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What is Snake and why did it become famous?

Explore the origins of Snake-style games, their arrival on Nokia phones, and their connection to hidden games in apps such as Alkateia.

By AlkateiaUpdated September 20, 20262 min read

In this guide
  1. What was the first Snake game? The answer depends on what counts as a “Snake game.” The historical account published on Microsoft's Devices Blog identifies Gremlin's 1976 Blockadeas a predecessor of the Snake genre. That is different from claiming that mobile Snake already existed with the same name, rules, and presentation that year. (Microsoft Devices Blog)
  2. When did Snake arrive on Nokia phones? The same source records its appearance on the Nokia 6110 in 1997, adapted by Taneli Armanto. The mobile version popularized an idea with earlier predecessors. “The first Snake” and “the first Nokia Snake” are therefore different questions. (Microsoft Devices Blog)
  3. Why did Snake become so popular on phones? Simple controls and availability on everyday devices help explain its familiarity. This is an interpretation of design and distribution, not a statistic about every player's preferences. The game was easy to understand, and difficulty increased naturally as you played.
  4. Do all versions have the same rules? No. Some end the game when you hit an edge; others let you move through to the opposite side. Speed, obstacles, scoring, and controls can vary too. Read a new version's instructions before assuming it behaves like the one you know.
  5. Why do apps include hidden games? They may be tributes, playful experiences, or little diversions. Chrome's dinosaur game, documented by its creators, illustrates one such choice. This does not mean every app needs a game or that a hidden game should prolong use indefinitely. (Google)
  6. How does Snake appear in Alkateia? Alkateia includes a secret Snake game accessed through the home-screen logo. It is an Easter egg for a brief break, including while waiting for a message. We are not presenting a reproduction of Nokia's game or a commercial association between the brands. Read what an Easter egg means or discover the game in Alkateia.

Snake is the name associated with games in which players steer a line or snake while avoiding collisions. In familiar versions, collecting items makes the snake grow, making movement harder. The idea is easy to understand, but choosing routes becomes more demanding as space shrinks.

What was the first Snake game? The answer depends on what counts as a “Snake game.” The historical account published on Microsoft's Devices Blog identifies Gremlin's 1976 Blockadeas a predecessor of the Snake genre. That is different from claiming that mobile Snake already existed with the same name, rules, and presentation that year. (Microsoft Devices Blog)

When did Snake arrive on Nokia phones? The same source records its appearance on the Nokia 6110 in 1997, adapted by Taneli Armanto. The mobile version popularized an idea with earlier predecessors. “The first Snake” and “the first Nokia Snake” are therefore different questions. (Microsoft Devices Blog)

1976Blockade, a predecessor of the genre.
1997Snake on the Nokia 6110.
TodayNew versions and tributes to the concept.

Why did Snake become so popular on phones? Simple controls and availability on everyday devices help explain its familiarity. This is an interpretation of design and distribution, not a statistic about every player's preferences. The game was easy to understand, and difficulty increased naturally as you played.

Do all versions have the same rules? No. Some end the game when you hit an edge; others let you move through to the opposite side. Speed, obstacles, scoring, and controls can vary too. Read a new version's instructions before assuming it behaves like the one you know.

Why do apps include hidden games? They may be tributes, playful experiences, or little diversions. Chrome's dinosaur game, documented by its creators, illustrates one such choice. This does not mean every app needs a game or that a hidden game should prolong use indefinitely. (Google)

How does Snake appear in Alkateia? Alkateia includes a secret Snake game accessed through the home-screen logo. It is an Easter egg for a brief break, including while waiting for a message. We are not presenting a reproduction of Nokia's game or a commercial association between the brands. Read what an Easter egg means or discover the game in Alkateia.

Sources and references

  1. Microsoft Devices Blog — Snake charmed! The history of Snake (2012)
  2. Google — Interview with the creators of Chrome's dinosaur game (2018)

Sources accessed September 20, 2026. Informational content produced by Alkateia; information about the app describes its own features.