We have ranked (objectively) the best video game shows

Far from Twitch or YouTube, there was a distant time when it was not so easy to know the latest video game news, see gameplay images or collect valuable tips to advance in the game. Fortunately, after the magazines specialists, we were also treated to TV shows on this controversial subject (“Gneugneu makes you violent, go play outside instead”). So we decided to (objectively) rank the best video game shows old schoolat a time when the Super Nintendo was still a revolution.

Yes, Christophe Dechavanne presented a video game show. This may come as a surprise, but it is nevertheless true. In 1983, the very young animator was at the head of Super Challenge, on TF1. The principle is very simple: two candidates compete on games from the Atari VCS 2600 console or the Atari 400/800 computer. We are in 1983.

The winner of the week won the right to compete in the unbeatable Super Défi! 40 years later, it’s just a guy in a rather grotesque costume, closer to a wool tracksuit than a superhero costume, with an Iron Man mask from Wish. But in the 1980s, it was super impressive. Well, not sure…

But what is it ? It’s a bird ? Is it a plane? No ! It’s Great… Challenge? ! Him again ! The most famous French superhero has not yet retired! We find him again in 1984, in the show Microludic, still on TF1. This time, it is not two candidates who meet but two entire families, the Orange and the Citron. Mamie Suzanne VS Uncle Thierry on Thomson TO7 computer games, that’s my France in the 1980s.

After the average candidates and the families, it is now the middle school students who are competing against each other. Between 1984 and 1985, Antenne 2 broadcast Micro Kid. The principle is the same as for the two previous shows but with teenagers who come to represent their colleges to challenge each other on video games.

The decor is completely empty and austere, the pace is slow, the schoolchildren are too shy… Fortunately, Mouss, the host, saves the program a little with his energy and his little jokes. The winners of Micro Kid have the immense honor of leaving with a… computer peripheral. Not great, but missing class to play video games on TV is more fun than UNSS Volleyball.

In 1994, in line with competing channels (which we will talk about later), M6 also decided to have its video game show. It will therefore be Mega 6hosted by Guillaume Stanczyk who will briefly replace Michaël Youn at the presentation of the Morning Liveseveral years later.

Mega 6, this is the typical concept of video game shows from the 1990s: a young host who presents the news, tests of new products and especially tips if you are stuck in Donkey Kong Country. A good show but, as we will see, others have done better.

Few years later Micro KidAntenne 2 continued to be interested in video games and broadcast, in 1990, Close-up of the mouse. And, yes, it’s probably the most rotten show title on French television, but that’s not the question. The program is integrated into another youth program: Eric and You and Mehosted by Éric Galliano, who will be found in the last season of Dorothée Club.

Close-up of the mouse offers a Top 5 of the best games of the week – generally on Amiga and Atari ST -, as well as the (soon traditional) section of tips on a specific game. But what makes the show so charming is its “The Banned” section. Quite rare at the time: the program had the luxury of classifying bad games, with a very direct tone, even sometimes a little harsh. In short, a YouTuber hater but 20 years ahead.

When it comes to video games, Cyber ​​Flash undoubtedly remains one of the most emblematic shows of the 1990s. Already, because the short Canal+ program offered reports and even an internet news, in addition to tests and console and PC news. But if we remember Cyber ​​Flash, it is also (above all) thanks to Cléo, the virtual host with very, very generous shapes. A mixture of Jessica Rabbit and an ant (yes, yes, it’s real news) which provoked the emotions of quite a few teenagers between 1995 and 1997.

Beyond its plasticity, the existence of Cléo was a real revolution at the time, notably its live animation in an episode of Nowhere else. Clearly the 2nd best virtual character on French TV, behind the unbeatable Bill du Bigdil.

Playing on your phone today is normal. But have you ever tried playing on the keyboard of a landline phone with a latency of 3 seconds? There, it becomes downright e-sport.

However, between September 1992 and June 1994, we enjoyed watching people struggle to control Hugo, a kind of troll who had to collect bags of gold in different mini-games on a train, on a plane, under the sea or in a train car. mine. The show hosted by Karen Cheryl will even evolve during the 2nd season. Hugo’s Delirium is then broadcast in public, with the presence of big stars of the time, such as Christophe Rippert. But if, you know, it’s Luc in First Kisses.

No, we’re not wrong, we haven’t yet talked about Micro Kid’s. If the name is almost similar to the 1984 show (they added an ‘s to make it more djeun’ssss), the France 3 video game program will be much more memorable for a whole generation of players.

Created in collaboration with magazines Consoles + And Tiltthe show hosted by Jean-Michel Blottière – editor-in-chief of Tiltat the time – will be broadcast from September 1991 to June 1997. And, in Micro Kid’sthere was everything: video game news, reports, tests, but also duels where the winner could face the guest of the day.

In 1995, a small, notable change: Jean-Michel Blottière was replaced in animation by a virtual character, Dr. Clic, a (horrible) head in the shape of a joystick. The 3rd best virtual character on French TV, behind Cléo and Bill Bigdil (always).

In 1998, a small revolution: the first TV channel dedicated to video games was launched on Canal Satellite. And Game One will offer a bunch of notable shows for those who were lucky enough to have Canal Sat at the time: Gameplay, W@rpzoneTHE Top Ten but above all Level One.

The principle is simple: for 20 minutes, we discover the first level of a game that has just been released. At the head of the program, we find Marcus who will quickly become THE face of Game One. Humor, a sometimes very uncertain level of play – but that’s what made the show so charming – and even prestigious guests. Have you ever seen Jean-Pierre Foucault play Tekken ?

Long hair, American caps, strong in video games: in the 1990s, Cyril Drevet – or Crevette, by his nickname – was the coolest guy in France.

Journalist for quite a few video game magazines including Player OneCyril Drevet will above all host one of the best youth shows of the decade: Televisionator 2, on France 2. Here again, we find tests, tips and duels on the latest games released. The best moment ? Cyril Drevet faced kids on Virtua Racinga Formula 1 simulation, and humiliated them without the slightest scruple.

Above all, beyond video games, Televisionator 2 also broadcast cartoons: Tiny Toon, Super Mario Bros., Beetlejuice, Space Bikers… The show will even succeed in competing with the untouchable Dorothée Club. However, after only a year and a half, France 2 replaced the program with Chalu Maureen. A big mistake. But Televisionator 2 maintains its status as a cult show.