Documentary
The show that examines the history, culture, and oddities of video game history promises to have you learning, laughing, and scratching your head.
1977 marks a turning point in gaming history as the industry shifts from simple arcade machines to the dawn of home console culture. This episode explores the release of the Atari Video Computer System (VCS), the rise of early handheld electronics, and the growing influence of arcade hits that shaped the future of interactive entertainment. Through commentary and retrospectives, it highlights the innovations, personalities, and cultural moments that defined gaming’s breakout year.
1978 was a breakout year that reshaped the entire video game landscape. This episode looks at the explosive impact of Space Invaders, the arrival of the Odyssey², and the rise of electronic toys like Simon. Through commentary and retrospectives, it explores how these innovations sparked a global arcade boom and pushed home gaming into its next evolutionary stage.
1979 was a year of rapid innovation that pushed video games into a new era. This episode highlights the arrival of Galaxian, the launch of the Microvision handheld, the debut of Intellivision, and the arcade phenomenon Asteroids. Through commentary and historical context, it explores how these breakthroughs expanded the industry’s reach and set the stage for the explosive growth of the early 1980s.
1980 marks a major leap forward in gaming history, and this episode explores the year when arcades truly exploded into mainstream culture. Featuring the rise of Pac‑Man, the success of Centipede, the growing dominance of Atari, and the early innovations of Sierra, it highlights the games, creators, and cultural shifts that helped define a new era of interactive entertainment.
1981 was a landmark year that reshaped the arcade and home‑gaming landscape. This episode explores the arrival of Donkey Kong, the rise of Frogger, and the continued dominance of Atari as video games surged into mainstream culture. Through commentary and historical insights, it highlights the innovations, personalities, and cultural moments that defined one of gaming’s most influential years.
1982 was a defining year in gaming, marked by bold innovation and looming industry turbulence. This episode explores the arrival of QBert*, the hype and controversy surrounding Atari’s E.T., the launch of the ColecoVision, and the continued rise of arcade icons like Donkey Kong Jr. and Tron. Through commentary and historical insight, it captures a pivotal moment when creativity, competition, and cultural impact collided across the video game landscape.
1983 stands as one of the most dramatic years in gaming history. This episode explores the groundbreaking debut of Dragon’s Lair, the launch of Nintendo’s Famicom, the cultural impact of WarGames, and the events leading to the infamous Video Game Crash. Through commentary and archival insights, it captures a turbulent but transformative moment that reshaped the future of the industry.
1984 was a year of creative experimentation and technological leaps in gaming. This episode highlights standout titles such as Paperboy, Space Ace, King’s Quest, and Karate Champ, exploring how they pushed storytelling, animation, and gameplay into bold new territory. Through commentary and historical context, it captures a moment when the industry began rebuilding and redefining itself after the crash.
1985 marks a major rebirth for the video game industry. This episode explores the arrival of the Nintendo Entertainment System, the impact of Super Mario Bros., and the rise of influential arcade and home titles like Gauntlet and Space Harrier. Through commentary and historical insight, it captures how 1985 helped revive gaming culture and set the stage for a new era of innovation.
1986 was a year of bold creativity and expanding technology in the gaming world. This episode highlights influential releases such as Arkanoid, the arrival of the Sega Master System, the city‑smashing fun of Rampage, and the cinematic storytelling of Space Quest. Through commentary and historical insight, it captures how these titles helped shape a rapidly evolving industry on the brink of a new era.
1987 was a breakthrough year that pushed video games toward deeper storytelling and more ambitious design. This episode highlights influential releases such as The Legend of Zelda, Metal Gear, Punch‑Out!!, and Leisure Suit Larry, exploring how they expanded genres, introduced iconic characters, and helped shape the direction of modern gaming. Through commentary and historical context, it captures a year defined by creativity, experimentation, and growing mainstream appeal.
1988 was a powerhouse year packed with genre‑defining hits and bold new ideas. This episode highlights the impact of Contra, the quirky reinvention of Super Mario Bros. 2, the ambitious world‑building of Phantasy Star, and the arcade intensity of Double Dragon II. Through commentary and historical insight, it explores how these titles pushed consoles and arcades forward during one of gaming’s most creative eras.
1989 was a landmark year that reshaped the gaming landscape. This episode explores the debut of the Game Boy, the arrival of the Sega Genesis, the global phenomenon of Tetris, and the competition brought by the TurboGrafx‑16. It also looks at gaming’s growing presence in pop culture with films like The Wizard, capturing a pivotal moment when handhelds, 16‑bit consoles, and blockbuster branding pushed the industry into a bold new era.
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It's one of the biggest video games of all time, a groundbreaking brand that became a worldwide phenomenon, spanning generations—but it almost never happened… Now, 36 years after the first game's release, EA SPORTS gives viewers unprecedented access to the makers of game that changed the game, and our culture too.
EP Daily is a daily news television show that covers movies, TV shows, comic books, collectibles and gadgets. Created and executive produced by host Victor Lucas, and his Vancouver, British Columbia production company Greedy Productions Ltd, EP Daily has been a staple on airwaves since its debut in September 1997.
Filmed in five cities over a six month period, each episode pairs two indie developers together for 48 hours and challenges them to create a game based on a theme suggested by their peers. The series examines the creative process, technical skill, and friendships that form through a game jam event on a more personal and intimate level. Super Game Jam spans five episodes, each of which includes one of the five games - exploring intimate topics, abstract themes or complete madness.
Icons was a documentary TV show on G4 that originally focused on significant people, companies, products, history, and milestones in world of video games. It was relaunched in 2006 and focused entirely on pop culture. It was cancelled soon afterwards. On May 10, 2006, it was announced that Icons was relaunching on June 3 with an episode focusing on J.J. Abrams. The show will feature a broader scope on things and people "men 18–34 care about, admire and emulate." Future episodes would focus on Marc Ecko, The Onion, and Family Guy. This change in format had been suspected, due to the recent episodes about George A. Romero, Frank Miller and the history of the King Kong franchise. The classic video game themed episodes continued to air on the network sporadically until 2008, under the new name of Game Makers.
Diggin' In The Carts shines a spotlight on the composers who created a style of music that has had an immense impact on modern pop culture. From the personal studios of these legendary composers, to the concert halls of Japan where symphony orchestras are performing their compositions to sold-out crowds today - the series will document how the music of video games was created, what inspired it, and how it evolved into its own cultural phenomenon. Peppered with commentary from some of modern music’s finest DJ’s, musicians and electronic producers from around the world, the documentary also shows the influence these Japanese composers had on the world - and the world of music.
Delve into the world of video game box art with the artists responsible for some of gaming’s most iconic images ever created. Hear about the creation process, discover easter eggs hidden in plain sight, see alternate cover art options, and learn how the gaming industry evolved from infancy until now. Welcome to Video Game Box Art: The Stories Behind the Covers.
