What’s the first zombie game?

What’s the First Zombie Game?

Zombies have been a staple of popular culture for decades, and video games are no exception. From Resident Evil to Dying Light, zombies have been a key component of many iconic gaming franchises. But where did it all start? Which game can be credited with introducing the world to the undead hordes that have since become a mainstay of the gaming industry?

Quicksilva’s Zombie Zombie: The First Zombie Game

According to many sources, including the Guinness World Records, the first zombie game is Zombie Zombie, released in 1984 by Quicksilva for the ZX Spectrum. This 2D side-scroller tasked players with navigating a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies, with the goal of reaching the final level and defeating the "Mother Zombie".

Early Influences

While Zombie Zombie is often credited as the first zombie game, it’s worth noting that the concept of zombies had been around for decades before. In fact, the word "zombie" was first coined in the 18th century, and the idea of reanimated corpses had been explored in literature and film long before the advent of video games.

The Evolution of Zombies in Games

From Zombie Zombie to modern-day titles like Dying Light, the concept of zombies has evolved significantly over the years. Here are some key milestones in the evolution of zombies in games:

• 1984: Zombie Zombie (ZX Spectrum) – The first zombie game, which introduced the concept of zombies to the gaming world.
• 1996: Resident Evil (PlayStation) – A survival horror game that popularized the concept of zombies in games and spawned a successful franchise.
• 2006: Left 4 Dead (PC, Xbox 360) – A cooperative first-person shooter that introduced a new type of zombie gameplay, where players worked together to survive against hordes of undead.
• 2015: Dying Light (PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4) – A first-person action game that combined parkour mechanics with zombie-killing gameplay.

Zombie Game Genres

Zombies have been incorporated into a wide range of game genres, from action-adventure to role-playing games. Here are some examples:

• Action-Adventure: Resident Evil, Dying Light, State of Decay
• First-Person Shooter: Left 4 Dead, Call of Duty: World at War, Overkill’s The Walking Dead
• Role-Playing Game: Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, The Walking Dead: The Game

Conclusion

In conclusion, Zombie Zombie is widely recognized as the first zombie game, introducing the concept of zombies to the gaming world in 1984. Since then, zombies have become a staple of the gaming industry, with countless games incorporating the undead into their gameplay. Whether you’re a fan of action-adventure, first-person shooter, or role-playing games, there’s a zombie game out there for you.