Arcade history · Pong and its predecessors
Was Pong the first video game?
No. Video games and electronic table tennis existed before Atari released Pong in 1972. Pong's real milestone was making a simple video arcade game a commercial sensation.
Instant browser play · No download · Online and offline
What came before Pong?
Ralph Baer and his team built interactive television game prototypes in the late 1960s. Their work became the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972 with a table-tennis game. Atari's founders saw that demonstration before creating their arcade version. Computer Space, another coin-operated video game, had also appeared in 1971.
That history makes “the first video game” a misleading label for Pong. Different definitions of “video game,” “home console” and “arcade game” point to different early inventions.
Why did Pong matter so much?
Pong was easy to understand by watching one rally: two paddles, a ball and a score. Its 1972 arcade release became a major commercial success and helped introduce video games to a broad audience. The home version followed in 1975.
Sources: Smithsonian Institution's video game history and Atari's company history.
From two paddles to PolyPong
PolyPong is inspired by the clarity of classic Pong, but it is a different game. Its polygon arena adds more goals, online opponents, bots and power-ups. The idea is familiar at first glance, then quickly becomes a new multiplayer challenge.
Ready to defend your side?
Open the arena and start playing. No download required.
Play PolyPong