Pac-Man almost had a very different legacy. “Puck Man” was changed before going global… because arcade operators knew exactly what bored teenagers would do to that P. 🟡🕹️
#RetroGaming #ArcadeHistory #GameTrivia #PacMan
An illustration of Sega's corporate headquarters in Haneda, Ota Ward, Tokyo (pg. 2).
Sega's "amusement line" for manufacturing coin-op games in one of their factories (pg. 3).
Sega's showroom (circa late 60s) featuring various electromechanical games, pinball tables, and jukeboxes (pg. 4)
Singer Mieko Hirota standing in front of "Grand Prix", an electromechanical driving game (pg. 13)
1971 - It's been 6 years since Nihon Goraku Bussan and Rosen Enterprises merged. And this then-new amusement company called "Sega Enterprises" would later become one of the largest arcade companies in the world.
From the May 1, 1971 Sega Price List scanned by @thestacks.ca
#sega #arcadehistory
Dive into arcade history with Insert Coin Here: Bagman-a deep look at this ’80s classic where risk, tension & strategy defined the gameplay.Perfect for retro gamers and nostalgia hunters!
wp.me/p1v9mH-e1D
#RetroGaming #ArcadeHistory #ClassicGames #GamingCulture #GenXGeek #InsertCoinHere #VideoGames
A pinball plunger link with a pictue of Sonic on it.
A fun fact: Sega pinball machines used to have Sonic in their flipper plunger links. I don't know any other brand that that branded that specific part. #pinball #sega #segapinball #arcadehistory
Insert (first) coin here #Ping mchenryslair.com/2025/12/13/i...
A deep dive into the first commercially successful video game with Pong, how it shaped gaming, and why this game changed everything. #RetroGaming #ArcadeHistory #ClassicGames #GenX #InsertCoin #ThrowbackGaming #80sKid #OldSchoolGames
The Williams Pinball 2000 platform was an interesting beast in many ways, but since we're on the topic of pinball displays, then here's the mother lode.
Instead of a matrix gas discharge displays of the previous generation, this one had a 19" CRT screen (a […]
[Original post on mstdn.games]
We revisit a hidden shoot ’em up gem — Xexex (1991, Konami). If you love slick visuals and a ruthless arcade challenge, this one’s for you. #RetroGaming #ArcadeHistory
retroarcadememories.wordpress.com/arcade-games...
While the gas discharge displays were very common in pinball, there were many other peculiar examples of displays.
Many 80s kids will definitely remember the cyan (and often partly red) VFD, or vacuum fluorescent displays. Gottlieb was big on them since their […]
[Original post on mstdn.games]
🕹️ Insert Coin Here
Atari’s Return of the Jedi (1984) wasn’t just another arcade game-it was a cinematic experience years ahead of its time Endor chase. Pure Gen X nostalgia
mchenryslair.com/2025/11/06/i...
#StarWarsArcade #RetroGaming #Atari1984 #ArcadeHistory #ReturnOfTheJediGame #nerd #geek #genx
Up to late 80s various coin operated devices had separate mechanical rejector for each type of coin accepted. This was often not optimal, the customer wanted the conveniency of paying with what they had and in some places, like border towns the neighbouring […]
[Original post on mstdn.games]
Until the 90s, between you inserting a coin and starting a game stood a mysterious mechanical device. Like magic, it would take in a coin, shuffle it around and decipher if you were trying to pass a washer as a coin or if it was the real deal!
Mechanical coin […]
[Original post on mstdn.games]
My first ever written piece...I had a blast putting this together, and I wanted to contextualize as much of the company's early history as possible. Shout out to @playhistory.bsky.social for allowing me to write this, and for guiding me through the editing process!!! #namco #arcadehistory
"Hardball Retro's Compendium of Baseball Video Games and Electronic Handhelds"
Game of the Day:
All-Star Baseball 2001
www.amazon.com/Hardball-Com...
photo credit - #ArcadeHistory
#retrogaming #Acclaim #KnowWonder #N64 #GameboyColor #HighVoltage #AllStar #MLB
#baseball #retro #book
ICYMI: Game Over: How Arcades Faded into 1980s Obscurity #ArcadeHistory #1980sNostalgia #GamingCulture #RetroGames #VideoGameHistory
Concept art of the deluxe cabinet featuring the name "Winding Road", designed by Naotaka Yoshimatsu (吉松尚孝).
