Video Game Trading Card Spotlight – Mike Mertes

by Todd Friedman | Nov 30, 2025 | 1980s, 1990s, 2010s, 2020s, Arcade, Columns, Magazine Preview

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Old School Gamer Magazine writer Mike Mertes who is displayed on card number 3482, from the Superstars of 2020 Collection.  From the moment he touched an Intellivision controller in 1985, Mike knew that he had experienced...

Turkey Shoot: The Weirdest Arcade Shooter of the 80s

by Matthew Owen | Nov 26, 2025 | 1980s, Arcade

There are several game genres that are mostly exclusive to arcades, and of them, the light-gun shooter is one of the most entertaining. While the experience has been transferred to home consoles multiple times in the past, there’s nothing quite like standing in...

Should Have Stayed in the Arcade: 5 Commodore 64 Arcade Port Fails

by Marcus Albers | Nov 12, 2025 | 1980s, Arcade, C64 Vic20

When the Commodore 64 was still being produced, arcade boards were much more advanced. This made bringing popular, current arcade games home to the 8-bit home system a challenge at the best of times. Even though concessions would be made to bring them home...

Old School Gaming at L.A. Comic Con 2025

by Brian Chansy | Oct 13, 2025 | 2000s, Arcade, Console/Handheld, Events, Gaming

Located in the same convention center as the ever-popular Anime Expo, L.A. Comic Con is an annual convention celebrating pop culture, including video games. Besides tournaments of more recent games (e.g., Street Fighter 6), the convention had something for Old School...

Video Game Trading Card Spotlight Tim Balderramos

by Todd Friedman | Oct 12, 2025 | 1980s, 1990s, 2010s, Arcade, Columns

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Tim Balderramos, who is displayed on card number 71, from the Superstars of 2011.   Tim is one of the greatest Pac-Man players you will ever see play.   He is one of 7 people who have reached the Perfect Pac-Man score of...

Arcades & Love Songs – Private Party Interview with “Garcade” Owner Tom Connor

by Brian Chansy | Oct 6, 2025 | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, Arcade, Arcade Spotlight, Atari, Events, Interviews

Just a few miles away from Disneyland, a private arcade party and screening of Arcades & Love Songs with Walter Day took place at a private residence in Fullerton, CA on August 30, 2025. What made this screening special was the private arcade (AKA “Garcade”) that...