A Timeline of Popular Video Games Quiz

Originally developed as an arcade game in 1972, "Pong" was released in October 1975 by Atari for home consoles and was one of the earliest video games to achieve commercial success.

It featured simple graphics that mimicked table tennis and played a significant role in launching the video game industry.

In April of 1978, "Space Invaders" was released in arcades in Japan, and later that same year in North America. It was brought to the Atari 2600 in 1980 by Taito. Its immense popularity helped boost the sales of the Atari 2600 and made it a cultural icon.

Players control a laser cannon that moves horizontally at the bottom of the screen, shooting at waves of descending aliens. The objective is to destroy all the aliens before they reach the bottom.

Developed by Namco, "Pac-Man" hit arcades in October 1980 and was later adapted for the Atari 2600 and released in 1982. The game became a global sensation, known for its engaging gameplay and the iconic character of Pac-Man.

Players navigate Pac-Man through a maze, eating pellets while avoiding ghosts. Eating power pellets allows Pac-Man to temporarily eat the ghosts for extra points.

Released on September 13, 1985, for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), "Super Mario Bros." was developed and published by Nintendo, introducing one of the most iconic video game characters ever created. This platformer played a crucial role in revitalizing the video game industry and became one of the best-selling games ever.

Players control Mario as he runs and jumps through various levels, avoiding obstacles and enemies to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The game features power-ups like mushrooms and fire flowers to enhance Mario's abilities.

"Sonic the Hedgehog", developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega, was released on June 23, 1991, for the Sega Genesis. The game introduced Sonic, who became Sega's mascot, and was celebrated for its fast-paced gameplay and vibrant visuals.

Players control Sonic as he runs at high speeds through levels, collecting rings and defeating enemies. The game emphasizes speed and platforming, with Sonic's spin attack being a key move.

This fighting game, developed by Midway, was released in August of 1992 for arcades and later that same year for home consoles like the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.

"Mortal Kombat" features one-on-one combat where players use a variety of punches, kicks, and special moves to deplete their opponent's health bar. The game is known for its violent finishing moves called "Fatalities," which led to the creation of the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rating system.

"Final Fantasy VII", developed by Square (now Square Enix), was released on January 31, 1997, for the Sony PlayStation. It became a landmark title in the RPG genre, renowned for its deep story, memorable characters, and impressive graphics, significantly boosting PlayStation sales.

Players control Cloud Strife and his party in a turn-based RPG, exploring environments, engaging in battles, and progressing through a story-driven narrative. The game features a unique Materia system for customizing abilities.

Developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment, "World of Warcraft" was released on November 23, 2004, for Windows and Mac OS X.

This massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) allows players to create characters and explore a vast world, completing quests, battling monsters, and interacting with other players. The game emphasizes cooperative gameplay and character progression. It became the most popular MMORPG of all time, attracting millions of subscribers.

"Wii Sports", developed and published by Nintendo, was released on November 19, 2006, for the Nintendo Wii. Bundled with the Wii console, it showcased the system's motion controls and became one of the best-selling games ever. Five sports were featured with the game release: tennis, golf, baseball, bowling, and boxing.

Released on November 9, 2010, for multiple platforms including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows, this first-person shooter was developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. "Call of Duty: Black Ops" was praised for its engaging single-player campaign and robust multiplayer modes.

The game features a single-player campaign with various missions and a multiplayer mode with different game types. Players use a variety of weapons and tactics to complete objectives and defeat enemies.

Initially released on November 18, 2011, for PC, "Minecraft" was developed and published by Mojang. Known for its blocky graphics and open-ended gameplay, it became a cultural phenomenon and one of the best-selling games ever.

Players explore a blocky, procedurally-generated world, gathering resources to build structures, craft items, and survive against monsters. The game offers both survival and creative modes.

"Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag" was released on October 29, 2013, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and other platforms. This action-adventure game was developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It was praised for its open-world naval exploration and engaging story.

Players control Edward Kenway, a pirate and assassin, exploring an open world with naval and land-based missions. The game features ship combat, treasure hunting, and stealth-based gameplay.

Developed and published by Rockstar Games, "Red Dead Redemption 2" was released on October 26, 2018, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It received critical acclaim for its detailed open world, storytelling, and character development.

Players control Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in the late 1800s, exploring a vast open world with a mix of story missions, side activities, and random encounters. The game emphasizes realism and character development.

Released on June 19, 2020, for PlayStation 4, "The Last of Us Part II" was developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was praised for its narrative, character development, and technical achievements.

This action-adventure game follows Ellie as she navigates a post-apocalyptic world, using stealth and combat to survive. The game is known for its emotional storytelling and detailed environments.

"Elden Ring" was released on February 25, 2022, for multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Windows. This action RPG was developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was highly anticipated and received widespread acclaim for its open-world design and challenging gameplay.

This game features an open world with challenging combat, exploration, and character customization. Players battle formidable enemies and uncover the lore of the game's universe.