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Quizzes > Entertainment & Pop Culture > Video Games

Think You Know Classic Games? Take the Trivia Quiz!

Dive into our retro games quiz and vintage games trivia challenge!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for classic games trivia quiz on a coral background

This classic games trivia quiz helps you see how much you remember from retro arcades and early consoles. Play for a quick hit of nostalgia and learn a fun fact or two along the way. Want a tighter focus? Try our arcade quiz or go to more video game trivia.

Which company released the classic arcade game Pong in 1972?
Nintendo
Atari
Sega
Magnavox
Pong was one of the first commercially successful arcade video games and was released by Atari in 1972. It was designed by Allan Alcorn as a training exercise and became a cultural phenomenon that helped establish the video game industry. Atari's success with Pong led to the rapid growth of arcade gaming throughout the 1970s.
What shape does the game character Pac-Man resemble?
Star
Triangle
Circle
Square
Pac-Man's design is a simple circle with a wedge removed to represent an open mouth, making it one of the most iconic video game characters. The game was developed by Namco and released in 1980, quickly becoming a cultural icon. The character's name is a romanization of the Japanese onomatopoeia 'paku-paku', referring to the sound of eating.
Which piece in Tetris is the long straight block composed of four squares?
O-tetromino
T-tetromino
L-tetromino
I-tetromino
The I-tetromino in Tetris is the straight block made of four squares in a row and is key for creating a line clear of four rows simultaneously, known as a Tetris. It was introduced in the original 1984 game created by Alexey Pajitnov. Its shape and line-clearing capability have made it one of the most sought-after pieces by players.
Donkey Kong, released in 1981, was first launched on which platform?
Atari 2600
ColecoVision
Arcade
NES
Donkey Kong debuted as an arcade cabinet in 1981, marking Nintendo's first major entry into the arcade market. The game was designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and introduced characters like Jumpman (later named Mario) and Donkey Kong. Its success in arcades paved the way for home console ports and Nintendo's future endeavors.
In Pac-Man, which ghost is colored red?
Pinky
Clyde
Blinky
Inky
Blinky is the red ghost in Pac-Man, known for directly chasing Pac-Man around the maze. Each ghost has its own behavior pattern, and Blinky's aggressive pursuit makes him the most relentless. The ghosts' personalities and colors contributed to Pac-Man's enduring popularity.
On which console did Super Mario Bros. make its debut in 1985?
NES
Atari 7800
Sega Master System
SNES
Super Mario Bros. was released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It became one of the best-selling video games of all time and established many conventions of the platformer genre. The title's success helped revitalize the video game industry after the crash of 1983.
Which 1979 arcade game tasks the player with shooting asteroids floating in space?
Missile Command
Space Invaders
Asteroids
Centipede
Asteroids, released by Atari in 1979, challenges players to shoot and destroy asteroids and flying saucers using a rotating spaceship. It was one of the highest-grossing arcade games of the golden age and introduced physics-based gameplay. The title's vector graphics and wraparound screen were revolutionary at the time.
In the original Space Invaders, how many rows of aliens are there?
4
6
5
7
Space Invaders, released in 1978, features five rows of descending alien formations. The arrangement contributed to the game's increasing difficulty as the aliens moved faster when fewer remained. This design helped define the shoot 'em up genre.
What is the maximum number of lines you can clear at once with a single Tetris piece?
2
5
4
3
A single straight (I) tetromino in Tetris can clear up to four horizontal lines at once, an achievement commonly known as a 'Tetris'. Clearing four lines simultaneously yields the highest single-move line clear score in classic Tetris rules. This feature is central to high-level Tetris strategy.
In the Super Mario series, what is the name of Princess Peach's kingdom?
Hyrule
Dream Land
Sarasaland
Mushroom Kingdom
Princess Peach rules over the Mushroom Kingdom, the primary setting for many Super Mario games. The kingdom is inhabited by Toads and features iconic locations like Peach's Castle and Bowser's strongholds. It was first introduced in Super Mario Bros. in 1985.
What is the name of Link's iconic sword in The Legend of Zelda series?
Sword of Time
Hylian Sword
Triforce Blade
Master Sword
The Master Sword, also called the Blade of Evil's Bane, is the legendary weapon Link uses to defeat Ganon and other evil forces. It first appeared in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and has become a series staple. The sword is often guarded in sacred locations throughout Hyrule.
Which company developed the original Game Boy?
Nintendo
Bandai
Sega
Sony
Nintendo developed and released the Game Boy in 1989, revolutionizing portable gaming. The handheld system featured interchangeable cartridges and an innovative dot-matrix screen. Its success spawned numerous successors and cemented Nintendo's dominance in handheld consoles.
