Video Game History
Ongoing coverage on Video Game History.
Latest coverage
From top-down crime capers to online open-world heists, GTA has defined play freedom across gaming generations
This article traces the evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series, from its top-down origins to the groundbreaking 3D open-world experiences that defined generations of gaming. It highlights key titles like Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, San Andreas, and GTA 5, emphasizing how each installment pushed the boundaries of player freedom and open-world design, setting the stage for the anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.
Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto says PCs were once "held in higher regard than consoles," so the NES was made…
Nintendo fellow Shigeru Miyamoto stated that the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), also known as the Family Computer, was designed to elevate the perception of home consoles beyond being mere toys. He explained that the NES aimed to bridge the gap between consoles and PCs by offering arcade-quality gameplay at home, challenging the notion that PCs were inherently superior.
Game History and Preservation
This article discusses game preservation and history, referencing two videos: one on 'Aliens: The Video Game' and another on 'Half-Life' running on a PlayStation 1. The content highlights the importance of archiving and accessing older gaming titles.
28 years later, Final Fantasy 8's wonderfully awkward E3 reveal has hit the internet – please enjoy Square and EA execs desperately trying to stall for Squall for 7 minutes straight
A recently unearthed video from E3 1998 reveals the awkward US debut of Final Fantasy VIII, featuring Square and Electronic Arts executives struggling for seven minutes to get the game's trailer to play. The footage, preserved by the Video Game History Foundation, also highlights the formation of the Square Electronic Arts joint venture intended to boost game releases in North America. The article contrasts the venture's initial promise of job creation with later industry trends of layoffs and studio closures.
There's a Breakout movie on the way as Atari signs deal to bring Pong, Asteroids, and other classic games to the big screen
Atari has partnered with Universal Pictures and Entertainment 360 to develop ten feature films based on its classic video game properties. The deal includes rights to games such as Pong, Asteroids, Breakout, and Centipede, with the aim of creating large-scale action-adventure movies. Universal has prior experience with video game adaptations, having distributed The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Five Nights at Freddy's.
The Video Game History Foundation's latest collection is a deep dive into E3 "like you've never seen it before"
The Video Game History Foundation has launched a new collection dedicated to the history of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). This extensive archive includes industry reports, marketing materials, press kits, photography, and nearly 12 hours of footage from the event's early years, including Nintendo's 1997 press conference. The foundation aims to preserve this significant part of gaming history and make it freely accessible for study.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
The Video Game History Foundation has released a video revisiting E3, offering a new perspective on the iconic industry event. The content aims to explore the history and significance of E3 through a retrospective lens.
Relive E3’s wildest years thanks to the Video Game History Foundation
The Video Game History Foundation has released a vast archive of E3 materials, offering public access to rare footage, documents, and photographs from the event's history. This collection aims to preserve the legacy of the industry's past, including contributions from former E3 director Mary Dolaher.
A new retro and gaming exhibition arrives next month at Kingston University
Kingston University is hosting a free retro and gaming exhibition from August 5th to 11th, featuring over 60 playable machines from the 1970s to the present day. The exhibition, organized by the Archive of Retro Computing at Kingston University (ARC@KU), will showcase classic titles and consoles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, Tomb Raider, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Atari 2600. The event aims to celebrate and preserve video game history, making it accessible to the public.
Quiz: Klassiker du borde ha spelat
This article presents a quiz challenging readers' knowledge of classic video games. It encourages a look back at influential titles that have shaped genres or were perhaps missed by many. The piece also touches upon various other gaming news and community discussions.
Weekend Discussion - July 5, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from July 5, 2026, touches on various gaming topics including Demon's Souls, the World Tendency system, ammo counters, and the eerie atmosphere of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It also features music recommendations and highlights recent Shacknews articles.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Ace Combat 8 Trailer Recaps Strangereal History Ahead of October Launch
Bandai Namco released a new trailer for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, detailing the history of its fictional Strangereal setting. The trailer serves as a recap of major events and conflicts leading up to the game's launch on October 2, 2026. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
ACE COMBAT 8 Revisits the Full History of Strangereal in Latest Strangereal Evolution Trailer
Bandai Namco Entertainment has released a new trailer for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THE VE, titled 'Strangereal Evolution Episode 3'. The trailer chronicles the history of the Strangereal universe across the series, setting the stage for the upcoming game. ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THE VE is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
Steam Week in Review: Steam sales are the best time to hoard dozens of forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities
The Steam Summer Sale offers deep discounts on major titles, but also presents an opportunity to explore forgotten '90s PC gaming oddities. The article highlights obscure FMV racers, cyberpunk adventures, and rail shooters, suggesting that even browsing trailers and screenshots can be a fascinating dive into video game history. It also notes the ongoing popularity of games like Cyberpunk 2077 and PUBG: Battlegrounds during the sale period.
Resident Evil 2 fans end 'years of searching' for identity of Jill Valentine's photo boyfriend
A long-standing mystery in the Resident Evil 2 community has been solved: the identity of the man in the photograph on Jill Valentine's desk has been confirmed as actor Kyle MacLachlan. The image, which was impossible to discern in the original 1998 release, has been identified as a picture of MacLachlan from the early 1990s. The Resident Evil 2 Remake replaced the photo with an image of a dog.
Feature: 10 N64 Games We Played In A Wondrous Alternate Timeline
This article explores a hypothetical alternate timeline where the Nintendo 64 achieved greater market success, imagining 10 games that could have been released. It speculates on potential N64 entries for series like Fire Emblem, Tekken, Metroid, and Final Fantasy, and discusses what might have been if sequels to GoldenEye 007 and Super Mario 64 were prioritized.
Top 200 best-selling Nintendo 64 games contain some surprising revelations
New sales data from Circana's Mat Piscatella reveals the top 200 best-selling Nintendo 64 games in the US, with Super Mario 64 topping the list. The rankings highlight the console's influential role in the transition to 3D gaming and include surprising entries like Pokémon Snap and Diddy Kong Racing in the top 10.
Here Are The "Top 200" Best-Selling Nintendo 64 Games In The US
Circana has released a list of the top 200 best-selling Nintendo 64 games in the US, ranked by unit sales. The data, compiled by Mat Piscatella, focuses exclusively on games sold on cartridge for the N64 and does not include later ports. The list highlights classic Nintendo intellectual property among the top titles.
God of War 20th Anniversary Retrospective Hits New Low Price For Prime Day
A significant Prime Day discount is available on the God of War 20th Anniversary Retrospective Box Set, reducing its price from $200 to $91.63. The set, published by Dark Horse, chronicles two decades of the franchise's history, featuring artwork, interviews, and exclusive lithographs in its deluxe edition. A regular edition is also discounted to $67.
