Is Nolan Bushnell A-List?
No — Nolan Bushnell is currently ranked C tier — recognizable within their niche but with limited mainstream visibility.
Reached A-list in 1978
Sells Atari
Lost A-list status in 1984
Dropped to B tier — Sells Chuck E. Cheese
Ranking Timeline
Atari Founded
Co-founded Atari, Inc., pioneering the video game industry with Pong.
Chuck E. Cheese Founded
Founded Chuck E. Cheese, combining pizza with arcade games and animatronic entertainment.
Sells Atari
Sold Atari to Warner Communications.
Sells Chuck E. Cheese
Left active role at Chuck E. Cheese (then known as Pizza Time Theater)
BrainRush Launched
Launched BrainRush, an educational video game company.
Entrepreneurial Consultant
Continues to consult and mentor startups, sharing his entrepreneurial experience.
Last updated: February 25, 2026