Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings, evolving from simple pixelated experiments into a multi-billion-dollar industry. But where did it all start? In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the first 10 video games ever created, exploring their origins, creators, and the impact they had on the gaming world.
From the groundbreaking Tennis for Two to the revolutionary PLATO system RPGs, these early games laid the foundation for everything from arcade classics to modern open-world adventures. Whether you’re a gaming historian, a retro enthusiast, or just curious about how the industry began, this list will walk you through the earliest days of video games—one pixel at a time.
Ready to explore gaming’s origin story? Let’s rewind time and take a look at the first 10 video games ever created and how they shaped the future of interactive entertainment!
10. Tennis for Two: The Video Game That Started It All (Well, Almost!)
Before Mario stomped Goombas, before Pong bounced its way into arcades, and long before Fortnite took over living rooms worldwide, there was Tennis for Two. Created in 1958 by physicist William Higinbotham, this humble game is often considered one of the earliest video games ever made. And get this—it wasn’t even designed for entertainment!
A Game Born in a Science Lab
Higinbotham was a scientist at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, and he came up with Tennis for Two to make science more engaging for visitors. Using an oscilloscope screen (yes, the same kind of device used for electrical measurements), he created a simple yet addictive tennis simulation. Players controlled the game using aluminum controllers with a button and a dial, allowing them to hit a tiny pixelated “ball” over an on-screen net. It was basic, but it worked—and it was fun!
How Did It Work?
Unlike many early computer programs that were text-based, Tennis for Two actually had real-time graphics. The ball’s movement was influenced by physics, meaning factors like gravity and angle played a role. The game was displayed on a small oscilloscope screen, with a side-view of a tennis court represented by a horizontal line and a bouncing “ball” that players could hit over a simulated net. Players controlled the game using rotary knobs and buttons, adjusting the angle of their shot and timing their swings just right. It was primitive, but it was also incredibly engaging for its time! The game was showcased for only a couple of days at a science exhibition, but it was a hit, drawing in long lines of excited visitors eager to give it a swing.
Why It Mattered
Despite its pioneering nature, Tennis for Two never got a commercial release, and it faded into obscurity for decades. However, Tennis for Two paved the way for future game designers, proving that electronics could be used for more than just calculations and research—they could also be used for entertainment. Gaming historians now recognize it as a key milestone in video game history. Without it, who knows how long it would have taken for video games to, well, get into play?
Was It the First Video Game?
This is where things get a little tricky. While Tennis for Two is often mentioned as one of the first video games ever, some argue that earlier creations, such as the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device (1947) or OXO (1952), should hold that title. However, Tennis for Two stands out because it felt like a real game, designed purely for fun rather than research or military purposes. So next time you’re enjoying a match of Wii Sports or challenging a friend in Virtua Tennis, remember Tennis for Two—the game that proved that pixels and playtime belonged together.
9. Spacewar! – The Intergalactic Classic
If Tennis for Two was the gentle rally that got video games rolling, Spacewar! was the rocket-powered blast that took gaming to the stars. Created in 1962 by a group of MIT students, led by Steve Russell, this was one of the first 10 video games ever made, and it was an absolute game-changer—literally!
Imagine this: two players, each piloting a tiny spaceship, locked in an intense dogfight while trying to avoid a deadly, pixelated black hole in the center of the screen. Spacewar! was played on a PDP-1 computer, which was about the size of a refrigerator (not exactly “portable gaming”). The game featured Newtonian physics, meaning ships didn’t just stop moving when you let go of the controls—they kept drifting through space, adding a layer of strategy that made Spacewar! wildly ahead of its time.
The game spread like wildfire across university labs, inspiring future game developers and cementing its place in history. It was so influential that when Nolan Bushnell (the guy who later founded Atari) saw it, he thought, “Hey, maybe I can turn this whole ‘video game’ thing into a business.” Spoiler alert: He did.
While Spacewar! was never commercially sold, it set the stage for arcade gaming and influenced countless space-themed games that followed (Asteroids, anyone?). With its competitive multiplayer mode and fast-paced action, it wasn’t just a game—it was the beginning of gaming culture.
Now, let’s warp ahead to the next legendary entry in the first 10 video games ever made… 🚀
8. Computer Space – The First Arcade Video Game Ever!
Alright, arcade fans—before Pong took over bars and living rooms, there was Computer Space (1971), the first commercially available arcade video game. It was weird, it was futuristic, and it was so complex that most people had no idea how to play it. But guess what? Without Computer Space, there might never have been an arcade industry at all.
This neon-colored oddity was created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, the same duo who would later launch Atari. Inspired by Spacewar!, they wanted to take the thrill of spaceship battles out of college labs and into the real world. The result? Computer Space—a game where players piloted a rocket ship and tried to shoot down flying saucers while dodging enemy fire.