Concept art of the Full Scale cabinet featuring the name "SimDrive", also by Yoshimatsu.
Concept art featuring some unused scenes and an early course layout.
Early logo designs, also by Yoshimatsu.
During the developer Q&A stream for Ridge Racer's Arcade Archives release, a treasure trove of development materials and historical documents were shown off! It's truly wonderful to see all of these items well preserved after all these years. (1) #arcadehistory #coinophistory #namco
Laserdisc specifications worth noting from the official R360 flyer: Screen: VIDEO input (Laser Disk connection possible), equipped with VIDEO SELECTOR. Sound: Audio input x 2 (Laser Disk connection possible). Image from: Sega Retro
The official flyer for Taito's D3bos: a 360° motion simulator where players ride within an enclosed sphere. This machine played video content. Riders could experience the heights of acrobatic skiing, tilting within a roller coaster, traveling in a dune buggy, and flying through space. Image from: The Arcade Flyer Archive
Within the flyer for the SEGA R360, there are specs which suggest that the machine is compatible with a Laserdisc player. I wonder if SEGA planned on releasing pure motion simulator content similarly to the offerings of Taito's D3bos? #arcadehistory #coinophistory #sega #taito
🎙️ New episode!
We spotlight the lesser-known pioneers of Japan’s coin-op scene — the entrepreneurs behind Tecmo, IREM, Sammy & more. Discover how they got their start and shaped early arcade history.
🎧 podcast.theycreateworlds.com/e/coin-op-le...
#videogamehistory #arcadehistory #bizhistory #Japan
I'm happy to report that I've partially solved the mystery behind the two clips that features Hi-Tech Land Sega Shibuya! I've managed to locate the source of one clip, while the second one was originally shared on Twitter. The latter's source is still unknown. (1) #arcadehistory #sega #segahistory
👾 Step back in time with us! 🎰
From old-school penny slot machines to today’s buzzing gaming centres, we’re diving into the History of UK Arcades. Nostalgia guaranteed!
👉 Read more: buff.ly/8d7Jq3K
#Arcades #RetroGaming #UKArcades #PennySlots #CasinosEtc #ArcadeHistory
The mini upright cabinet for Namco's Pole Position II from 1983. It has a relatively small form factor with a blue paint job. Image from: テーブル筐体な日々
The mini upright cabinet for Konami's Salamander from 1986. This cabinet has a black paint job. It's also a unique sample unit that was manufactured by the medal game company Sigma. The version that Konami released themselves has different marquee and bezel art. Image from: Museum of the Game & International Arcade Museum Forums
The mini upright version of Taito's Operation Wolf from 1987. This small cabinet with it's baby blue base was designed for kids. It was released as part of the "Chibikko Series" (ちびっこシリーズ) of arcade machines that Taito produced at the time. Image from: Aucfree
Following up on my SEGA taikan post from last week: Other arcade companies like Namco, Konami and Taito occasionally produced smaller upright versions of their contemporary games. #arcadehistory #coinophistory
The standard version of Outrun (1986) which uses the same motor as the deluxe type for movement but features a smaller monitor and is missing the speaker behind the seat. Image from: Sega Retro
The commander cabinet of After Burner II (1987) which retains the swinging sensation seen in the double cradle version, but doesn't have the pitch and roll sensation of moving up and down. Image from: Sega Forever (Twitter/X)
The middle deluxe cabinet of Galaxy Force II (1988) which doesn't tilt and turn nearly as wide as the super deluxe cabinet. Image from: Sega Retro
I would love to try out these scaled-down versions of Sega's taikan games one day. These cabinets typically used smaller monitors, less power and had limited movement in comparison to the larger deluxe cabinets. #arcadehistory #coinophistory #sega
"Hardball Retro's Compendium of Baseball Video Games and Electronic Handhelds"
Game of the Day:
Deluxe Baseball
www.amazon.com/Hardball-Com...
