At least as old as Space Invaders (1978). Nonetheless, meaningless points popping up on screen where the action is definitely went out of fashion for a long wh

At least as old as Space Invaders (1978). Nonetheless, meaningless points popping up on screen where the action is definitely went out of fashion for a long while. I never cared at all about the points when playing either Mario or Sonic (although they were there, at the top of the screen): the achievement of beating the level was a much greater focus.