80s Video Games part II
May 16th 2008 05:41
In the late 80s, video arcades were the coolest place to hang out.
The 'Golden Era' of video gaming was long gone.
Once the geeks had been driven out and the Pong and Space Invader cabinets had been smashed to pieces, the big boys moved in.
I'm not talking 'cocktail tables' either, I mean the uprights! Or even the 'cockpit cabinets' like Afterburner, Out Run, Powerdrift, Space Harrier or Hang On.
Highscores didn't matter so much now, you just wanted to get to the end!
I remember the arcade joint where I lived.
It was called the Austral. It was half a cafe and half an arcade joint.
You could be cool and sit in the sunken window and smoke cigarettes and see your buddies walk by. Or you could just lay a few dollars into Double Dragon, and later on Street Fighter II. Everyone used to meet up there, night or day.
It was saved in the short-term during the 90's by Street Fighter II, Mortal Combat and NBA Jam. But that started to fade as all the home consoles picked up on these games.
Daytona USA gave arcade a new lease of life, but its hard to say if it will ever rise again. Unfortunately, I doubt it very much...
Next time we’ll look at P.C.and the Video Games Crash of ’83...
"All your base are belong to us"
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Comment by Danial Day Day
I used to hang at the video arcade with my older bro, it was called Blackjacks! Anyone in Melbourne remember it?
I think it became Timezone, then I dunno, prob gone now.
The ninja turtle game was awesome, four players!
Raiden was crazy too!
Comment by Undercover Brother
I remember Powerdrift - and one them looked like Mr T! It was like famous for that.
Comment by Danny do it
There were hundreds of Double Dragon clones as well - they were the king of games before SFII changed things forever.
Comment by Two Guys Sports
Reviews R Us
Gene
Comment by ejstarr
Most of the time you had to jostle for game machine pole-position with all the Greek cabbies that hung out there.
Comment by Johnny Rico
Comment by Dojakt
really takes me back
damn i feel old right now