Coin-ops

[Kyriakos]

I recall the era of the coin-ops, before they got replaced by Internet stations.
When i was growing up those machines still had the edge over computers, in regards to graphics, since they included just one game.

My first coin-op game probably was some version of Pac-man. Then bobble-bobble and other such classics.

However i do vividly recall the first time i saw Street Fighter 2, immediately after it arrived. It was miles away from anything else, and kids my age formed lines so as to get a chance to play it.

The coin-op i mostly played probably was Double Dragon 1. Spending an hour just using a coin was quite enjoyable, and i made a lot of temporary friends at the arcades with such an occupation.

Coin-ops probably were also what first introduced me to Fantasy. For example Rastan Saga was gazed upon by me with a mixed feeling, interest on the one hand and a looming fear of its world of heroes and monsters.

Here are a few pics from the coin-ops i was mostly good at:

Streetfighter 2

NBA Jam

Double Dragon 1

Tiger Road

You can mention your own favourites, and memories from them

 

[Rub'Rum]

Already as a kid I didn't like the concept of arcade games and vilified the idea of paying per use and microtransactions and whatnot. I guess I already had the seed of a DLC hater in me.

Still.... SUNSET RIDERS

 

[Maniacal]

I used to play some of the racing games (not that I was any good at them, except for HYDRO THUNDER!) on the ferries when I went to the mainland to visit grandparents or camping trips. They still have an arcade on the ferries though I haven't carried coins with me for a few years so I have not been able to play them :/

Plus they are kind of expensive, even several years ago they were charging up to a dollar!

 

[Kyriakos]

I was mostly playing such games when on vacation, particularly while staying at large hotels. There a considerable number of children were to be found in the game room, and it was for years the way that i was spending my afternoon, in the summers of the elementary school years, and the beginning of highschool.

 

[Tapewormlondon]

- Golden Axe
- WWF (now WWE) Royal Rumble
- After Burner
- Out run


all amazing games for their time

 

[Kyriakos]

Golden Axe was very popular here as well, it probably had the best graphics for a beat-em-up at the time, along with a fantasy theme.

Another game which had made an impression on me, mostly due to its unprecedented level of violence when it appeared, was:

 

[Dachs]

I was one of those kids who watched other people play arcade games and never actually had the money to play one himself.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I think the only game I ever played in an arcade were racing ones, like the Sega Rally games. There was one odd game I saw in an arcade called Fist of the North Star. I didn't play it, but I watched the game being played, and it involved punching pads that poped up next to the screen.

 

[MkLh]

Thunder Blade. Insane graphics in its time. Actually still looks good in MAME.

 

[Tapewormlondon]

Oh and lets not forget the inspiration for some amazing console beat em ups such as Tekken.

Virtua Fighter

 

[Kyriakos]

I remember Virtua Fighter, although i was never interested in it since it came too late for me.

The arcade was an interesting cultural phenomenon too, very different from what goes on now at the internet stations where everyone is busy with his own computer. At the arcade you had to stay close to others, so as to secure your turn, and inevitably you got to meet people sometimes

 

[Eat_Up_Martha]

I caught the tail-end of the arcade era I think. By the time I got close to high school they were long gone. I still remember a few gooders though.
Marvel: Superheroes

Blood Brothers. I only ever played it once, at a friend's birthday party. He somehow managed to rent out a small arcade in our neighbourhood and all the machines were free to play. A buddy of mine and I spent about 3 hours beating the whole game.

And, of course, Strikers 1945 II.

 

[thelastmccabe]

I remember going to the arcade a lot when I was young, but for some reason the memory that stands out for me is one time when I played this wacky game called Revolution X with this other kid and nearly beat it. I think someone had a birthday party at the arcade and every kid got like 50 tokens. Revolution X is pretty weird and the band Aerosmith is in it.