Games · 1973
Arcade Racing, Mainframe Strategy, and Commercial Expansion
In 1973, Atari expanded beyond Pong while competitors rushed into the blossoming arcade business. Mainframe computers in university labs and schools quietly birthed foundational genres like simulation, space strategy, and lunar landers.
- Arcade / Atari
Space Race
Atari released the world's first arcade racing video game, where two players piloted starships through an asteroid field.
- Arcade / Atari
Gotcha
Recognized as the first commercial maze game, this Atari title featured continuously changing maze patterns and controversial pink dome controls.
- Arcade / Atari
Pong Doubles
Atari introduced four-player gameplay with this expanded version of Pong, housed in a prominent wooden cabinet.
- Book / David H. Ahl
101 BASIC Computer Games
David H. Ahl published this seminal book of game source code, inspiring a generation of mainframe and early microcomputer programmers.
- DEC GT40 / Vector Game
Moonlander
Jack Burness created this graphical lunar landing game on the DEC GT40 terminal, famously featuring a hidden McDonald's on the moon's surface.
- PLATO IV / Mainframe Strategy
Empire
John Daleske developed this pioneering multi-terminal network space strategy game for the PLATO mainframe system.
- MECC Mainframe / Simulation
Lemonade Stand
Bob Jamison created this influential business simulation game for Minnesota school district mainframe systems.
- Arcade / Midway
Winner
Pinball giant Midway entered the coin-operated video game industry with this licensed table tennis variant.
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