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This is a list of Game & Watch games released by Nintendo, along with their format and date of release, if known. See lists of video games for related lists. Several of these games were collected and re-released as ports for the Game & Watch Gallery series (for GBA and Nintendo DS). The games also were re-released as stand-alone titles for the Nintendo Mini Classics series in the late 1990s as well as for the Nintendo DSi in the late 2000s.

Games[link]

Ball[link]

Ball - 2009 reissued version (RGW-001)

Ball is the first game in Nintendo's Game & Watch series of handheld LCD games. It was first released for the silver Game & Watch on April 28, 1980 with the model number: AC-01.

In the game, the player tosses three balls up in the air. As the balls fall down, the player must catch and toss them up again, earning one point for each successful catch. Dropping a ball will end the game. The object of the game is to continuously catch the balls that fall and throw them back up again, like juggling.

The game Ball was also featured in the 1994 Game Boy Gallery, the 1998 Game & Watch Gallery 2, and was released as a DSiWare game on July 15, 2009.^[2][3] For its 30th anniversary, Ball was reissued with model number RGW-001 and made available to Japanese (2009) and American (2011) members of the Club Nintendo program.^[4] Ball is also referenced in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, appearing as Mr. Game and Watch's throw.

Balloon Fight[link]

Two versions of Balloon Fight were released: BF-803 (Crystal Screen series) and BF-107 (New Wide Screen series).

Black Jack[link]

This game, model number BJ-60, was released in 1985. It has a dual-screen display (Multi Screen series) opening up and has a maroon body.

Game A is a Black Jack game. On the upper screen is the dealer's hand and on the bottom screen is the player's hand. Four buttons are available: double down, bet x10/hit, bet x1/stand and enter. The player starts with a $500 bankroll and can bet up to $100 each hand. There are, however, two major flaws in this game. First, pair splitting is not allowed. Second, you have to lock your bet before shuffling is done, not corresponding to a real-world Black Jack game.

In Game B, the player starts with $500 as five numbers cycle in a random pattern on the bottom screen. Pressing the enter button causes the numbers to stop one at a time, rewarding $50 if all five stop on the same number, or deducting $25 if not.

Bomb Sweeper[link]

Bomb Sweeper

A dual-screen ("Multi Screen") game released in June 1987. Its product number is BD-62.

The top screen is just "cosmetic", showing your boss sending you down the underground maze. You are John Solver, who needs to defuse bombs set by "Jack". In order to reach the bomb you have to move inside a maze. You can move walls (if they are not blocked by other walls) to create a path for you to move. After defusing a certain number of bombs, the game changes a bit (only on "Game A" mode): the maze starts moving from left to right and you have to be able to find an exit back to the surface (top screen).

Differently from most Game & Watch games, your lost lives aren't reset when a player reaches 300 points.

Boxing (Punch Out in the US)[link]

Released on July 31, 1984 on the Micro Vs. System series. Its product number is BX-301. It is similar to Urban Champion, although it was released shortly before the NES title.

Chef[link]

Chef

Chef is a Game & Watch game released on September 8, 1981. Its product number is FP-24.

In this game, the player controls a chef flipping various pieces of food, including sausage and fish, into the air with a pan. The player must flip the food and keep it airborne. Failing to do so will cause a mouse to steal the food off the floor, and the player to use up one 'miss'. The player gets three chances to 'miss' the food, and after all three misses have been used, the game is over. A cat often pokes the left piece of food, which holds it in place for a small amount of time, making it harder for the player to guess when the piece will be flippable. The game speeds up as it progresses.

In Game A, the player must flip three items of food. In Game B, the player must flip four food items.

The game Chef is also unlockable in Personal Trainer Cooking for the DS after the player has cooked a certain number of meals. The game was re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mr. Game & Watch has a special move that came from this game.

Climber[link]

It was developed by Nintendo R&D1. It is similar to Ice Climber.

A boy with wisdom and courage known as the Climber, one day, sets out on a training trip to the Block Mountain where the Blockmen live to become warrior. On the way, he meets Lord Meiji who grants him a pair of special boots which will enable him to jump very high, an armor to break ceilings and a head band which will help him find a sword that can slash Dragalo the dragon with one stroke. No one knows how many of the obstacles will the Climber be able to overcome with the help of the mysterious bird, Hentori, and continue his quest.

The objective of the game is to control Climber by jumping through a tower of platforms and landing on them, and by avoiding monsters and blockmen. The goal is to either grab Hentori the bird or slash Dragalo the dragon. The other goal is to make the highest score possible.

There are two versions of Climber available: DR-106 (New Wide Screen series, 1988) and DR-802 (Crystal Screen series, 1986). Climber was also an unlockable Game & Watch game in Game & Watch Gallery 4.

Crab Grab[link]

Released on February 21, 1984 in the Super Color series. Its product number is UD-202. There were four columns along which crabs come from the bottom of the screen reaching and settling at the top. Your objective would be to avoid being in front of the crab and start pushing the crabs from the bottom to avoid them mounting on the screen. Pushing and eliminating the crabs earned the points. On the other hand, you had three chances before 'Game Over' to be bitten by a crab. You could move your character along four directions (Up, Down, Left, Right). There were two games A & B both having almost the similar objective but with slighter different speed. The Super Color was that each column was of different colored LCD. It was considered as one of the expensive games in 1984. The game was one of two Super Color games, the other being Spitball Sparky.

Donkey Kong[link]

Released on June 3, 1982. It is a dual-screen (Multi Screen series) game with an orange body. Its product number is DK-52.

Donkey Kong II[link]

Donkey Kong II (JR-55)

Released on March 7, 1983, it is a dual-screen (multi-screen series) game with a brown body. Its product number is JR-55. This console was the console that gave Nintendo the idea to make the Nintendo DS. Music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5]

Donkey Kong 3[link]

Donkey Kong 3

Released on August 20, 1984, it is part of the Micro Vs. System series. Its product number is AK-302.

Donkey Kong Circus[link]

Released on September 1984, it is part of the Panorama series. It has a lilac body and product number MK-96.

Donkey Kong Hockey[link]

Released on November 13, 1984, it is part of the Micro vs. System series. Its part number is HK-303.

Donkey Kong Jr.[link]

Donkey Kong Jr.

Three different versions of Donkey Kong Jr. were released: DJ-101 (New Wide Screen series, released 10/26/1982, portrayed on the photo shown), CJ-71 (Table Top series, released 04/28/1983) and CJ-93 (Panorama series, released 10/07/1983). The music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5]

The game was re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

Egg[link]

Egg is a Game & Watch video game released on Oct. 9, 1981. It was released in the widescreen version. Product number: EG-26.

In the game, a fox is outside a hen house where hens are laying eggs. As the hens lay eggs, the eggs fall out the side of the hen house. The fox must catch the eggs that fall for one point each. The player is given three lives. Missing an egg causes the player to lose a life, but missing it with the hen appears losing only a half of the life. Lose all three lives and the game is over.

This game appeared in Game & Watch Gallery 3.

