- HD Networks
Play Value
- 2007 – 2008
- Ended
- Documentary · Comedy
- ~9m / ep
- 1 season
This series traces the sweeping history of video games—from the golden age of arcades to the home‑console revolution that reshaped the industry. Through fast‑paced commentary and archival insight, it explores how hits like Space Invaders, Pac‑Man, and Donkey Kong fueled an arcade boom, why the market collapsed in the early 1980s, and how Nintendo revived gaming with the NES. The story expands into the fierce rivalry between Atari and Nintendo, the global battle for Tetris rights, and the constant cycle of innovation that defined consoles from the 1970s through the 2000s. Blending humor with industry analysis, the episode shows how creativity, competition, and a few spectacular missteps shaped modern gaming.
Latest: Season 1 · 2007
View all seasonsE1. You Can Keep Your Quarters: The Death of Arcades
Jul 30, 2007 · 8m
Back in the day, people left their homes to play video games! Hosts discuss the rise of arcades and all the old school games: Space invaders, Asteroids, Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and many more! Enjoy this blast from the past while you learn how and why home gaming eliminated arcades.
E2. Up from the Ashes: The Rise of Nintendo
Jul 30, 2007 · 8m
Nintendo's long trek from playing cards to gaming monopoly. While most Americans thought video games were a fad, Nintendo was pushing their way to the top of the gaming world. Learn how Nintendo created their gaming monopoly and revisit the game systems of the past.
E3. Ashes to Ashes: The Fall of Atari
Aug 16, 2007 · 7m
The stunning rise and steep decline of Atari. Atari started the home video game, quickly becoming the fastest growing company in American history. In the last six months of 1982, however, it all fell apart even faster than it started. Here’s why...
E4. Splitting the Iron Curtain: A Brief History of Tetris
Aug 23, 2007 · 8m
You won't believe the drama behind one of the best loved games of all-time. Tetris is not only one of the most universally loved games ever created, it also has one of the most fascinating histories. This episode covers everything from its invention by a Russian government programmer to its phenomenal success in the world market.
E5. Atari-gate!: The Theft of Nintendo's Code
Aug 30, 2007 · 8m
The history of the bitter feud between Atari and Nintendo. In the high-stakes world of early console gaming, Nintendo knew it would have to think outside the box to prevent crappy games from being compatible with its new system. Atari wasn't having any of it.
E6. The Dirty Dozen: 12 Failed Consoles — Part One
Sep 13, 2007 · 8m
The trashcans of the past are stuffed with consoles that didn't catch on. From the Atari 5200 and the ill fated Nintendo Virtual Boy, to the Atari Jaguar and the poorly timed Sega CD, the trashcans of the past were stuffed with consoles that simply failed to catch on. This episode examines why some of them didn't become the next big thing.
+16 more episodes — open all seasons to browse every episode.
