As a collector of old video games, some of which are already more than antiques by car standards (though part of me just automatically rejects the very notion of the phrase “antique video games” because it’s all happened in my lifetime), I pretty frequently wonder what happened to bring someone else’s holy grail into my collection. What on Earth made them get rid of this stuff? Tough times? Lack of interest? What about all those arcade marquees? Who played those machines? Where was the machine located, and does that place still exist in anything remotely resembling the same form? Was the cabinet converted into something else, or junked altogether?
But with some of these items, I know exactly where the game in question has been…because it’s still with its first owner.
Here’s me with my minty fresh Zaxxon mini-arcade; if I’m not wildly mistaken, this was released in 1983, so assuming it was released in time for my birthday that year, that would make this picture my 11th birthday. And it looks like an end-level battle is about to ensue between me and my older brother over who gets to play first. Just remember: third altitude notch up, and fire like crazy.
And here’s the same machine today, now sitting under glass in a display case with a complete collection of the other Coleco mini-arcade games. It’s survived being boxed up and moved no fewer than six times since I’ve owned it. Oh, and it’s survived I don’t know how many Oklahoma Video Gaming Exhibitions with everyone getting their paws all over it. 😆
+ There are no comments
Add yours