While video games were around before the '80s, this was the decade where the medium truly found its footing. Consoles like the NES took gaming out of the arcades, and '80s franchises like Super Mario.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Mike Stubbs covers esports, competitive games and the creator economy. Considering the rise of home consoles that we saw within ...

The '80s solidified the presence of the gaming industry in mainstream pop culture with everything from coin-op arcades to the expansion of home console and PC gaming. This was the decade that Nintendo ...