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Tempe Time Machine returns this summer with more fun for the whole family!
This year Tempe Time Machine (TTM) will be an online program featuring hands-on crafts, activities, online playable games and videos that you can enjoy at home each Wednesday in June and July.
Each year's program is created to complement the museum's featured exhibit; 2020's Video Invaders exhibit is the inspiration for this summer's TTM theme,Video Games Through the Decades.
Please note that the links for each day's activities will re-direct you to external websites.
Video Games and Race
The video gaming industry, like many others, is part of a system that highlights and supports White gamers and developers. We believe that this is necessary to acknowledge and would like to be a part of a system that amplifies voices and products created by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Please visit the links below to learn about games created by Black developers; the intersection between race, racism, representation, and video games; and play online games created to help educate about black history and black experiences.
Lists of Games Created by Black Developers
Explore games by Black developers with these lists.
Note: Unlike the other games in our Tempe Time Machine program, most of the games in this section are not free and playable online. We recommend that you support Black developers by buying their games. To play free, online games or game trials, visit the ‘Activities’ section.7 Games by Black Developers You Can Support Right Now
Click here to read the full story.
10 Games By Black Developers That You Need To Play Right Now
If you prefer game apps, check out this article.
“Black developers have been around since video games’ beginnings, and they’re not going anywhere. To celebrate their work, we’ve compiled a list of ten gaming apps by Black developers that you should all check out.”
Note: Direct links to some of the games are provided below in the ‘Activities’ section.
The Intersection of Race and Video Games
The following articles are about understanding the intersection between race, racism, representation, and video games.Should Your Avatar Skin Match Yours?
By Jess Kung
“In a video game, you can be anyone. Your avatar might be an ideal version of yourself, it might be a meme, it might be an original character (do not steal). In a medium that's all about imagined experiences, it would be absurd to be confined by your real-world identity (and impossible for many players of color).” Click here to read the article.
How a Black Video Game Engineer Changed the Video Game Industry Forever
By Mike Snider
Read about Gerald Lawson, the engineer who created the video game cartridge that revolutionized video games.
Click here to read the article.
Why Aren’t More Black Kids Going Pro in eSports?
By Latoya Peterson
As eSports grow in popularity, people of color (POC) are not represented at the same rate. Read about the history of eSports and how video games and professionalization has led to this. Click here to read the article.
Racial Slurs and ‘Black’ Superman: How Cosplayers of Color Navigate a World of Mostly White Characters
By Darcel Rockett
“People of color (POC) cosplayers are often subjected to racial slurs and/or rude comments when cosplaying or just automatically being put into a POC-only box.
Click here to read the article.
Hearing What it Means to be a Black Gamer
A collection of videos about the gaming experiences of Black gamers and what that means for the future of the video gaming industry.
Please be warned that some comments and content in these videos are inappropriate, racist, and often uncomfortable.
Colour Coded: Race, Gender, and Representation in Video Games
Listen to Andray Domise describe his experiences as a Black gamer and his thoughts on the future of video gaming in this TED Talk. Click here to watch the video.
Black Girl Gamers
“It’s known as misogynoir, the combination of sexism and racism black women experience every single day. But it's something Londoner and gamer Jay-Ann Lopez wants to help stamp out. So much so she's set up "Black Girl Gamers" an online community that gives black women a safe space to play after receiving a series of abusive messages while gaming on-line. Here's her story.” Click here to watch the video.
“BlackGirlGamers is an online safe space and platform that heightens the visibility of Black Women in Gaming and advocates for Diversity & Inclusion. Created by Jay-Ann Lopez in 2015, we currently have over 6000 members from all over the world, run amazing IRL events and create online content to support diversity and inclusion in the industry.”
Click here to visit the Black Girl Gamers channel. This channel may contain adult content.
Racist Trolls Are Still Dominating Video Games
“In 2002, Microsoft announced Xbox Live, an online gaming service that allows people to play video games with each other without being in the same room. Since then, it's amassed 60 million active users, and during that time, it's become a racist and toxic environment for players of color.” Click here to watch the video from Tech Insider.
