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Retro Grenade
Retro gaming history, UK price context and DIY builds – from the Royal Game of Ur to the PlayStation.
The Timeline
On this week 1 event from this week, plus highlights. Showing 8 of 136. Click any date to open it.
Mega Drive launches in Japan
After a few rounds of clay-tablet noughts and crosses (probably), the Royal Game of Ur, one of the oldest known board games, is played in Mesopotamia. The first console, if you squint. No controller required.
Atari's Pong becomes an arcade hit
Super Game Boy launches in Japan (North America followed in June 1994)
Street Fighter III 3rd Strike released on CPS3
Pokémon Gold and Silver released in Japan
Mega Drive Mini 2 released
All pages
History and arcades
- The Early YearsFrom Oscilloscopes to Pong (1950s–1970s)
- The Golden Age of ArcadesLate 70s to Mid 80s
- From Arcade to Living RoomHow Coin-Op Hits Came Home
- Capcom CP SystemCPS1, CPS2 and CPS3
- Neo GeoSNK's Arcade in a Box (MVS and AES)
Consoles and handhelds
- Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)The Grey Box That Rebooted Gaming
- Super Nintendo (SNES)Sixteen Bits of Pure Joy
- Sega Mega Drive / GenesisBlast Processing and Attitude
- Sony PlayStation (PS1)The Grey Machine That Grew Up With Us
- Nintendo Game BoyThe Brick That Conquered the World
Guides
- Retro HandheldsWhich One Should You Buy?
- Are My Old Games Worth Money? A UK Guide to Retro Game Values
- Retro Gaming Gift GuideChristmas 2026
DIY
- Retro Grenade DIY HubPick Your Next Build
- Build Your Own Raspberry Pi Arcade (the Legal Way)
- Arcade KitsSticks, Buttons, Cabinets and Bartops
- DIY NES and SNESMinis, Mods and Controllers

