I love playing nostalgic old arcade games and when I say old I mean games from the early 80s and into the 90s. I go for that time period as that was when I was playing arcades as a kid and a teenager. Over the years I have fallen in love with various arcade games but what is it that’s so special and nostalgic about old playing arcade games.
Nostalgic Memories of Old Arcade Games
We all have memories of playing old arcade games back in the day. Back when arcades were full of loads of games old and new to play. Now it is all grab machines and slot machines with a few modern games but not the variety we were used to growing up. I have so many fond memories of playing games like Star Wars, Operation Wolf and Space Harrier for the first time and then playing them year after year when we would return to the coast each summer (that’s where I played arcade games). It is playing these games that made the great memories.
More Classic Arcade Games:
Playing Certain Games for the First Time
As I mentioned above playing certain games for the first time was very special. Star Wars was such a memorable experience and would be one of the reasons I fell in love with video games. Who could forget playing Space Harrier for the first time especially the sit down hydraulic cab, what an experience. There are so many games that blew me away on the first play like Final Fight, Mortal Kombat and even Space Invaders.
There Was Nothing Better Than an Arcade Game
Back in the 1980’s you couldn’t beat an arcade game for the overall gaming experience. There wasn’t a home system that could get near arcade machines for graphics quality as well as sound and some other features where there was very unique controls (gun games especially). Arcade conversion to home systems were very popular but nothing could compare to the arcade experience. We only really started getting close when the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis arrived although there was the Neo Geo but who could afford one of those?
High Score Chasing
Was there anything more competitive than trying to achieve a high score in an arcade with an audience. Yes you could chase high scores at home on your home system of choice but it didn’t compare to being able to put you initials at the top of the scoreboard on your favourite game and then make all of your mates aware.
Finding Something New in the Arcade
Walking into an arcade and finding something new was always an exciting experience. Once a year the funfair would come to my town and bring with it an arcade. I will never forget the year Mortal Kombat appeared. It was a crowd puller and so many people were crowded around the arcade cab waiting to take their turn. It was a special event that had everyone talking at school and then in the evening we headed back to the funfair to get our Mortal Kombat fix before the fair moved on to the next town. It was games appearing like this and when Chase HQ appeared at my local youth club that created some great memories.
For some it was a Rare Treat
For myself the arcade was always a rare treat that I would get to enjoy each summer when my parents would take us for days out to the coast or even better on holiday where I could play arcade games everyday. The small town I lived in never had an arcade but in the early 90s we would get the odd arcade cab in our local sports centre and at our youth club but up until then it was at the coast or nothing. This made these trips very exciting with the anticipation of playing your favourite games and of course what new games I would discover. The struggle once we got to the coast was always trying to convince your parents to stay in the arcades that bit longer but that challenge was also part of the fun. My brother and I would play WWF games, the Simpsons and many others.
Looking for your Nostalgic Old Arcade Games
Each year the arcades would move their cabs around so although you knew which arcade had certain games you often each year had to go hunting to find them. This was worrying in one part as you feared your favourite game may have been moved on but as you were exploring the arcade you would come across other games to play too.
Showing Off Your Arcade Skills
If you were good at a certain game then being able to show off in front of friends or family was alway fun. Why not show off if you knew Street Fighter 2 better than your mates or if you had worked out the pattern for the end of level boss on a shoot em up. You had invested the time and money to show off so why not share your new skills.
Playing Them Now brings it All Back
If you get the chance to play those old arcade games now, it brings it all back. Where you played the games, who you played them with and all of a sudden from out of nowhere you remember how to complete certain levels and the little tricks you used back in the day. It is even better if you play them in the right environment.
Social Arcade Gaming at Expos
At certain Gaming Expos you will find the crowds gathering around the free to play arcade games and playing them in a crowd is just like back in the day. You can have a laugh with other gamers and your mates and you get to experience the social aspect of arcade gaming that you don’t feel if you play at home either via emulation or on your own arcade cab. It is so much fun enjoying an arcade game amongst like minded gaming fans.
Talking About Nostalgic Old Arcade Games
I own some arcade cabs and when you tell people like your work colleagues the memories that come flooding back to people and the fun that they had playing old arcade games in the past can be a conversation that can go on for a while and can be really enjoyable. I have had people reminisce about playing Track and Field and Asteroids back in the day and it is great to hear these fond memories people have.
You can find my Top 10 Arcade Games here.
Owning Nostalgic Old Arcade Games
If you have the space and can afford an arcade cab it is a great addition to a gaming collection or games room. After a long week at work I will usually get home on a Friday night grab a beer and fire up one of my cabs, turn the lights off and play some games before dinner. It’s a great way to unwind and to just have the light and sound from the arcade in front of you as you play is a great way to escape for a little while. You can’t beat it
Of course if you don’t have space for an arcade cab you can get the Pandora’s Box Arcade Sticks on Amazon that plug straight into your TV with loads of arcade games or you can get the Super Retro-Cade console too that you can find here.
With nostalgia playing a big part when playing these games there are some cool collectibles out there for retro collectors too such as:
- Pac Man Official Quarter Size Arcade Cabinet, latest prices here.
- Replicade Tempest X 1/6th Scale Arcade Cabinet, latest prices here.
- Replicade Centipede X 1/6th Scale Arcade Cabinet, latest prices here.
- Artcade – The Book of Classic Arcade Game Art, latest prices here.
Arcade gaming played a big part at the beginning of my love affair with video games and it still does today. You can’t beat playing a classic arcade game and if you get the chance whether its at home or at a gaming expo, have fun and enjoy it like you did back in the day.
If you haven’t seen it yet: Double Dragon II: A Classic Video Game Revisited
Thanks for stopping by.
Daz
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