The golden age of arcade video games

The golden age of arcade games is an era in which the popularity and innovations of arcade video games were at their peak. This period started 1978 with the release of Space Invaders until the mid-1990s with the development of personal gaming equipment becoming more powerful than typical arcade games.

Abstract

By the early 1980s, video game technology had become sophisticated enough to offer good quality graphics and sound, but still remained basically simple. Realistic images and full-screen animations were not yet possible, and only few games used synthesized voices. The success of a game based mainly on gameplay and the fun it provides . This interest in gameplay is the reason why many of these games continue to be enjoyed today despite being outdated by today's standards.

Economic sector

The Golden Age was a moment of great technical and conceptual creativity for arcade video games. The games were developed around a wide variety of genres while designers had to grapple with the strict limits of CPU power and available memory. This period also saw the emergence of arcades, places dedicated exclusively to arcade gaming. At this time, arcade bells are beginning to appear in supermarkets, gas stations, pizza parlors and many other retail businesses eager to generate additional revenue. Popular games then caused especially teenagers to scramble to try out the latest video game attraction.

Companies

The most successful companies in this field are probably Atari, particularly in the United States and Namco, particularly in Japan. Other publishers include Bally Midway, Capcom, Cinematronics, Konami, Nintendo, Sega, SNK, Taito and Williams.

Successful games of this golden era

The games below are some of the most popular and influential games of the period. All are in the Top 100 video arcade games according to KLOV.

• Space Invaders (1978)
• Asteroids (1979)
• Galaxian (1979)
• Lunar Lander (1979)
• Battlezone (1980)
• Berzerk (1980)
• Centipede (1980)
• Defender (1980)
• Missile Command (1980)
• Pac-Man (1980)
• Star Castle (1980)
• Warlords (1980)
• Wizard of Wor (1980)
• Donkey Kong (1981)
• Frogger (1981)
• Galaga (1981)
• Ms. Pac Man (1981)
• Qix (1981)
• Tempest (1981)
• Amidar (1982)
• Vanguard (1981)
• Burgertime (1982)
• Dig Dug (1982)
• Joust (1982)
• Moon Patrol (1982)
• Pole Position (1982)
• Q*bert (1982)
• Robotron 2084 (1982)
• Time Pilot (1982)
• Tron (1982)
• Xevious (1982)
• Zaxxon (1982)
• Dragon's Lair (1983)
• Elevator Action (1983)
• Spy Hunter (1983)
• Star Wars (1983)
• Tapper (1983)