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Get your controllers ready and dust off your old consoles because March 8 is National Retro Video Game Day! This day celebrates the nostalgic joy of playing classic video games from the past. Whether you're a fan of Super Mario Bros, Pac-Man, or Sonic the Hedgehog, this holiday is a perfect excuse to relive some childhood memories and have some fun with friends. Did you know that the first video game, called "Spacewar!", was created in 1962? Since then, video games have evolved into a worldwide phenomenon loved by people of all ages. So let's take a trip down memory lane and celebrate the wonderful world of retro gaming!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1958</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Video Game</div><div class='timeline-text'>Physicist William Higinbotham created the first video game, a simple tennis game, which can be considered as the predecessor of the widely iconic Pong.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pong Revolution</div><div class='timeline-text'>Atari revolutionized the gaming world with the release of Pong, one of the first arcade video games that gained huge popularity.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1978</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Space Invaders Invasion</div><div class='timeline-text'>Space Invaders released by Taito, became phenomenally popular and started what is now referred to as the "golden age" of arcade video games.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Pac-Man Fever</div><div class='timeline-text'>Namco launched Pac-man, which soon became an icon of video game culture. The success of Pac-Man led to numerous sequels and spin-offs.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1985</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Super Mario Bros Release</div><div class='timeline-text'>Nintendo released Super Mario Bros for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), marking the start of one of the best-selling video game franchises in history.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Retro Video Game Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gaming enthusiasts across the United States celebrate National Retro Video Game Day to honor and play classic video games that shaped the sector.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a retro video game tournament</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over for a friendly competition and see who can get the highest score on classic games like Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros, or Tetris.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Dress up as your favorite video game character</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and dress up as your favorite retro video game character. Whether it's a plumber, a hedgehog, or a yellow circle with a mouth - have fun with it!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a retro arcade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Relive your childhood memories by visiting a retro arcade and playing some of your favorite classic games. Don't forget to bring lots of quarters!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a movie night featuring video game-inspired films</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get cozy on the couch and watch movies based on retro video games, such as Jumanji, Tron, or Mortal Kombat.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own retro video game-inspired snacks</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative in the kitchen and make snacks inspired by classic video games. Think Pac-Man cookies, Tetris-shaped sandwiches, or Super Mario mushroom cupcakes.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings back nostalgia</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Playing retro video games allows us to relive our childhood memories and take a trip down memory lane. Whether it's playing our favorite game from when we were kids or discovering new ones, National Retro Video Game Day lets us go back in time and experience the joy of playing these classic games.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They have simple yet addictive gameplay</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Retro video games may not have the flashy graphics or complex storylines of modern games, but they make up for it with their simple yet highly addictive gameplay. These games are easy to pick up and play, making them perfect for anyone looking for a fun and casual gaming experience.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a community-building experience</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Playing retro video games also brings people together - whether it's reminiscing with old friends or connecting with new ones over a shared love for these games. It creates a sense of camaraderie and belonging, making it a truly special experience that we can all enjoy.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The First Home Video Game Console was Released in 1972</h3><p class='facts-content'>Magnavox Odyssey is considered the first home video game console. It predates Atari by a few months and even included a light gun controller, making it an influential breakthrough in the gaming industry.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Fastest Selling Video Game of All Time is a Retro Game</h3><p class='facts-content'>Tetris, released in 1984, holds the Guinness World Record for being the fastest selling video game of all time with over 202 million copies sold worldwide.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Final Fantasy Was So Named Because its Creator Thought It Would Be His Last Game</h3><p class='facts-content'>In the brink of closing his business, Hironobu Sakaguchi named his game 'Final Fantasy' thinking it would be his last. Interestingly, the game's success propelled Square Soft to become one of the most respected game production companies globally.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Title of Donkey Kong Was Lost in Translation</h3><p class='facts-content'>Nintendo's iconic game, Donkey Kong, was initially meant to convey 'stubborn gorilla' in English, but due to translation discrepancies, it ended up named as 'Donkey Kong' which has now become an affectionately accepted title.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Highest Score in Pac-Man is a Perfect One</h3><p class='facts-content'>Billy Mitchell became the first player to achieve a perfect score in Pac-Man, garnering 3,333,360 points. This feat requires not only clearing all 256 levels but also consuming all possible points without losing a single life.</p></div></div>
National Retro Video Game Day is celebrated on March 8 every year. In 2024 National Retro Video Game Day will occur on a Friday.
2023
Mar 8
Wednesday
2024
Mar 8
Friday
2025
Mar 8
Saturday
2026
Mar 8
Sunday
2027
Mar 8
Monday
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