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Vintage Arcade Game List

Arcade video games have come a long way from their origins. Even though today̵7;s arcade games involve motion simulation and state-of-the-art graphics, many people still prefer playing the older games for the sake of nostalgia. There were many games that hit arcades across the nation during the late 1970s and early 1980s, but only a few achieved the status of classic.

Space Invaders
- Space Invaders was the first video arcade game to put a hurting on the traditional pinball games. The graphics are absolutely primitive by today̵7;s standards, but the game set a template that even some of the most sophisticated of today̵7;s games follow to a point. The player becomes the protector of the world against an invading army of aliens. A joystick is used to scroll back and forth while a button is pressed to shoot a laser bullet. All the while the player must avoid getting hit by the aliens̵7; lasers. The player begins with protective bunkers that gradually disappear as they are hit by the aliens̵7; lasers.
Asteroids
- Asteroids was the second big hit of the first generation of arcade video games. As with Space Invaders the graphics are primitive, but the concept has never left the business. The player controls a small triangular shape that represents a spaceship while crudely outlined asteroids float across the screen. The player is in charge of avoiding getting hit by the asteroids while breaking them down with a laser. At irregular intervals, a small flying saucer flies across the screen and tries to shoot your triangle.
Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong is perhaps the most successful arcade video game to be transferred to the world of home video consoles. The graphics of Donkey Kong actually represent a major move forward from Space Invaders and Asteroids. Donkey Kong inspired a documentary titled "The King of Kong" about two men battling each other to set the all-time high score. The point of the game was to climb a series of ladders while avoiding barrels tossed by a giant monkey in order to rescue the main character̵7;s girlfriend. That hero was named Mario, and he would go on to become the most well-known character in home video game history.
Pac-Man
- Pac-Man became the iconic arcade game of the entire 1980s. The graphics were an improvement over Asteroids and Space Invaders, but the real pull of the game was its addictive quality. Over time players learned that a pattern existed that merely required players to memorize where the little ghosts would be. This led to extremely high scores and the desire to go back and top that high score.

Classic Console Games