Play Value
About this original series
Did you know that Nintendo started out as a playing card company? Did you know that Steve Jobs worked for Atari before a spiritual retreat to India? The history of video games is a strange and exciting saga that needs to be told. In Play Value, game industry heavy-hitters and hardcore gamers retell the stories that have led up to a multi-billion dollar industry.
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# Episodes
22 episodes -
Rating
TV-UN
Episodes of Play Value
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Rise of Nintendo
While most Americans thought video games were a fad, Nintendo was pushing their way to the top of the gaming world. Learn how Nintendo created their gaming monopoly and revisit the game systems of the past.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
08:00
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The Death of Arcades
Hosts discuss the rise of arcades and all the old school games: Space invaders, Asteroids, Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and many more! Enjoy this blast from the past while you learn how and why home gaming eliminated arcades.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
07:59
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The Fall of Atari
Atari started the home video game, quickly becoming the fastest growing company in American history. In the last six months of 1982, however, it all fell apart even faster than it started. Here’s why...
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
07:55
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Tetris: Splitting the Iron Curtain
Tetris is not only one of the most universally loved games ever created, it also has one of the most fascinating histories. This episode covers everything from its invention by a Russian government programmer to its phenomenal success in the world market.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
07:59
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Atari vs. Nintendo
In the high-stakes world of early console gaming, Nintendo knew it would have to think outside the box to prevent crappy games from being compatible with its new system. Atari wasn't having any of it...
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
07:59
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Failed Consoles - Part Two
The continuing saga of consoles that couldn't cut the mustard. From the ill-fated and poorly conceived Atari Jaguar to the doomed Panasonic 3DO, bad decisions and a lack of foresight hobbled these machines right outta the starting gate.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
08:00
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Failed Consoles - Part One
From the Atari 5200 and the ill fated Nintendo Virtual Boy to the Atari Jaguar and the poorly timed Sega CD, the trashcans of the past were stuffed with consoles that simply failed to catch on. This episode examines why some of them didn’t become the next big thing.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
07:58
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Controversy!
Sex and violence in video games is a potent issue and has been for quite some time. It may surprise you to know that long before Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat raised eyebrows, Congress and concerned parents were raising the alarm over suggestive pixels in first generation games on systems like the Atari 2600. The battle for video game makers' artistic freedom rages on!
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
08:01
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SEGA Vs. Nintendo
Remember when Sonic and Mario went head to head? Video game rivalries are no joke, especially considering the billions of dollars up for grabs for the console with the most successful games. Back when Sega was hawking a blue hedgehog and Nintendo was promoting their plumber, it was hard to tell who was winning. Find out what was going on behind the scenes in this episode of Play Value.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
08:01
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Commodore 64
This little computer rocked the gaming world. Back in the day, the Commodore 64 came screaming out of the gates into the waiting hands of gamers all over the world. Although it is no longer around, it has left an impression on the multi-billion dollar industry that lingers to this day.
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Release date
Feb 23, 2011
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Runtime
08:01
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