Now, here’s the thing: Computer Space was way ahead of its time—maybe a little too ahead. The controls were tricky, and the game was more complicated than what casual players were used to. While it didn’t sell as well as Bushnell had hoped, it laid the groundwork for the golden age of arcades. Without Computer Space, there would be no Pong, no arcades, and no video game industry explosion.
This game marks an important stop in the evolution of video games: from the first 10 to modern gaming. It proved that video games weren’t just for computer labs—they could be businesses. And while Computer Space may not have been the smash hit Bushnell wanted, it set the stage for Pong to take over the world.
7. Galaxy Game: The First Coin-Operated Video Game
Before arcades were filled with beeping machines and flashing lights, there was Galaxy Game (1971)—the first-ever coin-operated video game. Yep, this was the granddaddy of the arcade cabinets we know and love today! As we dive deeper into the detailed history of the first computer video games, Galaxy Game deserves a moment in the spotlight.
Created by Bill Pitts and Hugh Tuck, two Stanford University students, Galaxy Game was heavily inspired by Spacewar! (that epic spaceship battle game played in college labs). They wanted to bring that experience to a wider audience—so they did what any smart engineers would do: they turned it into a pay-to-play arcade machine.
They installed the first Galaxy Game machine at Stanford’s Tresidder Union in 1971, charging 10 cents per game or three games for 25 cents (a steal compared to today’s gaming prices!). Unlike later arcade games, Galaxy Game didn’t use a traditional monitor; instead, it ran on a PDP-11 computer connected to a vector display. The machine was sleek and futuristic—but there was just one problem: it was way too expensive to mass-produce.
Because of that, Galaxy Game never became a mainstream hit like Pong or Space Invaders, but it still holds a special place in the detailed history of the first computer video games. It proved that people were willing to pay to play video games, helping to shape the future of arcade gaming.
6. Magnavox Odyssey Games – The Birth of Home Gaming
If Spacewar! was the inspiration, the Magnavox Odyssey was the revolution. Released in 1972, the Odyssey was the first-ever home video game console, paving the way for everything from the Atari 2600 to modern PlayStations and Xboxes. This system wasn’t just another game—it was a historical turning point in the detailed history of the first computer video games.
Created by Ralph H. Baer, often called the “Father of Video Games,” the Odyssey came with 12 built-in games, including titles like Table Tennis, Hockey, and Ski. But hold on—these games were incredibly basic. The system itself could only generate simple white squares on the screen. To add variety, players had to place transparent plastic overlays on their TV screens to create backgrounds (yes, really!). Some games even required dice, cards, and score sheets, making the experience part board game, part video game.
One of the standout games was Table Tennis, which was so influential that Atari’s Pong later borrowed (okay, copied) the idea and turned it into an arcade phenomenon. The Odyssey’s rifle-based game, Shooting Gallery, was also notable—it was the first home console light gun game, a direct ancestor to arcade classics like Duck Hunt.
Even though the Odyssey was a bit ahead of its time, it laid the foundation for the gaming industry. Without it, we wouldn’t have the home gaming boom that followed.
5. Pong – The Game That Started It All (For Real This Time)
If you ask most people what the first video game was, they’ll probably say Pong. While that’s not exactly true, there’s a reason this 1972 arcade hit is so legendary. It wasn’t just a game—it was a phenomenon that jump-started the entire video game industry. As we explore the timeline of the first 10 video games and their impact on gaming, Pong easily stands out as one of the most important.
Created by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell (and programmed by Allan Alcorn), Pong was directly inspired by Magnavox Odyssey’s Table Tennis. The game was ridiculously simple: two paddles, one bouncing ball, and a goal to keep the ball from passing your paddle. But that simplicity was magic.
The first-ever Pong arcade machine was installed in Andy Capp’s Tavern, a bar in Sunnyvale, California. Legend has it that after just a few days, the machine stopped working—not because it was broken, but because it was overflowing with quarters. That’s when Bushnell knew he had a hit on his hands.
Soon, Atari was churning out Pong machines like crazy, and the game became the first commercially successful video game. In 1975, Atari released a home version of Pong, which was a must-have Christmas gift and helped kickstart the home gaming industry.
Pong proved that video games weren’t just a nerdy lab experiment or a novelty—they were big business. Without Pong, there would be no arcade boom, no Atari 2600, and maybe no gaming industry as we know it.
Let’s move forward in the timeline of the first 10 video games and their impact on gaming to see what came next! 🕹️
4. Gran Trak 10 – The Birth of Racing Games! 🏎️💨
Alright, speed demons—before Need for Speed, before Forza Horizon, there was Gran Trak 10 (1974), the first-ever arcade racing game! If you love burning rubber in video games, you have this classic to thank.
Made by Atari, Gran Trak 10 put players behind the wheel of a tiny, pixelated car on a top-down race track. The goal? Drive as fast as possible while avoiding the walls and racking up the highest score. Sounds simple, right? Well, back in 1974, this was cutting-edge technology!