Fire[link]

Fire

Fire was the fourth Game & Watch game to be released. It was made by Nintendo Research & Development 1 and released on July 31, 1980 (product number RC-04 under the Silver series, shown on the photo). It was one of the most popular games in the Game & Watch series. Due to Fire's popularity, another version was released on December 4, 1981 (product number FR-27, under the Wide screen series). That version was part of the Wide Screen series.

In the Silver Screen version, people are falling from a burning building. The player controls two firemen who carry a trampoline. They have to bounce all the people to a waiting ambulance. When they get a person in the ambulance the player scores 1 point. But if a person hits the ground, the player loses a life. There are three lives. If the player loses them all they lose the game. In the Wide Screen version, the player only needs to bounce a person to score a point instead of having to get them in the ambulance. Another change is that the Wide Screen version was more colorful and had better graphics than the Silver Series version.

In Game & Watch Gallery, Game & Watch Gallery 3, and Game & Watch Gallery 4, Fire is a playable game. Fire also makes a brief appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, on Flat Zone 2. Players can jump on the trampoline which is held out by the firemen.

Mr. Game & Watch also has a special move based on this game in the Super Smash Bros. series. He is propelled upwards by the men with the trampoline, after which he releases a parachute, based on the Game & Watch game Parachute.

Fire Attack[link]

Fire Attack

In this wide screen edition game (product number ID-29, 1982) the player controls the main character, who uses a tomahawk type weapon to protect a fort from going up in flames. The setting is that of a "cowboys and Indians" environment. The top row of enemies are Indian chiefs throwing firesticks, and the bottom row of enemies are traditional style game and watch characters who run on the ground, jump up, and try to light the fort with a match. Each time the fort catches fire you gain a miss, which you have three of. Each fire successfully hit away gives you two points. You can lose all your misses if you reach 200 points and again at 500.

Flagman[link]

Flagman is the second Game & Watch game to be released. It was released for the silver Game & Watch on June 5, 1980 (product number FL-02). The object of the game is to repeat the pattern of numbers on flags held up by Mr. Game & Watch, the on-screen character.

The game has four buttons, each of which activate a number on the game screen. In Game A, Mr. Game & Watch will randomly hold up flags with numbers on them. The player must repeat the numbers on the flags that he held up in exactly the same pattern, like a game of Simon says. If the player pushes the wrong button or the correct number too late, a life will be lost. After losing three lives, the game is over.

In Game B, the character will hold up a flag as before but now, you have to push the right number as quickly as possible, before the time runs out.

Flagman was a playable game in Game Boy Gallery and Game & Watch Gallery 3, and more recently has been announced as a DSiWare release for July 15, 2009.^[2] In Wario Land II a version of Flagman is made available once the player has achieved 100% completion of the game. In WarioWare Touched! there is a microgame called Flagman Game & Watch. In this microgame, Mr. Game & Watch will put up numbers, which must be repeated in the same order, as in the actual game. In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mr. Game & Watch has a move called Flagman, where he takes a flag and hits the player with it. The game was also re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

Gold Cliff[link]

Gold Cliff is a dual-screen Game & Watch released on October 1988 (product number MV-64) that opens like a compact, with an upper and lower screen. The casing is light blue, with a colorful printed metal plate on the cover. You control an archaeologist (Indiana Jones style) type character on a mission to acquire treasure. Stone platforms appear and disappear in a pattern and you must jump on them to reach the top of the screen. Once near the top, you must jump off the platform towards the key in order to reach and possess it. Once you have the key, you make your way back towards the center of the upper screen, to unlock a stone gateway allowing you into the temple. If you misstep and fall, the floor is crawling with crabs which you must jump in between to avoid or else you will lose a life. As you progress, the action becomes more frantic, the platforms disappear quicker, the patterns become more complicated and the keys get tougher to acquire. It was one of the only two Game & Watch games with a Continue feature built in so you could continue from the last stage you lost all your lives in, but with the loss of your points. The only other Game & Watch with a Continue feature is the game Zelda.

Green House[link]

Green House, released on December 16, 1982, is a Multi-Screen game with product number GH-54. The object of the game is to protect the flowers at each corner of the screen with a can of bug spray from enemies. Worms crawl towards the top flowers while spiders slowly climb down webs to the bottom flowers. When three flowers have been eaten, you lose.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Brawl, Mr. Game and Watch's standard A move represents this game.

Helmet[link]

Helmet was the seventh Game & Watch game that was released on February 21, 1981 (product number CN-07). It is also the second game in the Gold series. In the game, tools are falling from the sky but there is a house at the end of the right side of the screen. The player must guide Mr. Game & Watch towards the house while dodging the tools. However, the door to the house is not always open, so the player must dodge tools until the door opens and go in.

The game was re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

Judge[link]

This member of the Game & Watch series is designed to allow 1 or 2 players. In the game, two male figures each hold hammers in their hands. After a short time, both men will hold up a number. The man with the higher number must try to attack, and the man with the lower number must try to flee. Players may gamble and attack before the number is held up. Waiting to see the opponent's score will result in a 5 point bonus going to the man with the lower score. The same rules apply in the 2-player duel mode.

Released on October 4, 1980, it was the 5th Game & Watch to be released, being part of the Silver series. Its product number is IP-05. The game was re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

Life Boat[link]

Life Boat is a multi-screen Game & Watch, that opens like a book (Multi Screen Series). The casing is a light orange. In the background of the two screens is an oceanliner on fire, smoke billowing to the sky. You must save the people falling into the water by catching them on rafts that you pull back and forth through shark-infested waters. Miss a falling person, and they're sharkfood. You also need to empty the rafts and let the people off on the shores on either side. The rafts can hold up to 4 people; you can empty them no matter how many people are in it. You get 1 point for every victim you get safely to shore. The alarm on is indicated by a bucket of water on the cliffside, and when it goes off, a man takes the bucket and attempts to douse the fire.

On Game A mode you control two rafts, one on each side of the screen, which move together when you press the left and right buttons. On Game B mode there is only one raft, which can move from one side of the screen to the other, differently from Game A, where the rafts can't leave their screens.

It was released in October 1983 with product number TC-58.

Lion[link]

Lion is single player, single screen, in maroon plastic with a gold faceplate. You are a lion tamer, and it is up to you to prevent the lion from escaping from the cage.

This was the eighth Game & Watch to be released and the first one on the Gold series, released on April 29, 1981. Its product number is LN-08.

Manhole[link]

Manhole

Manhole is a game developed by Nintendo R&D1 and was the sixth Game & Watch game to be released.^[6] It first appeared in the Game & Watch Gold series in 1981 (product number MN-06), and was recreated as part of the New Wide Screen series on August 24, 1983^[7] (model number NH-103).

There are four buttons available, each corresponding to an opening in the street on the game screen. The player must use the buttons to close the manholes before pedestrians accidentally fall through the open holes and into the sewers.

