Doctor Pong

Doctor Pong
DeveloperAtari, Inc.
PublishersAtari, Inc.
DesignersAllan Alcorn
Nolan Bushnell
Steve Bristow
SeriesPong
PlatformArcade
Release1975-1977 (NA)
GenreSports

Doctor Pong, also known as Puppy Pong, is an adaption of the original arcade Pong for use in a non-coin-operated environment. It was conceptualized by Nolan Bushnell, Steve Bristow, and a marketing firm to move their arcade video games into a non-arcade environment—in this case, to help occupy children in pediatricians' waiting rooms. Originally designed to be a model of Snoopy's doghouse with Pong built into the side of it, when Charles Schulz declined Atari the use of Snoopy, the model was changed to a generic doghouse with a puppy looking over the top. Puppy Pong saw a limited production run and was tested at Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre's first two locations.