Early video games, from the Magnavox Odyssey and Pong in 1972, became part of popular culture, like television. Here, author Michael Newman traces the emergence of video games in America, from ball-and-paddle games to hits like Space Invaders and Pac-Man, showing their relationship to other amusements and technologies. Newman describes the varied and contradictory understanding of video games as family fun (but mainly for boys), better than television (but possibly harmful), and educational (but a waste of computer time). Drawing on sources like games, press coverage, social science research, advertising, and store catalogs, Newman illustrates the cultural contradictions that shaped the medium’s identity. As now, many worried about video games’ impact, while others celebrated them for familiarizing kids with essential information age technology. (This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)