A remake of the New Wide Screen version of Manhole appeared in the first Game Boy Gallery, released in 1994, where the player controls Yoshi. Mario can also be seen running across the screen occasionally.^[8] The same version of Manhole was one of the cards included with purchase of the Nintendo e-Reader.^[9] The same version of Manhole was also unlockable in Game & Watch Gallery 4.^[10] More recently, Nintendo released Manhole as a DSiWare game on August 19, 2009.^[2][3]

Mario Bros.[link]

Released on March 14, 1983, it is a dual-screen ("Multi Screen") game with a maroon body that opens like a book, instead of opening up like most games of the series. It opens to the right like Japanese books instead of opening to the left like books from western countries. Its product number is MW-56. This game is also playable in Game & Watch Gallery 3 and Game & Watch Gallery 4.

Mario's Bombs Away[link]

Mario's Bombs Away (PB-94)

The game consists of a military-clad Mario delivering bombs from left to right, while keeping them away from flaming oil spills and enemy torches. It features a color LCD screen without an internal back-light, which faces downward in order to expose the translucent rear to an external light source, e.g. daylight. The player views the action in a mirror that reflects the screen. Music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5]

Released on November 13, 1983 on the Panorama series, its product number is PB-94.

Mario's Cement Factory[link]

Two versions of this game were released, one on the Table Top series (released on April 28, 1983, product number CM-72) and another on the New Wide Screen series (the one shown on the photo, released on June 16, 1983, product number ML-102). The music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5] The New Wide Screen version was re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

Mario the Juggler[link]

Released on October 1991, this was the last Game & Watch game to be released. Part of the New Wide Screen series, its product number is MJ-108. The gameplay is similar to the first Game & Watch released, Ball.

Mickey & Donald[link]

A dual-screen ("multi screen") game released on November 12, 1982 (product number: DM-53). Here, the goal is put out the fire in a 3-story apartment building as fast as possible. Donald mans the hose while Mickey is on the pump. Bulges in the hose mean more water for Donald to use, but also require Mickey to leave the pump to stop leaks. Music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5]

Mickey Mouse[link]

Mickey Mouse (DC-95)

Two versions of this game were released: MC-25 (Wide Screen series, released on October 9, 1981) and DC-95 (the one shown on the photo, Panorama series, released on February 1984).

Octopus[link]

Octopus

Octopus was a handheld Game & Watch system released on July 16, 1981 (product number: OC-22). It was released in the widescreen version. The object of the game is to get the sunken ship's treasure without getting caught by the octopus. In the United Kingdom this game was renamed Mysteries of the Sea and also Mysteries of the Deep.

In the game, the player must aim his diver under water by jumping off the side of a boat and walking underwater. Once underwater, the player must avoid getting caught by an octopus. If the octopus touches the player, they will lose a life. The game is over once the player loses all lives. If the player manages to avoid the octopus, they will get to a sunken ship with a treasure chest. The player can take portions of treasure for a point each. Three additional points are awarded for again evading the octopus and resurfacing back on the player's boat. Additional lives can be gained if needed at 200 and 500 points. The game gets quicker as it progresses.

In octopus, a game A and B is shown. If the player picks game A, the game moves lazier and is easier, but if the player picks game B, the octopus moves much quicker and there are more hazards.

Octopus was well received. The game is considered to be one of the most complex Game & Watch games ever created.

The game Octopus was re-released for the Gameboy in the game Game & Watch Gallery. It was also re-released for the Game & Watch Gallery 4, and for the Game & Watch Collection 2. The octopus from Octopus also makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. When Mr. Game & Watch gets the smash ball, he turns into the octopus and starts KO-ing opponents with his tentacles. There is also a move in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl where Mr. Game and Watch headbutts with a helmet from Octopus.

Oil Panic[link]

Oil Panic is a Game & Watch game developed by Nintendo R&D1, released on May 28, 1982 (product number: OP-51). It was the first dual-screen Game & Watch game (Multi Screen series) using a white body, and has since been released twice in Game & Watch compilations for the Game Boy and the Nintendo DS hand-held consoles.

In the game, the player controls the station helper as he catches drops of oil from a leaking pipe. Once they have been caught, the helper must go out onto the veranda and empty the bucket into the boss' oil drum. Missing a drop from the pipe or missing the boss' oil drum causes the player to lose a life. The game is unique in that the player has four lives, rather than three.

Oil Panic was featured in the first Game & Watch Gallery for the Game Boy. The other games included were Manhole, Fire, Octopus, and their remade versions. In the Oil Panic remake, Mr. Game and Watch is replaced by Mario, the boss is replaced by Yoshi, the people waiting for gas are replaced by Donkey Kong Jr. and Luigi, and Bowser spills the oil. Mario has the ability to hold two buckets of oil, whereas in the original game, Mr. Game and Watch can only hold one.

Oil Panic is also featured in Game & Watch Collection for the Nintendo DS.

Oil Panic is also one of the microgames featured (briefly) in the collection of microgames presented by 9 Volt in WarioWare: Touched!.

A few elements of the game are featured in Super Smash Bros. Melee and its sequel Super Smash Bros. Brawl. One of the backgrounds of Flat Zone 2 is themed upon Oil Panic,^[11] and one of the attacks used by Mr. Game & Watch is called "Oil Panic".^[12] Mr. Game and Watch's Tilt Down+B attack in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl is taken from this game, and allows the player to absorb three energy attacks and release it as a more powerful attack.

Parachute[link]

Parachute (product number PR-21) was released on June 19, 1981. This game was the first game in the Wide Screen series. The gameplay is very simple. Mr. Game & Watch is in a boat and he has to prevent every parachuter from landing in the shark infested waters by catching them in his boat. If the player fails to do this a life is lost. In Game & Watch Gallery 2 and 4 Parachute is a playable game. It is also playable in Game & Watch Collection 2. In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Brawl Mr. Game & Watch uses a parachute from the game Parachute.

Pinball[link]

Pinball

Pinball was a multi screen Game & Watch game (Multi Screen series) released on December 5, 1983 (product number: PB-59). In the game two flippers are on the bottom screen and two flippers on the top screen. There are various other pinball objects such as bumpers, outlanes, rollover lanes, kickbacks, plunger, and more. The music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5]

Popeye[link]

This Game & Watch game was released in three different versions: PP-23 (Wide Screen series, released August 5, 1981), PG-74 (Table Top series, released August 1983) and PG-92 (Panorama series, released August 30, 1983). The music composition for the game was done by Hirokazu Tanaka.^[5]

Rain Shower[link]

Rain Shower is a Game & Watch game released in August, 1981 (product number: LP-57). It is a dual-screen (Multi Screen) game.

In the game, the player must move clothing away from falling rain drops by pulling on the clothes line. In the Game B version of Rain Shower, a bird may swoop down and move the clothing.

Safebuster[link]

Safebuster was released on January 12, 1988 in the Game & Watch Multi Screen series (product number: JB-63).

In this game the player controls a security guard sprite on the bottom screen who must catch bombs thrown from above by a bandit on the top screen. The bombs are caught in a tube able to hold three bombs which can be dumped down two shutes at either side of the bottom screen for 1 point per bomb. If a bomb is missed a life is lost. Three lives lost and the game is over.

