My First Experience With An Arcade Game

1iblind

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I was just thinking about the first time I remember playing an Arcade game. Surprisingly it wasn't in an arcade. I spent a lot of time at the eye doctor when I was younger because I was born blind in my right eye and I was severely cross eyed. At about the age of 5 I changed eye doctors. The first time my Dad drove me to my new eye doctor, I walked into the waiting room and saw a table looking thing with a joystick and buttons on either end. Once we had checked in I went over to the table like object and asked my dad "What's that?" "Space Invaders", my dad replied. This Space Invaders cocktail was one of the coolest thing I had seen. My dad immediately said "Let's play!" I had obviously never played the game before but I remember being really good at it and able to beat my dad with ease. I was always excited to go to the eye doctor because I knew my Dad and I would get to sit on either side of the game and play against each other. Those were good times. I've been looking for a cocktail Space Invaders for awhile because I have so many fond memories of playing it. Unfortunately my dad passed away in a plane crash when I was 6. I often think of him and the fun times we had on that game. It's interesting how much of an emotional tie you can have with something, because of what it remind you of. We seem to chase our fondest memorize and desire to relive our best times or at least get a taste of them. My search for the right Space Invaders cocktail was really what got me started in this hobby. I'll find one some day.
 
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I have great memories playing Space Invaders with my dad as well, although on the 2600 rather than at the arcade. I hope you find that cocktail soon!
 
Nice story, I am sure you will find one. If you find an image of the one your looking for maybe you should post it.
There a tatio version and the midway version.
 
That's such a sweet story. I'm sorry to hear about your dad.

My 1st experience was a mint Ms. Pac-Man cocktail at some Japanese food restaurant when I was 5 or so. I had NO clue how to play, so my mom explained that I had to eat all the dots but all I knew was that I could move around and make noise! :p
 
Sorry to hear about your dad man. Sounds like you two were very close while you were still young, which is awesome. My dad died when I was 27, though he actually left my mom, brother and I when I was 4 and really didn't come around again til I turned 18. I am now very close with my 3 year old son because I grew up without a dad. My son is probably my biggest arcade supporter and my best bud. I really hope he has fond memories of him, I and this hobby as he gets older.
 
My dad died a couple of years back and he used to play with us alot when we were younger. I remember us playing 2 player on Dragon's Lair a few times and if I wasn't slightly afraid of laserdisk issues I might be out to get one.
 
I am so lucky to have a great Dad who is still alive (70). Your story really makes me all teary-eyed. I am sorry to hear about you losing you Dad at such a young age. Very tragic. :(
 
Nice story, I am sure you will find one. If you find an image of the one your looking for maybe you should post it.
There a tatio version and the midway version.

Thanks. This is the same version as the one we used to play.

ballyspaceinvaders2cocktailcabinet1.jpg
 
Sorry to hear about your dad man. Sounds like you two were very close while you were still young, which is awesome. My dad died when I was 27, though he actually left my mom, brother and I when I was 4 and really didn't come around again til I turned 18. I am now very close with my 3 year old son because I grew up without a dad. My son is probably my biggest arcade supporter and my best bud. I really hope he has fond memories of him, I and this hobby as he gets older.

I'm sorry your dad left like that. It's great that you're so close to your son though. When my wife and I have our first kid I hope we can have a really close relationship. My mom actually walked out on my dad right after I was born. After my dad passed away I was raised by my grandma (his mom). She is an amazing parent but not doing so well health wise right now. She enjoys hearing about the new arcade games I get even though she has never really played an arcade game. She just loves all the different cabinet designs and artwork. :)
 
This thread hits home. One of my best arcade related memories was playing Adams family pinball at myrtle beach with my dad. The pin was relatively new in awesome shape and we dominated it all night with just a handful of quarters. We just rotated out every other ball and had a blast. Up until that night pins weren't that fun for me. I just wish it wasn't such a expensive pin but perhaps 1 day ill get one so I can play with my kids.
 
Sorry to hear about your pop, thanks for sharing.

When I was 5 (1979) I had heart surgery at children's hospital in DC. In recovery, my aunt came to visit and wheeled me out of my room to cheer me up. We visited some type of lounge that had an Asteroids upright in the corner. I was transfixed by those crisp white lines.
Mesmerizing just watching those graceful shapes and the fading glow streaming behind the impossibly bright bullet dots. Must have spent 8 or 9 bucks on that thing before we ran out of quarters. I still am not very good, but I have my own machine and playing it can feel like a time machine sometimes.
 
Someone bring this man a Midway Space Invaders II! I'm sorry to hear about your father.

I'll keep my eyes peeled up here in Colorado. I've been surprised by some of the cocktails that have popped up. You never know, your dream machine could be in this area. You might even find that same cocktail!

It's strange how that works... I ended up buying one of the machines my Dad and I played on in Manitou Springs (Sprint 2). He couldn't believe it.
 
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Local ice cream place I went to when I was a kid called "Country Cone". They had a putt-putt course behind I always played there as a kid. Inside there was a Ms. Pac-Man cabaret and Pinball machine (I forgot what it was called). Our family would get ice cream then play a round or two of Ms. Pac then maybe some golf.

Now every time I eat ice cream I think of Ms. Pac Man. Every time I play Ms. Pac Man I crave ice cream.
 
My first arcade memory was either a Galaxian cocktail or a Red Baron cockpit. I remember getting to watch both of them some time before we moved 5 minutes after my 5th birthday in 1982. I am pretty sure my mom told me I was playing but that I wasn't.

Never got to play any games with my dad. He had a car fall on him when I was 2 years old and spent the rest of his life as a vegetable.
 
First game I remember is an Atari Football at a bowling alley. First one to make a giant impression on me was probably Asteroids at a 7-11.
 
You all are awesome and I enjoyed reading your stories. Thank you to those who are keeping an eye out for me. I would be really grateful if someone on here could help me track one down.
 
Welled up a bit on that one. Lost my Dad when I was 33--He had just attended my retro gaming bachelor party the week before--it was an accident so it was sudden. Anyway Dad's are important at any age. So I'm glad you have a great fond memory of him.

The first memory I have of playing a video game was a red Donkey Kong in a place called the Pizza Factory in Farmington, MN. The game did not last long so my second quarter went to the first Jukebox song I remember playing: I Love a Rainy Night by Eddie Rabbitt.

I also spent a fair amount of time at a place called the Taco House in Park Rapids, MN during the summer. They had a cocktail Super Pac-Man and on that juke my first song was "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant.
 
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