Playable Online Games About Black Experiences and History
These online playable games were created by Black developers and artists as an expression of their experiences and to teach about black history. Please support them by playing their games and sharing their content on social media.Hair Nah
“A new travel game about a black woman tired of people touching her hair.”
"Hair Nah is a response to the perverse action of touching a Black woman’s hair without permission. The micro-aggression of assumed authority and ownership of black bodies." - Momo Pixel, creator, director, and designer of Hair Nah. Click here to play Hair Nah!
SweetXheart
“Can you get through a week in the life of a modern black woman? SweetXheart (pronounced “sweetheart”) is a visual novel about microagressions. The game follows Kara, a 19-year-old Black girl from the Bronx seeking success in life, school, and her career. Over five fictional days, players experience the highs and lows of juggling work, school, race, and gender.” Click here to play SweetXheart!
Check out other games from Catt Smalls.
Black Inventors Match Game
“The Black Inventors Match Game celebrates African-American inventors and problem-solvers. This app gives you a chance to test your memory AND learn about inventions by African-Americans in the United States. More inventions are added regularly.”
Download and play mobile game here.
Welcome to June 3 Tempe Time Machine!
Today's activities are inspired by video games from the 1970s such as: Pong, Space Invaders, Breakout, Galaxian and Asteroids
Enjoy these playable online games from the 1970s.
Note: Online game play requires use of a keyboard.
PONG
Atari’s Pong was originally a smash-hit as an arcade game when it debuted in 1972. The home version that they released three years later was equally successful, inspiring many other game companies to create their own home Pong clones. Click here to play Pong!
SPACE INVADERS
Space Invaders was released in 1978 by Taito and was inspired by games like Atari's Breakout. Click here to play Space Invaders!
GALAXIAN
Galaxian was released in 1979 by Namco as a competitor of the successful Space Invaders released the year prior. Click here to play Galaxian!
Try a DIY version of Pong by creating this ping pong balloon craft. The link includes a list of needed supplies and instructions.
Enjoy these videos about vintage games from the 1970s.
SUPER BREAKOUT
Watch a local vintage video game enthusiast, Brian the Blue, as he gives a brief history of the game Super Breakout.
Also created by Atari, Breakout was released in 1976 as an arcade game inspired by Pong. Followed shortly after in 1978 by the sequel Super Breakout.
Have fun with this Space Invaders online coloring page. Can be colored online or printed at home. Click here to start coloring!
Welcome to June 10 Tempe Time Machine!
Today's activities highlight vintage video games from the 1980s and 1990s including: Tetris, Donkey Kong, Sonic, Oregon Trail and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Test your skills to see how far you can make it on the Oregon Trail and through Sonic Mania with these playable online games.
Note: Online game play requires use of a keyboard.
OREGON TRAIL
Oregon Trail is an educational computer game created in the 1970s and popularized in the 1980s and ‘90s. Meant to teach children about pioneer life in the 19th century, this game is beloved by generations of players. Click here to play Oregon Trail!
SONIC
Developed in 1991 for Sega Genesis, this game featuring a blue hedgehog was part of the 16-bit video game era in the 1990s. Click here to play Sonic Mania!
PAPER TETRIS
No video game console? No problem! Get crafty with this DIY paper Tetris game and play wherever you want! The link includes a list of needed supplies and instructions.
Tetris was released in 1984 and the name is a portmanteau (a word blending the sound and meaning of two other words) of the Greek numeral prefix tetra and the word tennis.
TETRIS THEME SONGS – ACAPELLA
Pro-Tip: For the full Tetris experience, listen to these great acapella versions of the Tetris theme while you make the paper game craft!
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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES THEME SONG
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were characters known originally from their comic book in 1984 and TV series in 1987. Their popular arcade game was released in 1989. Click here to watch!
SONIC
DONKEY KONG
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
Welcome to June 17 Tempe Time Machine!
Today's activities cover a fun mix of vintage and current 8-bit games and projects featuring games like: Minecraft, Mario Bros., Stardew Valley, UNDERTALE and Metroid
Enjoy these online playable versions of Super Mario Bros. and Minecraft.
