National Video Games Day
Level up your day as September 12 is National Video Games Day! From casual mobile games to epic all-night console marathons, this is the one day gamers everywhere press pause to celebrate the stories, friendships, and joy gaming brings to life. Whether you’re a button-masher or a strategy mastermind, today’s all about you.
And just to clear the confusion: National Video Game Day falls on July 8, while National Video Games Day is celebrated on September 12.
History of Video Games and This Day
The story of video games began in the 1950s, when computer scientists started experimenting with simple games on early computers. The first widely recognized video game- Tennis for Two, was created in 1958 by William Higinbotham, an American physicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York.
Designed for an annual visitor’s day exhibition, this simple game used an analog computer and an oscilloscope to simulate a game of table tennis. Players controlled paddles to hit a ball across a screen, marking the birth of interactive electronic gaming. Though not commercially available, Tennis for Two laid the foundation for the industry we know today.
In the early 1970s, video games entered the consumer market with Computer Space (1971), the first commercially available arcade game, followed by the iconic Pong (1972) by Atari. These milestones sparked a gaming revolution, leading to the rise of home consoles like the Magnavox Odyssey and the explosion of arcade culture. By the 1980s, games like Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros became cultural phenomena, cementing video games as a global pastime.
National Video Games Day itself emerged in the 1990s, with its roots traced to 1991, possibly linked to David Earle, president of the Kid Vid Warriors, as noted in Chase’s Calendar of Events. By 1997, September 12 became the established date for this celebration, though its exact origins remain a bit mysterious.
Most Popular and Beloved Video Games
- Minecraft (2009): Often hailed as the most successful video game of all time, Minecraft’s open-world sandbox lets players build, explore, and survive in a blocky universe. If you have not yet played Minecraft, you are really missing out!
- Super Mario Bros (1985): This Nintendo classic introduced the world to Mario, the plucky plumber who’s become a gaming icon.
- Tetris (1984): Simple yet addictive, Tetris has been played on nearly every platform, from the Game Boy to modern smartphones, making it one of the most accessible games ever.
- Fortnite (2017): This free-to-play battle royale game took the world by storm with its vibrant graphics, building mechanics, and massive online community. It’s a cultural juggernaut, especially among younger players.
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017): Praised for its expansive open world and innovative gameplay, this Nintendo masterpiece redefined adventure games.
How Can You Celebrate National Video Games Day
- You can host a gaming marathon with your friends. Gather your gaming squad whether in person or online and dive into a co-op campaign or battle it out in multiplayer matches. Add snacks, and leaderboard for more fun!
- Dust off an old console or revisit that one game that made you fall in love with gaming in the first place. Whether it’s Super Mario, Halo, or The Sims, give yourself permission to indulge in gaming nostalgia.
- Experiment with gaming genres a little. Give a puzzle game, indie title, or a relaxing farming sim a shot. You might just discover a hidden gem.
- Nothing says celebration like passing on the joy. Teach a family member or friend how to play a game they’ve never tried before because what's better than turning someone into a fellow gamer?
You might like to read these articles next:
