Reminiscing the 80s would never be complete without mentioning
about 80s arcade games. An arcade game is a coin-operated gaming
machine that you would usually find in entertainment centers,
video arcades, and even in restaurants. Popular arcade games are
redemption games that give players rewards based on their score
in the game; computer-controlled video games; and pinball games
wherein the player manipulates one or more metal balls on a
playfield.
Flashback
Arcade games began to be so popular in the early 70s. Nolan
Bushnell and Ted Dabney made Atari that released the Pong video
game (based on ping-pong or table tennis) that became almost
everyone’s favorite. The success of the Pong video game spawned
lots of imitations and created more and more avid video players.
Eventually video game arcades abounded through the 80s. They can
be found in the malls, department stores, bars and even in
restaurants and movie houses. They’re everywhere in the United
States.
Popular 80s Arcade Games
In the 80s, arcade games became even more popular. Some of
the most influential 80s arcade games were the following:
Space Invaders – This game, one of the predecessors of modern
video games, was created by the Japanese Toshihiro Nishikado. It
was first released in 1978 in Japan. This arcade game mimics a
shooting gallery with a movable laser (resembling a cannon)
placed below the video screen. There were video aliens that were
designed to disrupt the game by passing across the screen and by
raining bombs and rays that are deadly. The goal of the player
is to avoid those deadly rays and bombs and shoot the aliens so
that they won’t reach the bottom of the screen or else, he or
she will lose in the game.
Pac-Man – This was created by Namco and was first distributed
in 1980. It game remains to be popular today though it has
already taken new forms. Compared to many 80s arcade games,
Pac-Man was not violent, was easy to play and was enjoyable,
which explains why it clicked both to young and old, girls and
boys alike.
The yellow circle with a mouth called Pac-Man makes people
remember this game so well through the years. The game is played
by maneuvering Pac-Man through the maze, letting him eat small
dots and different item prizes along the way. Ghosts named
Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde on the other hand chase Pac-Man.
Donkey Kong – Another video game that emerged so popular
among other 80s arcade games was the Donkey Kong. It was made by
Nintendo and was introduced in 1981. Basically the game is
played by maneuvering the chief character, Mario (formerly
Jumpman) across a series of platforms. As Mario goes through the
platforms, he has to get rid of obstacles that prevent him from
rescuing a damsel in distress from the hands of Donkey Kong.
The abovementioned are only some of the most popular 80s
arcade games. There were also the Battlezone, Pengo, Tron,
Tetris and many others. The craze for 80s arcade games only
began to subside in the late 80s when newer forms of
entertainment were being introduced such as advanced home video
game consoles but 80s arcade games didn’t totally die out until
the coming of fighting games like the Street Fighter ll that
required two players.
