<P> The history of video games goes as far back as the early 1950s , when academic computer scientists began designing simple games and simulations as part of their research . Video gaming did not reach mainstream popularity until the 1970s and 1980s , when video arcade games and gaming consoles using joysticks , buttons , and other controllers , along with graphics on computer screens and home computer games were introduced to the general public . Since the 1980s , video gaming has become a popular form of entertainment and a part of modern popular culture in most parts of the world . One of the early games was Spacewar ! , which was developed by computer scientists . Early arcade video games developed from 1972 to 1978 . During the 1970s , the first generation of home consoles emerged , including the popular game Pong and various `` clones '' . The 1970s was also the era of mainframe computer games . The golden age of arcade video games was from 1978 to 1982 . Video arcades with large , graphics - decorated coin - operated machines were common at malls and popular , affordable home consoles such as the Atari 2600 and Intellivision enabled people to play games on their home TVs . During the 1980s , gaming computers , early online gaming and handheld LCD games emerged ; this era was affected by the video game crash of 1983 . From 1976 to 1992 , the second generation of video consoles emerged . </P>
<P> The history of video games goes as far back as the early 1950s , when academic computer scientists began designing simple games and simulations as part of their research . Video gaming did not reach mainstream popularity until the 1970s and 1980s , when video arcade games and gaming consoles using joysticks , buttons , and other controllers , along with graphics on computer screens and home computer games were introduced to the general public . Since the 1980s , video gaming has become a popular form of entertainment and a part of modern popular culture in most parts of the world . One of the early games was Spacewar ! , which was developed by computer scientists . Early arcade video games developed from 1972 to 1978 . During the 1970s , the first generation of home consoles emerged , including the popular game Pong and various `` clones '' . The 1970s was also the era of mainframe computer games . The golden age of arcade video games was from 1978 to 1982 . Video arcades with large , graphics - decorated coin - operated machines were common at malls and popular , affordable home consoles such as the Atari 2600 and Intellivision enabled people to play games on their home TVs . During the 1980s , gaming computers , early online gaming and handheld LCD games emerged ; this era was affected by the video game crash of 1983 . From 1976 to 1992 , the second generation of video consoles emerged . </P>
when did home video games first become popular
when did home video games first become popular
During the 1970s
During the 1970s