When you were younger, did you ever go to the arcade? Video game arcades were a popular place to spend the evening because of the excitement they provided despite the noise, light, and distractions. In order to play the newest games, kids would feed quarters into the machines. How do arcade games even function, though, and what are they? In today's entry to our blog, we will investigate the origins of arcade games and investigate the programming behind their gameplay. We also offer a quick rundown of some of the best arcade games ever made. All right, let's get this timing right!
Short History of Arcade Games!
Video games known as arcade games are played in public locations like restaurants, pubs, and theme parks on specialized gaming machines. They remain very popular now and were very well-liked in the 1970s and 1980s.
By Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney in 1971, the first video game arcade was born. The shooting game "Computer Space," with a space theme, was inspired by the well-known science fiction film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Although "Computer Space" did not do well financially, it helped "Pong," an arcade game created by Atari in 1972, become the first to be a commercial success. A straightforward tennis-style game called "Pong" might be played by two people. It became an immediate hit and inspired several other games, such as "Asteroids," "Pac-Man," and "Donkey Kong."
As home video game consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System gained popularity in the late 1980s, the popularity of arcade games started to diminish. However, arcade games have recently gained popularity once again, and many contemporary arcades now offer a variety of old and new games.
How were Arcade Games Programmed:
The process begins with a game idea, which is then developed into a concept by a game designer. The following step is to construct a game prototype, which is a simplified version of the game that can be used to test the gameplay. When the prototype is finished, the programming team starts working on the game's code. This can be a time-consuming procedure because a single game can have millions of lines of code. The game's graphics, sound, and animation are also created by the programming team.
The game is tested after it has been programmed to guarantee that it is bug-free and plays well. Once the game has been approved, it can be manufactured and put in arcade cabinets.
"Pac-Man," "Donkey Kong," "Galaga," "Street Fighter II," and "Golden Axe" are among the most popular arcade games of all time. These games were not only entertaining to play, but they also pushed the boundaries of game technology at the time.
Some Classic Arcade Games:
In this section, we delve deeper into some of the most well-known classic arcade games available.
Pac-Man:
Namco introduced "Pac-Man," which would go on to become one of the most famous arcade games of all time, in 1980. The objective of the game is to navigate the protagonist through a labyrinth while keeping ghosts at bay, all while feeding him pellets. The original "Pac-Man" video game was such a smash hit that it inspired a slew of follow-up sequels.
Donkey Kong:
The arcade game "Donkey Kong" was first made available by Nintendo in the year 1981. Jumpman, who would eventually be known as Mario, is the main protagonist of this video game. His mission is to save a damsel in distress who is being held captive by the game's namesake ape. The graphics and animation that were utilized in "Donkey Kong" were revolutionary for their day and helped make the game famous.
Galaga:
"Galaga" is a shooting game developed by Namco and first released in 1981. The game features a space setting. The player pilots a ship that is located at the bottom of the screen, and their objective is to destroy hostile ships that are flying in formation at the top of the screen. The video game "Galaga" enjoyed tremendous success, and as a result, several sequels were developed.
Street Fighter II:
Capcom introduced "Street Fighter II" to the public in the year 1991. The game features head-to-head battles between different characters, and players take control of either one of those characters. The video game "Street Fighter II" had a significant impact and was a major factor in the genre's rise to prominence.
Golden Axe:
Sega launched the side-scrolling action game "Golden Axe" in 1989. There are three main characters in the game: a dwarf, an Amazonian warrior, and a barbarian. To save the abducted king and queen, the player must battle through hordes of foes. The colourful visuals and arcade-style gameplay of "Golden Axe" made it a hit.
Contact Arcade Australia!
Arcade Australia is the ideal location to play all of your favourite old arcade games. We offer a vast selection of games to pick from, and our helpful staff is always there to assist. We're the ideal location to play all of your favourite old arcade games. Get in touch with us today to learn more! Thank you for your time!