What made Gran Trak 10 really stand out was its physical controls. Instead of just buttons and a joystick, the cabinet had a steering wheel, a gear shifter, pedals, and even a dashboard—bringing a whole new level of realism to video games. Players had to actually drive the car, making it one of the most immersive arcade games of its time.
But here’s a wild fact: Gran Trak 10 was so expensive to produce that Atari almost lost money on it! The company miscalculated the production costs, and for a moment, it looked like this game might be a financial disaster. Luckily, the game was a huge hit, proving that racing games had a future.
This game was a turning point for arcade gaming and helped set the stage for future hits like Pole Position and OutRun. So, next time you drift around a corner in your favorite racing game, give a nod to Gran Trak 10.
3. Tank – The Game That Brought Battle to the Arcade
By 1974, Atari had already made a name for itself with Pong and Gran Trak 10, but the company wasn’t done innovating. That same year, Kee Games (a subsidiary of Atari) released Tank, a groundbreaking title that became one of the most influential arcade combat games of all time. As part of the first 10 video games ever made, Tank introduced key gameplay mechanics that would shape the future of multiplayer gaming.
Unlike previous arcade games, which focused on sports or racing, Tank placed two players in direct head-to-head combat. Each player controlled a blocky, pixelated tank in a maze filled with obstacles. The objective? Outmaneuver and destroy your opponent by firing shells while avoiding enemy fire.
What made Tank particularly significant was its innovative controls. It used dual joystick inputs, allowing players to control each tank tread separately—just like real tanks. This control scheme would later influence games like Battlezone and even modern mech-based games.
Beyond gameplay, Tank was also a major business success. It helped Kee Games establish itself, only for the company to be absorbed back into Atari after the game’s massive success. It also became the inspiration for later war and combat games, proving that competitive battle-focused gameplay had a place in the arcade industry.
As we continue exploring the first 10 video games ever created, Tank stands out as a pioneer of multiplayer combat gaming, setting the stage for future hits like Battle City, Battlezone, and even modern tank warfare games.
2. Gun Fight – The Wild West Comes to the Arcade! 🤠🔫
Cowboys and cowgirls—grab your hats and get ready for a showdown! Before Red Dead Redemption made the Wild West feel cinematic, Gun Fight (1975) brought dueling gunslingers to the arcade scene. This was the first arcade game to feature human-on-human combat, making it a major milestone in gaming history.
Created by Taito in Japan and later adapted for the U.S. by Midway, Gun Fight put two players in control of pixelated cowboys on opposite sides of the screen. The goal? Take out your opponent before they take you out! Simple, right? Well, not so fast—there were cacti and wagons acting as cover, bullets could ricochet, and you had to time your shots carefully to win.
But here’s the real game-changer: Gun Fight was the first video game to use a microprocessor instead of hardwired logic circuits. What does that mean? Well, it meant smoother gameplay, more complex mechanics, and a leap forward in game design. This shift revolutionized arcade gaming and paved the way for more advanced games in the years to come.
Beyond the tech, Gun Fight proved that competitive one-on-one battles were wildly fun—a concept that would later explode with fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.
Now, holster your pistols and saddle up—we’re riding forward to the evolution of video games: from the first 10 to modern gaming! 🎮
1. Early PLATO System RPGs: The Birth of Role-Playing Video Games 🏰⚔️
These were the first-ever computer role-playing games, created on a system so ahead of its time that it felt like something out of science fiction. If you love exploring dungeons, casting spells, and battling monsters, then you owe a huge thanks to these pioneering games!
In the mid 1970s, the PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations) system was an advanced computer network used primarily for education. But, of course, students quickly realized that learning wasn’t the only thing computers could do—they could play games! Enter games like dnd (1975), pedit5, and The Dungeon, which were inspired by tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and brought those ideas into the digital realm.
These early RPGs introduced many of the core mechanics we see in modern role-playing games:
🎲 Turn-based combat – Players battled monsters using stats, strategy, and dice rolls (virtual ones, of course).
🗺️ Exploration – Mazes, dungeons, and secret rooms encouraged players to explore every corner of the digital world.
🧙♂️ Character progression – Experience points, leveling up, and stat-building all got their start here.
Though the PLATO system RPGs weren’t commercially available, they laid the foundation for future RPGs like Ultima and Wizardry, which in turn inspired everything from Diablo to The Legend of Zelda.
And with that, our journey through the first 10 video games ever created comes to an end. From bouncing pixels in Tennis for Two to blasting through space, dueling in the Wild West, and diving into the first digital dungeons, these early games defined an industry.
But this is just the beginning—video games have evolved into a global phenomenon, and their future is still being written. So, whether you’re battling dragons or chasing high scores, remember—you’re part of gaming history in the making! 🎮🚀
