GAMING’S MUSIC MILESTONES

Bands, singers, and sound designers have shaped the experience since the beginning

1972 | Pong, created as a computer-engineering experiment, introduces audio to video games.

1978 | Space Invaders is the first to have a full soundtrack — a four-tone dynamic tune that hooks players.

1982 | Journey Escape, launched along with the album

Escape, sees Journey dodging “loved-crazed groupies.”

1989 | Tetris is released on Game Boy with its hypnotic theme song, a play off an 1861 Russian poem.

1989 | Wrestling figure Lou Albano brings “The Mario Rap” to the Super Mario Bros. Super Show! cartoon program.

1994 | Michael Jackson is hired to help score Sonic the Hedgehog 3 — but exits after scandals surface.

1994 | Techno band the Immortals release Mortal Kombat: The Album in conjunction with the game.

1995 | Kylie Minogue appears as playable fighter Cammy in Street Fighter: The Movie (the arcade game).

1998 | Dance Dance Revolution has players dancing to golden oldies like “That’s the Way (I Like It)” in local arcades.