80s Arcade Game - Atari, a history

If you are looking for answers to questions such as “what year did Atari come out” or “where can I find 80s free games online”, then look no further.

Atari took the world by storm and began the Video Arcade Industry in 1972, when it released the arcade game Pong. Five years later in 1977, the company once again changed the face of entertainment when it introduced the first home video game console or VCS (video computer system). The innovation of the VCS was that the game was housed in a

changeable game cartridge, not on the console itself. This allowed users to play an infinite number of games, instead of just one as it was with the original Pong. As the number one video game console maker, Atari was a driving force behind 80’s game play both at home and in the arcades, and the precursor to all the video and online gaming that has come since.

While Atari and games such as Pong and Space Invaders began this entertainment revolution, a maze like game featuring a small yellow circle, which gobbled up colorful ghosts, defined 80’s game play. Developed by Namco, Pac-Man arrived in arcades across the United States in the early 80’s and quickly became a social trend. In no time Pac-Man leaped off the game screen and onto to everything from t-shirts and toys to breakfast cereal, pasta, and onto the small screen with a Saturday morning cartoon.

Thanks to the innovative designers of Atari and Pac-Man, people of all ages were given a form of entertainment unlike anything seen before. Today lovers of the games which started it all can play their favorite 80’s arcade games online thanks to the internet. You can go straight to the Atari web site and play these vintage games online (with free registration). You can also play Pac Man free online at the Like Totally 80s MySpace page.

You can also now buy plug and play 80s video games that just pop into your TVs audio and video slots. They come equipped with their own vintage 80s joysticks and include games like: Gravitar, Asteroids, Real Sports Volleyball, Centipede, Adventure, Pong, Missile Command, Breakout, Yars' Revenge and Circus Atari. (right: click to purchase)