Video Games: A Timeless Holiday Favorite
Video games have consistently been a beloved choice for holiday gifts. Whether it’s a Nintendo Switch that someone is wishing for this year or fond memories of past Christmases filled with desires for a PlayStation, Super Nintendo, or Sega Genesis, video games have remained a central part of festive shopping. As we reflect on these cherished memories, we also explore the early days of video gaming as documented in Lancaster newspapers, providing a glimpse into the evolution of this entertainment medium.
The Dawn of Home Video Gaming
The Magnavox Odyssey, which debuted in the United States in 1972, marked the introduction of home video game consoles. By 1975, Pong emerged as the first widely popular home video game, capturing the interest of many. Among the earliest mentions of video game consoles in Lancaster’s archives is a brief article from December 1976, which noted that video games had become a burgeoning trend. However, the novelty of these devices left many consumers puzzled. The article posed the question, “Will home video games damage your television set?” and concluded that the answer was affirmative, but only if users neglected to turn off the consoles.
Shifting Trends in Consumer Electronics
An advertisement from 1976, featuring products from Lafayette Electronics at Lancaster’s Lincoln Plaza, illustrates a notable shift in consumer electronics preferences. The once-dominant CB radio, a popular trend in mid-1970s culture, was now overshadowed by video games, with only a single CB model featured alongside two variations of Pong. By the following year, CB radios would largely vanish from holiday advertisements, making way for the rise of a groundbreaking gaming system.
The Atari Revolution
As the late ’70s transitioned into the early ’80s, Atari became synonymous with home video gaming, akin to how Nintendo would later be recognized. An advertisement from 1977 in Lancaster County showcased the Atari VCS, which would later be rebranded as the Atari 2600. With a price tag nearing $200—equivalent to over $800 today—purchasing an Atari system was considered a significant investment during that era.
Atari Dominates the Market
By 1979, local retailers like Nichols were promoting predominantly one gaming system—the Atari 2600—indicating its market dominance as all other brands had fallen out of favor. This period also saw advertisements featuring “disco party” stereos that boasted integrated “sound response psychedelic lights,” highlighting the vibrant culture of the time.
Misunderstandings in the Market
Despite three years of the Atari 2600 and its game cartridges being available by 1980, some local shops such as The Stereo Post still misidentified the games, referring to them as “tapes.” This marked one of the early instances where advertisements began to shift their focus toward promoting individual games, such as the immensely popular “Space Invaders,” rather than the consoles themselves.
The Home Arcade Experience
In 1981, The Stereo Post released an enthusiastic advertisement for Asteroids, a game that had gained immense popularity in arcades. The novelty of being able to play arcade games at home was a significant draw for consumers at the time.
The Birth of Pre-Ordering
Pre-ordering video games has become a common practice today, but one of the earliest references found in the archives is a Gimbels advertisement from 1982 promoting the Atari version of Pac-Man. Although anticipation was high for the home release, many customers were disappointed by its inferior quality compared to the arcade version.
Concerns Over Video Game Popularity
While home gaming was on the rise, arcade games also flourished, leading to concerns among public officials. A 1982 article discussed an initiative to ban video games in Elizabethtown, with an alternative proposal suggesting that only individuals aged 18 and over should be permitted to play.
The Video Game Crash
By Christmas 1984, the initial video game boom had largely collapsed. The industry faced a severe revenue decline in 1983, leading manufacturers and retailers to drastically reduce prices to clear out inventory. Games that once retailed for $40 were now available for as little as $3. Coleco’s advertisement featured an enticing offer, providing a free Cabbage Patch Kid doll with the purchase of any ColecoVision system, which was particularly appealing given the ongoing Cabbage Patch craze.
Despite the media’s claims of the video game industry’s demise, it quickly rebounded a few years later, with the launch of the original Nintendo system spearheading a new era in gaming.
