| Arcade games, historically, emerged as early | | | | indulge in their passion. Most of these |
| as the late 1920's where you could find theme | | | | centers are so different, they are no longer |
| parks which combined mechanical form of | | | | what they used to be. |
| gaming machines and a great fun atmosphere. | | | | |
| This was the beginning of modern gaming. The | | | | Playing arcade games is now even easier. With |
| first video game machines appeared in the and | | | | most dedicated venues closed due to advances |
| were mainly coin-operated. To play the game, | | | | in the gaming console technology and the |
| you sloted in your coin or token and when | | | | internet, you do not need to uproot yourself |
| that run out the game ended. You then had to | | | | and find a physical venue. If you are into |
| purchase further tokens if so desired. Now, | | | | gaming consoles, all you need is to buy or |
| most video game machines use solid state | | | | rent your game and enjoy it in the comfort of |
| electronics to operate. Scores and bonuses | | | | your own home. On the other hand, if you wish |
| are all electronically controlled. | | | | to play free arcade games with a bit of |
| | | | social interaction, you can choose from many |
| Atari, which started in 1972, was now | | | | internet gaming platforms where you can play |
| dominating the market with popular arcade | | | | as well as chat or interact with other game |
| games such as Pong (electronic version Ping | | | | lovers in the forums. |
| Pong), Pacman, Space Invaders, Battlezone, | | | | |
| Donkey Kong and the Galaxian. Video arcade | | | | In spite of the many milestones arcade games |
| games started appearing everywhere including | | | | have come, the basic essence of the "arcade" |
| shopping centers, public houses such as bars, | | | | is still present in most modern games. Most |
| supermarkets, college dormitories, bowling | | | | arcade games offer the game lover different |
| alleys and dedicated amusement parks. | | | | levels of play, starting with the easiest. |
| However, with video arcade games located in | | | | Once that level has been mastered or maximum |
| seedy places like casinos and gambling | | | | points have been scored, you are allowed to |
| houses, their reputation waned. The sales of | | | | move to the next level. Each higher level is |
| arcade games further took a hit with the | | | | progressively more difficult. You stay in the |
| advent of home video game consoles in the | | | | game if you stay "alive" or your "virtual" |
| early nineties. People rather preferred to | | | | tokens get finished. Obviously, physical |
| buy or rent out the exact games they used to | | | | tokens are not needed for online arcade games |
| play in these amusement parks and enjoy it | | | | but the general theme is always present. |
| from the comfort of their own homes. | | | | Newer games such as Street Fighter I and King |
| | | | Fighters offer a two player game mode which |
| With this decline in fortunes, dedicated | | | | futher enhances the gamers experience. |
| arcade games businesses started to suffer and | | | | |
| many had to close down or diversify. | | | | Arcade games have survived, mainly because |
| Diversification involved offering other | | | | they are so addictive and they offer a good |
| attractions such as rides with arcade games | | | | recreation time for kid, teens and adults |
| being only a small part of the business and | | | | alike and they are likely to be with us for a |
| at least offering arcade lovers to still | | | | long time to come. |