Codex Gamicus
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Business[]

  • New companies:
  • The US arcade game market's revenues increase to $1.5 billion in 1979[1] (equivalent to $4.89 billion in 2024).

Notable releases[]

Games[]

Arcade
Computer
  • Richard Garriott creates Akalabeth, a computer role-playing game for the Apple IIe. It launches Garriott's career and is a precursor to his highly successful Ultima series.
  • Richard Bartle and Roy Trubshaw create what is commonly recognized as the first playable MUD, MUD1. (Note: Many say that this happened in 1978, though Bartle has stated 1979.)
  • October - subLOGIC releases Flight Simulator for the Apple II. It is later released by Microsoft Corporation (1982).

Hardware[]

Arcade
Console
  • Mattel test markets the Intellivision console in Fresno, California. It is released throughout the United States in 1980.
  • Milton Bradley Company releases the Microvision handheld
  • Texas Instruments releases the TI-99/4 home computer
  • Warner Communications' Atari creates the Cosmos handheld, but this was ultimately never released to the public.

References[]

Video game releases[]

Name Release Date Category Region(s) Platform(s)
18 Wheeler 1979 Video Game International Arcade
4-Player Bowling Alley 1979 Video Game North America Arcade
ABPA Backgammon 1979 Video Game North America Intellivision
Akalabeth: World of Doom 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Alpine Skiing 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Android Nim July, 1979 Video Game North America Commodore PET
Apple II Trek 1979 Video Game North America Apple II
Armor Battle 1979 Video Game North America Intellivision
Asteroids 1979 Video Game North America Arcade, Atari 2600
Backgammon (1979) 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Barrier 1979 Video Game North America Arcade
Basic Programming 1979 Video Game North America Atari 2600
Beam Invader 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Bomb Bee 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Bowling 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Catch the Ball/Noughts and Crosses 1979 Video Game Europe Magnavox Odyssey 2
Computer Intro! 1979 Video Game North America Magnavox Odyssey 2
Cosmic Conflict 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Deep Scan 1979 Video Game International Arcade
Depth Charge/Marksman 1979 Video Game Europe Magnavox Odyssey 2
Dynasty 1979 Video Game North America Magnavox Odyssey 2
Galaxian 1979 Video Game North America Arcade, Bally Astrocade
Galaxy Wars 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Head On April, 1979 Video Game International Arcade
Head On N 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Hockey!/Soccer! 1979 Video Game North America Magnavox Odyssey 2
I've Got Your Number 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Invaders from Hyperspace 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Lunar Lander (1979) 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Lunar Rescue 1979 Video Game International Arcade
Miniature Golf 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Monkey Magic 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Out of this World/Helicopter Rescue 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Poker Plus 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Questprobe featuring Spider-Man 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Radar Scope December, 1979 Video Game Japan Arcade
Sheriff 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Showdown in 2100 AD 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Slot Machine 1979 Video Game North America Atari 2600
Slots 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
SOS (1979) October, 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Space Fever 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Space Invaders 1979 Video Game North America Atari 2600
Space Launcher 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Speed Freak 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Star Fire 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Star Raiders 1979 Video Game North America Atari 8-bit
Star Trek 111.4 1979 Video Game International TRS-80
Star Trek: Phaser Strike November, 1979 Video Game North America Microvision
Sundance 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Super Breakout 1979 Video Game North America Atari 8 Bit
Tail Gunner 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Thunderball 1979 Video Game North America Magnavox Odyssey 2
Trek-80 1979 Video Game International TRS-80
Volleyball (Magnavox Odyssey 2) 1979 Video Game Europe Magnavox Odyssey 2
War of Nerves 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined
Warrior (1979) 1979 Video Game Undefined Undefined


Hardware releases[]

Name Release Date Category Region(s)
Atari 400 1979 Home Computer North America
Atari 800 1979 Home Computer North America
Color TV-Game Block Breaker 1979 Dedicated Console Japan
Microvision 1979 Handheld Europe
Microvision 1979 Handheld North America
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