Angry Video Game Nerd Season 4 Episode 25 Pong Consoles

The fourth season of Angry Video Game Nerd concludes with episode 25, titled Pong Consoles. In this episode, the Nerd takes a look back at the origins of video gaming with the classic game Pong, and its various console iterations over the years.

The episode begins with the Nerd waxing nostalgic about playing Pong as a kid on his father's TV set. He then proceeds to explain the game's simple mechanics to the audience: two paddles move up and down on either side of the screen, with a small white dot (the "ball") bouncing between them. The goal is to score points by getting the ball past your opponent's paddle.

From there, the Nerd begins to explore the various consoles that were created to play Pong. He starts with the original Magnavox Odyssey, which was released in 1972 and had distinctly primitive graphics. He then moves on to the Atari Pong console, which was cheaper and more widely available, and proved to be a massive hit.

As the Nerd examines each new Pong console, he discusses the various design choices that went into them. Some consoles had paddles that were integrated into the system, while others used detachable controllers. Some had multiple game modes, while others were designed to be as simple as possible.

As he continues through the decades, the Nerd also delves into the history of the companies that made these consoles. He covers Atari's meteoric rise and subsequent fall, along with the emergence of companies like Coleco, Mattel, and RCA that tried to compete in the Pong market.

Throughout the episode, the Nerd provides commentary on the various games he's playing, highlighting both their strengths and their flaws. He notes that some Pong consoles had particularly strange quirks, such as one that only allowed the paddles to move vertically (making diagonal shots impossible). He also points out that the early consoles had a limited color palette, often leading to games that looked a bit like vomit.

Despite the limitations of the technology, however, the Nerd remains impressed with how much fun some of these games can be. He notes that, while Pong may seem simplistic by modern standards, it was a groundbreaking achievement in its day.

As the episode draws to a close, the Nerd offers his final verdict on the Pong consoles. He concludes that, while they were far from perfect, they represented an important step forward for video gaming as a whole. Without Pong, there might never have been a Mario or a Sonic or a Master Chief.

Overall, Pong Consoles is a great episode for anyone interested in the history of video gaming. The Nerd provides an engaging and entertaining tour through the various iterations of this classic game, and offers insights into the evolution of the industry as a whole. Definitely worth a watch for fans of classic gaming.