Once Upon a Time, Long Ago Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Oregon Trail

"The Oregon Trail" was originally conceived as an educational tool to interest Minnesota eighth graders in American History. It was a text-based game, meaning that you had to type in what you wanted to do, by choosing from given options. Choosing that you wanted to hunt, and then typing BANG was one way of providing food for your group of settlers. By 1975 it was available to all schools in Minnesota, and subsequently it became more widely available as versions for Apple and Atari systems were developed. "The Oregon Trail" was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2016.

Answer: Pong

The extremely simple game "Pong" was developed by Atari, and was one of the very earliest arcade games. The graphics were monochrome with a white oblong "paddle" on either side of the game space, with a white "ball" bouncing between them. Allow the ball to pass your paddle and the other player (or the game) scored a point. Get the ball past their paddle and you scored. I remember finding a "Pong" table in a hotel lobby soon after it first came out, and my friends had a hard time pulling me away from its addictive allure. "Pong" was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.

Answer: Breakout

Originally developed for arcades by Atari, "Breakout" and a multitude of similar games have proved to be remarkably durable, and addictive. (I've just played a version on Google!) The object is to use a paddle (of varying size) at the bottom of the screen to bounce the ball towards a wall of bricks, usually brightly coloured. Breaking the bricks scores points, dropping the ball loses a life. Simple, eh?

Answer: Space Invaders

"Space Invaders" began life as an arcade game marketed in Japan by Taito and soon imported to US arcades, and subsequently homes as a popular game for the Atari 2600. The graphics were basic, but the alien invaders were relentless in their descent towards the defender's world, opposed only by the intrepid video gamer at the controls.

This game entered the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2016.

Answer: Asteroids

"Asteroids" was an arcade game developed by Atari, whose object was to shoot down asteroids and flying saucers, whilst avoiding having one's own spaceship destroyed by either. The spaceship could be turned to shoot in more than one direction as objects bore down on it, but to make matters complicated an object that left one side of the screen would wrap around and appear on the other, and sneak up behind you.

At least you had a chance to turn and get 'em, though.

Answer: Pac-Man

Introduced into arcades in 1980 by Namco, and Midway Games in North America, "Pac-Man" quickly became a favourite of both arcades and home systems alike. The object of the game is to have Pac-Man dash around a maze eating yellow pellets, whilst avoiding the attentions of four ghosts (Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde). Like many games it is addictive, and I once wore an enormous blister on my joystick hand after being seated at a "Pac-Man" table in a restaurant, whilst waiting for my friends to arrive. "Pac-Man" was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.

Answer: Donkey Kong

Created for Nintendo by Shigeru Miyamoto at a critical time in the company's history, "Donkey Kong" introduced a hero construction worker called Jumpman, who had to overcome many obstacles to rescue his girlfriend from the monster giant ape. Jumpman soon became known as Mario, and the rest is history, as they say. "Donkey Kong" entered the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2017.

Answer: Frogger

The arcade version of "Frogger" was developed by Gremlin Industries for Konami, and first appeared in June 1981 in Japan, and a few months later elsewhere. Home versions eventually appeared for use with various systems. The object of the game is simple - make the frogs hop across the road to their homes, without being squished by traffic or drowned in a later stage's river.

Answer: Tetris

"Tetris" was developed by a Soviet designer, and appeared in its first playable form in arcades in 1984, to be followed by versions for many systems for home play, not to mention a myriad of similar games, all designed to drive people who are easily addicted to such things bonkers! The game pieces (tetrominos) of the original "Tetris" are each composed of four sections, arranged in various patterns, which drop from above.

The player must manipulate them whilst they are falling in order to complete lines, which then disappear, and result in points for the player. If the "wall" grows too high, the game ends. "Tetris" was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.

Answer: Super Mario Bros.

Mario, formerly known as Jumpman, had appeared in "Mario Bros." in 1983, and became even more popular in its successor, "Super Mario Bros." which hit arcades in 1985. Home versions by Nintendo followed, and for years this was the best-selling video game ever. Mario the plumber, sometimes joined by his brother Luigi (if two are playing), has to jump and run over obstacles, collect power ups and generally be heroic in his attempts to rescue the Princess and save the Kingdom. Numerous sequels followed and "Super Mario Bros." was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.