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PONG Gets a Retro Makeover – Introducing Retro PONG!
We’re excited to announce that the classic WindowsForum PONG game has been officially upgraded to Retro PONG!
This single-player version brings smoother gameplay, a refreshed retro design, and the same timeless mechanics you know and love. Whether you're passing time or chasing high scores, Retro PONG delivers pure arcade-style fun.
Retro PONG on WindowsForum
Download Retro PONG on Google Play
Fun and games are here again – how long can you keep the ball in play?
The original WindowsForum PONG wasn’t born from a coding sprint or nostalgia project — it was actually a temporary filler. Pulled from a free JavaScript repository, it was slapped onto a landing page used during server downtime. The idea was to give users something mildly entertaining while the site was being restored.
But something unexpected happened: users kept playing it. What started as a maintenance-time gag grew a small following. The paddle bounced, the ball rebounded, and a funny little distraction turned into a quirky favorite among regulars. Eventually, even when the site was back in full force, the page was kept alive simply because people enjoyed it.
Fast forward years later, and that placeholder is now a full-fledged part of the community.
Enter Retro PONG: a rebuilt and modernized version that still holds true to the spirit of the original but plays like a smooth arcade classic. Designed with better collision detection, adaptive responsiveness, and cleaner visuals, this new version is meant to be both a tribute and a new beginning.
PONG was one of the first video games ever created and is widely recognized as the title that launched the video game industry. It was developed by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell and designed by engineer Allan Alcorn in 1972 as a training exercise. Inspired by the table tennis game featured on the Magnavox Odyssey (the first home video game console), Alcorn created a simple two-dimensional sports game featuring two paddles and a bouncing ball.
The game was installed as a prototype in Andy Capp’s Tavern in Sunnyvale, California. It quickly proved popular—so much so that the machine reportedly broke down because it was overflowing with quarters. By 1973, Atari began producing PONG commercially, and it became a massive success in arcades across the U.S. and eventually the world.
PONG’s minimalist concept made it accessible and instantly fun. The gameplay was easy to understand but challenging to master, making it addictive for players of all ages. Over the years, PONG saw adaptations for home consoles like the Atari 2600, numerous clones, and spiritual successors that expanded on its mechanics.
Throughout the decades, PONG has remained a cultural icon. It’s been featured in art installations, modern reimaginings, and even on smartwatches and refrigerators. Its core gameplay has also been used in AI research and remains a favorite among developers looking to create their first game.
From a wooden cabinet in a tavern to smartphones and forums like ours, PONG’s journey has been extraordinary. And today, we’re proud to keep the spirit alive with Retro PONG — a new twist on a game that changed everything.
Let us know what you think and post your high scores below!
We’re excited to announce that the classic WindowsForum PONG game has been officially upgraded to Retro PONG!
This single-player version brings smoother gameplay, a refreshed retro design, and the same timeless mechanics you know and love. Whether you're passing time or chasing high scores, Retro PONG delivers pure arcade-style fun.
Play it Now
Retro PONG on WindowsForum
Get it on Android
Download Retro PONG on Google PlayFun and games are here again – how long can you keep the ball in play?
A Brief History of PONG on WindowsForum
The original WindowsForum PONG wasn’t born from a coding sprint or nostalgia project — it was actually a temporary filler. Pulled from a free JavaScript repository, it was slapped onto a landing page used during server downtime. The idea was to give users something mildly entertaining while the site was being restored.But something unexpected happened: users kept playing it. What started as a maintenance-time gag grew a small following. The paddle bounced, the ball rebounded, and a funny little distraction turned into a quirky favorite among regulars. Eventually, even when the site was back in full force, the page was kept alive simply because people enjoyed it.
Fast forward years later, and that placeholder is now a full-fledged part of the community.
Enter Retro PONG: a rebuilt and modernized version that still holds true to the spirit of the original but plays like a smooth arcade classic. Designed with better collision detection, adaptive responsiveness, and cleaner visuals, this new version is meant to be both a tribute and a new beginning.
The Origin and Evolution of PONG
PONG was one of the first video games ever created and is widely recognized as the title that launched the video game industry. It was developed by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell and designed by engineer Allan Alcorn in 1972 as a training exercise. Inspired by the table tennis game featured on the Magnavox Odyssey (the first home video game console), Alcorn created a simple two-dimensional sports game featuring two paddles and a bouncing ball.The game was installed as a prototype in Andy Capp’s Tavern in Sunnyvale, California. It quickly proved popular—so much so that the machine reportedly broke down because it was overflowing with quarters. By 1973, Atari began producing PONG commercially, and it became a massive success in arcades across the U.S. and eventually the world.
PONG’s minimalist concept made it accessible and instantly fun. The gameplay was easy to understand but challenging to master, making it addictive for players of all ages. Over the years, PONG saw adaptations for home consoles like the Atari 2600, numerous clones, and spiritual successors that expanded on its mechanics.
Throughout the decades, PONG has remained a cultural icon. It’s been featured in art installations, modern reimaginings, and even on smartwatches and refrigerators. Its core gameplay has also been used in AI research and remains a favorite among developers looking to create their first game.
From a wooden cabinet in a tavern to smartphones and forums like ours, PONG’s journey has been extraordinary. And today, we’re proud to keep the spirit alive with Retro PONG — a new twist on a game that changed everything.
Let us know what you think and post your high scores below!