Video Game Console Wars

Video Game Console Wars

Author: BBC World Service May 18, 2026 Duration: 17:27

In the 1990s, the video game industry was locked in competition between gaming giants Sega and Nintendo, battling for dominance in living rooms around the world as they raced to deliver the best games on their consoles while attacking one another in advertising. This rivalry reshaped the landscape of gaming, helping it grow into the world’s biggest entertainment industry today. We hear from Sega America CEO Tom Kalinske, who took on Nintendo by targeting a more mature audience, focusing on lower prices. Central to that plan was the creation of Sonic the Hedgehog, a character designed to challenge Mario as the face of gaming. We also travel to the heart of Madrid, to the OXO video game museum to explore the legacy of the console wars and how they helped the industry level up.

Presenter/producer: Sean Allsop

If you’d like to get in touch with the team, our email address is businessdaily@bbc.co.uk


Behind the headlines and market numbers, there’s a human story. Business Daily from the BBC World Service digs into those stories, exploring how the forces of money and work shape lives and communities across the globe. This isn't just a recap of financial news; it’s about the tangible impact of economic decisions, from a factory floor in Vietnam to a tech startup in Nairobi. Each episode focuses on a single, compelling narrative, offering a clear and thorough examination of how business and economics function in the real world. You’ll hear directly from the people involved-entrepreneurs facing unexpected hurdles, workers adapting to new industries, and analysts deciphering local trends with global consequences. The reporting is grounded and precise, reflecting the BBC’s commitment to depth and clarity. By focusing on the daily drama inherent in our economic systems, this podcast makes the vast subject of business feel immediate and personal. Tune in for a thoughtful perspective that connects economic concepts to everyday reality, providing a deeper understanding of the world through the lens of commerce and labor.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Daily
Podcast Episodes
Weight-loss drugs. Who pays? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro are reshaping the treatment of obesity — and transforming the global pharmaceutical market.Originally developed to treat type-2 diabetes, these injec…
How a spiked drink led to a startup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:31
Today - from a teenage DIY invention, to US national TV, to changing legislation, and now global sales. What started as a way to protect a friend who’d been drugged at a college bar became a product made from an old hair…
How modular homes are rebuilding Portugal’s ruins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Today, we’re looking at a wooden house revolution that's happening in Europe. Concrete’s carbon footprint is turning architects and construction companies towards trees. In Portugal, a rush of new residents to the sparse…
Are passengers ready for digital borders? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:27
The use of electronic travel authorisations or ETAs is growing worldwide. Dozens of countries have brought them in, or are bringing them in this year, but many passengers are forgetting to complete them - and missing fli…
Why 'scarcity mindset' still persists in India [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
India is home to more than a billion people. For decades, many families lived with uncertainty around food, water and work. Even as incomes rise and the economy grows, for many people the fear of not having enough remain…
The deepfake CEOs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
Fraudsters are increasingly using deepfake videos of CEOs and other company executives to trick firms out of millions of dollars. And with the evolution of AI, these videos are becoming ever-more sophisticated and convin…
Canva CEO Melanie Perkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:27
We meet Melanie Perkins, the CEO and co-founder of graphic design platform Canva, which has hundreds of millions of users and a valuation of nearly $40 billion. Despite her immense wealth, Melanie Perkins says the label…
Why is India striking so many trade deals? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
In just a few months, the country has signed or advanced several major trade deals with other nations. Is it a reflection of the growing size of the Indian economy - it is on course to become the third largest in the wor…
Why are so many French restaurants closing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:40
We’re in France, where traditional eateries, bistros, and brasseries, once a huge part of the economy, as well as the culture of the country, are disappearing fast. A few years ago, if you drove through France, you’d com…
How ethical is 'ethical' investing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:28
We’re in Toronto in Canada, North America's second-biggest financial centre after New York, where so-called ethical investing has become big business, with many investors choosing funds they believe are better for people…