Technology. Arcades catering to video games began to gain momentum in the late 1970s, with Space Invaders (1978) followed by games such as Asteroids (1979) and Galaxian (1979). Arcades became more widespread in 1980 with Pac-Man, Missile Command and Berzerk, and in 1981 with Defender, Donkey Kong, Frogger and others.
When were arcade most popular?
The late 1970s to mid-1980s is said to be the golden age of arcade games, when this type of entertainment was a superpower in popular culture. Space Invaders (1978), vector-based Asteroids (1979), and Pac-Man (1980) were highlights of this period.
When did arcades stop being popular?
Beginning with Space Invaders, video arcade games also started to appear in supermarkets, restaurants, liquor stores, gas stations and many other retail establishments looking for extra income. This boom came to an end in the mid-1980s, in what has been referred to as the great coin-op video crash of 1983.
When did they stop making arcade games?
In Japan, EM games remained more popular than video games up until the late 1970s. In the United States, after the market became flooded with Pong clones, the Pong market crashed around the mid-1970s, which led to traditional Chicago coin-op manufacturers mainly sticking to EM games up until the late 1970s.
Are arcade games still popular?
When arcade game manufacturers produced cabinets in the 80s, they made them to be placed in all sorts of arcades, malls and other areas of young-skewing entertainment. Fast forward to 2015, and while arcades arent as prevalent — or as popular — as they once were, theyre still hanging around.
What is the most successful arcade game of all time?
Pac-Man In 1982, Space Invaders was considered the highest-grossing entertainment product of its time, with comparisons made to the then highest-grossing film Star Wars, which had grossed $486 million, while Pac-Man is today considered the highest-grossing arcade game of all time.
Do 80s arcades still exist?
The 80s gaming vibe is back with hip arcade bars, classic gaming consoles like the Nintendo NES Classic Edition and the popular 80s-based Netflix show Stranger Things, but running a full-blown arcade as a business is still a bit of a gamble. Family members play The Simpsons at the Neon Retro Arcade in Pasadena.