photo credit - #ArcadeHistory
#retrogaming #Seeburg #Ramtek #arcadegaming #arcade
#baseball #retro #book
The original Piccadilly Circus (ピカデリーサーカス) model from 1976. It is a blue upright roulette machine with buttons for players to place bets. After placing a bet, a light emits from the roulette wheel and lands on a random number. As a note: Konami's machines at this time were distributed by Leijac (レジャック). Image from: Aucfree
A closer look at the Piccadilly Circus machine. Image From: 10円玉を入れてバチンッ！ と弾いたりする，古きゲームたちとまた遊ぼ。東京・板橋の「駄菓子屋ゲーム博物館」に行ってきた by 4gamer
An image of the "Mark II" model from 1976 with a new design for the roulette wheel. Image From: A foreigners' guide to eremeka arcades
An image of the "New Piccadilly Circus" (ニューピカデリーサーカス) model. This is also known as the "Dogfight" (ドッグファイト) model because of the illustration of an arial dogfight in the center of the roulette wheel. Image from: 1978 遊戯機械総合年鑑 (1978 Amusement Machine Comprehensive Yearbook) pg. 86
Before making video games, Konami produced a popular series of medal games in the late 70s under the name "Piccadilly Circus." These were roulette machines where players inserted coins, placed bets, and hoped they got a good return. #arcadehistory #coinophistory #konami
Able Corporation with some novelty electromechanical games on display / Here featured 10 yen game Melody Shot 駄菓子屋10円ゲーム『メロディーショット』
I would definitely want one of these if they ever appeared on auction, what a cute drawing of a Hang On bike for the "Sega Game Card" given out at the show
The poster above machines says "Oh Great! First video game in the world" is referring to Athena which you can vaguely see posters and instruction cards for
The Namco booth showing off 妖怪道中記 Youkai Douchuuki
Scenes from 1987 AOU Show #arcadehistory #arcades #sega
Many arcade cabinets found lined neatly up
Golden Axe The Duel can be seen in the arcade under Ginza Keiba (horse racing) virtual arena "Rongo Rongo" which was called the most bubbly bubble era extravagant adult game entertainment center in Tokyo, also having Battletech see blog.goo.ne.jp/nazox2016/e/... #gamehistory #arcadehistory #sega
Science is everywhere, shaping everything from technology to the arts—just like the games we grew up playing. Can't wait to see where this work takes us next! 🎮 #ArcadeHistory #GameStudies #standupforscience2025 #scienceforall
"Hardball Retro's Compendium of Baseball Video Games and Electronic Handhelds"
Game of the Day:
Baseball / Batter Up
www.amazon.com/Hardball-Com...
photo credit - #ArcadeHistory
#retrogaming #arcadegaming #Seeburg #Ramtek
#baseball #retro #book
From: NOURS Magazine Vol. 2 (Winter 1993) pg. 6 Game titles starting from left to right: Winning Run (89), Winning Run Suzuka GP (89), Winning Run '91 (91), Eunos Roadster Driving Simulator (90), Driver's Eyes (91), SimRoad (92), Galaxian 3 Flower Expo (90), Galaxian 3 Wonder Eggs (92), Galaxian 3 Project Dragoon Theater 6 (93), Starblade (91), Solvalou (91), Air Combat (93) and Cyber Sled (93)
Within five years, Namco released 16 titles that used the System 21 hardware (not all pictured here). While most of those games were either updates or derivatives, its wildly impressive what they were able to accomplish with brand new 3D hardware. #arcadehistory #namco
More is better and it's even more true for pinball! Pinball machines actually started their scoring from hundreds of thousands, by lighting up parts of the backglass where the numbers were. This was followed by the now iconic electro-mechanical score reels, where at the beginning 3-4 reels were […]
A photo of a young Satoshi Tajiri (left) and another boy standing in between a "Xevious" poster with yen coins in their hands. From Issue #4 (April 1983), pg. 10
And I cannot forget to mention that within these issues, we find a young Satoshi Tajiri around the time of his "Game Freak" magazine...13 years before the release of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. (3) #arcadehistory #coinophistory
![Ari [APz] Sovijärvi](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/avatar/plain/did:plc:ecfcao6zdsef2v2lbgcooeih/bafkreiacnpvgj6rudjorua3txbqm5p3h2o2ftcyrkytd6qfcjz2y52csv4)
