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Arcade Machine Reviews: An Era Remembered

 

 

The first arcade game entered the scene back in 1971 when Computer Space was produced by Atari founders Nolan Bushwell and Ted Dabney. The historical event was marked more for the cabinet used for gameplay than the game itself. It almost looked as though it appeared via a science fiction movie with its futuristic features and unusual controls.

The design of this machine was what set the precedence for classic arcade machinery. As the arcade concept skyrocketed throughout the 1970s well into the 1980s, various machine styles transformed the market to house the unique games being produced and to give the ever-growing number of players along with the vendors more options to choose from.

Styles of Arcade Cabinet

Back in the 70s and 80s, the makers of the cabinets that housed the arcade games designed unique styles as a means to create variety and interest for the different titles that were on the market. No two cabinets were the same meaning if you wanted to play a specific game, you had to wait until the person in front of you lost which could take a very long time depending on how good they were at the game. You can always check online the different machines such as Ryans Best Reviews so you have an idea of what they look like.

1)     Standard/Upright Machines. The upright cabinet, also known as a ‘standard’ machine, is what a majority of players think of when hearing the term arcade. This type of cabinet is typically made using wood with metal and is approximately six feet in height. Colorful art depicting the game is used to decorate the cabinet.

The upright cabinet is a common style used for a large array of games in North America. These are a classic of the era overall particularly during the height of the period which was from the 1970s into the 80s with a large portion of the most popular games at that time belonging to the upright version.

There were different control configurations used with upright models such as:

·        Joysticks. A joystick is a controller most commonly used, typically there are also buttons alongside the joystick that were pushed to start playing.

·        Paddles. In 1972 Pong started the use of paddles which were controllers fitted with knobs allowing for horizontal and vertical movement.

·        Trackballs. The player moves the touch-sensitive ball around in gameplay. This was new at the beginning of the 80s.

·        The steering wheel. Racing games came with steering wheels where the wheel acts as the controller for playing the game. There would oftentimes also be a gas pedal.

·        A light gun. In 1966 Sega offered a game, Periscope, which was one of the first games to use a light gun. These weren’t seen often until around the 80s into the 90s being used in all of the shooting games.

You can use old game controls to build your own arcade machine with an old computer. Read here.

2)     Table/Cocktail Machines. The cocktail cabinet, or table machine, is typically a small table covered in glass that housed the game. These machines are sit-down plays as opposed to the uprights where the players stand. The design makes it so drinks can be placed on the table, thus the term ‘cocktail’ table. These are seen most prevalently in bars and restaurants.

With this type of machine, two players typically join in with one on each side making this a more communal entertainment compared to the upright counterpart. People are encouraged to gather around watching the competition while enjoying drinks.

Being released typically at the same time as its upright companion, the cocktail version was popular in the 1970s into the 80s, but they’re not particularly common in today’s market with a scarce few classics scattered throughout a variety of pubs. 

3)     Mini/Cabaret Machines. The cabaret machine or mini machine, also known as merely ‘minis’, is simply a more compact upright cabinet. These enable the arcades to have more games with a lesser amount of space and give greater access to smaller children. Atari was responsible for the term ‘cabaret’ allowing this form to be available for most of their popular titles.

4)     Tabletop/Countertop/Bar Top Machines. The tabletop or countertop or bar top is a less common version of the machine with companies not being able to agree on the designation. They were compact consisting of a monitor with a control panel that could be placed on the top of a table or counter or bar. 

These types of machines have found their way into pubs, lounges, taverns, bars and are used for things such as gambling, trivia, puzzles. In the 1980s, Coleco sold popular home versions of arcade games known as ‘mini arcades’ that functioned almost the same as handheld units but were similar to countertop machines (only smaller). 

5)     Deluxe Machines. Deluxe machines are more large-scale, extravagant varieties than any of the previous versions. They are expansions of the notion as to what arcade games are capable of. Deluxe machines allow for the arcade race enthusiasts with offerings such as a motorcycle-shaped, motion-controlled machine coming out in 1985 requiring the player to lean to each side as a means to maneuver their on-screen persona. This was met with great popularity.

Deluxe cabinets are mostly used in games that are related to racing and flight simulation.

Being of a certain age, it is likely that you spent a good part of your youth at the local arcade. Maybe even now, you’ll come upon one and have a bit of excitement well up. The days of the full-size arcades seem to have come and gone with very few being in existence today. Go to https://www.engadget.com/2014/07/09/worlds-first-arcade-videogame/ to see the first arcade machine ever made.

The idea that once was shared back in the 1970s through to the 1990s of getting together and sharing experiences with the variety of unique games among friends and family was very appealing...for those who are nostalgia buffs. These machines did such a good job of bringing people together.  

The appeal of the arcade machine is not likely to translate to our new generation which today would be so uncommon in the age of social media and online interactions. The camaraderie that arcades encouraged has given way to an age of solitude. They don’t know what they’re missing.



  

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