In today's world, 1979 in video games has become a topic of great importance and interest to a wide variety of people. From its impact on society to its implications on the economy, 1979 in video games has captured the attention of experts and fans alike. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the different aspects related to 1979 in video games, from its history to its relevance today. Furthermore, we will analyze the different perspectives and opinions on 1979 in video games, with the aim of offering a complete and balanced view on this topic.
Space Invaders was the top-grossing video game worldwide in 1979, having become the arcade game industry's all-time best-seller by 1979. The following table lists the year's top-grossing arcade game in Japan, the United Kingdom, United States, and worldwide.
In Japan, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1979, according to the annual Game Machine chart. Taito's Space Invaders was the highest-grossing arcade game for a second year in a row.
The following titles were the top ten highest-grossing arcade video games of 1979 in the United States, according to Cash Box, Play Meter and RePlay magazines.
The US market for arcade games earn a revenue of $1.5 billion ($6.3 billion adjusted for inflation).
The US home video game market generates a revenue of $330 million ($1.4 billion adjusted for inflation).
Notable releases
Games
Arcade
April – Sega's dot-eating driving game, Head On, is released. It becomes a popular concept to clone, especially for home systems.
August – Atari releases Lunar Lander, the first arcade version of a game concept created on minicomputers ten years earlier.
November – Atari releases the vector graphics-based Asteroids, which becomes Atari's second best selling game of all time and displaces Space Invaders as the most popular game in the US.
November – Namco releases fixed shooter Galaxian in full color.
Cinematronics releases Warrior, one of the first fighting games without a boxing theme.
Sega releases the vertically scrolling Monaco GP, featuring full color and day/night driving. It is one of Sega's last discrete logic (no CPU) hardware designs.
Atari, Inc.'s 8K Star Raiders cartridge is released and becomes a system seller for the new Atari 400/800 computer line.
Hardware
Computer
June – Texas Instruments releases the TI-99/4. It is the first home computer with a 16-bit processor and, with TI's TMS9918 video chip, one of the first with hardware sprites.
September – NEC releases the PC-8001, the first in the PC-8000 series of home computers.
November – Atari, Inc. releases the first two models in the Atari 8-bit home computer series: the Atari 400 and Atari 800. They feature custom graphics and sound coprocessors which support sprites, four-channel audio, and programmable display modes.