The 'classic debate' reminded me of this little freeware gem. Yes it's stupid as hell but I still think it's a nice tribute to the one that started it all.

http://www.classictrash.net/games/arcade/item/mortal-pong

Pong did not start it all...

Anyway, not sure if you have seen this before:

http://eriksvedang.com/world-of-pong/

World of Pong. Pong as MMORPG.

Bested again.
KHAN!!!!

Considring it is the first commercially successful video game, it might as well be the one that started it all

so what's the first videogame if not pong?

I am disappoint.

I was expecting a Pong/Mortal Kombat crossover.

Many have claimed "First!" You be the judge of that.

Me, too. I was picturing Sub-Zero and Raiden frantically working Atari 2600 paddles and then some cool fatality when one of them scored a point.

For extra added painful effect...

Many quote Spacewar. I don't know if that's true, but it was "released" in 1962, a full ten years prior to Pong.

EDIT: In fact, that article says: As for home consoles, Pong was, at first, released only in arcade cabinets, and didn't make an entry to home television sets until three years after the Magnavox Odyssey.

That's "mortal"? Pfffft...

Have some Nogginknockers 2
http://bloodlustsoftware.com/nogginknockers.html

We have a winner!
I haven't even downloaded it and I dare anyone to come up with a cooler Pong variant. Well done. :D

Wait, let me get this straight:

a) They could have made a Pong/Mortal Kombat crossover and didn't?
b) They could have called it Mortal Pongbat and didn't?

I call foul...!

I've got a feeling ,and I'm serious about this, call is ass kissing if you will, that something VERY beautiful and special could come out of this brainstorming. I don't want credit for whatever mega hit game one of you create, but can I get a 10% discount when I buy it?