Search
  • Videos
  • 5G
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • Tech Pro
  • more
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Log In to ZDNET
    • Join ZDNet
    • About ZDNet
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • 5G
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • Innovation
    • Security
    • Tech Pro
    • Apple
    • ZDNet Academy
    • Microsoft
    • Mobility
    • Hardware
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Log In to ZDNET
      • Join ZDNet
      • About ZDNet
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Photos: Vintage arcade games... revealed

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
  • 40149673-1-game1a.jpg

    From Pong and Space Invaders to Tron, Pac-Man and communist arcade games

    Imagine having this in your front room. It's the PDP-1, the system which ran the first-ever computer game.

    Built by the Digital Equipment Corporation in 1960, the computer stored data in punched paper tape and had 9KB of memory.

    The computer is on show as part of the Game On exhibition at London's Science Museum. The exhibition follows the development of computer gaming from its origins to present day.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-2-game2a.jpg

    The PDP-1 ran the first ever computer game, which was called Spacewar! and spawned many imitators.

    Using the PDP-1's circular screen and typewriter-like keyboard (shown above), two players would try to shoot each other's spaceship while attempting to avoid a star's gravitational field.

    The computer was given to MIT where it famously became instrumental in the development of hacker culture.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-3-game3a.jpg

    This is Computer Space, the first commercial computer game, from 1970.

    Developed by Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, and inspired by DEC's Spacewar!, the game was a commercial failure as people complained it was too difficult to play.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-4-game4a.jpg

    Among the other games at the exhibition are classics like Pong, released by Atari in 1972.

    Two days after a Pong arcade machine was installed in California, it stopped working as the cash drawer was completely full of quarters.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-5-game5a.jpg

    Another classic: Space Invaders.

    But gaming isn't just fun - it can be useful too.

    Research by Professor Mark Griffiths of Nottingham Trent University has shown that computer game technology can be useful for training and education purposes. He told silicon.com it can be especially useful for training in the armed forces.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-6-game6a.jpg

    Those who played on the table-top up-facing screen of Space Invaders II will remember how exciting the game was at the time.

    Professor Griffiths' research shows that the mental stimulation of games can help improve hand-eye coordination and speed up reaction time.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-7-game7a.jpg

    Pac-Man was another benchmark in arcade gaming, moving away from the space-war style with its hungry little hero.

    Photo credit: Tim Ferguson

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-8-game8a.jpg

    Missile Command is a Cold War classic from 1980 in which players defend cities from the threat of interplanetary ballistic missiles.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-9-game4.jpg

    The 1982 movie Tron was one of the first films to employ widespread computer graphics, and the plot - rebellion by computer programs against the evil Master Control Program - meant it had plenty of techie fans.

    The Tron arcade game, shown above, is based on the movie.

    The legacy of Tron lives on in the virtual world Second Life, which uses Tron-style language - to create an object in Second Life is known as to 'rez'.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-10-game9aa.jpg

    This is the first-ever computer games console. It's called the Magnavox Odyssey and was released in 1972.

    Among the games on offer back then was this simple table-tennis game.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-11-game10a.jpg

    The controllers for the Magnavox Odyssey work a bit like the 1980s toy, Etch-a-Sketch, to control the table-tennis bats in the game.

    Beyond games, another benefit of consoles is in helping parents communicate with their children. Unlike many toys, Professor Griffiths suggests that computer games encourage parent and child to interact.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

  • 40149673-12-game11a.jpg

    Here's East Germany's contribution to video games - the PolyPlay, which was built between 1985 and 1989 by VEB Polytechnik.

    Due to a shortage of materials, each one was constructed slightly differently, with the company using whatever materials they could find.

    When the Berlin Wall came down, most of the 1,500 machines were destroyed, leaving only this and two other examples.

    Photo credit: Steve Ranger

    Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

    Caption by: Tim Ferguson

1 of 12 NEXT PREV
  • 40149673-1-game1a.jpg
  • 40149673-2-game2a.jpg
  • 40149673-3-game3a.jpg
  • 40149673-4-game4a.jpg
  • 40149673-5-game5a.jpg
  • 40149673-6-game6a.jpg
  • 40149673-7-game7a.jpg
  • 40149673-8-game8a.jpg
  • 40149673-9-game4.jpg
  • 40149673-10-game9aa.jpg
  • 40149673-11-game10a.jpg
  • 40149673-12-game11a.jpg

From Pong and Space Invaders to Tron, Pac-Man and communist arcade games

Read More Read Less

From Pong and Space Invaders to Tron, Pac-Man and communist arcade games

Imagine having this in your front room. It's the PDP-1, the system which ran the first-ever computer game.

Built by the Digital Equipment Corporation in 1960, the computer stored data in punched paper tape and had 9KB of memory.

The computer is on show as part of the Game On exhibition at London's Science Museum. The exhibition follows the development of computer gaming from its origins to present day.

Photo credit: Steve Ranger

Published: November 28, 2006 -- 10:00 GMT (02:00 PST)

Caption by: Tim Ferguson

1 of 12 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Hardware PCs Servers Storage Networking Data Centers
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Galaxy Fold first look at Samsung's Unpacked

    Samsung gave its foldable phone an official name and revealed when you can buy it. (Warning: It isn't cheap.)

  • Galaxy S10 first look: All the models and colors up close

    Here is Samsung's latest flagship range, in all its glory.

  • Weird but super useful gadgets

    I seem to be someone who buys things on the off chance that they will be useful at some point down the road. Thile there are many times when it doesn't feel like this pays off, some of the ...

  • Old flames: Products that keep the retro fires burning

    It's no fun when lovers play mind games, but there's no shortage of ways to celebrate one's love of old video games, not to mention other tech products carrying brands that once flamed ...

  • Tech that stole our heart or broke it

    With Valentine's Day around the corner, ZDNet's contributors and editors were reminded of all the technology they were infatuated with, either in their past or present, as well as ...

  • Valentine's Day gifts: Tech for lovers and friends

    If your partner or friend is tech-obsessed, we've rounded some cool items we think they'll love this Valentine's Day.

  • Last-minute tech gifts and gadgets for your Valentine

    Chocolate and flowers are not the only options this Valentine's Day.

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums