MoMA adds retro pioneers, Minecraft to its art collection

Mo’ games

In March, New York’s Museum of Modern Art added 14 videogames to its Architecture and Design collection, with the intent of acquiring 40 over the next few years. The initial group was a varied sample, from Tetris to Vib-Ribbon to Canabalt.  

Among the hopeful additions are Grim Fandango, Chrono Trigger, Space Invaders, The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario 64. However, the newest additions come mostly from the 70’s and 80’s, outside of the wildly popular Minecraft, including a console addition: the Magnavox Odyssey. Architecture and Design supervisor Paul Galloway said of the recent selections, “[i]n the infancy of this field a small number of visionaries laid the groundwork for where we are now: an industry of tremendous range and creative output.”

So: the Magnavox Odyssey (1972), Pong (1972), Space Invaders (1978), Asteroids (1979), Tempest (1981), Yar’s Revenge (1982), Minecraft (2011). Anything else you think needs to make it into those hallowed halls? 

Video Games: Seven More Building Blocks in MoMA’s Collection [MoMA]