Nowadays, 1976 in video games is a topic that has taken on great relevance in society. Whether due to its impact on the economy, technology, culture or politics, 1976 in video games has become a key piece in the current dynamic. Its influence is noticeable in all areas, generating debates, controversies, advances and significant changes. This is why it is necessary to analyze in depth all aspects related to 1976 in video games, to understand its scope and implications in the modern world. Therefore, in this article we will delve into the study of 1976 in video games, exploring its different facets and its impact on today's society.
In Japan, Game Machine magazine published the first annual arcade game earnings chart for 1976 in their February 1977 issue, listing both arcade video games and electro-mechanical games (EM games) on the same arcade chart. Namco's EM racing game F-1 was the highest-grossing overall arcade game of the year, followed by Taito's video game Ball Park (originally released as Tornado Baseball by Midway Manufacturing in North America). The following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1976, according to the first annual Game Machine chart.
Note: Medal games are listed on a separate chart, with Nintendo's EVR Race being the highest-grossing medal game of the year.
United States
In the United States, RePlay magazine began publishing annual lists of top-grossing arcade games in 1976, covering both arcade video games and pinball machines. The following titles were the top ten arcade video games of the year, in terms of coin drop earnings. Lifetime arcade cabinet sales are also given in a separate column.
April 1 – Exidy releases Death Race to video arcades. News of the game's existence breaks nationally in newspapers in the first week of July after a quiet nationwide rollout. The game sparks a public outcry over violence in video games, and is banned in many areas.
April – Taito releases Speed Race Twin, a sequel to Speed Race that allows simultaneous two-player competitive gameplay
August – Sega releases Man T.T., also known as Moto-Cross, an early motorbike racing game, using a pseudo-3D, forward-scrolling, third-person perspective, similar to Road Race. It also introduces haptic feedback, causing the handlebars to vibrate during collisions. In the U.S., Sega re-brands it as Fonz.
^Steven L. Kent (2000), The first quarter: a 25-year history of video games, BWD Press, p. 83, ISBN0-9704755-0-0, archived from the original on January 17, 2023, retrieved April 9, 2011, Sea Wolf, which was another creation of Dave Nutting, did solid business, selling more than 10,000 machines. (A later color version sold an additional 4000 units.)
^AP (July 2, 1976). "It Offers That Run-Down Feeling". The Minneapolis Star. p. 3A. Archived from the original on April 16, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.