Pong: the classic video table tennis game
Also known as: Atari Pong, Video table tennis
The story and rules of Pong, the 1972 Atari arcade table tennis game: how it is played, why it mattered for video games, and tips to beat a friend today.
- Type
- Video game
- Players
- 2
- First released
- 1972
- Designed by
- Allan Alcorn
- Developer
- Atari
- Publisher
- Atari
- Platforms
- Arcade
Pong is one of the most important early video games. Built by engineer Allan Alcorn at Atari and released as an arcade machine in 1972, it was a simple electronic version of table tennis. It became the first big commercial success in video games and helped start the arcade industry. Later, home versions brought it to living-room televisions. The screen shows two paddles, a ball and a score, all made from white shapes on a black background. There is no story and no characters, only the contest between two players. Today Pong is mostly played as a piece of history, but its basic idea of bouncing a ball past an opponent still appears in many modern games.
Our verdict
Pong shows how much fun can come from a single rule. It is a great way to teach children about the history of games and to show how a few simple shapes can create real competition. Against a friend sitting next to you, it is still exciting, especially when the ball speeds up. It is also a good starting point for anyone curious about how games are designed or programmed.
What works
- Rules anyone can learn in seconds.
- Tense, head-to-head competition.
- An important piece of video game history.
What does not
- Very little variety by modern standards.
- Best only with a second human player.
How to play Pong
Each player controls a vertical paddle on one side of the screen, moving it up and down with a knob. A ball travels across the screen and bounces off the top and bottom edges. You must move your paddle so the ball hits it and goes back to the other side. If the ball passes your paddle, your opponent scores a point. Where the ball touches the paddle changes the angle of the return: a hit near the edge sends the ball off at a steeper angle, which is harder to reach. The ball also gets faster during long rallies, so games become tense. A match ends when one player reaches eleven points. The rules are short enough to read in a few seconds, which was part of the original appeal in busy bars and arcades.
Tips for new players
- Hit the ball with the edge of your paddle to send it at a sharp angle.
- Return your paddle to the centre after each hit so you can reach both corners.
- Watch where the ball will bounce off the wall, not where it is now.
- Change angles often; a predictable return is easy for your opponent.
Good for
Pong: common questions
Who created Pong?
Pong was built by Allan Alcorn at Atari and released in 1972. It became the first major arcade video game hit.
How many points do you need to win Pong?
In the original arcade game, the first player to reach eleven points wins the match.
Is Pong a sports game?
Yes. It is a simple video version of table tennis, which makes it one of the earliest sports video games.
Pong belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
