The Rise of Handheld Video Games Since 1973
Since the early 1970s, hand-held video games have captured the fascination of audiences worldwide, with sports-themed games emerging as favorites almost immediately due to their engaging gameplay. For many gaming enthusiasts, the excitement of gaming began during the holiday season, specifically on Christmas morning, when they unwrapped gifts that mirrored the enticing titles they had seen in retail stores. Sports video games, in particular, have become synonymous with the holiday spirit, making it a tradition for families. But which sports games made the biggest splash during these festive periods? This compilation evaluates various titles based on their sales performance, impact on console popularity, and their broader cultural relevance.
1973: The Impact of Pong (Arcade)
The Christmas of 1973 marked a pivotal moment in the history of video games, not for home consoles but for arcade experiences. While the Magnavox Odyssey was available for home use, its high price and lack of sound made it less appealing. Instead, the public became enamored with the coin-operated Pong machines that began appearing in bowling alleys, bars, and shopping centers. By the end of that year, Atari had processed thousands of orders, and many competitors rushed to create their own clones, indicating the birth of the video game industry. Rather than receiving a physical gift to unwrap, families enjoyed the experience of playing Pong together, marking a new social activity centered around electronic gaming.
1974: Magnavox Odyssey (Overlays)
As Pong machines gained popularity in various venues, the Magnavox Odyssey had one last opportunity to shine before home Pong consoles arrived in 1975. Although the Odyssey could only produce basic graphics, players could enhance their experience using plastic overlay sheets to simulate various sports environments. These sheets were adhered to television screens using static electricity, allowing players to feel as though they were competing on a hockey rink, tennis court, or football field. Interestingly, the football game included elements of a traditional board game, requiring players to use physical dice and scorecards while the console managed the game mechanics. Magnavox boldly promoted this as “The Electronic Game of the Future.”
1975: Home Pong (Atari Home Console)
In 1975, Atari partnered with Sears to bring the Pong phenomenon into homes, allowing families to enjoy the arcade experience under their Christmas trees for the first time. This console was equipped with a built-in speaker that replicated the beloved arcade sounds, presenting a more immersive experience than the silent Odyssey. Atari’s marketing was astute, targeting parents with the image of a reliable Sears product rather than a mere toy from a startup. Featured prominently in the iconic Sears Wish Book, the partnership led to a demand so high that Sears sold out its entire order of 150,000 units, creating the first holiday shortage in the video game market.
1976: Atari Pong/Super Pong (Atari Home Console)
After the success of Pong in 1975, the video game market became flooded with clones in 1976, as companies sought to replicate that initial success. Among these was Super Pong, marketed by Sears as the premium choice for the holiday season. This updated version retained the original Pong gameplay but introduced a second paddle, enabling players to control both a goalie and an attacker. It also included two additional games: a version where players grabbed the ball instead of hitting it and a solo variant of Pong. Super Pong’s colorful graphics enhanced the experience, especially for those with color televisions, solidifying the success of the Atari and Sears collaboration.
1977: Video Olympics (Atari 2600)
The Atari Video Computer System, later known as the Atari 2600, debuted in 1977 and introduced the concept of interchangeable game cartridges, moving away from dedicated gaming machines. Retailing at $199, a hefty price at the time, Atari needed a standout title to justify the expense for parents. Video Olympics emerged as a key selling point, boasting 50 games within one cartridge—though many were variations of Pong mechanics. This game was particularly notable for allowing four players to engage simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for holiday gatherings. Marketed as the “Pong Killer,” it represented a significant leap in gaming technology, coinciding with the rise of arcade popularity during this era.
The Peak of LED Handheld Games
The holiday season of 1977 also marked a significant peak for LED handheld gaming devices. While the Atari 2600 was anchored to living room televisions, portable games started to take off, becoming essential items for on-the-go entertainment. Mattel successfully launched calculator-shaped devices that combined the functionality of games with portability, leading to a trend in personal handheld technology that would not be matched until the emergence of the Game Boy a decade later. Clever marketing emphasized the experience of competing against a “computer brain,” a futuristic concept for many families at the time, and for just $30, consumers could hold a piece of this technology in their hands.
