a tribute to the history and collecting of classic arcade games
Welcome to the Arcade
There are currently 37 games in my collection. Please feel free to look around and enjoy, but remember these games are not for sale so please do not email me and ask. - Thanks!
Arkanoid
Taito, 1986
Aquired: 2019 in Houston, TX from a homeowner, was a beat to death Ms. Pac-Man.
Converted to Arkanoid in 2020. The Ms. Pac cabinet was beat to hell and we already had a Ms. Pac, so we turned it into an Arkanoid. This Taito classic takes Atari's classic Breakout game into great new directions including influences from shooters and the movie Tron.
My wife is fantastic at this game, I am not.
Anti-Aircraft
Atari, 1975
Aquired: 2023 in Seattle, Wa from Homeowner
Estate Sale Early Bronze Age shooter that inspired the home Atari 2600 game title Air and Sea Battle. Still fun after 50 years thanks in part in it being a two-player only game. Each gun turret has three positions to fire upon incoming planes. There is a modification which turns the planes into UFOs.
This is a 100% original survivor and in amazing condition for its age.
Asteroids
Deluxe
Atari, 1981
Aquired: Bought via Craigslist in Tacoma, Wa from a Homeowner
Restored in 2018, this sequel to the space rock blasting Asteroids is a bit more difficult. Nice solid example of this vector classic. You have to dig that Atari woodgrain. This is obviously a cocktail cabinet variant, which loses the cool mirrored background of the upright version.
Batman Part 2
TAI, 1981
Aquired: Bought off EBay in 2019.
Hyper rare bootleg of the classic shooter Phoenix from British company Thomas Automatics. Runs (poorly) on a modified Namco Galaxian hardware. A real oddball game and maybe the last existing example. The cabinet is strangly well made and very robust. The PCB uses a moduar daughter card allowing for changing of the title to other (poorly) mimiced copies of popular games of the era. Has maybe the worst joystick ever created.
Battlezone
Atari, 1980
Aquired: 2019 from a Homeowner in Tacoma.
Game restored the same year it was aquired, it was 100% DOA when bought. Atari's wireframe tank simulator classic that was years ahead of its time. It uses a vector monitor to simuate a wire-frame 3-D enviroment in a similar vain to modern sandbox games. This game gets a lot of playtime in our arcade, but can at times be fussy to keep running. Currently running with the RedZone multi PCB.
Black Widow
Atari, 1983
Aquired: Bought from a fellow collector in Portland in late 2022.
Other than a replacement control panel overlay it appears to be all original. Hard to find Atari vector game, in a factory converted Gravitar cabinet. Black Widow is a twin stick shooter in the vain of Williams' Robotron. Atari specifically produced this game as a conversion kit for Gravitar which was not the hit they were expecting. One of those games I never "planned to own" but the price was too good to pass up.
Centipede
Atari, 1981
Aquired: 2018 from a homeowner in Houston, TX.
Has had a number or repairs since I have owned it, but never really has gone though a full restoration. This is Atari's bug blasting classic, in the smaller cabaret cabinet version. Cabinet appears to have originally been a very late in production example used for Atari promotional and sales displays. The monitor was replaced at some point in its life with a HAPP branded CRT.
Cloak & Dagger
Atari, 1984
Aquired: 2019 in Houston, TX from a homeowner.
Originally a former Stargate which had been oddly converted to Moon Patrol. Converted to Cloak and Dagger in 2020 by me with mostly original parts. Atari offered the game as a conversion kit for Williams Electronics games back in 84. Was a tie-in for the 1984 film of the same name but was intended to be released as a game called Agent X. A very underated multi-directional shooter than got lost in the 83-84 video game crash.
Crystal Castles
Atari, 1983
Aquired: Bought from a Maryland flipper in 2019.
Restoration took place the same year aquired. The game had been sitting for decades and was the home to several dead mice. Maybe the best looking arcade cabinet ever made (in my opinion anyway). Crystal Castles one of the high water marks of the golden age. Atari's attempt to make a platformer mixed with Pac-Man starring a cute bear. All items in the cabinet are "numbers matching"
Donkey Kong
Nintendo, 1981
Aquired: Saved out of a farmer's barn in 2020 in Redmond, WA.
Game had been converted to a Vs. Super Mario Bros., and a Donkey Kong 3 before that. Restored in 2021. This is a rare early "red" version of the game cabinet running on a 4 board PCB. A true classic and the cornerstone of the Nintendo video game empire.
Donkey Kong Jr.
Nintendo, 1982
Aquired: Bought from a homeowner in 2018 near Olympia, WA.
Game had been converted to a Final Fight and was in pretty rough condition. Restored the cabinet in 2018 but could not save the original CRT monitor (dead tube). The only game in the collection with an LCD monitor. It currently runs a 60 in 1 PCB but we are planning on a complete internal restore this coming year.
Elevator Action
Taito, 1983
Aquired: Bought from a "picker" in 2018.
