With millions of gamers around the world playing thousands of complex games, gaming is better than ever, right? Well, maybe not.
Ask anybody over the age of 60 for their favorite gaming experience, and they'll tell you nothing measures up to a heated game of Pong.
Created by Atari in 1972, the simple game became one of the most influential pieces of digital media ever made, earning Atari its status as immortal gaming royalty.
Here are 15 photos of what it looked like to participate in gaming at its real peak.
1
Gaming at Home
"Pong" in 1975.
2
Family Pong Night
Competitive in 1977.
3
"My Mom and Grandad"
Playing "Pong," 1977.
4
"My Dad and His Friend"
"Enjoying some oregano and playing 'Pong' in the 1970s."
5
Nolan Bushnell
Atari Corporation founder with his new game called "Pong," 1972.
6
"Pong"
From The 1976 Sears Wish Book.
7
Playing
"My dad and I," 1979.
8
A "Pong" Arcade Machine
"At my family's restaurant back in the early '70s."
9
"Santa Gave me a 'Pong’ Console"
Christmas circa ‘76-'77.
10
"My Grampy"
An OG gamer playing 'Pong' with his new Playstation on Christmas in 1995."
11
Kids Playing "Pong"
The early 1980s.
12
"Pong" Arcade
An original machine.
13
TV Commercial
"Pong" and Atari in 1976.
14
Playing Together
“You boys have played enough Atari, and your sister wants to watch 'Little House on the Prairie!'" 1978. The game shown is "Combat," but fits the Atari spirit.
15
"Pong" Machine
PMC, exciting.
16
First Generation Pong Console
In a retro 1970s installation at the Computerspielemuseum, Berlin, 2017.
