In Defense of Joystick Nation By Earl Green

by Magazine Writer | Dec 13, 2019 | 1980s, Other Magazines Preview

I remember picking up Joystick Nation at the oddly-named Little Professor book store in Green Bay late in 1997. I was so enthused at the thought that someone had written a book about video games then and now that I snatched it up and gladly paid the steep cover price...

Space Invaders: The Instant Video Game

by Magazine Writer | Dec 11, 2019 | 1980s, Other Magazines Preview

It’s one of the legends of the Atari era – the famous “Coke Wins!” cartridge for the 2600, originally designed as a premium, mail-in-your-proofs-of-purchase type item from the Coca-Cola Company. But for those who have actually seen the game, it’s very easy to see that...

From Sprites to Cels: Classic Games That Turned Into Toons

by Magazine Writer | Dec 9, 2019 | 1980s, Other Magazines Preview

Any look back at classic video game merchandising would be remiss in its duties if it didn’t mention some of the most highly visible – and yet least memorable spinoffs: Saturday morning cartoons. Video games had quickly been picked up as a theme in cartoons;...

Qa$hing in on Q*bert By Earl Green

by Magazine Writer | Dec 9, 2019 | 1980s, Other Magazines Preview

Let’s say you’re a major toy manufacturer named Kenner. Let’s say it’s late 1983, and your last big license – a little summer flick called “Return of the Jedi” – is now but a memory, with no sequels in sight. TV is a...

Video Game Trading Card Spotlight – Dennis Bartlett

by Todd Friedman | Dec 7, 2019 | 1980s, 2000s, 2010s, Arcade, Columns

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Dennis Bartlett, who is displayed on card number 285, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection.  Dennis was fortunate enough to have grown up Ottumwa, Iowa where the Twin Galaxies arcade was first opened.  He was in attendance...

The Next Best Thing to Being There By Earl Green

by Magazine Writer | Dec 7, 2019 | 1980s, Other Magazines Preview

Once upon a time, many years before Game Boy Color, MAME, and Namco Museum, there were low end console games and there were battery-operated LED-display games. Back then, it was roughly an equal trade-off. Did you prefer blocky, clunky graphics that moved with some...