Rescued out of a morticians basement in Montana! Taito's classic run and gun platformer. This is another game that gets a lot of playtime in the arcade. There is a multi-game mod on the orginial hardware allowing for several other Taito titles to be played as well in the same cabinet, otherwise it is completely original.
Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters
Atari Games, 1989
Aquired: From a high end collector in Florida in 2020.
Did some light restoration that same year to repair the marquee and control panel. #17 of 371 made, this is a rare and unique game. It's also one of the newer games in the arcade. It appears this particular one was used for test marketing and playing. Includes a prototype marquee.
Jungle King
Taito, 1982
Aquired: 2019 bought from a fellow collector near Everett, WA.
Was originally a Wild Western cocktail that had been poorly converted to Elevator Action. This game was a mess and went through some extensive work to get going. Jungle King is s fun platformer based on Tarzan, which later would be changed to Jungle Hunt to prevent a lawsuit. The custom artwork on the top glass was designed by me.
Liberator
Atari, 1982
Aquired: Made in 2020.
Custom made cabaret version of Atari's failed attempt to spin the DC Comics Atari Force into a video game. LIberator has one of the lowest productions of any Golden Age Atari arace game which is a shame since it's a pretty fun follow up to Missile Command. One of the coolest projects I have ever done while collecting arcade games. Check out my documentary on it! https://youtu.be/UTOywtdqVZw
Mikie
Centuri/Konami,1984
Aquired: 2019 from a homeowner in Seattle, WA.
Game was original a Red Alert then converted at some point to Mat Mania Challenge, I then completely changed the game again to Mikie. Mikie was the last game title offered for sale from the once successful Centuri. An innovative sandbox style platformer with punishing difficulty and touchy controls. This game has a six PCB switcher with a ton of great games inside including the fantastic BitKit PCB. One of my favs in the collection.
Moon Patrol
Williams/IREM, 1982
Aquired: Originally aquired in 2007 while living in Memphis, TN from a homeowner. Sold in 2009 and reacquired in 2019 while in Seattle.
This game just went through a top to bottom restoration in 2022. The maybe somewhat overlooked scrolling moonscape classic from Irem. I have owned this particular example for almost 20 years. This is the first game with a buy in continue feature.
Ms. Pac-Man
Bally-Midway,1982
Aquired: 2017 from an arcade auction in Dallas.
The classic of classics. Ms. Pac-Man in my opinion is the perfectly balanced arcade game, the perfect sequel to an already perfect original. This is an unrestored example with lots of bumps, dings, and patina. This lady earned her scars and she is going to keep them. The arcade classic I am probably the best at actually playing, my high score is just shy of half a million points.
Neo Geo MVS
SNK, 1989
Aquired: From an arcade auction in Dallas, TX in 2018 for a whopping 275 dollars.
Game has had a series of monitor woes over the years but otherwise is a original survivor. Nice 2 slot Neo Geo upright with a 1 in 161 cart installed. I have a few more carts for the game as well. The Neo gets played a lot in the arcade. If you only have room for one arcade game in your home, the Neo Geo is a solid choice.
OutRun
Sega,1986
Aquired: 2018 from the storage of a Dallas bar in the dead of winter.
Completely restored insdie and out it was well loved when it came into our collection. Classic arcade racer from Sega in a mini/cabaret style cabinet. Maybe the best music of any arcade game ever made. One of my all time favs.
Pac-Man
Midway/Namco,1980
Aquired: 2025 from another collector.
Brand new to the arcade. Time capsule condition this cabaret size Pac-Man had been converted into a Jr. Pac-Man when it came into my possesion, but I deconverted it back to a regular Pac. The cabaret has a smaller monitor than the upright but it doesn't affect those sweet retro Pac vibes.
Pong
Atari,1972
Aquired: From a collector south of Seattle in 2021, mostly in boxes.
The second commercial arcade video game in history (and maybe the most important) is still strangely fun even 50 years later. Tends to be the most popular title in the arcade during parties. The control panel has a faded signature from Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell.
Q*Bert
Gottlieb,1983
Aquired: Saved out of a Maryland warehouse in 2022.
Did a bit of repair/restoration on this classic, it hd gotten wet at some point while sitting requiring a new side panel be constructed. Hyper rare cocktail version of the game, only around 250 of these were made. This example has very few "clicks" on the play meter and could have been bought for personal use only. Q*Bert is a true original and one of the best games of the era.
Qix
Taito,1982
Aquired: Bought in 2024 from a fellow collector in Florida.
Really cool and hard to find mini Qix from Taito. Although all the original hardware is present, it is running on a JROK multi board for reliability. Supposedly the game was inspired when two game designers saw a champagne bottle floating in a hot tub.
Rally-X
Midway/Namco,1980
Aquired: Bought from homeowner in 2019 here in Seattle, WA.
I ended up having to rewire the game and build a new power supply, but otherwise it is mostly all original. A fun car in a maze game which can get pretty challenging. The first game with background music and a bonus level. Somewhat hard to find due to the popularity of that "other maze" game Midway/Namco released in 1980 also.
