Reminder: Rise of the Video Game starts tonight on Discovery

22 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Nov 21st 2007 7:00PM
Filed under: Culture

Tonight the Discovery Channel begins its five-part series Rise of the Video Game. Part one goes from the 1950s to the early '70s. Dang, this thing should be on The History Channel. A new episode will premiere every Wednesday at 8PM. Discovery also has a poll on its site for the show to vote on "classic" games. Obviously the fanboys have taken over as New Super Mario Bros comes in first place over Pac-Man and Space Invaders.

The documentary definitely seems to be taking a highbrow approach to video games. So, go set your DVRs now if you'll be out or too busy watching Kid Nation (Lord of the Flies lite) or America's Next Top Model (Go Heather!).

Tags: discovery, documentary, rise-of-the-video-game

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Nick the Hero of Canton: Nov 21st 2007; 7:09PM

I'd watch if Pushing Daisies wasn't on at the same time....anyone know of scheduled repeats?

Joshua: Nov 21st 2007; 9:03PM

It's on at 11 PM EST tonight, too. I just checked because I missed it at 8. It's an hour long.

So, now that it's over, is it worth it to make sure I catch the repeat?

gonk: Nov 21st 2007; 7:09PM

have they killed a fat kid in kid nation yet?

Hirsbrunner: Nov 25th 2007; 4:23PM

Yep, stuck an apple in his mouth and bar-b-qued that fat bastard. That's good eatin'.

Jon Kristinsson: Nov 21st 2007; 7:11PM

In all fairness they just used a picture of New Super Mario Bros. to represent the series, as it says Super Mario Bros. in the title above the picture. So I'm assuming all the people that voted "New Super Mario Bros." a classic actually saw the title said "Super Mario Bros."

They also use a shoddy picture of a guy watching a computer screen of DooM 3 to represent DooM.

Silent Xenocide: Nov 21st 2007; 7:32PM

So is this airing in Canada or what.

Mr Khan: Nov 21st 2007; 7:48PM

At 8

hmf. maybe i'll put off playing more Galaxy (and Wrecking Crew, which is awesomely addictive, even if somewhat brutal)

Maybe

RwP Icefalcon: Nov 21st 2007; 8:06PM

ya i want to know if its on in canada

Diskoboy: Nov 21st 2007; 8:59PM

I'm watching (and tivo'ing) it now.... This episode is supposed to be about the 70's, and instead, they're talking about a bunch of games from the 80's.

Still pretty good, though.

Noshino: Nov 21st 2007; 9:01PM

Go Heather? rofl, she is indeed hot tho!

Noshino: Nov 21st 2007; 9:01PM

Go Heather? rofl, she is indeed hot tho!

Sora267: Nov 21st 2007; 9:03PM

I just finished watching. It was pretty nice, and I actually learned a thing or two from it.

flameofdoom666: Nov 21st 2007; 11:12PM

I am watching it right now- it seems to be pretty good.

ck: Nov 21st 2007; 11:13PM

I just started watching the show (11 pm airing) and so far, I'm impressed. I like how they set up the context in which video games were born. Were video games a reaction toward the volatile cold war environment in the 60s? Sometimes it's hard to look at video games from this historical perspective. Like I said, I'm impressed.

Joshua: Nov 22nd 2007; 12:05AM

Yeah, I agree. It's definitely an interesting watch. Looking forward to seeing the next four episodes.

hydralisk456: Nov 22nd 2007; 12:25AM

I was presently surprised, not bad at all. It did remind me of why I think Nolan Buschnell is a douchebag though. And next week we get to see the rise of Nintendo!

Joshua: Nov 22nd 2007; 1:27PM

Heh, I don't really know much about him, but he seemed like a pretty cool guy from the show.

Squirrel3D: Nov 22nd 2007; 2:32AM

Once agian, the media is gonna disrespect videogames. Even letting these jonny-come-latelys vote of what is the greatest game of all time or whatever.

If there's gonna be a documentry about videogames, let real videogame journalists and historians do it.

TWiNKiE: Nov 22nd 2007; 7:18AM

I was seriously waiting for the NES to show up, but it didn't. All I got were credits.

wait in the car: Nov 22nd 2007; 10:17PM

Argh! Missed it!

wait in the car: Nov 22nd 2007; 10:19PM

...by more than a day!

yamster32: Nov 27th 2007; 6:38PM

Anybody know if this is coming to Discovery Channel UK?

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