Pack-in game facts for kids

Pack-in games are video games that come bundled with a game system when you buy it. They are usually found right inside the same box as the console itself. This is why they are called "pack-in" games – they are packed in with the system! These games are often chosen because they are great for showing new players how to use the console's special features, like the motion controls of the Wii system with its famous pack-in game, Wii Sports.

What Are Pack-in Games?

A pack-in game is a video game that is sold together with a new video game console. Instead of buying the game separately, it comes included in the console's box. This has been a common practice since the early days of video games. For example, the very first video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, came with several games built right into the system. Later, games like Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) became famous pack-in titles.

Why Do Consoles Come With Games?

Game companies include pack-in games for several important reasons:

• Showing Off Features: Many pack-in games are designed to highlight the unique abilities of a new console. Wii Sports was perfect for showing how the Wii's motion controls worked. It taught players how to swing a tennis racket or bowl a ball just by moving their arm.
• Adding Value: Including a game makes the console seem like a better deal. Buyers feel like they are getting more for their money when a popular game is part of the package.
• Easy Start: A pack-in game means players can start having fun right away. They don't need to buy another game before they can play their new system. This makes the experience smoother and more exciting.
• Marketing: Pack-in games can be a big part of a console's marketing strategy. If a game is very popular or shows off the console well, it can help convince people to buy that specific system.

Famous Pack-in Games Through History

Many classic and beloved games started their lives as pack-in titles. These games often became hugely successful and helped define their consoles:

• Pong (1975): This simple but fun tennis-like game was often built directly into early home consoles, making it one of the first true pack-in experiences.
• Super Mario Bros. (1985): This iconic platformer was bundled with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in North America. It helped make the NES a household name and showed off the console's graphics and gameplay.
• Tetris (1989): The puzzle game Tetris was a major reason for the success of the original Game Boy. Its simple, addictive gameplay was perfect for portable gaming and helped sell millions of handheld consoles.
• Wii Sports (2006): As mentioned, Wii Sports was bundled with the Wii console in most regions. It introduced millions of people to motion-controlled gaming and became one of the best-selling video games of all time.

The Future of Pack-in Games

While pack-in games are still common, especially with special console bundles, the way games are distributed has changed. Many games are now downloaded digitally, and consoles often come with subscriptions to game services rather than a single physical game. However, the idea of getting a great game right out of the box with your new system remains a popular way for companies to welcome new players.

Images for kids

• 

  Screenshot from FreedroidRPG showing an "area of effect", or AoE.

• 

  The attract mode for the arcade game San Francisco Rush: The Rock showcasing one of the race tracks available to play in the game.

• 

  A7Xpg gives the player the opportunity to continue playing after losing their last life.

• 

  The player cannot see enemy activity beneath the greyed-out fog of war.

• 

  Level 256 in Pac-Man is considered to be unplayable due to a bug associated with an integer overflow in the game's code.

• 

  OpenArena title screen