Video Game History
Ongoing coverage on Video Game History.
Latest coverage
It's time to set the record straight: Doomguy's armor does not have a tummy window, his shirt just got ripped
This article clarifies that Doomguy's iconic armor from the original Doom does not feature a deliberate 'tummy window,' but rather a ripped shirt exposing his abs, a detail stemming from Don Punchatz's cover art. While subsequent games and fan art have often depicted this as an intentional design choice, John Romero confirmed that the torn shirt was an artistic decision by Punchatz, not an in-game feature.
Snake – den finska ormen drog igång mobilspelandet
The article reflects on the historical significance of the mobile game Snake, originally released on Nokia phones in the late 1990s. Developed by Taneli Armanto, Snake was a pioneering title that helped establish mobile gaming as a popular form of entertainment. Its simple yet addictive gameplay made it a global phenomenon, influencing the future landscape of mobile games.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
A retrospective on the history of James Bond video games is presented, alongside confirmation that the planned revival of the NFL 2K series did not proceed due to creative differences, six years after its initial announcement.
Pac-Man: Snack Breaks Animation Debuts on PAC-MAN Day May 22; Live Events Throughout May | Console Creatures
Bandai Namco Entertainment is celebrating Pac-Man's 46th birthday throughout May with "PAC-MAY" and a "Connect the Dots" theme. This includes live events in major cities, a Fruit Ninja x Pac-Man crossover, and the debut of the new YouTube animated short series, Pac-Man: Snack Breaks, on May 22. The series, created with Cartuna, follows Pac-Man in New Pac-City and features a retro anime visual style.
POKEBOOK Is Taking You Back To Kanto For Pokémon's 30th Anniversary Year
Ninty Media has launched a Kickstarter campaign for 'Pokebook,' a hardcover book celebrating the first generation of Pokémon games and coinciding with the franchise's 30th anniversary. The book will cover Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow, along with related titles like Pokémon Stadium and the anime. The campaign aims to fund delivery by August, with various pledge tiers offering additional merchandise.
Quiz – Diablo! Warcraft! Starcraft! Vad kan du om Blizzards guldålder?
This quiz tests knowledge of Blizzard Entertainment's most successful period, focusing on iconic franchises like Diablo, Warcraft, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft. Players are invited to log in to participate and see how much they remember about the company's golden age.
Today Is Nintendo Legend Yoshiaki Koizumi's 58th Birthday
Nintendo legend Yoshiaki Koizumi celebrated his 58th birthday on April 29, 2026. Koizumi, currently Senior General Manager at Nintendo EPD, has been with the company for 35 years and has contributed to numerous iconic titles including Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Super Mario Odyssey.
Snabbkollen – Blizzards bästa?
This article asks readers to vote for their favorite Blizzard Entertainment game series, highlighting the company's significant impact on gaming history since the 1990s. Popular franchises like Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch are presented as options, with an invitation for write-in suggestions.
Talking Point: Is Legend Of Zelda's Link Left Or Right-Handed? Let's Look At The Evidence
The dominant hand of Link, the hero of The Legend of Zelda series, has been a subject of debate among fans for decades. While Link was predominantly left-handed in early titles, including the original The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, later games like Twilight Princess (Wii version), Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom have featured him as right-handed. This shift is often attributed to design choices related to motion controls and controller layouts, though the character's ambidexterity remains a point of discussion.
Tre guldkorn från Blizzards tidiga år
This article looks back at the early years of Blizzard Entertainment, when the company was known as Silicon & Synapse. It highlights three Super Nintendo Entertainment System titles: The Lost Vikings, Blackthorne, and Rock n' Roll Racing, showcasing Blizzard's early genre diversity and design philosophy before their major success with PC titles like Warcraft and World of Warcraft.
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.