Snoopy[link]

Snoopy was released in two different versions: SM-73 (Table Top series, released 5 June 1983) and SM-91 (Panorama series, released 30 August 1983).

Snoopy Tennis[link]

Snoopy Tennis (SP-30)

Snoopy Tennis was released on April 28, 1982 on the Wide Screen series. Its product number is SP-30.

Charlie Brown throws and hits a ball toward Snoopy, Snoopy must hit the ball back. Lucy sometimes will hit the ball to Snoopy.

Spitball Sparky[link]

Spitball Sparky was released on February 7, 1984 on the Super Color series. Its product number is BU-201. 'Super Color' described each column being a different colored LCD. It was considered one of the more expensive games of 1984. The game is one of two Super Color games, the other being Crab Grab.

Squish[link]

This is a dual-screen (Multi Screen series) game, released in April, 1986. Its product number is MG-61. It is similar to Devil World.

Super Mario Bros.[link]

Super Mario Bros. was released in two different versions: YM-801 (Crystal Screen series, released June 1986) and YM-105 (the one shown on the photo, New Wide Screen series, released March 1988).

Super Mario Bros. (special edition)[link]

The winners of Famicons F-1 Grand Prix tournament got a yellow-cased version of Super Mario Bros. that came in a plastic box modeled after the Disk-kun character Nintendo used to advertise their Famicom Disk System. Only 10,000 units of this version were produced and it was never available for retail sale, therefore being the rarest of all Game & Watch games. The part number for this game is YM-901-S.

Tropical Fish[link]

Tropical Fish is a Game & Watch game from the New Wide Screen series. Released in July 1985, its product number is TF-104.

In the game, a man is catching fish that are jumping out of a tank and landing in his fish bowl. The player must catch them in his fish bowl and slowly move them into a tank on the other side. Missing a fish will get the player miss. Get three misses and the game will end. This is a move used by Mr. Game & Watch in Super Smash Bros. Brawl where he holds out a fish bowl and fish jump out both sides, damaging opponents.

Turtle Bridge[link]

Turtle Bridge is a Game & Watch video game released on February 1, 1982. It was released in the widescreen version (product number: TL-28).

In the game, a jungle explorer is transferring baggage from one side of a river to the other using a line of five turtles as stepping stones. He starts on the home bank and jumps from turtle to turtle carrying the package. However he is unable to land on the far bank and must pass the package to his colleague. Once done so he can return to the home bank to fetch the next package.

The challenges he faces are

• The turtles are hungry and will dive to feed on the fish swimming below if they are in reach;
• Once he has left the home bank with a package he’s too heavy/the bank too slippery for him to jump back to the safety of the home bank whiles carrying the package;
• If he waits too long on the home bank with a package he will slip onto the first turtle;
• His colleague on the far bank is not always there to collect the package when he reaches the far bank, so he may have to wait for him to appear.

As the game progresses the number and speed of fish appearing increases, with the consequence that the turtles dive more frequently. At no point are all turtles diving.

Game A vs. Game B

• In Game A the middle turtle of the five in the ‘bridge’ does not have any fish swimming in reach, and so doesn’t dive, unless the explorer waits too long on his back, at which point fish start to appear and the turtle will dive.
• In Game B: all turtles will dive from the outset; His colleague is more distracted and appears less frequently.

Scoring

• Points are awarded relative to the time taken to deliver the parcel, ranging from 10 down to 2; it takes approximately 1 hour of game play to accrue 1000 points.
• The score board only has 3 digits, so once you exceed 999 it returns to 000.

Lives

• Lives are lost if the explorer lands on a turtle that has dived, and subsequently drowns.
• A life can be recovered at predetermined score levels: 200, 500.
• Lose all three lives and the game is over.

A turtle from this game is used as one Mr. Game & Watch's moves in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Vermin[link]

Vermin was the third Game & Watch game to be released. It was released by Nintendo Research & Development 1 on July 10, 1980. The game was part of the Silver Series of Game & Watch games. Its product number is MT-03.

In Vermin, moles pop out of the ground and try to get into the player's garden. The player has to hit the moles with a hammer to prevent them from getting into the player's garden.

Vermin was a playable game in Game Boy Gallery for the Game Boy and Game & Watch Gallery 2 for the Game Boy Color. In WarioWare: Mega Microgames, there is a microgame called Vermin where Wario has to whack a mole with a hammer. In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mr. Game & Watch has a move called Vermin. During this move, he takes two hammers and uses them to strike his opponent. The game was also re-released for Nintendo DSi in 2009.^[3]

Zelda[link]

Released in August, 1989, it is a dual-screen ("Multi Screen") game. Its product number is ZL-65.

See also[link]

• Bandai LCD Solarpower
• All Nintendo Game & Watch LCD Games part1 and part2 at YouTube
• Game & Watch 30th Anniversary special, list of Game & Watch consoles in chronological order as well as in development order (written in Chinese)

References[link]

Look up egg in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Egg may refer to:

• Egg (biology), an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop
• Egg cell
• Egg (food), the egg of a fowl or fish consumed as food

Music[link]

• Egg (band), an English group founded 1969
  • Egg (album), by Egg
• Eggs (band), an American group founded 1990

Television and film[link]

• Egg (film), a 2007 Turkish-Greek drama
• Eggs (film), a 1995 Norwegian comedy
• EGG, the Arts Show, a TV program

Other uses[link]

• Egg (car)
• Egg (chair)
• EGG (file format)
• Egg (magazine)
• Egg (video game), a 1981 Nintendo game
• Egg, Austria
• Egg, Switzerland
• Eggs (novel), by Jerry Spinelli
• Egg Banking, a British internet bank
• EGG Project, a parapsychology experiment
• Augustus Egg (1816–1863), English artist
• Darning egg, a sewing tool
• Electrogastrogram, a graphic showing electrical signals in the stomach muscles
• Electroglottograph, a device for measuring vocal fold movement
• Elemental Gimmick Gear, a 1999 Sega Dreamcast game
• EG&G, an American defense contractor
• Evaporating gaseous globule, a type of interstellar gas cloud

See also[link]

• The Egg (disambiguation)
• Egg Island (disambiguation)
• Mr Egg
• World egg

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Part of a series on:
Video games (browse)
Platforms Arcade game Audio game Console game Video game console Handheld game Mobile game Online game PC game
Genres Action game Shooter game Action-adventure game Adventure game Role-playing game Simulation game Sports game Strategy game
The games List of arcade video games List of best-selling video games List of best-selling video game franchises List of cult video games List of highest-grossing arcade games List of last games released on video game consoles
Development Game AI Game design Interaction design Game programming Level design Video game art Video game graphics Video game music
v t e

This article's references may not meet Wikipedia's guidelines for reliable sources. Please help by checking whether the references meet the criteria for reliable sources. (February 2012)

A video game is an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. The word video in video game traditionally referred to a raster display device,^[1] but following popularization of the term "video game", it now implies any type of display device. The electronic systems used to play video games are known as platforms; examples of these are personal computers and video game consoles. These platforms range from large mainframe computers to small handheld devices. Specialized video games such as arcade games, while previously common, have gradually declined in use. Video games have gone on to become an art form and industry.