Simpsons,The
Konami,1990
Aquired: In 2018 from a Dallas, TX arcade auction.
Full restoration completed in 2020 which required cutting the game in half due to extensive water damage. This game saw the most extensive rebuilding of any arcade game I have ever owned. This four player classic from the early 90's still holds up if you have three other friends to battle it out. My hope is to add additional PCB's of other Konami titles eventually with a switcher.
Smash TV
Williams,1990
Aquired: 2017 from an auction in Dallas, TX.
Game is 95% original with no restoration other than fixing some minor broken things (Sound PCB, joystick woes). Sort of a cross between Robotron and the movie The Running Man. 25 inch version of the cabinet, and in remarkably amazing original condition. Technically the newest game in our arcade.
Space Harrier
Sega,1985
Aquired: 1995 from a vending auction in North Carolina.
Sega started the 16-bit arcade revolution here with Space Harrier. Remarkable visuals and audio in a game that is part Yes album cover, part The Neverending Story with guns. Restored in 2021. Impossible to find sit down version of this Sega classic. Former game from the Playland arcade in Ocean City, MD where I played this exact same cabinet as a kid. This stationary sitdown version is very hard to find today. I paid $125 dollars for it in 1995. It went through a much needed restoration in 2023.
Stargate
Williams,1982
Aquired: Saved from a porch in East Texas in 2017.
Cabinet is still pretty rough but is solid. Has the Multi-Williams JROK PCB installed which allows it to play many Williams classics. At one time we had a Defender and a Stargate which seemed like overkill so we sold the Defender. I tend to play Robotron and Blaster via the JROK more than Stargate.
Star Wars
Atari,1983
Aquired: From a fellow collector in Las Vegas in 2021.
I have rebuilt most of the electronics in the game but it is pretty much an original survivor. I did install an ALAN-1 vector monitor kit to keep the troublesome vector monitor somewhat more reliable. Innovative 3-D "on the rails" shooter based on a small independent film from the 70's. One of the very last vector games ever made. When I was 10 I thought this was pretty much the coolest thing I had ever seen, I still feel the same today.
Stunt Cycle
Atari,1976
Aquired: Bought from another collector in Portland in 2022.
Game is mostly original and in very good condition for its age. Fun Bronze Age classic unofficially based on Evil Knievel in which you jump over buses. A simple game for sure, but this was cutting edge stuff 50 years ago. I am pretty sure this was the first arcade game I ever played as a child.
Super Pac-Man
Midway/Namco,1982
Aquired: Bought from a blueberry farm in central Washington State in October of 2021.
Super Pac-Man is the 3rd USA released Pac game, but this is actually the official sequel developed by Namco to the original Pac-Man. I've always loved Super Pac but it was nowhere near as popular as the original or Ms. Pac-Man so it tends to get overlooked today as well. Game currently is running Super Pac's official follow up Pac and Pal, which was never released here in the USA.
Tempest
Atari,1981
Aquired: Bought from a collector in 2018 in Woodlands, TX.
Game was a former Chuck E. Cheese game the previous owner bought in 1983, making me the third owner. Was ment to be a 3-D like Space Invaders knock off but developed into a masterpiece of avant garde gaming. The first color vector game, and maybe the most well known one. Tempest can be hard to keep running but is worth the effort. Has the Alan-1 WG6100 kit installed to help keep the monitor going.
Trak 10
Atari,1974
Aquired: Bought from another collector from the Mid-West in 2023
Wasn't able to finshwith the restoration until 2025 due to buying a new house. Cabinet saw a lot of water at some point in its life and required us to rebuild the entire bottom half of the game. The very first video game racing title, but in a cost reduction style cabinet which could be considered a cabaret. I have several PCBs for this game including LeMans which will operate in the same cabinet.
Tron
Midway,1982
Aquired in 2024 from a fellow collector.
Although this is a custom bartop style cabinet, it runs on all original hardware (other than the LCD monitor). At some point I have plans on building a cabaret cabinet and installing the guts of this into that. It recently spent time at the library I work in as part of a history of gaming display. It does drive me crazy that the aspect ratio of the marquee and bezel are not correct.
Turbo
Sega,1981
Aquired: Bought from an on-line auction in 2023.
Sega's classic overhead racer which was one of the first games to use pixel zooming for the illusion of speed. Fully restored in 2024, another game which needed a lot of hardware and cabinet work due to water damage. Sega’s classic racing title from 1981. A fun game which can be challenging to keep running due to overly complex PCBs. The fake speedometer and tach have been modded with LEDs.
VS. Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo,1985
Aquired: Bought in 2019 from a homeowner.
Game was in pretty rough shape when we got it but restored very well. Was originally a Donkey Kong from the factory, but at some point had been converted to a Vs. Golf when we aquired it. Has a switcher installed which switches between 3 unisystem PCB's and several games. Right now Vs. Castlevania, Vs. Excitebike, and Vs. Super Mario Bros. are installed in the game. Fun fact, the Vs. version of the game is much more difficult than the home version.
