Everyone loves the games at their local arcade. They invite intense competition, a sense of challenge, and fun for hours on end. Most people know or remember when arcade games boomed in the 1970s and 80s, but what was the first arcade game that started the whole concept? In this article, we will go over the history of arcade games from the 70s to now. 

The First Arcade Game

Before arcade games, pinball ruled the gaming world. Pinball got started in the 1930s and grew in popularity until the 1960s. The machines were moneymakers, but they were also challenging to maintain and repair. When video games first became popular, arcade owners preferred them because they were easier to repair. Arcade owners could fix them in under 10 minutes in most circumstances. 

The first commercial video game was released by Syzygy Engineering, who would later become Atari. The game was Computer Space, a space combat game released in 1971. Unfortunately, Computer Space was too difficult to play, so it did not take off among casual gamers at arcades. 

Arcade Game Boom

After the failure of Computer Space, Syzygy Engineering became Atari and focused in a new direction for their games. The first game they launched was Pong, which was far simpler to play. Pong was the first commercially successful video game and the first arcade sports game. It was immensely popular and is often credited as starting the video game industry. Pong also led to one of the first home consoles, where people could play the game on their own television sets. However, many other companies created versions of Pong to compete with the original, and Atari had to continue developing new games. Other companies began to create new games as well, and the video game industry took off. 

Arcade Games Now

Arcade games had their major boom in the 70s and 80s, but they are still popular today. Games are featured at most entertainment centers, and arcades still exist for those who want the retro experience. There are driving games, fighting games, shooting games, and sports games for all types of gamers to enjoy. Basketball games and air hockey games are particularly unique and popular. The average arcade game makes between $200 and $485 per week, so having many arcade games can bring in significant revenue. Arcade games are still very popular, and people are challenging themselves to new games all the time. 

Play Some Games at Main Event

Main Event is your one-stop-shop for all things fun, including arcade games. We have over 100 options for you to choose from, including classic to virtual reality games. You can play any type you want, including shooters and sports games and everything in between. Find your local Main Event and start playing today!