The input device used to manipulate video games is called a game controller, and varies across platforms. For example, a controller might consist of only a button and a joystick, while another may feature a dozen buttons and one or more joysticks. Early personal computer games often needed a keyboard for gameplay, or more commonly, required the user to buy a separate joystick with at least one button.^[2] Many modern computer games allow or require the player to use a keyboard and a mouse simultaneously. A few of the most common game controllers are gamepads, mice, keyboards, and joysticks.

Video games typically use additional means of providing interactivity and information to the player. Audio is almost universal, using sound reproduction devices, such as speakers and headphones. Other feedback may come via haptic peripherals, such as vibration or force feedback, with vibration sometimes used to simulate force feedback.

In the early days of cartridge consoles, they were sometimes called TV games.

History[link]

Early games used interactive electronic devices with various display formats. The earliest example is from 1947—a "Cathode ray tube Amusement Device" was filed for a patent on January 25, 1947, by Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann, and issued on December 14, 1948, as U.S. Patent 2455992.^[3]

Inspired by radar display tech, it consisted of an analog device that allowed a user to control a vector-drawn dot on the screen to simulate a missile being fired at targets, which were drawings fixed to the screen.^[4]

Other early examples include:

• The NIMROD computer at the 1951 Festival of Britain
• OXO a tic-tac-toe Computer game by Alexander S. Douglas for the EDSAC in 1952
• Tennis for Two, an interactive game engineered by William Higinbotham in 1958
• Spacewar!, written by MIT students Martin Graetz, Steve Russell, and Wayne Wiitanen's on a DEC PDP-1 computer in 1961.

Each game used different means of display: NIMROD used a panel of lights to play the game of Nim,^[5] OXO used a graphical display to play tic-tac-toe ^[6] Tennis for Two used an oscilloscope to display a side view of a tennis court,^[4] and Spacewar! used the DEC PDP-1's vector display to have two spaceships battle each other.^[7]

Nolan Bushnell at the Game Developers Conference in 2011

In 1971, Computer Space, created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, was the first commercially sold, coin-operated video game. It used a black-and-white television for its display, and the computer system was made of 74 series TTL chips.^[8] The game was featured in the 1973 science fiction film Soylent Green. Computer Space was followed in 1972 by the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home console. Modeled after a late 1960s prototype console developed by Ralph H. Baer called the "Brown Box", it also used a standard television.^[4][9] These were followed by two versions of Atari's Pong; an arcade version in 1972 and a home version in 1975 that dramatically increased video game popularity.^[10] The commercial success of Pong led numerous other companies to develop Pong clones and their own systems, spawning the video game industry.^[11]

A flood of Pong clones eventually led to the video game crash of 1977, which came to an end with the mainstream success of Taito's 1978 shooter game Space Invaders,^[12] marking the beginning of the golden age of arcade video games and inspiring dozens of manufacturers to enter the market.^[12][13] The game inspired arcade machines to become prevalent in mainstream locations such as shopping malls, traditional storefronts, restaurants, and convenience stores.^[14] The game also became the subject of numerous articles and stories on television and in newspapers and magazines, establishing video gaming as a rapidly growing mainstream hobby.^[15][16] Space Invaders was soon licensed for the Atari VCS (later known as Atari 2600), becoming the first "killer app" and quadrupling the console's sales.^[17] This helped Atari recover from their earlier losses,^[18] and in turn the Atari VCS revived the home video game market during the second generation of consoles, up until the North American video game crash of 1983.^[19] The home video game industry was revitalized shortly afterwards by the widespread success of the Nintendo Entertainment System,^[20] which marked a shift in the dominance of the video game industry from the United States to Japan during the third generation of consoles.^[21]

Overview[link]

Platforms[link]

The term "platform" refers to the specific combination of electronic components or computer hardware which, in conjunction with software, allows a video game to operate.^[22] The term "system" is also commonly used.

In common use a "PC game" refers to a form of media that involves a player interacting with a IBM PC compatible personal computer connected to a video monitor. A "console game" is played on a specialized electronic device that connects to a common television set or composite video monitor. A "handheld" gaming device is a self contained electronic device that is portable and can be held in a user's hands. "Arcade game" generally refers to a game played on an even more specialized type of electronic device that is typically designed to play only one game and is encased in a special cabinet. These distinctions are not always clear and there may be games that bridge one or more platforms. In addition to personal computers, there are multiple other devices which have the ability to play games but are not dedicated video game machines, such as mobile phones, PDAs and graphing calculators.

With the advent of social networking and other online applications hubs, the term "platform" started being used to refer to the online service within which the game is played, regardless of the actual hardware on which it is executed. A game's platform could simply be "Facebook", whether it is played on a Windows PC, Mac, Smart TV, or smartphone.

Genres[link]

A video game, like most other forms of media, may be categorized into genres based on many factors such as method of game play, types of goals, art style and more. Because genres are dependent on content for definition, genres have changed and evolved as newer styles of video games have come into existence. Ever advancing technology and production values related to video game development have fostered more life-like and complex games which have in turn introduced or enhanced genre possibilities (e.g., virtual pets), pushed the boundaries of existing video gaming or in some cases add new possibilities in play (such as that seen with titles specifically designed for devices like Sony's EyeToy). Some genres represent combinations of others, such as massively multiplayer online role-playing games, or, more commonly, MMORPGs. It is also common to see higher level genre terms that are collective in nature across all other genres such as with action, music/rhythm or horror-themed video games.

Classifications[link]

Casual games[link]

Casual games derive their name from their ease of accessibility, simple to understand gameplay and quick to grasp rule sets. Additionally, casual games frequently support the ability to jump in and out of play on demand. Casual games as a format existed long before the term was coined and include video games such as Solitaire or Minesweeper which can commonly be found pre-installed with many versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Examples of genres within this category are hidden object, match three, time management, tetris or many of the tower defense style games. Casual games are generally sold through online retailers such as PopCap, Zylom, Vans Video Games and GameHouse or provided for free play through web portals such as Newgrounds or AddictingGames.

While casual games are most commonly played on personal computers, cellphones or PDAs, they can also be found on many of the on-line console system download services (e.g., Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, or WiiWare).

Serious games[link]

Serious games are games that are designed primarily to convey information or a learning experience of some sort to the player. Some serious games may even fail to qualify as a video game in the traditional sense of the term. Educational software does not typically fall under this category (e.g., touch typing tutors, language learning, etc.) and the primary distinction would appear to be based on the title's primary goal as well as target age demographics. As with the other categories, this description is more of a guideline than a rule.

