In Atari’s 1973 arcade game Space Race, players control rockets.
Space Race was Atari’s second arcade video game, following Pong. It was designed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney and released in July 1973. Two players steer rocket-shaped spacecraft upward through a field of stars, attempting to reach the top first while avoiding obstacles.
The game is notable for its competitive racing format rather than a traditional shooting or paddle mechanic. Players do not fight enemies; instead, they guide their rockets through space and try to complete the route faster than the opponent. Space Race was commercially less successful than Pong, but it remains an important early example of arcade racing and competitive video-game design.