Throwback Tech: Top 15 video games that evoke nostalgia

1. Tennis for Two

A physicist named Willy Higinbotham invented the first video game, Tennis for Two, in 1958 at the Brookhaven National Lab. The game he created was almost like Ping-Pong. Users could play against each other using an oscilloscope.

2. Spacewar  

In 1961, MIT student, Steve Russell, invented Spacewar, the first interactive computer game. This system was made from a Digital PDP-1 mainframe computer. All graphics were created from ASCII text characters.

3. Galaxy Game

In 1971, Galaxy Game was the first video game to be mass -produced and distributed worldwide. It ran on a PDP-1 mainframe computer, and contained vector-displayed DEC PCP-11/20 graphics. It was the first coin-operated computer game.

4. Pong

In 1972, Pong was invented by  in the style of a table tennis game. The game’s construction was similar to that of Galaxy Game. This arcade video game became extremely popular throughout the 1970s, and can still be played today on the computer.

5. Gunfight

Gunfight was the first computer game released that used a microprocessor instead of the hardwired solid-state circuits that were previously used.The game started appearing in stores in 1975.

6. Space Invaders

Gamers started picking up Space Invaders in 1978. Its originator, Tomohiro Nishikado, had to create customized hardware and software development tools for the system to work efficiently. This was because Japanese microcomputers did not contain ample computing power. The computer used an Intel 8080 central processing unit, bitmap images on a CRT monitor, and a Texas Instruments SN76477. In 1980, this game was compatible with the Atari 2600 gaming system.

7. Asteroids

In 1979, Asteroids became the first game to enable high- scoring players to enter their names to be stored in the device.

8. Pacman

When Pacman hit the market in 1980, it rapidly gained popularity. Users could play Pacman in arcades all over the world.

9. The Legend of Zelda

Developed by Zelda in 1986, this action-adventure packed video game was highly influential in the development of future role-playing games. It was re-released for Game Boy and GameCube, and can be played online.

10. Prince of Persia

Prince of Persia was released in 1989 on the Apple II. All animation included in the game used rotoscopting techniques. Rotoscoping helped animate by recording images, projecting them through glass, and allowing the video game illustrator to draw the images. This game was released for systems including the Atari ST, Sharp X68000, PC Engine, Sega Master System, and GameBoy, just to name a few. In 2012, this game was rereleased for Nintendo DS and Wii.

11. Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog was developed by the company Sega in 1991. Many variations of this game have been released through the late 1990s and early 2000s.

12. Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong was released in 1981, and has set many world records since its beginnings. It received the Guinness Book of World Records award for the “First Use of Visual Storytelling in a Video Game.”

13. Super Smash Bros.

Developed by Nintendo in 1999, Super Smash Bros was released for the Nintendo 64. It incorporated various characters from other Nintendo games, like Mario, Donkey Kong

14. Tetris

An addictive game, perhaps a conceptual precursor to the Candy Crush Saga.

15. Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. is one of the most iconic games of all time. It was developed by Nintendo EAD, and continues to release new versions for Nintendo 3DS systems and Wii.