Play Value Buzz

I am a huge fan of ON Networks and all their HD-produced podcasts. My love stems mostly from two of their programs: The 5 Minute Drill for my fantasy footbal addiction and Play Value for an entertaining “Best Week Ever”-style doc on the history of videogames from the very beginnings of Nintendo.

For years, literally years, I've tried to remember this terrible game my older brother got free with his Sega Genesis console way back in '89. The only thing I could remember was that the protagonist would change into a wolf and the game would start with the phrase "Rise from the grave!!"

Video game enthusiasts in search of industry knowledge and historical context surrounding their old Atari home system or new Sony PlayStation3 need look no further. Play Value, a new Internet TV show chronicling the past 30 years of video game history, makes its virtual debut.

The production quality is high – the video itself is in 720p high definition, and the experts, who provide commentary on the topics such as the rise and fall of Atari or the torrid backstory behind Tetris making its way outside the Iron Curtain, are actually a little more believable as “experts” than, say, the B-list celebrities VH1 trots out for Top 100 Songs of the 90s. Definitely worth a view.

In fact, while hard-core gamers are sure to love Play Value, the show isn't necessarily made for them, but rather for casual gamers, history buffs, or folks like me, who enjoy the trip down memory lane.