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1) Pong (1972)
Pong is neither the first video game nor the first sports game, but it’s likely the most important one. The first was 1958’s Tennis for Two, which was played on an oscilloscope. It took some time, but eventually, Atari Inc.’s Pong was released in 1972, and it changed the world. Pong is similar to Tennis for Two, but refined and designed for the mass market, as not many people had oscilloscopes available. It’s an electronic ping pong game that’s arguably one of the most important titles in video game history, as it demonstrated that video games were commercially viable products, opening the world up to arcades and home console systems.
2) Electronic Quarterback (1978)
Handheld games have come a long way since the 1978 release of Electronic Quarterback, though most remember it these days as “that old football game.” In terms of graphics and gameplay, this was not comparable to what we play these days, but it holds an interesting niche in video game history. Gameplay is simplified football, using tiny lights, but it featured an ability to pass, which was new at the time. This is one of those games that almost everyone has played, especially if they grew up in the 1970s and ‘80s. While dated, it remains a beloved classic and an early example of a working, handheld sports game.
3) Pole Position (1983)
Pole Position was released in arcades in 1982, and while not the first racing game, it’s one of the most important from the period. It looks ancient by today’s standards, and let’s face it, it is. Despite this, when it was released, it significantly upped the game from previous titles, such as 1976’s F-1. It featured a synthesized voice and was incredibly competitive with players lining up to try to beat one another’s score. While racing games have somewhat fallen out of fashion, falling into niche territory these days, they were vital to many an arcade’s survival well into the 2000s, and a lot of them can say thanks to the likes of Pole Position.