SUPER MARIO BROS.
Super Mario was release in 1985 by Nintendo for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) as one of the most well known 2-D side scrolling video games. Click here to play Super Mario Bros.!
MINECRAFT
Released in 2011, Minecraft is the best-selling video game by Mojang Studios known for a pixelated style and a wide-ranging ability for players to create, modify, and destroy their world. Click here to play Minecraft!
PIXEL ART
Ready to level-up and make your own pixel characters and designs? Here are two hands-on ways to explore pixel art - with an online pixel drawing maker and our own pixel art tutorial.
| 8-Bit Art Maker | Pixel Art Tutorial | |
METROID CEILING HANGER
Make your own species of Metroid! Released in 1986 by Nintendo, Metroid is a beloved game about a space traveling bounty hunter, Samus Aran, one of video games most iconic female characters. Click here to start your own Metroid craft.
MINECRAFT
Minecraft creeps off the screen and into your home with these two fun DIY Minecraft projects.
| Creeper Magnets |
Paper Creeper |
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UNDERTALE Annoying Dog Squishy
If you’re a fan of this game, or just looking for a fun craft, you’ll love this UNDERTALE Annoying Dog squishy tutorial.
UNDERTALE was created in 2015 by Toby Fox originally as a computer game. It’s known for its pixel style and was inspired by games like Mother, Brandish, Mario & Luigi, and even the character Mr. Bean.
MINECRAFT SOUNDTRACK
Check out the soothing sounds of the Minecraft Soundtrack to help you play through your day. Click here to listen!
Pro-Tip: Enjoy while playing Minecraft or working on Minecraft projects.
COLORING PAGES
From the Two Quarters, Two Players exhibit, these coloring pages from Champ and Such Styles are some of our favorites and feature Mario, Bowser and Princess Peach. This exhibit is currently on display at the Tempe History Museum and is in partnership with the Vision Gallery.
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First appearing in the 1985 classic, Super Mario Bros., Princess Peach and Bowser are two important characters in the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser, the main antagonist in the Mario universe, was also referred to as Bowser, King of the Koopas. He ultimately wanted to capture Princess Peach, defeat Mario, and conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. Although usually in need of rescue, Princess Peach first became a playable character in the 1999 N64 game Mario Golf.
Welcome to June 24 Tempe Time Machine!
The thrill of athletic competition awaits you with activities inspired by some of our favorite sports-themed video games throughout the decades like: Tecmo Bowl, Wii Sports, NBA Showdown ’94, Electronic Quarterback, Atari Football and Mattel Electronics Football.
Learn the moves and sharpen your skills on the field and court with these online playable games.
ELECTRONIC QUARTERBACK
Developed in 1978 by Coleco, Electronic Quarterback was a handheld game powered by a 9-volt battery or AC adapter and differed from the Mattel Electronics version by offering more playable options. As was common for the time, this game was also re-branded by Sears as Electronic Touchdown. Click here to play Electronic Quarterback!
TECMO BOWL
Tecmo released this game in 1987 as an arcade game and then two years later as a game for the NES. In 1991 it was also released as a Game Boy game. Tecmo Bowl was known for being the first game to include actual NFL players. Click here to play Tecmo Bowl!
NBA SHOWDOWN ’94
Named NBA Showdown for the NES, and NBA Showdown ’94 for the Sega Genesis, this game was the final game in the NBA Playoff Series and was then re-branded as NBA Live. Click here to play NBA Showdown '94.
Note: Use your keyboard arrow keys to select game options. View keyboard controls by clicking the Sega controller icon on the screen.
SPORTS CRAFTS
Ready to take a timeout from digital screens? Get creative with these sports crafts inspired by the many sports games throughout the decades. Click here to get started.
MATTEL ELECTRONICS FOOTBALL
Developed in 1977 by Mattel Electronics, the Mattel Electronics Football handheld game featured a simple red LED light that would move back and forth to get to the end zone.
Click here to watch the Mattel Electronics Football game in action.
Wii SPORTS SOUNDTRACK
Is it time for a water break? Take a load off and click here to listen to the energizing sounds of the Wii Sports Soundtrack.
