January 6th, 2022

75 Nostalgic Vintage Video Game Tattoos

What's your favorite vintage video game?

Video games changed the world. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the video game boom hit towns worldwide with now iconic arcade games such as “Space Invaders,” “Pac-Man” and “Donkey Kong.” These games were the blueprint for video games around the world and helped to create the multi-billion dollar industry we have today.

Although there are more innovative and hi-tech games today, we still have an appreciation for the games that came before. Take a look at some of our favorite tattoo homages to the classic video games, then let us know your favorite game from this list in the comments section on social media.

Tetris

Debut: 1984

Created By: Alexey Pajitnov

Country of Origin: Russia

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dave Paulo (@davepaulo_tattooartist)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by #1 Gamer & Anime Tatts (@gamer.ink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jagoda Matuła (@jagoda_matula)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by missPANK (@miss_pank)

Pac-Man

Debut: 1980

Created By: Toru Iwatani

Country of Origin: Japan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vansh Chhabra (@pigmentedtattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jankat Yilmaz (@jankatyilmaz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hun (@youthless_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Harrison (@bittersweetly.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mireia Mateos (@mireiamateostattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bensloth (@bensloth)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by CHAMARRO (@chamarro_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vinícius Moschen (@vinimoschen)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by #1 Gamer & Anime Tatts (@gamer.ink)

Donkey Kong

Debut: 1981

Created By: Shigeru Miyamoto

Country of Origin: Japan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matt Daniels (@stickypop)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Spat Ernesto (@spaternesto)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Doom (@brandoom)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marco Pepe (@marcoencre)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eternal Ink (@eternalink)

Space Invaders

Debut: 1978

Created By: Tomohiro Nishikado

Country of Origin: Japan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Artist (@luismiguel_ta2)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ΤΘΜΛ ΡΣGΛΖ (@tomapegaz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Roy Veksler Tattoo (@royveksler)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bones Jones (@bonesjonestattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by #1 Gamer & Anime Tatts (@gamer.ink)

Street Fighter

Debut: 1987

Created By: Takashi Nishiyama

Country of Origin: Japan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✨ (@lealigot)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@luis_bonillatattooartist)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@raul_de_la_o_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jessica Penfold (@jessica_penfold)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BorjaSilgado ❤️ (@borjasilgado)

Mortal Kombat

Debut: 1987

Created By: Ed Boon and John Tobias

Country of Origin: USA

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ❖ Kevin Navarro (@navarro_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Fabricio Rizzotto (@rizztattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Oksana Lukianenko (@oxi.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by #1 Gamer & Anime Tatts (@gamer.ink)

Mario Bros.

Debut: 1983

Created By: Shigeru Miyamoto and Gunpei Yokoi

Country of Origin: Japan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TATTOOS BY MR. COMINK (@the.comink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Luke Cormier (@mr.sticker.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by min_zumi 彫友會, 敏 (@min_zumi)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dead Dread Tattoo (@dead.dread)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @silent_screamink

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dani Green (@danigreentattoos)

Sonic the Hedgehog

Debut: 1991

Created By: Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima

Country of Origin: Japan

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Adam Saddock (@adam.saddock)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by $atgat kim (@kimsatgat_ttt)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bonnie Sketch (@bonniesketchtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Yeray Perez (@ikostattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by OTAKU TATTOO (@meikosthef)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aleksander Lien (@lienaleks)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Dieken (@dieken_artist)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by #1 Gamer & Anime Tatts (@gamer.ink)

Editor's Picks

Events
Met Gala 2025: The Best Tattooed Celebrity Looks

At the 2025 Met Gala, inked celebrities like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton proved tattoos are the ultimate high-fashion accessory.

Culture
May the 4th Ink Be With You: Best Star Wars Tattoos for Superfans

Celebrate Star Wars Day with tattoos that showcase the Force—from Darth Vader portraits to minimalist Baby Yoda ink. May the ink be with you!

Events
Diplo, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and More: Highlights from Stagecoach 2025

Stagecoach 2025 delivered epic performances, unforgettable moments, and nonstop energy under the desert skies of Indio, California.

InkedMagCover