The 1970s was a pivotal time for the video game industry. While computer and arcade games had existed for a few years, the 1970s marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Video Games, when the industry started to grow rapidly and new games and hardware began to emerge. The games from this period laid the foundation for the video game industry as we know it today.

One of the most significant events in the 1970s was the release of the first commercially successful video game, “Pong”, in 1972. Developed by Atari, “Pong” was a simple arcade game that simulates table tennis, where two players hit a ball back and forth with paddles. The success of “Pong” sparked a new era of video games, and it inspired a wave of new games, such as “Breakout” and “Space Invaders”, that would further shape the video game industry.

Another hallmark of the 1970s was the introduction of new hardware. In 1972, Magnavox released the first home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey. This device was the first of its kind, allowing players to play video games in their own homes, and it paved the way for the future home console market.

Many of the games from the 1970s are now considered classics, and they continue to influence modern games. Games like “Space Invaders” and “Asteroids” are considered to be some of the most influential video games of all time, and they established many of the gameplay mechanics that are still used today.

In conclusion, the 1970s was a seminal period for the video game industry, and it laid the foundation for the industry as we know it today. The games and hardware from this period paved the way for the video game industry to grow into the multibillion-dollar industry it is today. The 1970s was truly the Golden Age of Video Games, and its impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.

1. Space Invaders (1978) – developed by Taito. A classic arcade shooter game where the player controls a cannon and must defend against alien invaders.
2. Pong (1972) – developed by Atari. A simple arcade game that simulates table tennis, where two players hit a ball back and forth with paddles.
3. Breakout (1976) – developed by Atari. An arcade game where the player must break bricks by deflecting a ball with a paddle.
4. Asteroids (1979) – developed by Atari. An arcade game where the player controls a spaceship and must destroy asteroids while avoiding collision with them.
5. Snake (1976) – developed by Gremlin Industries. An arcade game where the player controls a snake that grows longer as it eats pellets while avoiding obstacles.
6. Gun Fight (1975) – developed by Taito. A western-themed arcade game that was one of the first multiplayer video games, where two players compete to shoot each other.
7. Computer Space (1971) – developed by Nutting Associates. An early arcade game that was one of the first games created by Nolan Bushnell, who later founded Atari.
8. Sea Wolf (1976) – developed by Midway. An arcade game where the player controls a submarine and must sink enemy ships while avoiding their fire.
9. Tank (1974) – developed by Kee Games. An arcade game where the player controls a tank and must destroy enemy tanks while avoiding collision with them.
10. Space Race (1973) – developed by Atari. An arcade game where the player controls a spaceship and must race to the finish line while avoiding obstacles.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there were many other great video games from the 1970s created by a variety of authors.