About Videogame history museum
The Videogame History Museum is a unique and fascinating institution that celebrates the rich history of video games. Founded by John Hardie, Sean Kelly, and Joe Santulli, the museum is dedicated to preserving the physical artifacts, memorabilia, and information related to classic or orphaned games.
The museum's origins can be traced back to the Classic Gaming Expo in 1999. At this event, Hardie, Kelly, and Santulli displayed their personal collections of video game memorabilia for all to see. The response was overwhelming - people were fascinated by these forgotten games and the stories behind them.
From there, the idea for a physical museum display was born. The founders began gathering as many artifacts as possible from their personal collections and from other sources. They scoured garage sales, flea markets, and online auctions for rare items that would help tell the story of video game history.
Today, the Videogame History Museum is home to an impressive collection of over 1000 artifacts spanning more than four decades of gaming history. Visitors can see everything from early arcade machines like Pong and Space Invaders to classic consoles like Atari 2600 and Nintendo Entertainment System.
But it's not just about seeing these amazing pieces - it's also about learning their stories. The museum offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to play some of these classic games themselves while learning about their development history.
One particularly interesting exhibit is dedicated to E.T., widely considered one of the worst video games ever made. Visitors can learn about how this infamous game came into existence (it was rushed into production in just five weeks!) while trying their hand at playing it themselves.
Another exhibit focuses on Pac-Man - arguably one of the most iconic video game characters ever created. Here visitors can learn about how Pac-Man became a cultural phenomenon in Japan before taking over arcades around the world.
The Videogame History Museum isn't just for gamers either - it's a fascinating look at the evolution of technology and pop culture over the past few decades. From early home computers like the Commodore 64 to modern virtual reality systems, visitors can see how video games have pushed the boundaries of what's possible with technology.
Overall, the Videogame History Museum is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in video games or technology. With its impressive collection of artifacts and interactive exhibits, it offers a unique and engaging way to learn about this important aspect of our cultural history.