The Best Video Game Documentaries to Watch in 2023

For many years, the online game business has remained considerably of a thriller, however slowly during the last 15 years or so, there was an inflow of wonderful documentaries giving us a peek into the world of video video games. Should you’re in any respect in video video games or the enterprise, these are the very best online game documentaries you want to watch in 2023.

It is enjoyable to get caught up in the advertising glitz and glam of highly effective consoles just like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Sequence X or in the hype round blockbuster releases. However video video games have an extended and storied historical past, and even probably the most informal avid gamers will discover these business tales compelling.

To find the intriguing story behind your favourite video games and consoles, give your thumbs a relaxation and take a look at these games-related films.

Picturehouse

Just about everybody agrees that King of Kong is superior. The documentary is a few battle between Billy, a restaurant proprietor, and Steve, a science instructor, compete over which ones is the very best Donkey Kong participant in the world. However that description does not flick on the intrigue, eccentricity and madness of this story.

BlinkWorks Media

AAA video games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake require a small military of builders plus a nine-figure finances. Impartial video games are made with far much less, often by lower than a pair handfuls of individuals. Generally, they’re made by only one individual.

Indie Game: The Film exhibits the grit, dedication and perseverance required of indie devs. This award-winning documentary is offered to hire or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.

Simply because the dot-com bubble burst on the flip of the century, the online game market crashed in the early ’80s. There have been many causes, however many fingers level to E.T. on the Atari, a historic industrial flop. Atari: Game Over is the story of Atari’s rise and fall, and it additionally investigates the story that Atari buried unsold copies of E.T. in the New Mexico desert. It is obtainable to purchase or hire on YouTube.

CBS

Primarily based on Blake J. Harris’ insightful 2014 e book, this feature-length documentary dives into the hair-raising face-off of the early ’90s when Sega challenged Nintendo’s grip on the gaming market. Sonic the Hedgehog squared off towards Mario, obnoxious promoting battles fought in your consideration and issues bought bloody over censored versus uncensored Mortal Kombat. They’re stirring recollections for anybody who was there, or the makings of a unprecedented story for anybody who wasn’t.

Console Wars introduces you to a number of colourful figures from the online game business of yesteryear. A very notable presence is former Sega of America CEO Tom Kalinske, who additionally masterminded He-Man and Barbie’s revival for Mattel. Proper now, the one manner to watch it’s with a Paramount Plus subscription, which begin at $5 a month. 

Netflix

Should you’re wanting to dive into video gaming historical past extra usually, six-part Netflix documentary Excessive Rating is the best way to go. Every episode covers a selected aspect of the business, like Atari’s downfall, the rise of Nintendo and Avenue Fighter 2’s affect on esports. The phase on Sega’s problem has some crossover with Console Wars, offering a extra rounded perspective on the story for those who watch each.

Excessive Rating feels a bit unfocused at occasions, however offers you a satisfying general have a look at how gaming has developed for the reason that ’70s. All six episodes can be found now on Netflix.

Amazon

This feature-length documentary focuses on Sony’s 1994 entry to the online game market with its little grey PlayStation, one of many first consoles with widespread enchantment for adults. Huge names from the model’s 25-year historical past — like present PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, Steel Gear Stable mastermind Hideo Kojima, lead PS5 architect Mark Cerny and Resident Evil co-creator Shinji Mikami — weigh in what a giant deal 3D gaming was, and advertising execs reveal how they make Sony’s console cool.

The segments on PS2, PS3 and PS4 are a lot shorter, however provide a pleasant overview because the PS5 establishes itself. It is obtainable now on streaming, Blu-ray and DVD.