Overview
From pinball to fatalities. Midway began as a pinball and amusement company, became the US distributor for Namco’s arcade hits, then developed their own games—including Mortal Kombat, whose graphic violence triggered congressional hearings and the creation of the ESRB rating system.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1958 (as Midway Manufacturing).
- Role: Developer, publisher, distributor.
- Merger: Absorbed Williams Electronics (1988).
- Closure: Bankruptcy (2009).
As distributor
| Original |
Midway US release |
| Pac-Man (Namco) |
1980 |
| Galaga (Namco) |
1981 |
| Galaxian (Namco) |
1979 |
| Rally-X (Namco) |
1980 |
Original developments
| Title |
Year |
Note |
| Space Invaders Deluxe |
1979 |
Enhanced version |
| Tron |
1982 |
Disney license |
| Mortal Kombat |
1992 |
Controversy milestone |
| NBA Jam |
1993 |
Sports arcade hit |
Mortal Kombat impact
| Aspect |
Effect |
| Violence |
Digitised gore |
| Controversy |
Congressional hearings |
| Industry response |
ESRB creation |
| Legacy |
Ongoing franchise |
Williams merger
| Combined |
Result |
| Williams catalogue |
Defender, Robotron |
| Midway branding |
Unified identity |
| Development teams |
Combined talent |
| Arcade dominance |
Major player |
Decline
| Factor |
Impact |
| Arcade decline |
Core market shrinking |
| Console transition |
Incomplete adaptation |
| Financial troubles |
Multiple restructures |
| Bankruptcy |
2009 dissolution |
See also