Released in 2006, Wii Sports is a collection of sports games using the Wii Remote to mimic the movements needed for each game. This game includes bowling, golf, tennis, baseball, and boxing.
STARFIGHTERS ARCADE & ATARI FOOTBALL
Looking for something local? Check out Starfighters Arcade in Mesa, Arizona.
Atari Football was originally developed in 1978 as an arcade game and then later became available on the Atari 2600.
SPORTS COLORING PAGES
There’s endless fun with these sports-themed coloring pages. Color them online or print a page to color at home or on-the-go!
Click here to choose your page and start coloring!
Welcome to July 1 Tempe Time Machine!
Fun current and nostalgic simulation games inspired by: Duck Hunt, Farm Simulator, Flight Simulator, Kerbal Space Program, Sims, Roller Coaster Tycoon and Sim Tower.
Enjoy these online playable games.
FLIGHT SIMULATOR
Find out what it's like to be in the pilot's seat. Try out this flight simulator and test your skills with these tricky challenges.
With a long history that goes back many decades, flight simulators have been a beloved classic. Starting as training mechanisms for pilots, gaming simulators gained popularity in the 1980s with Microsoft’s Flight Simulator. Click here to try Flight Simulator!
DUCK HUNT
Often seen packaged with Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt was created in 1984 for the NES. It requires players to use the NES Zapper to hunt ducks in this hunting simulation. Click here to play Duck Hunt!
SIM TOWER
Sim Tower: The Vertical Empire is a building and construction simulation game requiring players to build towers and create office space, condos, restaurants, and more. Created by Maxis in 1994 for Microsoft Windows and McIntosh, this addicting game will have your attention for hours. Click here to play SIM Tower!
Pro-Tip: Start by building your lobby “Lb” on the first floor and then build offices, condos, and restaurants above and below your lobby. If you are building below the ground level, you will need to first lay a floor. And don’t forget to add stairs or elevators for each floor!
PAPER AIRPLANES
When you’re done with the flight simulator, try out these paper airplanes. See how far, fast and long you can make them fly! Make them all and challenge your family to a flight competition.
Click here for instructions.
| Image courtesy of gamerant.com |
SIMS PLUMBOB HEADBAND
Looking for a unique dress-up or costume idea? Try out this DIY SIMS plumbob headband. Click here for instructions.
SIMS is a life simulation game devolved by MAXIS and published by EA. Known as a sandbox game for having no defining requirements or goals, the SIMS game has sold over 200 million copies worldwide and is known for having many spin-offs and expansions.
See how Duck Hunt and RollerCoaster Tycoon have evolved over the years.
EVOLUTION OF DUCK HUNT
The ducks and dog in Duck Hunt have appeared in many other video games over the years. Click here to watch a video that shows what games they've appeared in and how they've changed.
EVOLUTION OF ROLLERCOASTER TYCOON
Created by Scottish programmer, Chris Sawyer, and originally released for the Microsoft PC in 1999, RollerCoaster Tycoon was later released for the Xbox in 2003.
Want to see how it’s changed since then? Click here to watch the video.
NASA ACTIVITY BOOK
Inspired by our love of Kerbal Space Program, we hope you enjoy these NASA space activities. Click here for the Space Station Activity Book.
Kerbal Space Program was released in 2011 by Squad and is known for being a space flight simulator as well as a useful resource for learning about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
FARMING WORD SEARCH
Can’t play a farming simulator? Pass the time with this farming word search. Click here to start searching!
Popularized by Giant Software’s Farm Simulator released in 2008, farm simulators have been recognized for inspiring a new generation of farmers.
Check back on Wed., July 8 for more fun Tempe Time Machine activities!
Check back on Wed., July 15 for more fun Tempe Time Machine activities!
Check back on Wed., July 22 for more fun Tempe Time Machine activities!
Check back on Wed., July 29 for more fun Tempe Time Machine activities!
Click here to learn more about the museum's exciting new featured exhibit, Video Invaders.
It doesn't have to be 'game over' ... want to keep playing? Check out the museum's Tempe at Home page for fun Tempe-based games and activities.