The Oregon Trail and Pong! are two different types of video games, while both succeeded when they were released. After playing the two versions of the Oregon Trail, I can see why it is so popular. First, there are so many choices and freedom in it. There are thousands of combinations and possibilities in the game. From what I learned from game design classes, uncertainties are always appealing. Oregon Trail is also one of the earliest digital RPG games, and RPG games allow players to experience stories from their perspectives which are always attractive. The Oregon Trail is also one of the first games with a positive educational purpose and playability. Furthermore, I can see the improvements from the first version to the second one with more accessible UI and better arts.
For Pong!, I believe it is first released in Bars where people find things to do, and this game is fast and competitive, which is perfect for people in bars finding things to talk about. Pong! is also attractive for watching, so people can learn about it quickly. There is also a phycological side of the popularity of Pong!, being as a fast game ending in one minute, it tempts people to play it repeatedly until they win.
The two games of The Oregon Trail and Pong! are popular because of the excellent timing and their characteristics of playabilities.
