Video Games History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Atari 2600

The Atari 2600 was released in 1977 by Atari, Inc, a company founded in 1972, but sold to Warner Communications in 1976. This was the home video game console that all the kids wanted, as it came with two joysticks, a pair of controllers, and a game cartridge. By 1982 it was the best selling game system in North America, but its success was short-lived. By 1984 the company was sold once more, and the manufacture of the Atari 2600 ended in 1992.

"Megamania" was published in 1982. The game involved shooting down objects like hamburgers and steam irons before the energy bar ran out. Although some people liked the graphics of the game, others said that in spite of the use of hamburgers and other objects, it really wasn't different from other games that had been released.

Answer: Medal of Honor

"Medal of Honor" was developed by DreamWorks Interactive for use on the Playstation in 1999. Steven Spielberg created the game and story at about the same time that he was directing the movie, "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), so the action takes place during World War II.

Many sequels to the game, including "Medal of Honor: Underground" (2000) and "Medal of Honor: Infiltrator" (2003) have been released for other game consoles, but the origin game was played on the Sony PlayStation, which was released in 1995 in North America.

Answer: October 26th, 2000

PlayStation 2 was developed by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2000, and has since sold 155 million units. Over 4,000 different games were released, and the console remained in production until 2013. Many sources state that the reason the system was so popular is because, along with being very affordable, it also played DVDs and the controller could be used as a remote.

Answer: Army Men 3D

"Army Men 3D" is a 3D shooter game. The good guys are green, while the tan guys are evil, and they are at war. While the game employs the use of quite a bit of shooting in its play, the player, who takes on the role of a green commando named Sarge, also gets to ride around in jeeps and tanks and hurl grenades! It was made by The 3DO Company only for the PlayStation, and released in North American on March 9, 1999.

Answer: Donkey Kong

Mario first appeared in the game "Donkey Kong" (1981), featured on both the Atari 2600 and Colecovision. Known as Jumpman, he wore his signature overalls, hat, and white gloves, and rescued his girlfriend, The Lady, as Donkey Kong Sr. threw barrels at him. From there he has gone on to star in such games as "Mario Brothers" (1983) and "Super Mario Bros." (1985) with his twin brother, Luigi.

Answer: Sonic the Hedgehog

While many sources name Opa-Opa and Alex Kidd as Sega's first mascots, there is no doubt that Sonic took their place in 1991. Sonic is a blue hedgehog, who was created by Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima to compete with Nintendo's Mario. Sonic can run really fast as he battles evil, collects power up rings, and completes levels of the game. One of the most recognizable video game heroes, he is given credit for the success of the Sega Corporation.

Answer: General Washington

First released as a board game, "Axis and Allies" for the PC was released in 2004. Players are able to develop strategy based on the system of alliances that were formed during World War II. They choose a country from either the US, Russia, Great Britain, Germany, or Japan, and one of four commanders in each.

The commander that is chosen is important, as each has different special ops that can be used. The instructions booklet outlets the qualifications of each; the incorrect answers, along with General Patton, are the commanders to choose from for the US.

Answer: False

The board game "Risk" was developed in 1957 by Albert Lamorisse, and has since been inducted into many Hall of Fame institutions, such as "Games" magazine (1984), Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts and Design (1995), and National Toy Hall of Fame (2021).

The purpose of the game, to dominate the world, is the same for each version, but the game wasn't released for the PC until 1988, when it was released for the Mac OS in North America.

Answer: Seaquest

"Seaquest" is a game for the Atari 2600, and was released in North America in 1983. In the game, the player uses a submarine to shoot at enemies and rescue divers. But beware! There is only so much oxygen in the submarine, so don't forget to resurface to replenish your supply! And - when you resurface - you must bring up a rescued diver, or you will lose a life.

Answer: Drive a tank

"Sarge's Heroes", another green army man vs. tan army man game, was released for the Nintendo 64 in North America in 1999. In the game, Sarge doesn't drive anything; it's one of the few Army Men games in which a vehicle isn't used at one point or another. Sarge, however, does have to go up against many tanks.