Serious games are games generally made for reasons beyond simple entertainment and as with the core and casual games may include works from any given genre, although some such as exergames, educational games, or propaganda games may have a higher representation in this group due to their subject matter. These games are typically designed to be played by professionals as part of a specific job or for skill set improvement. They can also be created to convey social-political awareness on a specific subject.

One of the longest running serious games franchises would be Microsoft Flight Simulator first published in 1982 under that name. The United States military uses virtual reality based simulations, such as VBS1 for training exercises,^[23] as do a growing number of first responder roles (e.g., police, fire fighter, EMT).^[24] One example of a non-game environment utilized as a platform for serious game development would be the virtual world of Second Life, which is currently used by several United States governmental departments (e.g., NOAA, NASA, JPL), Universities (e.g., Ohio University, MIT) for educational and remote learning programs^[25] and businesses (e.g., IBM, Cisco Systems) for meetings and training.^[26]

Tactical media in video games plays a crucial role in making a statement or conveying a message on important relevant issues. This form of media allows for a broader audience to be able to receive and gain access to certain information that otherwise may not have reached such people. An example of tactical media in video games would be newsgames. These are short games related to contemporary events designed to illustrate a point.^[27] For example, Take Action Games is a game studio collective that was co-founded by Susana Ruiz and has made successful serious games. Some of these games include Darfur is Dying, Finding Zoe, and In The Balance. All of these games bring awareness to important issues and events in an intelligent and well thought out manner.^[28]

Educational games[link]

On September 23, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama launched a campaign called "Educate to Innovate" aimed at improving the technological, mathematical, scientific and engineering abilities of American students. This campaign states that it plans to harness the power of interactive games to help achieve the goal of students excelling in these departments.^[29][30] This campaign has stemmed into many new and exciting opportunities for the video game realm and has contributed to many new competitions. Some of these competitions include the Stem National Video Game Competition and the Imagine Cup.^[31][32] Both of these examples are events that bring a focus to relevant and important current issues that are able to be addressed in the sense of video games to educate and spread knowledge in a new form of media. www.NobelPrize.org uses games to entice the user to learn about information pertaining to the Nobel prize achievements while engaging in a fun to play video game.^[33] There are many different types and styles of educational games all the way from counting to spelling to games for kids and games for adults. Some other games do not have any particular targeted audience in mind and intended to simply educate or inform whoever views or plays the game.

Development[link]

Developers use various tools to create video games, here an editor to fine tune the virtual camera system.

Video game development and authorship, much like any other form of entertainment, is frequently a cross-disciplinary field. Video game developers, as employees within this industry are commonly referred, primarily include programmers and graphic designers. Over the years this has expanded to include almost every type of skill that one might see prevalent in the creation of any movie or television program, including sound designers, musicians, and other technicians; as well as skills that are specific to video games, such as the game designer. All of these are managed by producers.

In the early days of the industry, it was more common for a single person to manage all of the roles needed to create a video game. As platforms have become more complex and powerful in the type of material they can present, larger teams have been needed to generate all of the art, programming, cinematography, and more. This is not to say that the age of the "one-man shop" is gone, as this is still sometimes found in the casual gaming and handheld markets,^[34] where smaller games are prevalent due to technical limitations such as limited RAM or lack of dedicated 3D graphics rendering capabilities on the target platform (e.g., some cellphones and PDAs).^{[citation needed]}

With the growth of the size of development teams in the industry, the problem of cost has increased. Development studios need to be able to pay their staff a competitive wage in order to attract and retain the best talent, while publishers are constantly looking to keep costs down in order to maintain profitability on their investment. Typically, a video game console development team can range in sizes of anywhere from 5 to 50 people, with some teams exceeding 100. In May 2009, one game project was reported to have a development staff of 450.^[35] The growth of team size combined with greater pressure to get completed projects into the market to begin recouping production costs has led to a greater occurrence of missed deadlines and unfinished products.^{[citation needed]}

Downloadable content[link]

A newer phenomenon of withholding content from the game and then releasing it at a later date for additional funds not factored into the retail price began with digital video game distribution known as Downloadable Content (also known colloquially as 'DLC'). Studios may choose to utilize this to issue original content after the game is released, such as Rockstar Games with Grand Theft Auto IV, or Bethesda with Fallout 3, yet often opt instead to create content before the game is released to be intentionally withheld, such as Activision and Treyarch with Call of Duty (Despite knowing well public affection for a 'Zombies' game mode, it was shipped with only one map for this game mode, and periodically releases new ones with $10 DLC).^[36][37][38]

Modifications[link]

Many games produced for the PC are designed such that technically oriented consumers can modify the game. These mods can add an extra dimension of replayability and interest. Developers such as id Software, Valve Software, Crytek, Bethesda, Epic Games and Blizzard Entertainment ship their games with some of the development tools used to make the game, along with documentation to assist mod developers. The Internet provides an inexpensive medium to promote and distribute mods, and they may be a factor in the commercial success of some games.^[39] This allows for the kind of success seen by popular mods such as the Half-Life mod Counter-Strike.

Cheating[link]

Cheating in computer games may involve cheat codes and hidden spots implemented by the game developers,^[40][41] modification of game code by third parties,^[42][43] or players exploiting a software glitch. Modifications are facilitated by either cheat cartridge hardware or a software trainer.^[42] Cheats usually make the game easier by providing an unlimited amount of some resource; for example weapons, health, or ammunition; or perhaps the ability to walk through walls.^[41][42] Other cheats might give access to otherwise unplayable levels or provide unusual or amusing features, like altered game colors or other graphical appearances.

Glitches[link]

Software errors not detected by software testers during development can find their way into released versions of computer and video games. This may happen because the glitch only occurs under unusual circumstances in the game, was deemed too minor to correct, or because the game development was hurried to meet a publication deadline. Glitches can range from minor graphical errors to serious bugs that can delete saved data or cause the game to malfunction. In some cases publishers will release updates (referred to as patches) to repair glitches. Sometimes a glitch may be beneficial to the player, these are often referred to as exploits.

Easter eggs[link]

Easter eggs are hidden messages or jokes left in games by developers that are not part of the main game.

Theory[link]

Although departments of computer science have been studying the technical aspects of video games for years, theories that examine games as an artistic medium are a relatively recent development in the humanities. The two most visible schools in this emerging field are ludology and narratology. Narrativists approach video games in the context of what Janet Murray calls "Cyberdrama". That is to say, their major concern is with video games as a storytelling medium, one that arises out of interactive fiction. Murray puts video games in the context of the Holodeck, a fictional piece of technology from Star Trek, arguing for the video game as a medium in which we get to become another person, and to act out in another world.^[44] This image of video games received early widespread popular support, and forms the basis of films such as Tron, eXistenZ and The Last Starfighter.

