Video Game History
Ongoing coverage on Video Game History.
Latest coverage
Top 20 best-selling GameCube games of all time in the U.S. revealed
New sales data from Circana's Mat Piscatella reveals the top 20 best-selling GameCube games in the U.S., coinciding with the console's 25th anniversary. Nintendo titles dominate the list, with Super Smash Bros. Melee leading, followed by Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Kart: Double Dash. Sonic Adventure 2: Battle is the highest-ranking third-party title at number eight.
The Games That Changed How We Play
This article celebrates National Video Games Day by highlighting games that have significantly impacted gameplay and the industry. It covers titles like Pong, PAC-MAN, Super Mario Bros, DOOM, and Minecraft, detailing their innovations in genres, mechanics, and player interaction.
GTA Has Come A Long LONG Way Since 1997
This article reflects on the significant evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series since its inception in 1997. It highlights the series' journey through various iterations and technological advancements, underscoring its lasting impact on the video game landscape.
Three PS1 Legends Hit Their 30th Birthday in 2026
In 2026, several iconic PlayStation 1 games will celebrate their 30th anniversaries, including Crash Bandicoot, Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil. These titles, launched in 1996, were instrumental in establishing the PlayStation's legacy and introduced characters and franchises that remain popular today. While some original games show their age, their impact on the industry and their respective series is undeniable.
"I think one of the reasons GTA was so well received was the amount of detail," reflects an original dev: "No one ever said no, or that something couldn't be done"
This article delves into the development history of the Grand Theft Auto series, focusing on the early contributions of DMA Design and key figures like Paul Farley and Mike Dailly. It highlights the evolution of the open-world concept, level design challenges, and the creative freedom that defined the franchise's early entries, from the original Grand Theft Auto to Grand Theft Auto 3 and beyond.
Epic Mickey Brought An Icon Back To Disney, And Warren Specter Doesn’t Want You To Forget
Veteran game developer Warren Specter is retiring from the industry and wants to ensure the team behind Epic Mickey receives credit for reintroducing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Disney. Specter highlighted that Epic Mickey was the first Disney project to feature both Mickey and Oswald together, and its sequel gave Oswald a voice for the first time. He expressed frustration that the game's contributions to the character's revival are being overlooked, especially with a new Oswald miniseries on Disney+.
Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector is 'a little bitter' that his studio isn't getting props for sparking Oswald the Lucky Rabbit's big comeback
Epic Mickey creator Warren Spector expressed frustration that his studio, Junction Point, is not receiving adequate credit for revitalizing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Spector highlighted the significant role Oswald played in the Epic Mickey games, including giving the character a voice for the first time and introducing his paramour, Ortensia. He feels the games that reintroduced the character to the public consciousness are being overlooked ahead of an upcoming Oswald the Lucky Rabbit miniseries.
The companies that made gaming what it is today: Ére Informatique and it’s ‘French Touch’
This article traces the history of early French video game companies, focusing on Ére Informatique and the 'French Touch' movement. It highlights how companies like Ére, Infogrames, and Loriciels, despite their short lifespans, significantly influenced the European gaming landscape with unique and often experimental titles like Captain Blood and Macadam Bumper.
Sonic: Running at Full Speed, even in the Dark
The article reflects on the challenges of being a fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, contrasting the successful Sega Genesis era with subsequent periods. It suggests that while the early days were bright, the franchise has faced difficulties.
25 Years of Mafia Video Games: An Oral History
This oral history celebrates 25 years of the Mafia video game franchise, featuring interviews with developers from Illusion Softworks and Hangar 13. The article delves into the legacy and evolution of the series over the past quarter-century.
The women of Grand Theft Auto: How film noir shaped (and limited) Rockstar's female characters
This article analyzes how film noir tropes have influenced the portrayal of female characters in the Grand Theft Auto series, often limiting them to archetypes with little agency. As Grand Theft Auto 6 introduces Lucia as a substantial female lead, the piece explores the potential for Rockstar Games to evolve beyond these historical constraints and create more complex, independent female characters, drawing parallels with modern cinematic interpretations of the femme fatale.
Sonic’s Inauspicious Debut: Small Beginnings
This article discusses the inauspicious beginnings of Sega's iconic character, Sonic the Hedgehog. It explores his early debut and how he became synonymous with the company despite a less-than-stellar start.
Earthworm Jim mastermind David Perry is auctioning off a super rare arcade machine from his collection
David Perry, former head of Shiny Entertainment, is auctioning off a rare 1973 green two-player 'Computer Space' arcade machine from his collection due to lack of space. Computer Space, created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, is considered the first commercially released arcade video game. Working examples are scarce, and Perry's machine is described as largely original with a functioning display, with bids currently under $7,000.
Three PS1 Games That Sat On Every ’90s Kid’s Shelf
This article discusses three iconic games that were staples on nearly every PlayStation 1 owner's shelf during the 1990s. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back, Final Fantasy 7, and Gran Turismo are highlighted for their immense popularity and impact on the console's success. The piece also briefly mentions other notable titles like Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid.
When video games make the horrors of nuclear war seem real - Reader's Feature
This reader's feature explores the portrayal of nuclear war in video games, highlighting titles like Fallout 4 and Missile Command. It discusses how these games use the threat of nuclear annihilation to create tension and drama, reflecting real-world Cold War anxieties and contemporary concerns about artificial intelligence.
FromSoftware sleuth unearths earliest footage of Demon's Souls to date: A prototype with a first person camera mode
Investigator Lance McDonald has uncovered early internal footage of FromSoftware's Demon's Souls, dating back to a 2007 Sony event. This prototype features a first-person camera mode, a locked player model camera, and enemies not present in the final release. The footage provides a fascinating glimpse into the game's development and its potential to be a very different experience.
"There's a huge amount to be learned" - how the pioneering years of gaming are being preserved for a new generation in a corner of south London
Kingston University is hosting an exhibition called the Archive of Retro Computing (ARC), showcasing over 65 retro computers and consoles from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s. Led by computer science course leader Paul Neve, the collection aims to preserve gaming and computing history, offering insights into the pioneering years of the industry and the individuals behind them. The exhibit highlights the importance of physical media and hands-on learning in an increasingly digital and transient gaming future.
Splatoon Raiders Owes A Lot To Older Campaigns You Forgot About
This article argues that while Splatoon Raiders is a strong single-player experience, the campaigns in the original Splatoon, Splatoon 2, and Splatoon 3 were also significant and foundational. It highlights how Raiders draws inspiration from the lore, weapon variety, level design, and progression systems established in previous installments, emphasizing that the entire Splatoon series offers something special.
The best GTA moments: Cracking the vault on the first 20 entries in our explosive Top 100 list in the run-up to GTA 6
This article ranks the top 100 moments from the Grand Theft Auto series in anticipation of Grand Theft Auto 6. It highlights memorable heists, robberies, character interactions, and unique gameplay elements across various titles, from the original PlayStation release to Grand Theft Auto 5.
Capcom dev got his dream Zelda game by threatening Shigeru Miyamoto: "If Nintendo's not up for it, we'll release an identical game with different characters and just call it something else"
Former Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto threatened Shigeru Miyamoto with releasing an "identical game with different characters" if Nintendo did not allow his team to develop a remake of the original Legend of Zelda for Game Boy Color. This threat led to negotiations, ultimately resulting in the development of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages by Capcom's Flagship team.
