by Gary Maclean

Created on: February 28, 2008   Last Updated: January 22, 2010

In June of 1972 Atari started the video game craze with Pong. They continued with many follow-up games that were indeed a hit in their time but would barely be recognized today. By 1980 Atari was experimenting with the big ones; centipede, asteroids, dig dug and others that were taking the entertainment world by storm.

Atari began with machines designed for video parlors and convenience stores. The games became so popular they introduced a Pong for the home. Two players would bat an electronic ball back and forth across the TV screen. There were several variations, larger or smaller paddles, faster or slower balls, but basically it was an in-house ping pong game for the TV. The home video craze had been birthed.

In the early 1980's the video game environment was about to blow up. In 1983 Nintendo introduced the 8 bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). In February of 1986 the NES became available in America with a game already packed in the box; Super Mario Brothers (SMB). SMB went on to sell over 40 million copies.

Enough of the brief history of video games. Suffice it to say games did indeed get better in the 80s and 90s and they got better, fast. They went from the jerky, square figures of Atari to smooth side scrolling cartoon like characters. They continued to evolve into full 3D type of video. The controllers and platforms evolved right along with the game ideas and developments.

But, wait a minute. These are just games right? Just how much can we, or do we, need to advance? Are we still playing a game or are we doing something else. I have played Nintendo games since my first NES back in the 80s. I made it a point to upgrade to every one of their advancing platforms. It was frustrating because suddenly all my old games were no longer viable. I could only play a new format game on a new platform.

But, I enjoyed the advancements and the improvements as we went from NES to Super Nintendo to N64 up through Game Cube. Now they continue to progress and recently introduce the interactive Wii. I haven't played or purchased a Wii just yet but I have seen it in action. Yikes, yes it is beautiful. It does wondrous things. Not much different than some of the others, like X-box or Play Station, but the player interraction is monumental. Where does it end though?

I claim the gaming is not getting any better because;
1) As games become more complicated they require advanced technical understanding
2) New games require new platforms which means new big dollars
3) Gaming magazines no longer cover old games, they have become advertising for new games
4) There comes a point that a cartoon figure does not belong becoming a living being
5) Don't do so much that the fun of a game is replaced with the challenge of a machine

I have always purchased the next, new Nintendo platform. I probably won't get a Wii, primarily due to the price and the lack of exciting games to play on it. The Mario franchise has always been my incentive to go on to the next level, but they waited so long to develop Mario for the Wii that most of the excitement has worn off.

I like playing games but that's really where I want to keep it, playing games.

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