Ludologists break sharply and radically from this idea. They argue that a video game is first and foremost a game, which must be understood in terms of its rules, interface, and the concept of play that it deploys. Espen J. Aarseth argues that, although games certainly have plots, characters, and aspects of traditional narratives, these aspects are incidental to gameplay. For example, Aarseth is critical of the widespread attention that narrativists have given to the heroine of the game Tomb Raider, saying that "the dimensions of Lara Croft's body, already analyzed to death by film theorists, are irrelevant to me as a player, because a different-looking body would not make me play differently... When I play, I don't even see her body, but see through it and past it."^[45] Simply put, ludologists reject traditional theories of art because they claim that the artistic and socially relevant qualities of a video game are primarily determined by the underlying set of rules, demands, and expectations imposed on the player.

While many games rely on emergent principles, video games commonly present simulated story worlds where emergent behavior occurs within the context of the game. The term "emergent narrative" has been used to describe how, in a simulated environment, storyline can be created simply by "what happens to the player."^[46] However, emergent behavior is not limited to sophisticated games. In general, any place where event-driven instructions occur for AI in a game, emergent behavior will exist. For instance, take a racing game in which cars are programmed to avoid crashing, and they encounter an obstacle in the track: the cars might then maneuver to avoid the obstacle causing the cars behind them to slow and/or maneuver to accommodate the cars in front of them and the obstacle. The programmer never wrote code to specifically create a traffic jam, yet one now exists in the game.

Social aspects[link]

Demographics[link]

The November 2005 Nielsen Active Gamer Study, taking a survey of 2,000 regular gamers, found that the U.S. games market is diversifying. The age group among male players has expanded significantly in the 25–40 age group. For casual online puzzle-style and simple mobile cell phone games, the gender divide is more or less equal between males and females. Females have also been found to show an attraction to online multi-player games where there is a communal experience.^{[citation needed]} More recently there has been a growing segment of female players engaged with the aggressive style of games historically considered to fall within traditionally male genres (e.g., first-person shooters). According to the ESRB almost 41% of PC gamers are women^[47] (see Girl gamer).

When comparing today's industry climate with that of 20 years ago, women and many adults are more inclined to be using products in the industry. While the market for teen and young adult men is still a strong market, it is the other demographics which are posting significant growth. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) provides the following summary for 2011 based on a study of almost 1,200 American households carried out by Ipsos MediaCT:^[48]

• The average gamer is 37 years old and has been playing for 12 years. Eighty-two percent of gamers are 18 years of age or older.
• Forty-two percent of all players are women and women over 18 years of age are one of the industry's fastest growing demographics.
• Today, adult women represent a greater portion of the game-playing population (37 percent) than boys age 17 or younger (13 percent).
• Twenty-nine percent of game players are over the age of 50, an increase from nine percent in 1999.
• Sixty-five percent of gamers play games with other gamers in person.
• Fifty-five percent of gamers play games on their phones or handheld device.

A 2006 academic study, based on a survey answered by 10.000 gamers, identified the gaymers (gamers that identify as LGBT) as a significant demographic group. ^{[49] [50][51]} A followup survey in 2009 studied the purchase habits and content preferences of people in the group.^[52][53][54]

Based on the study by NPD group in 2011, about 91 percent of kids aged 2–17 play games.^[55]

Multiplayer[link]

Video gaming has traditionally been a social experience. Multiplayer video games are those that can be played either competitively, sometimes in Electronic Sports, or cooperatively by using either multiple input devices, or by hotseating. Tennis for Two, arguably the first video game, was a two player game, as was its successor Pong. The first commercially available game console, the Magnavox Odyssey, had two controller inputs.

Since then, most consoles have been shipped with two or four controller inputs. Some have had the ability to expand to four, eight or as many as 12 inputs with additional adapters, such as the Multitap. Multiplayer arcade games typically feature play for two to four players, sometimes tilting the monitor on its back for a top-down viewing experience allowing players to sit opposite one another.

Many early computer games for non-PC descendant based platforms featured multiplayer support. Personal computer systems from Atari and Commodore both regularly featured at least two game ports. PC-based computer games started with a lower availability of multiplayer options because of technical limitations. PCs typically had either one or no game ports at all. Network games for these early personal computers were generally limited to only text based adventures or MUDs that were played remotely on a dedicated server. This was due both to the slow speed of modems (300-1200-bit/s), and the prohibitive cost involved with putting a computer online in such a way where multiple visitors could make use of it. However, with the advent of widespread local area networking technologies and Internet based online capabilities, the number of players in modern games can be 32 or higher, sometimes featuring integrated text and/or voice chat. MMOs can offer extremely high numbers of simultaneous players; Eve Online set a record with 54,446 players on a single server in 2010.^[56]

Benefits[link]

It has been shown that action video game players have better hand-eye coordination and visuo-motor skills, such as their resistance to distraction, their sensitivity to information in the peripheral vision and their ability to count briefly presented objects, than nonplayers.^[57]

Researchers found that such enhanced abilities could be acquired by training with action games, involving challenges that switch attention between different locations, but not with games requiring concentration on single objects. It has been suggested by a few studies that online/offline video gaming can be used as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of different mental health concerns.^[which?]

In Steven Johnson's book, Everything Bad Is Good for You, he argues that video games in fact demand far more from a player than traditional games like Monopoly. To experience the game, the player must first determine the objectives, as well as how to complete them. They must then learn the game controls and how the human-machine interface works, including menus and HUDs. Beyond such skills, which after some time become quite fundamental and are taken for granted by many gamers, video games are based upon the player navigating (and eventually mastering) a highly complex system with many variables. This requires a strong analytical ability, as well as flexibility and adaptability. He argues that the process of learning the boundaries, goals, and controls of a given game is often a highly demanding one that calls on many different areas of cognitive function. Indeed, most games require a great deal of patience and focus from the player, and, contrary to the popular perception that games provide instant gratification, games actually delay gratification far longer than other forms of entertainment such as film or even many books.^[58] Some research suggests video games may even increase players' attention capacities.^[59]

Learning principles found in video games have been identified as possible techniques with which to reform the U.S. education system.^[60] It has been noticed that gamers adopt an attitude while playing that is of such high concentration, they do not realize they are learning, and that if the same attitude could be adopted at school, education would enjoy significant benefits.^[61] Students are found to be "learning by doing" while playing video games while fostering creative thinking.^[62]

The U.S. Army has deployed machines such as the PackBot and UAV vehicles, which make use of a game-style hand controller to make it more familiar for young people.^[63]

According to research discussed at the 2008 Convention of the American Psychological Association, certain types of video games can improve the gamers' dexterity as well as their ability to problem-solve. A study of 33 laparoscopic surgeons found that those who played video games were 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures and made 37 percent fewer errors compared to those who did not play video games. A second study of 303 laparoscopic surgeons (82 percent men; 18 percent women) also showed that surgeons who played video games requiring spatial skills and hand dexterity and then performed a drill testing these skills were significantly faster at their first attempt and across all 10 trials than the surgeons who did not play the video games first.^[64]

Whilst many studies have detected superior mental aptitudes^[which?] amongst habitual gamers, research by Walter Boot at the University of Illinois found that non-gamers showed no improvement in memory or multitasking abilities after 20 hours of playing three different games. The researchers suggested that "individuals with superior abilities are more likely to choose video gaming as an activity in the first place".^[65]Unreliable - Discuss

Controversy[link]

Like related forms of media, computer and video games have been the subject of frequent controversy and censorship, due to the depiction of graphic violence, sexual themes, advergaming (a form of advertising in games), consumption of drugs, consumption of alcohol or tobacco, propaganda, or profanity in some games. Among others, critics of video games often include parents' groups, politicians, organized religious groups, and other advocacy groups. Various games have been accused of causing addiction and even violent behavior,^[66][67] though how much ground this holds is debatable.^[68][69] "Video game censorship" is defined as the use of state or group power to control the playing, distribution, purchase, or sale of video games or computer games. Video game controversy comes in many forms, and censorship is a controversial subject. Proponents and opponents of censorship are often very passionate about their individual views.

