1st tracball game

[Texasmame]

K.  Pretty sure first spinner game was PONG.  But the trac?  What was it?

[FrizzleFried]

Atari Football?

I think that was the first trackball game I ever saw....

Trivia
This was the first game to use a trac-ball as the controller. Chances are that you will be more worn our after playing this game than after playing an actual game of football!

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=13018

BTW:   Pong used a DIAL not a spinner...so it's not the first spinner game.

[Texasmame]

Atari Football?

I think that was the first trackball game I ever saw....

Trivia
This was the first game to use a trac-ball as the controller. Chances are that you will be more worn our after playing this game than after playing an actual game of football!

http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=13018

BTW:   Pong used a DIAL not a spinner...so it's not the first spinner game.

Hmm. . . yeah.  Well, I kinda was referring to the spinner as a control - I get what you're saying, tho.

Breakout was a true spinner game or not?

So, first true spinner game was. . .  ?

[ark_ader]

Frontline

I think that pre dates anything else except wild west, but its the same hardware.....

[Texasmame]

Frontline

I think that pre dates anything else except wild west, but its the same hardware.....

Now that's not a spinner - it's something else (has it ever been properly named??)

Anyhow, for "spinner" I'm thinking something like Tempest's spinner.

I guess, technically, any driving game that used opto inputs for the wheel would qualify but I'm thinking as a handsized spinner, not a big steering wheel. . .

[FrizzleFried]

I believe Breakout was a dial as well....

* Rotary: Analog

Not sure what was the first true "spinner" game.

[Texasmame]

I believe Breakout was a dial as well....

* Rotary: Analog

Not sure what was the first true "spinner" game.

"Sit 'n' Spin"

 

[u_rebelscum]

BTW:   Pong used a DIAL not a spinner...so it's not the first spinner game.

When you say "DIAL", do you mean "POT based" (vs optical)?  Limited turn?

The reason I ask is in mame all spinners are "dial" inputs.  IOW, to mame "dial" is any optically sensed, turned input, almost always 360 continuous spin.

[FrizzleFried]

BTW:   Pong used a DIAL not a spinner...so it's not the first spinner game.

When you say "DIAL", do you mean "POT based" (vs optical)?  Limited turn?

The reason I ask is in mame all spinners are "dial" inputs.  IOW, to mame "dial" is any optically sensed, turned input, almost always 360 continuous spin.

Correct...he was wondering what the first spinner "arcade" game was...not in MAME.  I am not sure what the first spinner game was (Tempest on KLOV doesn't mention being the first)... Breakout used a dial (pot).

[somunny]

Atari Football?

I think that was the first trackball game I ever saw....

Trivia
This was the first game to use a trac-ball as the controller. Chances are that you will be more worn our after playing this game than after playing an actual game of football!

I would have guessed X's and O's also.  Man, that was a frantic game. 

[tommyinajar]

I'm too old- I remember playing "Death Race" , I say X's & O's.

[paigeoliver]

As far as I can tell Trackball controllers first hit the scene in 1978 with multiple games using them. Optical spinners, or steering wheels that were identical to them came MUCH earlier, earlier than microprocessor based games.

[spriggy]

I'm too old- I remember playing "Death Race" , I say X's & O's.

X's & O's may be your bunny!.  As MAWS quotes....

Atari Football was first created in 1974 by Steve Bristow and originally called 'X's and O's'. It was shelved when Bristow started on "Tank", then resurrected three years later. This game was the first true video sports game and also the first Atari game to utilize a trackball controller.

So even though it wasn't released till the late 70's.. it was first created in '74... hence highly likely making it the first trackball designed game!!

[u_rebelscum]

As MAWS quotes....

Atari Football was first created in 1974 by Steve Bristow and originally called 'X's and O's'. It was shelved when Bristow started on "Tank", then resurrected three years later. This game was the first true video sports game and also the first Atari game to utilize a trackball controller.

Mame considers Atari Football and X's & O's to be parent/clone.  So I'd say both are correct.  (Remember, "football" means something different to us americans; Atari Soccer is not a clone. )

[RayB]

Atari's Sprint series of games (black n white) used optical "spinners" (with steering wheels attached). I bet their driving games prior to those also did...

We have to remember that alot of technology used in amusement games were often invented and used outside of the amusement industry...