Landmark / Must Play Games 1958 - 1982

[sut]

I'm planning on building database(s) for my own personal use based on the best video games, I am going to break it into categories. I'm going to start at the very beginning from what I can discover 1958 is when it all started (well according to Wikipedia anyway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_consoles). So I want to cover this period upto approx 1982 (Before NES, Spectrum, C64 ETC).

 

I'm looking for people on the forum to name the best/landmark/cutting edge games of this period as it's just before my time (my first gaming system was a Spectrum 128K). Ideally I'm looking for both computer and video games from this period and also covering as many systems (if not all) that were commercially active in this period. It would be nice if the game was emulated also, but not essential I would still like to know about it.

 

From my research so far the period seems really muddled especially with the numerous pong systems. I've managed to find plenty of information on the 2nd generation consoles but would still like your opinions/recommendations on the games to play. I'm finding it tougher for emulation and information on the early home computer systems (before the spectrum/c64 etc hit their stride) so any pointers, links, recommendations on these systems would be appreciated.

 

I'm going to use the GameBase frontend to document the games as it's highly customisable, can show information, screenshots and box art etc + if the games emulated it can launch the games.

 

This is my first category/gamebase in a (very) long term plan which is:

 

1). Computer/Video Games 1958 - 1982

2). 8-Bit Home Computers era (Spectrum/C64/Amstrad/Acorn/MSX etc)

3). 8-Bit Consoles 3rd Generation era (NES/Master System/GX4000 etc)

4). 16-Bit Home Computers era (Atari ST/Amiga/Archimedes/DOS)

5). 16-Bit Consoles era (Mega Drive/SNES/PC Engine)

ETC

 

But first I really want to play the games that started it all, the real trailblazers. So please post all the games you feel are worth a mention from this period - i'm looking for a DVD full of games/emulators/adverts/screenshots/box art/booklets etc for the period.

 

Many Thanks.

 

Oh to get started I put down a couple I know will be mentioned:

 

Tennis - Magnavox Odyssey

Shooting Gallery - Magnavox Odyssey

Space Invaders - Atari VCS 2600

[jeremysart]

Don't quote me, but I'm not so sure you'll find many of the best "landmark" games before circa 77'

But good luck putting the list together! Doing a simple search in the forums here will probably turn up a lot of the "idea" games for each console, and the forums here are conveniently divided by popular console. Also Wiki might be of some help too.

[Odysseus]

I disagree with the befor 77 Comment. Pong is about the biggest landmark there is. Though odyssey tennis Id say since its pre pong. Plus thats the first sports game, a very long history there. Alot of odyssey games were landmark. Odyssey baseball was the first baseball game where you kept stats.

 

And of coarse the odyssy 200 was the first time 4 players could play together in their home. Thats a landmark too

[ratfink]

An important category would be roguelikes, going back to 1974 for a game called pedit5 soon followed by dnd. These games eventually led to Rogue, Temple of Apshai, heck even the Intellivision's Tower of Doom was influenced by these games. And roguelikes are still played today.

[high voltage]

Yes, Plato was most important (70s), but for number 2, the Apple 2 was far more important (many classics orginated on Apple) than Spectrum or even worse, Amstrad or Acorn (There are no landmarks/cutting edge on Spectrum, BBC, or Amstrad). Of course, the IBM belongs into the number 2 category as well.

Edited April 13, 2010 by high voltage

[sut]

Yes I'll include the Apple 2 in the 8-bit home computers gaembase. I thought the IBM was a DOS based PC ? Are you saying it was it's own platform at one point ?

Also have In mind I looking for the 'must play' games so straight away Elite for the BBC, Jet Set Willy for the Spectrum. But that is in stage 2. I'm concentrating on stage 1 first will have to research the 'rogue' games they sound indeed landmark.

[Herbarius]

I thought the IBM was a DOS based PC ? Are you saying it was it's own platform at one point ?

 

Huh?

Edited April 13, 2010 by Herbarius

[The_Laird]

3D Monster Maze on the ZX81

[Goochman]

Was Colossal Cave Adventure before or after '77?

[sut]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_years_in_video_gaming

 

Really should have gone here first it documents all notable releases made in every year. Excellent stuff.

Main problem is I didn't realise so much was on mainframe computers in the 70's, looks like gaming didn't really hit the home until the atari 2600. I don't if there are any emulators (or even if mainframe computer emulation is possible) to experience these games.