The Video Game Years

1989

1989 was a landmark year that reshaped the gaming landscape. This episode explores the debut of the Game Boy, the arrival of the Sega Genesis, the global phenomenon of Tetris, and the competition brought by the TurboGrafx‑16. It also looks at gaming’s growing presence in pop culture with films like The Wizard, capturing a pivotal moment when handhelds, 16‑bit consoles, and blockbuster branding pushed the industry into a bold new era.