In the game Metroid, what is protagonist Samus Aran primarily tasked with doing?
Collecting Rings
Building Robots
Eliminating Space Pirates
Rescuing Princess Peach
In Metroid, Samus Aran is sent to the planet Zebes to eliminate the Space Pirates and recover the parasitic Metroid organisms. The mission involves exploring underground caves and combating the pirate forces. Metroid's rich exploration mechanics influenced the 'Metroidvania' genre.
Sonic the Hedgehog was first released on which gaming console?
Super Nintendo
Sega Saturn
Xbox
Sega Genesis
Sonic the Hedgehog debuted on the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) in 1991, establishing Sonic as Sega's mascot. The game's fast-paced platforming and vibrant graphics contrasted with slower-paced competitors of the time. It became a major hit and defined Sega's brand identity in the 1990s.
Which game popularized the Konami Code (????????BA)?
Contra
Gradius
Metroid
Castlevania
While the Konami Code first appeared in the game Gradius, it gained widespread fame through Contra on the NES. Entering the code at the title screen of Contra awarded players 30 extra lives, making it a legendary cheat. The code has since become a staple Easter egg in many Konami and non-Konami titles.
In Street Fighter II, what is the name of Ryu's signature projectile attack?
Sonic Boom
Hadouken
Shoryuken
Spinning Bird Kick
Ryu's Hadouken is a fireball-like projectile attack introduced in Street Fighter II that launches energy forward. It can be executed by performing a quarter-circle forward motion and a punch button. The Hadouken became one of the most iconic special moves in fighting game history.
In the arcade game Galaga, which enemy type has the ability to capture the player's ship?
Boss Galaga
Zako
Challenger
Galaxian
In Galaga, the Boss Galaga enemy can use a tractor beam to capture the player's ship, returning it later as an ally to form a dual-fighter formation. This mechanic adds risk and reward, as rescuing the captured ship doubles firepower. Boss Galaga ships are larger and have distinct markings compared to other enemies.
How many Heart Containers can you find in the original The Legend of Zelda on NES?
10
8
12
5
Link can locate a total of eight Heart Containers in the original Legend of Zelda by completing dungeons and discovering hidden upgrades. Collecting all eight increases Link's maximum life from three to eleven hearts. These containers encourage exploration and reward players for conquering challenges.
Which game was the first to feature the Konami Code?
Gradius
Track & Field
Contra
Frogger
The Konami Code first appeared in the Japanese version of Gradius for the NES, granting power-ups in the game. Programmers included it as a debugging aid, and players discovered its effects, leading to its inclusion in subsequent titles. Gradius set the stage for the code's legendary status.
In what year was the original Mortal Kombat arcade game released?
1988
1990
1994
1992
Mortal Kombat was released in arcades in 1992 by Midway Games and became famous for its digitized graphics and finishing moves called Fatalities. The title's violence sparked controversy and led to the creation of video game rating systems. Mortal Kombat's impact on the fighting game genre is still felt today.
What is the maximum possible score you can achieve in the original Pac-Man arcade game?
3,333,360
9,999,990
99,999,999
1,000,000
The perfect score in the original Pac-Man arcade game is 3,333,360 points, achieved by completing all 256 levels without losing a life. This requires memorizing patterns and eating every possible point item, including fruit bonuses. The level 256 glitch, known as the split-screen bug, makes the perfect run extremely challenging.
Which company developed the arcade game Bubble Bobble, released in 1986?
Capcom
Taito
Namco
Konami
Bubble Bobble was developed and published by Taito in 1986. The game features two bubble-blowing dragons, Bub and Bob, who trap enemies in bubbles and burst them to progress through 100 levels. Its cooperative two-player mode and catchy soundtrack made it a classic.
In Tetris on the NES, which glitch causes the game to end prematurely at level 29?
T-spin glitch
Fast drop bug
Double line skip glitch
Kill screen glitch
The 'kill screen' glitch in NES Tetris occurs at level 29 due to a programming oversight in the level timer, causing the game to become unplayable. Pieces drop instantly, and the game ends shortly after reaching this stage. This phenomenon is a famous example of an unintended video game glitch.
In the arcade game Joust, what creatures do the player characters ride?
Dinosaurs
Ostriches
Dragons
Horses
In Joust, players control knights riding flying ostriches, battling enemy knights on buzzard mounts. The unique mount choice and flapping mechanics set Joust apart from other arcade titles of its time. Developer Williams Electronics released Joust in 1982, and it became a cult classic.
What CPU was used to power the original Pac-Man arcade machine?
MOS Technology 6502
Intel 8080
Zilog Z80
Motorola 68000
The original Pac-Man arcade hardware was built around the Zilog Z80 microprocessor, which served as the game's main CPU. The Z80 was widely used in arcade machines and home computers of that era. Its robust design and instruction set made it popular among game developers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Arcade Classics -

