National Retro Video Game Day is celebrated on March 8. It is a day for retro gamers to reminisce and bring out those retro games played in the earlier days of gaming before the arrival of Xbox and PlayStation, Wii, and other modern gaming.
It is a celebration of the evolution of gaming from the earlier days of Mario and Pac-Man to the complex games it is now with intricate storytelling and amazing graphics. Let us take a walk down memory lane to remember those retro games.
- 1889 – Founded in 1889, Nintendo first sold handmade playing cards for a game called Hanafuda.
- 1958 – The creation of the first computer video game solely for entertainment and not research is called “Tennis for Two.”
- 1962 – Steve Russell in collaboration with Martin Graetz and Wayne Wiitanen in the U.S. invents “Space War!” — the first video game that can be played on multiple computer installations.
- 1967 – Developers at Sanders Associates, Inc., led by Ralph Baer, invent a prototype multiplayer, multi-program video game system that can be played on a television.
- 1971 – This first commercially available arcade video game invented by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in 1971, is a derivative of “Spacewar!”
- 1972 – This first home video game console designed in 1972 consisted of a black, white, and brown oblong box connected by wires to two rectangular controllers. Ralph Baer, is often regarded as the “Father of Video Games.”
- 1977 – A home console that features joysticks and interchangeable game cartridges playing multi-colored games is released and known as the “Atari 2600.”
- 1979 – The iconic Asteroids, created by Ed Logg and released in 1979, showcases the power of minimalist design. Logg’s achievement of designing the game in just five days highlights the creativity and ingenuity required in early arcade game development, resulting in a timeless classic that remains enjoyable today.
- 1980 – The popular retro video game, “Pacman” was made in 1980.
- 1995 – The first 32-bit console that plays games on CDs rather than cartridges is released.
- 2010 – The day originated in the early 2010s when the internet enhanced connections among retro game enthusiasts worldwide.
- 2013 – With an estimated budget of $265 million, “Grand Theft Auto V” was the Hollywood blockbuster of the gaming world.rakkar.”
- Mortal Kombat made headlines with its brutal “fatalities,” gruesome finishing moves that shocked and thrilled players. The game’s unique characters and fighting mechanics contributed to its lasting legacy.
- “1942” transported players to intense World War II aerial battles, offering vertically scrolling shooter action with waves of enemy planes to overcome.
- Before Mario was dodging sewer creatures, he was dodging barrels thrown by a giant ape. In “Donkey Kong,” Mario was a carpenter, not a plumber.
- Pac-Man’s design was inspired by a pizza missing a slice
- The E.T. video game was so horrendous that it led to thousands of unsold cartridges being buried in a New Mexico landfill.
- Gaming addiction is now officially a “thing,” according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms include impaired control over gaming, prioritizing gaming over other life interests, and continuing to game despite negative consequences. It’s like the hangover that never ends. If you live in the USA, your healthcare system probably won’t help much.
- Studies have shown that these games can enhance spatial resolution, making gamers better at distinguishing between different shades of color.
- Nearly half of all gamers are female.
- 62% of adults over 18 are hitting those game pads and keyboards.
- With over 300 million copies sold (as of 2024), “Minecraft” takes the crown as the best-selling video game ever. While Grand Theft Auto V (100 million sold) and Tetris (100 million sold).
- Shigeru Miyamoto, the genius behind “The Legend of Zelda,” drew inspiration from his childhood experiences of exploring caves and fields.
- When “Doom” was released, it became so popular that it was installed on more computers than Windows 95.
- Arcade adaptations of “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” brought beloved franchises to life, immersing players in epic space battles and missions. These games allowed fans to step into the shoes of their favorite characters.
- Tetris captivated players with its simple yet addictive puzzle mechanics, challenging them to strategically arrange falling blocks. Its global success led to its presence on numerous platforms and cultural impact.
- Duck Hunt transitioned from arcades to home consoles, captivating players with its light gun gameplay as they aimed to shoot down ducks on-screen, marking a memorable era of target-shooting fun.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became popular for its four-player cooperative gameplay, allowing friends to team up as the iconic turtles and battle villains in a side-scrolling beat ’em up.
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