Gaming

Gaming is a colloquial term that generally refers to the act of playing video games, or sometimes tabletop games. Those who enjoy gaming are often referred to as “gamers,” though many people who enjoy video games actively choose not to identify as such. Surveys indicate that around 65 percent of adults in the U.S. play video games in some form, which can mean on a dedicated console, on a personal computer, or on a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet. Gaming as we know it today has evolved greatly over time. Going back to the 1970s, it was largely done in arcades, but consoles like the Atari 2600 and Nintendo Entertainment System popularized home gaming throughout the 1980s, and it has remained popular to this day. PC gaming goes back to home computers in the 1980s such as the Commodore 64, but the advent of Windows in the 1990s and digital marketplaces like Steam in the early 2000s brought PC gaming to where it is now. Handheld gaming devices like the Game Boy made gaming portable in the early 1990s, but those have given way to smartphones, with the iOS and Android app stores full of incredibly popular and lucrative games. Some of the biggest companies in the gaming industry today include Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, Valve, Activision, and many more.

Table of Contents

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Valve Steam Frame review
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EA Sports NHL 27
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Mashable 101

Gaming

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NYT Pips hints, answers for September 11, 2026
Hurdle game on a smartphone Hurdle hints and answers for September 14, 2026
A phone with the Pips logo. NYT Pips hints, answers for September 14, 2026
Hurdle game on a smartphone Hurdle hints and answers for September 13, 2026
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Best Products

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Razer Blade 14 sitting on a window sill The best gaming laptops of 2026: Check out our top picks
Analogue Pocket sitting on a tabletop The best handheld gaming consoles, from the Nintendo Switch to the Steam Deck
Razer Blade 14 sitting on a window sill The best gaming laptops of 2025 no matter your budget
Acer Chromebook 516 GE gaming laptop on crowded desk next to indoor plant The best gaming laptops for 2025, no matter your budget
The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro on a desk I tested the best gaming keyboards, and there was a clear winner
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Meta Quest 2 The best VR headsets of 2024: Only four models made the cut
A playstation controller on a colorful pastel background Gaming starter kit: All the gear you need to play like a real gamer
HP Victus 16 laptop sitting on table The best cheap gaming laptops under $1,000 prove you can game on a budget

Deals

The Samsung 34-inch Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor on a red and purple background The ultra-wide version of the Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor gets a huge Amazon deal — save $120
The Samsung 27-inch Odyssey G5 (G50F) Series QHD Gaming Monitor on a purple and red background The 27-inch Samsung Odyssey G5 QHD gaming monitor is nearly back to its lowest-ever Amazon price
The Samsung 27-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G5 gaming monitor (G50SF) on a green and purple background This Samsung OLED G5 gaming monitor gets a $150 Labor Day price cut on Amazon
the roku pro series OLED TV in a living room Roku just announced two new OLED TVs that ditch the premium price tag of OLED
New Alienware monitor on composite background Alienware has launched the world's first 39-inch 5K RGB Stripe tandem OLED monitor — where to buy
the 75-inch TCL QM64L QLED TV in a living room with an NFL player on the display TCL’s 75-inch Mini-LED 4K TV drops to $849.99 at Amazon — act fast to save over $100
the 65-inch Samsung Class S90H OLED in a living room Need a TV upgrade? The 65-inch Samsung Class S90H OLED 4K TV has never been cheaper.
Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED curved monitor on green and teal abstract background Rare Alienware deal: Get $60 off the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED curved monitor
Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection The new Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection includes redesigned Razer accessories: Where to preorder
Secretlab Spider-Man chair First look: Secretlab’s new Spider-Man and Venom gaming chairs are slinging onto shelves

News

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More Gaming

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