Weird when I i saw the question i instantly thought PC, never thought games (cards, tag, kick the can, etc) Nor did it hink PONG, and atari 2600.. But I had home pong (never played in an arcade) and TANK (somebody else stated, console with 4 joysticks you played Tank on, by Telstar (combat was name i think). Had a 2600 (heavy sixer, still have it) first games where COMBAT, and INDY 500 with the controllers. Intelvison, AD&D was the reason i got it, but TRON DEADLY DISC's became an obsession. Arcade: no idea, but i remember all the Black& white games.. I got to play Death RACE when it was out.
But my first thought to this question (until i read all the others) GRIME- free game on XT machines, very simple, you controlled the arrow (yes the arrow) and grime spots (simple square blocks) started on screen , you shot them so they wouldn't grow, but eventually they would overwhelm and crush you. Not sure if any game is like it since. That same year we played Ultima II on the same XT machine and won it... it was my first taste of a true RPG, and been hooked since.