Various national content rating organizations, such as the Entertainment Software Ratings Board or ESRB in North America, rate software for certain age groups and with certain content warnings. Some of these organizations are optional industry self-regulation (such as the ESRB), while others are part of national government censorship organizations. Most video games display their rating on the front side of their packaging. However, parents are not always aware of the existence of these ratings. Not all ratings are considered accurate. Organizations such as What They Play and Common Sense Media aim to provide guidance and advice for parents.^[70]

Ratings and censorship[link]

ESRB[link]

The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) gives videogames maturity ratings based on their content. For example, a game might be rated T for Teen if the game contained obscene words or violence. If a game contains explicit violence or sexual themes, it is likely to receive an M for Mature rating, which means that no one under 17 should play it. There is a rated "A/O" games for "Adults Only" these games have massive violence or nudity. There are no laws that prohibit children from purchasing "M" rated games in the United States. Laws attempting to prohibit minors from purchasing "M" rated games were established in California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Louisiana, but all were overturned on the grounds that the establishment of such laws were in violation of a child's First Amendment rights^{[citation needed]}. However, many stores have opted to not sell such games to children anyway. Of course, video game laws vary from country to country. One of the most controversial games of all time, Manhunt 2 by Rockstar Studios, was denied a rating by the ESRB until Rockstar could make the content more suitable for a mature audience.

Video game manufacturers usually exercise tight control over the games that are made available on their systems, so unusual or special-interest games are more likely to appear as PC games. Free, casual, and browser-based games are usually played on available computers, mobile phones, or PDAs.

PEGI[link]

Pan European Game Information (PEGI) is a system that was developed to standardize the game ratings in all of Europe (not just European Union, although the majority are EU members), the current members are: all EU members, except Germany and the 10 accession states; Norway; Switzerland. Iceland is expected to join soon, as are the 10 EU accession states. For all PEGI members, they use it as their sole system, with the exception of the UK, where if a game contains certain material,^[71] it must be rated by BBFC. The PEGI ratings are legally binding in Vienna and it is a criminal offence to sell a game to someone if it is rated above their age.^[72]

Germany: BPjM and USK[link]

Stricter game rating laws mean that Germany does not operate within the PEGI. Instead, they adopt their own system of certification which is required by law. The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle (USK or Voluntary Certification of Entertainment Software) checks every game before release and assigns an age rating to it - either none (white), 6 years of age (yellow), 12 years of age (green), 16 years of age (blue) or 18 years of age (red). It is forbidden for anyone, retailers, friends or parents alike, to allow a child access to a game for which he or she is underage. If a game is particularly violent, it may be referred to the BPjM (Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien - Federal Verification Office for Child-Endangering Media) who may opt to place it on the Index upon which the game may not be sold openly or advertised in the open media. Unofficially, the titles are not "banned" - adult gamers are still technically free to obtain the titles by other means, although it is still considered a felony to supply these titles to a child.

Commercial aspects[link]

Game sales[link]

A typical retail display (in Geneva, Switzerland) with a large selection of games for several major consoles

The three largest producers of and markets for computer and video games (in order) are North America (US and Canada), Japan and the United Kingdom. Other significant markets include Australia, Spain, Germany, South Korea, Mexico, France and Italy.^[73] Both India and China are considered emerging markets in the video game industry and sales are expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Irish are the largest per capita consumers of video games.^[74]

Sales of different types of games vary widely between these markets due to local preferences. Japanese consumers tend to purchase much more console games than computer games, with a strong preference for games catering to local tastes. Another key difference is that, despite the decline of arcades in the Western world (see Golden age of video arcade games), arcade games remain the largest sector of the Japanese gaming industry. As of 2009, the Japanese gaming industry is worth $20 billion, including $6 billion from arcades, $3.5 billion from console game sales, and $2 billion from mobile game sales.^[75] In South Korea, computer games are generally preferred over console games, especially MMORPG games and real-time strategy games. There are over 20,000 Internet cafés in South Korea where computer games can be played for an hourly charge. Computer games are also popular in China, which has a PC gaming industry worth $6 billion, the largest in the world.^[76] Arcade games are also still a thriving industry in China, though console games have been banned in the country since the early 2000s.^[77]

The NPD Group tracks computer and video game sales in the United States. It reported in 2004 that:

• Console and portable software sales: $6.2 billion, up 8% from 2003^[78]
• Console and portable hardware and accessory sales: $3.7 billion, down 35% from 2003^[78]
• PC game sales: $1.1 billion, down 15% from 2006^[79]

PC games that are digitally distributed either directly or by networks such as Steam are not tracked by the NPD, and Valve does not list sales numbers for games downloaded through their service. Unauthorized distribution is also rampant on the PC.^[80]

These figures are sales in dollars, not units, Unit shipments for each category were higher than the dollar sales numbers indicate, because more software and hardware was discounted than in 2003. But with the release of the next-generation consoles in 2006, these numbers increased dramatically. The game and film industries are also becoming increasingly intertwined, with companies like Sony having significant stakes in both. A large number of summer blockbuster films spawn a companion game, often launching at the same time to share the marketing costs.

The global market for console games has seen an average of 6.9 percent compound annual growth rate and is expected to become a $34.7 billion market in 2012.Online game sales are expected to grow at a larger rate of 16.9 percent, escalating from $6.6 billion in 2008 to $14.4 billion by 2012. The largest channel for growth, however, is in mobile gaming with a growth rate of 19 percent; estimated to grow from $5.6 billion in 2008 to $13.5 billion in four years.^[81]

Criticism[link]

Video games have the problem of regional lockout. In Australia, while most DVD players are sold region-free to accommodate local consumer rights legislation,^[82] video game consoles are still sold fully region protected. Some effort has been made to increase awareness of the issue, specifically to Nintendo of Australia,^[83] in the form of a formal report outlining the issues, published by Aaron Rex Davies.^[84] The report has gone on to gain a lot of attention in the public media.^[85]

Museums[link]

There are many video game museums around the world, for example Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines in Moscow^[86] or Computer Game Museum in Berlin.^[87]

The Smithsonian American Art Museum is running an exhibition on "The Art of Video Games".^[88]

See also[link]

Video games portal

	Book: Video game
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

• Outline of video games
• Video game etiquette

Notes[link]