Gaming History
Explore the evolution of video games from the early arcade era to modern retro gaming
The Early Days (1970s)
The birth of the video game industry and the arcade revolution
Pong and the Birth of Atari
Atari releases Pong, one of the first commercially successful arcade games, kickstarting the video game industry.
The Atari 2600 Arrives
Atari releases the Video Computer System (later known as the Atari 2600), bringing arcade-style gaming into homes across America.
The Golden Age (1980s)
Arcades flourish and home consoles establish their place in entertainment
Pac-Man Fever
Namco releases Pac-Man, which becomes a cultural icon and the first gaming mascot, spawning merchandise, a TV show, and even a hit song.
The Video Game Crash
The North American video game market crashes due to market saturation and low-quality games, nearly destroying the industry in the region.
The 16-bit Era (Early 1990s)
Console wars heat up as technology advances
Sonic vs. Mario
Sega releases Sonic the Hedgehog for the Genesis, creating a mascot to rival Nintendo's Mario and intensifying the "console war" between the two companies.
Fighting Game Boom
Street Fighter II sparks a fighting game revolution in arcades and on home consoles, establishing many conventions of the genre that persist today.
Oral History Project
At RetroArcadeClubs.com, we're committed to preserving gaming history through the voices of those who created it.
Our Oral History Project features interviews with game developers, arcade operators, industry executives, and players who experienced gaming history firsthand.
"When we were making Sonic, we had no idea he would become such an icon. We just wanted to create a character that could compete with Mario and showcase what the Genesis could do."— Yuji Naka, Sonic the Hedgehog Programmer
Through these interviews, we're documenting stories that might otherwise be lost to time, creating a valuable resource for future generations of gamers and researchers.