In the 1980s, low-tech toys were already falling out of fashion. Home game consoles were the hot Christmas present of 1980, and as is the case with all new technology aimed at children, parents were worried. To see how the world reacted to the rise of gaming that year, check out the video below.
This clip from the ABC7 Eyewitness News vault shows news anchors reporting on the popularity of “electronic video games” more than four decades ago. These games didn’t have the sophisticated graphics or gameplay of today’s titles, but early adopters found a lot to love about them. As one reporter put it, “The kids like to see the action, the color, and they love to hear the noise.”
These consoles also lacked the capacity to depict realistic violence, but that didn’t stop them from spreading panic. According to the clip: “Some argue that players are so mesmerized by these games that they have little time for anything else.” One boy who spoke to reporters admitted to spending “six or seven” hours a day playing video games.
Despite fears of screen addiction, video games have remained a perennial item on Christmas wish lists. Nintendo debuted the NES in the US in 1985, and the Gameboy arrived four years later. And while it may be as difficult today as it was in the 80s to tear the kids away from the controller, the technology offers some advantages. Playing video games has been shown to increase your vision, your hand-eye coordination, and your leadership skills.
