Best Video Games of 1980

The most recognized arcade game in history — a yellow circle eating dots while evading four colored ghosts. Pac-Man defined the arcade era and remains a cultural touchstone 45 years later.

The landmark 1980 Atari 2600 port of Taito's legendary arcade game became the console's first killer app and sold over 2 million copies. Space Invaders on 2600 added numerous game variations not in the original arcade, making it a more feature-rich experience than the game that single-handedly popularized video gaming.

Warren Robinett's groundbreaking adventure game invented the action-RPG genre with its free-roaming exploration, item collection, and monster combat. It also contained gaming's first Easter egg — the developer's name hidden in a secret room — making it one of the most historically significant games ever made.