Video game history began in the 1950s and 1960s with simple experiments like Tennis for Two and Pong. These early games were played on large computers and were mostly for research purposes. The 1970s saw the rise of arcade games, making gaming popular in public spaces. Home consoles like the Atari 2600 brought gaming into living rooms, allowing families to play together. The 1980s and 1990s introduced iconic characters like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog, leading to a gaming boom. As technology advanced, graphics improved, and games became more complex. Today, video games are a major entertainment industry, enjoyed by millions worldwide.