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Rewind: When Video Games Were Almost Banned

September 9, 2026 · 49 min

Show notes

The early 1980s were a golden age for video games. From iconic arcade games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man to the growth of home consoles like the Atari 2600, it felt like a magical time for kids and video game lovers.

But all of that almost came to an abrupt end...

In the early 80s, video games — specifically arcade games—had caught on so quickly and spread so far that many wondered whether it was healthy for kids to play them for hours on end. It wasn't just physical concerns, but psychological ones, too.

From the UK to North America, arcade games were soon under attack, and many cities were taking measures to restrict kids from playing them.

It was an issue that went all the way to the Supreme Court, and a generation had no idea how close we came to losing them...

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