Classic arcade games conjure up images of Joust, pinball, and Pac-Man, but pay-to-play games predate the video game cabinet, and some tested more than your hand-eye coordination. From machines that tested your lung capacity to claw machines with live lobsters, here are a few largely forgotten arcade games.
The first commercial video game, Computer Space, by Nutting Associates, released in November 1971
This game had a 15″ black and white TV by General Electric and three circuit boards mounted in a rack. Created by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, the founders of Atari, in 1972.
(via JohnsJukes and The Arcade Flyer Archive 1 – 2)
Caille’s Hygienic Exerciser, a lung tester from the early 1900s
(via Liveauctioneers – 1 – 2 – 3)
Are You A Superman?, a strength tester by Western Products, 1941
(via pinrepair)
Auto Race
(via Jalopnik)
https://jalopnik.com/digital-drive-vintage-racing-arcade-games-5568224
SEGA Grand Prix, 1969
(via System16 and SEGA Retro)
Apollo Moon Shoot Rifle by Chicago Coin Machine Co., 1969
(via The Arcade Flyer Archive and Scott Amus)
Magistral, 1989
You can play this game here.
(via jk5000)
Sea Battle, 1970
Play the game here.
(via Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines)
Carousel Race from the 1970s, using Nixie tubes to show the bets
(via pinrepair)
Stunt Pilot by Midway, 1971
(via eBay and CoinOpSpace)
Moto Champ, 1973
(via pinrepair)
Autorally M, 1975
Maneater, by Project Support Engineering, 1975
(via The Arcade Flyer Archive and IndyJeff)
Initial D Arcade Stage 4 Limited
This awesome arcade game features a shaking and moving life-sized car and a 90-inch screen.
(via response)
Bonus: The Sub Marine Catcher
Catch a lobster, go home and cook it!
(via mygaming)
