Page 20 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #5

Walking into a gry black bears. Their bodies were doors and deploy alien reinforce-
pitch black, allowing no luxury of
ments should the need arise. But
typical mall arcade anatomy differentiation. They were wait! There's salvation! A large ma-
nowadays results in bordered by jagged edges, sug- chine, deep reddish-rust in color,
finding many cookie gesting perhaps an electrified field waits to obliterate any invader fool-
cutter games. That is, around each beast. Menacing ish enough to descend too close to
protected soil. Its gun barrel gears
white eyes scowled toward anyone
games that have very similar fixing their gaze upon them. Two of up for a direct shot at the first of
gameplay (the myriad of fighting three creatures. Who controls
games and first person shoot- this marvelous machine? The
ers), and very similar, bland US Army? A dedicated group
looking cabinets. of scientists? No, dear
In the early days of arcades, player, that giant missile
game designers took delight in launcher is for you and ONLY
not only creating off-the-wall you to pilot. Nobody else has
and unique game play, but also the largest creatures held missiles the guts.
brilliant artwork decorating the in their right hands, undoubtedly Looking into the cabinet at the
cabinets. They didn't have monu- aiming to destroy as much human monitor, you discover a replicated
mental graphics capabilities, stereo resistance on planet Earth as pos- environment that is simple but ef-
surround sound, or 33" monitors to sible. Depending on the machine, fective. The interior of the cabinet
grab a player's attention. No, they the background that these aliens is decorated with a backdrop of the
had to create uniqueness with sim- marched on was either a midnight night sky, complete with spiral gal-
ple effects of light and eye trickery, blue (which reinforced the idea that axies, comets, and stars of various
and fabulously detailed cabinet art. these creatures were from deep magnitudes and colors. A moon
These games literally COM- space), or a deep blood red scape is illuminated from behind
MANDED you to (symbolizing the eventual with a black light, causing the
stop what you were death of any human entire cosmos and moon
doing, surrender a foolish enough to to glow FROM WITHIN.
quarter to its hungry take on the alien ar- The game play on the
mouth, and get lost mada). Both are very monitor is projected
in the experience of ominous color onto this cosmic win-
game play. One of choices designed to dow by use of a mirror
the earliest exam- punctuate the fear of hidden within the cabi-
ples of this is the unknown. net. The desired effect is magnifi-
SPACE INVADERS. Looking at the cent.
front of the machine, The aliens slowly descend from
SPACE we are treated to a unknown whereabouts in militaristic
INVADERS detailed crater- formations, in the menacing, cold,
(1978 Taito) pocked landscape glowing night. Your missile
Space Invad- (perhaps the aliens launcher stands as the only possi-
ers, both the Taito were attacking the ble defense against this extrater-
Japanese import moon first?), over restrial onslaught. The heartbeat
and the Bally/ which three of the begins... DUMT... DUMT...
Midway stateside beasts march closer DUMT... the aliens march closer...
release (in addi- and closer, left DUMT... DUMT... DUMT... Can you
tion to the Bally hands thrust in the fend them off and save humanity,
sequel, DELUXE air as if in some or are we all doomed to perish?
SPACE INVAD- Nazi-ish salute. Red DUMT... DUMT... DUMT... TIME IS
ERS), was simple and orange saucer RUNNING OUT!!!!!!!!!!
and beautiful. The ships rotate at jaunty
side art displayed angles in the distance,
giant shadowy fig- promising to open cargo
ures vaguely resembling an-

Classic Gamer Magazine December 2000 20