Who is the Oldest Game Character in the World?

The title of oldest video game character is a topic of frequent debate, often leading to a misconception. While many assume it’s a character from the early days of video games, the reality is more nuanced. Technically, the oldest video game character, in the sense of a character with a distinct visual representation and role in a game, is considered to be Pac-Man. Created by Toru Iwatani and introduced to arcades in 1980, Pac-Man, with his iconic yellow circle and insatiable appetite for pellets, predates many other famous characters and holds the distinction of being the “grandfather” of all video game characters. While he may not have the complex backstory or character development of later protagonists, his impact on the gaming world is undeniable.

The Early Days of Video Game Characters

It’s important to distinguish between a video game character, as we understand it today, and early video game elements. Prior to Pac-Man, games like OXO (1952) and Tennis for Two (1958) existed, however they lacked defined characters as we now know them. These were primarily simulations or graphical representations of games. Therefore, while they are crucial in the history of video games, they don’t feature individualised characters. Pac-Man was revolutionary because he had a distinct personality, albeit simplistic, and a clear objective in the game which is to eat pellets while avoiding ghosts, the game had a narrative. Even though Mario appeared later, 1981, initially as Jumpman in Donkey Kong, his design was still much more detailed.

The discussion can be muddied further when we consider games from outside video game format. Games such as Mancala and Backgammon, which are thousands of years old, have pieces. However, these pieces represent strategic elements of the game rather than individual characters with distinct personalities. Pac-Man’s visual uniqueness and his role as the protagonist in his game cemented his status as a pivotal character in gaming history. So when we refer to the oldest video game character, we are typically talking about a character in the sense used in the modern video game world – which places the title firmly with Pac-Man.

Why Not Mario?

Mario is frequently cited in the conversation of oldest game characters. Initially named Mr. Video and later Jumpman, Mario made his first appearance in 1981. While his impact on gaming is profound, he wasn’t the first such distinct “video game character,” by the standard set by Pac-Man’s 1980 arrival. Mario, though not the oldest, rapidly became a cultural phenomenon.

Pac-Man’s initial name was Puck Man, a testament to its Japanese origins. The evolution of both these characters, from simple pixelated forms to the complex representations we see today, highlights the progress of video game graphics and character development.

The First Video Game Villain

While we’re discussing gaming pioneers, it’s important to consider the first antagonist. In 1983, Wizard Video Games released The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for the Atari 2600, where players assume the role of Leatherface, a horrific villain from the 1974 film. Before that there were game enemies that would hinder the player’s progress, but Leatherface is the first where the player directly takes the role of the villain in a game.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Video Game History

1. Who is considered the strongest video game character?

Many gamers consider Kratos from the God of War series to be the strongest video game character. He has a high kill count and has defeated gods from Greek and Norse pantheons.

2. What is the oldest video game in the world?

The first publicly demonstrated electronic game was OXO from 1952, a tic-tac-toe simulator created by A.S. Douglas at Cambridge University. Tennis for Two from 1958 is often regarded as the second video game, making video games 70 years old.

3. What are some of the oldest games in history?

Many ancient games predate video games by thousands of years, for example:

• Mancala/Wari: (BCE)
• Mehen: 3500 BCE
• Backgammon: 3000 BCE
• Senet: 2600 BCE
• Royal Game of Ur: 2400 BCE
• Go/Weiqi: 2000 BCE
• Nine Men’s Morris: 1440 BCE
• Checkers: 1400 BCE

4. Who could defeat Kirby?

Tracer from Overwatch might have a chance against Kirby due to her ability to blink around the battlefield and rewind time, which could allow her to exploit his weaknesses.

5. Who is the fastest character in video games?

Sonic the Hedgehog is frequently cited as the fastest character in video games, though many other characters are known for their speed. Some other fast characters include:

• Miles Morales (Spider-Man)
• Kitana (Mortal Kombat)
• Scout (Team Fortress 2)
• Octane (Apex Legends)
• Tracer (Overwatch)
• Samus Aran (Metroid)
• Regieleki (Pokemon)

6. Which character is older, Pac-Man or Mario?

Pac-Man, released in 1980, is older than Mario, who debuted in 1981, even though he is a more developed character.

7. Who is the youngest video game character?

Baby Mario from Yoshi’s Island is considered to be the youngest video game protagonist at less than one-year-old.

8. Who was the first playable female character in a video game?

The Atari game Wabbit (1982) features a character named Billie Sue, which may be the first named, playable female character who is not off-screen.

9. Who was the first black game character?

Heavyweight Champ from 1976 likely was the first time a black game character appeared on screen in an Arcade game. However, many early depictions of Black characters are found in sports titles.

10. Who was the first secret character in a video game?

Reptile from the game Mortal Kombat (1992) is widely considered to be the first secret character in a video game. He could be unlocked by achieving specific criteria.

11. Can Goku beat Kirby?

Goku could easily defeat Kirby. Goku transcends the speed of light and could knock Kirby unconscious quickly.

12. Who is stronger, Kirby or Mario?

Kirby’s copy abilities are generally considered more powerful than Mario’s power-ups. Kirby can acquire abilities from enemies, projectiles, and environments which can be used against his enemies.

13. Who is stronger, Kirby or Sonic?

Kirby is often cited as being stronger than Sonic. His abilities make him a force to be reckoned with.

14. Can Kirby defeat the Hulk?

Kirby has a range of powerful moves, such as instant kill moves, that could likely overpower the Hulk. His abilities are vast, giving him a significant advantage.

15. Can Kirby beat Thanos?

Kirby can likely defeat Thanos. Kirby has many abilities such as the power to turn enemies into food, nuke his enemies, possess them and even use the beam ability to stop time, which could give him the upper hand in a battle with Thanos.

Conclusion

While ancient board games and early computer simulations played a crucial role in the evolution of gaming, Pac-Man, introduced in 1980, holds the title of the oldest video game character. His iconic design and the revolutionary gameplay of the original Pac-Man arcade game make him a true pioneer in video game history. Though many characters followed, each with their own unique contributions, Pac-Man remains a key figure in the development of the video game character.