Atari is a pioneering video game company that was founded in 1972 and is credited with creating the first commercially successful arcade game, Pong. Atari is also known for its iconic home video game consoles, such as the Atari 2600, and for popularizing arcade games such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man. The company has had a major influence on the development of the video game industry, and its name has become synonymous with classic arcade games.