Video Game History
Ongoing coverage on Video Game History.
Latest coverage
Nintendo Skips Over Some Heavy-Hitters In Its Super Mario 40th Anniversary Ad
Nintendo released a new advertisement celebrating the 40th anniversary of Super Mario, highlighting key titles from the Famicom era to the Nintendo Switch. The ad, titled 'It's You, Mario', omits several significant entries in the series, such as Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Sunshine, which the author notes as a minor disappointment. Additionally, soundtracks for Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are temporarily available on Spotify.
Miyamoto Thanks Fans For Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Shigeru Miyamoto expressed his gratitude to fans for watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, highlighting its references to 40 years of Mario games. He encouraged players to revisit the franchise's video game history as part of its ongoing anniversary celebrations. The film has achieved significant box office success, surpassing $2 billion globally.
My video game memories from a boy in the 70s to army duty in 2001 - Reader's Feature
A reader shares their personal video game memories spanning from the late 1970s with Space Invaders to the early 2000s with SSX Tricky. The feature details experiences with early home computers like the Acorn Electron and consoles such as the PlayStation 2, highlighting how gaming persisted even during army service.
Konami Code 40th Anniversary Projects & Merchandise Revealed
Konami Digital Entertainment is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Konami Code, which first appeared in Gradius on the Family Computer on April 25, 1986. To commemorate the event, the company has released original soundtracks from several Gradius and Nemesis titles for digital purchase and streaming, partnered with manga artist Shota Hattori for two short manga pages, and collaborated with Amazon for exclusive T-shirts in Japan.
Live Through 25 Years of Gaming History in Sunset Game Shop Shayou
Sunset Game Shop Shayou, a new indie simulation game developed by Lobstudio, is now available on PC via Steam. The game tasks players with managing a Japanese retro video game store from 1985 to 2010, navigating industry shifts and the decline of physical media. It features pixel art, 8-bit sounds, and a focus on nostalgia and the evolution of gaming history.
Diskutera – De största spelöverraskningarna
This article discusses surprising video game successes that exceeded expectations, referencing titles like Grand Theft Auto III, DICE's debut, the original Xbox's first FPS, Swedish mining games, Blizzard's first MMORPG, and Pokémon GO. It invites readers to share their own memorable game surprises and memories.
Gaming Nostalgia Thread Sparks Heated Console Generation Debate
A viral social media thread discussing first gaming consoles has sparked a debate about console generations and their impact on player experiences. The discussion highlights how different eras, from the Atari 2600 to modern platforms, shaped gamers' relationships with technology and storytelling. The thread also touches on the evolution of gaming accessibility and its current mainstream status.
Sunset Game Shop Shayou launches today on Steam — 25-year gaming history management sim from Kyoto's Lobstudio
Sunset Game Shop Shayou, a retro-style management simulation game developed by Lobstudio, has launched on Steam for PC. The game allows players to manage a video game store through 25 years of gaming history, from 1985 to 2010, experiencing industry shifts like the Famicom boom and the rise of digital distribution. A free demo is also available.
"One of the longest running secrets in the history of The Elder Scrolls": Redguard fans discover the 28-year-old game has a special way of protecting women from creeps
Elder Scrolls fans have discovered a 28-year-old secret in The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard where attempting to look up a female character's skirt results in a smiley face appearing instead of anatomy. This anti-creep feature, implemented by Bethesda Softworks, has remained largely unknown until now, with the discovery being shared by the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages.
Game History and Preservation
Ross Scott addressed the European Parliament regarding the "Stop Killing Games" initiative, emphasizing the importance of preserving video game history. The discussion highlighted concerns over the loss of older titles and the need for proactive measures to ensure their availability for future generations.
Nintendo Switch Delists Final Fantasy VII & Tomb Raider Packs May 19th
Two special content packs for Final Fantasy VII and Tomb Raider will be delisted from the Nintendo Switch eShop on May 19th. Players can still claim these packs, which include the Midgar Special Pack and Tomb Raider Special Pack, even without owning the base games. This situation highlights growing concerns about digital preservation and the fragility of digital content in the gaming industry.
The Magic Returns in Hogwarts Legacy’s Wizarding World
This article analyzes the evolution of Harry Potter games, from early 2000s titles like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on platforms such as PlayStation and Game Boy Color, to the modern open-world experience of Hogwarts Legacy. It highlights the significant graphical and gameplay advancements, comparing the visually rich PlayStation 5 version with the more limited but still charming Nintendo Switch Lite experience.
I'm sad to report that when I worked on Black & White 2's expansion I was never offered a weed-laced chilli con carne
A former intern at Lionhead Studios reflects on the studio's culture during the development of Black & White 2's expansion, noting the prevalence of marijuana use among developers. The author humorously laments never being offered any, questioning if they were considered too 'normal' or if the practice had ceased by 2006. Despite the anecdotal drug use, the author maintains a fond memory of Peter Molyneux buying them a McDonald's, highlighting the lasting impact of games like Black & White.
From killer monkeys to minigun babies, the funniest cheat codes in gaming, ever
This article discusses some of the funniest and most memorable cheat codes in gaming history, ranging from the chaotic angry pedestrian mode in Grand Theft Auto to explosive secrets in Tomb Raider 2. It also highlights unique cheat codes in Age of Empires, Turok, Sonic 3D Blast, Mortal Kombat, and Star Wars Jedi Knight 2, reminiscing about a golden age of harmless and humorous in-game modifications.
Warhammer Classics - Announcement Trailer
A collection titled Warhammer Classics has been announced, celebrating 30 years of Warhammer video game history. This series revives classic titles in their original state, including Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat, Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate, and Space Hulk Ascension. The announcement notes that some content may not reflect current Warhammer lore or settings.
Best Sports Games On Each Xbox Console
This article looks back at the best sports games released on each generation of Xbox consoles, from the original Xbox to the Xbox Series X/S. It highlights ESPN NFL 2K5 for the original Xbox, College Hoops 2K8 for the Xbox 360, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 for the Xbox One, and College Football 25 for the Xbox Series X/S.
Early Punch-Out prototype surfaces, ROM shared online
A prototype ROM for the original Punch-Out!! has been shared online after surfacing from a former Nintendo of America employee. The prototype features differences from the final game, including no sound, fewer boxers, and early character names like Vodka Drunkenski. The Video Game History Foundation also showcased the prototype in a new video.
Marvel Maximum Collection Review | NoobFeed
The MARVEL Maximum Collection offers a good way to revisit classic Marvel games, making it a valuable addition to preserving video game history. While not the definitive Marvel collection, it serves as a solid step in that direction.
Rumor: New Starfox Game Announcement Coming This Month
This article reflects on the legacy of the original Star Fox game, released in 1993, and its significance as a technological demonstration. The author praises Star Fox 64 as a superior entry in the franchise and laments the perceived neglect of the Star Fox series by Nintendo.
A Brief History of Conan the Barbarian Video Games
This article explores the history of Conan the Barbarian's appearances in video games. Netto's Game Room provides an overview of the character's gaming ventures across various titles.