Before cellular phone–established matches, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation Portable, and prior to the Atari 2600, playing a video game price a quarter.
In 1972, Atari unleashed a gambling revolution with Pong, the first widely distributed digital arcade game. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, a series of new arcade games came out: Space Invaders, Galaxian, Pac-Man, Battlezone, Defender, Bosconian and lots of others. They are called arcade games since that’s where you played with them. Within an arcade.
Of course, the entire arcade game happening was largely replaced by computer games, home game consoles and mobile games. But now there’s a resurgence in the popularity of arcade gaming units for your home. Video arcade cabinets fill a number of functions. They are kitschy and nostalgic items of curiosity, collector’s items and conversation pieces. Video game consoles are one of the few objects you can purchase that attack individuals with deep emotion: They bring back memories of stolen summers, lost friends and misspent youth (and of course misspent quarters).
If you think video games are too lowbrow for your lovely home, you ought to know that New York’s Museum of Modern Art has ascertained some classic arcade games are worthy of screen in a few of its permanent collections.
Specifically, the museum has declared it is going to curate about 40 matches, and has announced plans to exhibit in the Philip Johnson Galleries starting in March 2013 the following classics: Pac-Man, Tetris, Another World, Myst, SimCity 2000, vib-ribbo, The Sims, Katamari Damacy, EVE Online, Dwarf Fortress, Portal, flOw, Passage and Canabalt.
Here are a few ideas to get you considering bringing the fun and nostalgia of arcade video gambling into your home, too.
Hammacher Schlemmer & Co..
30th Anniversary Authentic Pac-Man Arcade Game – $3,500
There are three options for buying video game cabinets. One would be to purchase a genuine used arcade cabinet out of a technical dealer or by an individual seller. Another would be to choose a replica cupboard. And you may also purchase a system built to remind one of a traditional arcade cabinet, but actually plays several classic matches.
Also remember that arcade game cabinets come in three basic types: the stand-up box with a screen and controls on a tiny shelf; the sit-down type, on which the surface of a table is where the match is played; and the type with a fancy controller, like half a motorcycle or military weapons tethered to the box.
Video game console websites offer a dizzying variety of new, used and classic consoles. These include BMIGaming, Arcades R Entertaining, X-Arcade, Dream Arcades, Birmingham Vending Company, Dream Authentics and Lots of others. You may even purchase arcade game closets in surprising locations, like on Amazon and eBay.
Hammacher Schlemmer sells a really cool product called the 30th Anniversary Authentic Pac-Man Arcade Game (shown). It is created by Namco, the same firm that launched the original Pac-Man game consoles in 1980. The box is decorated with Pac-Man graphics, and the controls are the same as for the original Pac-Man–optimized games console. But there is a surprise inside. The box is programmed with 12 additional games in the Pac-Man era, such as Rally-X, Dig Dug, Rolling Thunder and, of course, Ms. Pac-Man.
Drink n Sport
Arkeg Drink n Sport – $3,999
The Arkeg Drink n Sport combines video arcade game play with beer on tap. In the front it looks like a pretty standard two-player arcade cabinet. But on the other hand, you will come across a beer faucet. Inside is a powerful computer in 1 compartment and a refrigerated beer dispensing system in another.
The console comes with 69 games installed, such as Asteroids, Battlezone, Centipede, Missile Command, Paperboy — and even the original video game, Pong!
The program is PC based, so that you may add more games in the Internet or access them on disc. The system can play up to 15,000 games, according to the organization.
Surface Tension
Double7 Arcade Table – GBP 3,499
A business called Surface Tension produces a video gaming table which doubles as a remarkably appealing coffee table. In fact, it does not appear to be a video game cupboard at all. But when you slide a drawer out with video game controls on it, the bit is magically altered.
The computer interior is a powerful Windows PC with a built-in 100-watt speaker program. You are able to play from a huge library of classic arcade games using the 19-inch screen below the glass, or plug in the system into your big-screen TV via HDMI.
ION Audio
iCade – $89
A full-size arcade games console may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. A much cheaper option, and one with a bigger footprint, is a tablet-based miniature games console, like the iCade Arcade Cabinet for iPad.
You supply the iPad, and iCade supplies the tabletop cabinet, complete with joystick and control buttons. A distinctive program that runs on the iPad lets you play Atari classics such as Asteroids, Centipede, Battlezone and countless others.