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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

Hurdle game on a smartphone
Hurdle hints and answers for August 27, 2026
A phone with the Pips logo.
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 27, 2026
Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5
Lenovo's latest gaming tablet is now under $700 — save big on the Legion Tab Gen 5
a pc gaming setup
Upgrade your PC gaming setup with the Alienware 34 240Hz QD-OLED curved monitor, now $150 off
Secretlab Spider-Man chair
First look: Secretlab’s new Spider-Man and Venom gaming chairs are slinging onto shelves
Ikea Xbox Yxstaby collection
IKEA and Xbox have collaborated on a gaming furniture collection: Launch date, price, lineup
Mashable 101

Gaming

A phone with the Pips logo.
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 26, 2026
The Luna Wireless Controller has hit its lowest-ever price at Amazon — save $20
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is over $600 off and comes with a free $120 Amazon credit
Hurdle hints and answers for August 25, 2026
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 25, 2026
Hurdle game on a smartphone Hurdle hints and answers for August 26, 2026
two nintendo switch 2 bundles against a purple and blue background Nintendo announces two new Switch 2 bundles, set to arrive after price hike
Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition The ultimate retro flex for your phone: Backbone unveils blind-box 25th Anniversary Xbox controllers
a woman playing on the Asus ROG XBOX Ally X20 Asus' standalone ROG Xbox Ally X20 finally gets a price tag: How to preorder it
Viture Beast XR glasses with gaming equipment Viture Beast XR deal: Grab these gaming-friendly XR/AR glasses for the record-low price on Amazon

Best Products

Acer gaming monitor on a table The 4 best premium gaming monitors instantly level up your desktop — for a price
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
female college student rubbing her temples Starter Kit: How to manage stress and unwind in college
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

ASUS V16 gaming laptop against a colorful background. The ASUS V16 gaming laptop is down to its best price yet
the 85-inch TCL X11L QLED 4K TV in a living room Go big with the 85-inch TCL X11L QLED 4K TV while it's on sale for over $2,500 off
Amazon fire tv stick and luna controller against a colorful background. Amazon's game streaming bundle is under $65, and it's a perfect starter pack for casual players
The 24.5-inch 1080p ASUS TUF gaming monitor (VG259QMR5A) on a blue and purple background This ASUS TUF gaming monitor has dropped to its lowest-ever price on Amazon — save $60
ASUS ROG OLED 4K 32-inch gaming monitor Don't miss a record deal on this ASUS ROG 4K monitor — next level gaming with $100 savings
The Samsung 27-Inch Odyssey G5 (G51F) Gaming Monitor on a red, orange, and green background Grab the Samsung Odyssey G5 QHD gaming monitor at its lowest ever Amazon price — save over $70
Sony Back to School sale Sony's back-to-school sale: Save up to $200 on headphones, earbuds, speakers, and gaming gear
Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 monitor gaming setup on white desktop with smiley face "sale" sticker in top left hand corner Gaming monitor deals that take the pain out of upgrading: Save up to $650 on our top picks from LG and Samsung
The Acer Predator X27U F5 gaming monitor on a purple and green background Rare gaming display deal: Get $300 off the Acer Predator X27U F5 gaming monitor
Samsung Odyssey G8 OLED monitor on desktop with trinkets and mood lighting Upgrade your gaming setup while the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 monitor is under $1,000

News

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Grand Theft Auto VI GTA 6 Cyberleek: Fans float leak conspiracy theories about marketing, possible in-game character
Grand Theft Auto 6 GTA 6 map: Community mapping project resembles what CyberLeek revealed
A phone with the Pips logo.
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 24, 2026
Hurdle game on a smartphone Hurdle hints and answers for August 22, 2026
Hurdle game on a smartphone Hurdle hints and answers for August 24, 2026
A phone with the Pips logo.
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 23, 2026
Hurdle game on a smartphone Hurdle hints and answers for August 23, 2026
A phone with the Pips logo.
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 22, 2026
jason and lucia robbery wallpaper from grand theft auto vi GTA 6 leak: Take-Two subpoenas Microsoft, Discord, and Github over 'stolen content'

More Gaming

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Price-drop alert: The 48-inch Sony Bravia A90K OLED TV just dipped under $1,000 for the first time
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the 48-inch Sony Bravia TV in a living room
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A phone with the Pips logo.
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A phone with the Pips logo.
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A phone with the Pips logo.
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Hurdle game on a smartphone
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Hurdle game on a smartphone
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By Mashable Team
A phone with the Pips logo.
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A phone with the Pips logo.
Save $274 on the Lenovo Legion 5a OLED gaming laptop
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The Lenovo Legion gaming laptop against a colorful background.
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