Rare two-player Computer Space arcade cabinet goes up for auction

A rare 1973 two-player Computer Space arcade cabinet — one of the earliest video game machines in history — is currently up for auction at RR Auction. The seller is David Perry, the programmer behind Earthworm Jim and co-founder of game-streaming company Gaikai.

The original single-player Computer Space was created in 1971 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney under their company Syzygy Engineering, and distributed by Nutting Associates. It was based on the 1962 computer game Spacewar! and later influenced the creation of Asteroids. The cabinet had a distinctive futuristic shape with colorful fiberglass panels, and cost a quarter to play. After this project, Bushnell and Dabney ended their partnership and founded Atari, releasing Pong in 1972.

In mid-1973, Nutting Associates released a new two-player version without Bushnell or Dabney's involvement, featuring two joysticks and a sparkling green cabinet. A white version of the machine appeared in the 1973 film Soylent Green, marking the first video game to appear in a Hollywood movie, while a yellow version can be spotted in the 1975 film Jaws.

Perry announced on social media that he is selling the machine due to lack of space, describing it as possibly the rarest arcade game in existence, typically found only in museums. RR Auction describes the cabinet as being in fine condition with minor scuffing, but fully functional, including a working screen and lighting.

The auction began on July 24 and closes on August 20. It is part of a larger sale titled Steve Jobs & the Computer Revolution, which also includes personal items belonging to Steve Jobs and other vintage technology.