Why did vertical monitor games disappear?

Sectorseven

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Vertically oriented games (pac-man, donkey kong) absolutely dominated the early 80's arcade scene, but by the later half of the decade they were almost non existent. What happened that made all the game makers switch styles?
 
There are a TON of vertical monitor games through the 80's and in to the 90's and beyond.

Just about every great shuumup is a vertical game...

Examples:

Strikers series (1995-1999)

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The 19XX series (including 19XX) (1984-1998)

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....and much much more...
 
There were still vertical games, though most, if not all, were shmups.

If you're talking platform/labyrinth style games, I think that went away across the board when graphics started to improve and made way for puzzle, side scrolling, fighters, etc. type games that were much more popular and high in earnings in the 90s up to present day. Hence, the big boom of conversion kits and cabs that we see all over the place.

Even now, platformers are usually 3D style. Classic 2D style games are best suited for mobile gaming and console online store markets. As we all know, arcades nowadays only have gun games, drivers, redemption and multicades.

In short, technology and the advancement of the home console led to the downfall of arcades and the classic vertical platform/labyrinth style arcade games went down with it.
 
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There are a TON of vertical monitor games through the 80's and in to the 90's and beyond.

Just about every great shuumup is a vertical game...

It still seems like ten horizonal games for every one vertical.
 
Here's a recent vertical screen game that isn't a shmup, Namco's Tank! Tank! Tank!:
 

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Also DoDonPachi series, which had a new installment as recently as 2008, with promises there's more still to come. They just came out with new hardware so they're more than likely to make good on their promise.

From a global perspective, arcades never did really go under. As Atari, Midway, Williams, et al went under or moved to other industries to save their skin, Capcom, Konami, Namco, etc were relocating back to their home country and gearing up for a bright new era.

And they'll be back. It's just a question of when.
 
Cave is still pumping out vertical jamma shmup pcbs.. only problem is the pcb kits are $2200+ when new :( Akai Katana just came out a few months ago..

Tom
 
It's funny....I was about to post the same thing when I saw that you already had. I love TTT!

Yeah it's an awesome game - only problems is that it's a little short and it's hard to find.
 
My kids have gotten pretty good at it and once you do the games last a little longer. But yeah, I've only seen one. Fortunately it's close to home and somewhere we eat at fairly regularly!
 
My guess would be for home console ports. Not too many people have their TV's mounted vertically so it'd be much easier to bring home if it starts horizontal.
 
Vertical is really only good for Vertical Shumps and Maze games.
Even Maze games could go either way.

A vertical monitor is not really optimal for the styles of games made after 1985.

Super Mario Bros, Double Dragon, Street Fighter 2, House of the Dead. None of those games would have worked on a TATE.
Tetris could work, but never as a two player.

Games like Kageki, Contra and Top Secret show the limitations of the orientation. The later two having much more memorable home console ports (actually re-inventions).
 
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