamesRadar

[29] Rally-X at the Killer List of Videogames

[30] [1]

[Wolf-69-31] Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, ABC-CLIO, p. 69, ISBN 031333868X, retrieved 2011-03-28

[32] Eliminator at the Killer List of Videogames

[lecture-33] Game Genres: Shmups, Professor Jim Whitehead, January 29, 2007, Accessed June 17, 2008

[34] Scramble at the Killer List of Videogames

[35] Frogger at the Killer List of Videogames

[36] [2]

[37] [3]

[38] Mark J. P. Wolf (2008), The video game explosion: a history from PONG to Playstation and beyond, p. 70, ABC-CLIO, ISBN 031333868X

[39] 9189 at the Killer List of Videogames

[40] ttp://www.arcade-history.com/?n=libble-rabble&page=detail&id=1384

[41] ttp://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=10057

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Revision as of 00:13, 3 April 2011

Pre-golden age (1971-1977)

Golden age (1978-1986)

Post-golden age (1987-present)

See also

References

External Links