Console Wars is a documentary film directed by filmmakers Blake J. Harris and Jonah Tulis. The movie is based on Harris’s book titled "Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation," which tells the story of the rivalry between the two iconic video game companies in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The movie takes the viewers through the journey of SEGA, a company that was relatively unknown and seen as the underdog, as it challenged the might of Nintendo which was already an established player in the gaming industry. The film showcases the behind-the-scenes rivalry between the two companies as they fought for market share, including the strategies they employed to gain an edge over each other, such as SEGA's infamous "Genesis does what Nintendon't" ad campaign.
Console Wars features interviews with key players from both camps, such as SEGA's former CEO Tom Kalinske, Nintendo's former chairman Howard Lincoln, and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. The filmmakers also spoke to the advertising executives behind some of the most memorable campaigns of the era.
The documentary also highlights the cultural significance of the Console Wars, as it showcases how it created a rift between kids and adults, with children taking sides based on which system they owned. Console Wars concludes by reflecting on the lasting impact that the rivalry had on the gaming industry and pop culture.
Console Wars premiered at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival and was released on CBS All Access later that year. It received positive reviews and was praised for its entertaining and informative look at the gaming industry's most influential era.