    Retrieve key trivia and release milestones of iconic arcade games from the golden age of gaming.

  2. Identify Console Cornerstones -

    Recognize hallmark features and flagship titles of early home gaming systems like NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis.

  3. Compare Board Game Legacies -

    Differentiate between vintage board games by understanding their unique gameplay mechanics and historical context.

  4. Analyze Retro Game Developers -

    Understand the influential designers and studios that shaped the old-school gaming landscape.

  5. Evaluate Your Quiz Performance -

    Assess your retro gaming expertise through your quiz score and pinpoint areas for deeper exploration.

  6. Apply Nostalgic Trivia -

    Leverage newfound knowledge to spark engaging conversations and friendly debates about classic games.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins of the Golden Age -

    According to the Smithsonian Institution, the golden age of arcade games (1972 - 1983) introduced classics like Pong (1972), Space Invaders (1978), and Pac-Man (1980), forming the cornerstone of classic games trivia. Use the "P-S-P" mnemonic (Pong, Space Invaders, Pac-Man) to recall the release order. Understanding these launchdates grounds your knowledge in reputable historical context.

  2. Pac-Man Ghost Names & Patterns -

    MIT research highlights how each ghost in Pac-Man - Blinky (red), Pinky (pink), Inky (cyan), and Clyde (orange) - follows distinct movement patterns, crucial for high”score strategies in retro games quiz challenges. Remember "B-P-I-C" (Blinky, Pinky, Inky, Clyde) to master evasion tactics. Recognizing these AI patterns boosts both your nostalgia and your trivia prowess.

  3. Board Game Milestones -

    From Chess's lineage documented by Oxford University Press to Monopoly's 1935 launch detailed in Hasbro archives, board game evolution is a key aspect of vintage games trivia. Recall "C-M" (Chess-1490, Monopoly-1935) with the phrase "Check Money" for quick date recall. Mapping these origins enriches your understanding of old-school games quiz topics.

  4. Console Generation Cheat Sheet -

    IEEE studies on hardware evolution outline key releases: Atari 2600 (1977), NES (1983), and Sega Genesis (1988), pivotal in any classic games trivia lineup. Use the acronym "A-N-S" (Atari, NES, Sega) to sequence major console generations. This framework helps you quickly navigate console-related quiz questions.

  5. Cheat Codes and Developer Lore -

    A Journal of Game Studies article underscores iconic cheat sequences like the Konami Code (↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↝ → ↝ → B A) that shaped community culture in old-school games quiz circles. Memorize "UpUpDownDown" to unlock nostalgic bragging rights on any retro games quiz. Familiarity with these developer easter eggs elevates both your trivia and your gameplay stories.

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