Page 54 - OSG Presents Classic Gamer Magazine #5

my mastery! Once again, my wish was granted (if
f you’re any- As the old saying goes, be careful I knew I had such powers, I would have
I thing like what you wish for. Soon after my wish, saved them for much more valuable
me, you along came MAME. For the first time, things). I found a website selling an
probably one emulator allowed you to play many arcade quality stick for my PC com-
haven't played arcade games. I had seen emulators puter called the V-Stick. It looked great
too many of before that would do one game or a in the picture with the two joysticks and
the original couple, but I never bothered with them. the buttons, real arcade buttons! I sent
arcade games But MAME was different; it offered a in my money order and waited for it!
since your large selection! Not only did it offer a And waited. And waited. It took over
youth. Sure, lot of games, but new games were be- 15 weeks for the darn thing to arrive,
there is the ing emulated all the time! Soon, I but when it did, I was ready to recap-
occasional Ms. Pac-Man or Galaga, but found all my favorite arcade games ture my imaginary arcade crown. I
when was the last time you actually being ported to MAME! Now I would would be king!
played the real arcade version of Tap- have the ability to prove my mastery of Know what, it didn't happen. Even
per or Jungle Hunt or Moon Patrol? It’s the arcade games! I would be king! with the superior joystick, I still stunk
probably been a really long at these games.
time. Well, MAME came Where on the Cole-
along and changed all that! covision version of
Now all the arcade games Tapper, I could get
are at your disposal and through all the levels
you can play to your and then some, on
heart’s content! I know this the arcade version, I
is old news, but think about couldn't get past the
the time before MAME, second level (the
when the only version of fair). On Up n Down,
Tutankham or Bump n I went from being Jeff
Jump that you could play Gordon to being an
was on your Colecovision, old man in a
Atari 2600, or Intellivision. hatchback. It was a
Ok, keep that thought as lesson in humility.
you read this article. The illusion was gone
A long time ago, in a and with it, my
basement far, far away (if dreams of being
you must have actual crowned king. I soon
dates and places, it was 3+ realized that I was
years ago in my basement just an average ar-
in Ohio)...I would play my cade player who was
Colecovision for hours and duped into thinking
hours. While my friends he was something
spent their hard earned more by the watered
money on PlayStation down arcade ver-
games, I was hoarding ob- sions on the home
solete carts. I had been consoles.
doing it for some time. It It was a hard les-
was a way to recapture my youth. Then reality sunk in. I stunk at son to learn. No one wants to admit
Great games like Up n Down, Tapper, these games. All that practice on the they aren't great at something. But I
and Frenzy were keeping me busy and Colecovision was for naught. Those now know that I am just your ordinary,
I was a master! As I swept through home games were easier versions and average game player.
level after level of Tapper, I felt like a I was duped into thinking I was some I’m just another guy who learned the
combination of Tom Cruise (from Cock- great master. At first, I blamed the hard way that the only way to be great
tail) and Sam Malone! On Up n Down, controller. Who could be an arcade at an arcade game is by playing the
I could race through levels with a skill master when you had to use a key- actual arcade game. While it has been
that would make Jeff Gordon jealous! I board? Would Mozart do as well with a humbling, at least now I can practice
was the arcade king! Visions of sitting toy piano? Would Babe Ruth be a on MAME and someday I will rule the
on a throne in an arcade with a large, home run hitter with a whiffle ball bat? arcades! Someday I will wear the
golden crown on my head and groupies I was in deep denial, and I had to come crown!
at my feet were in my mind. I wished up with a way to prove that with the
for the day that I could find an arcade right equipment, I would be the arcade
to play these games again and prove champ.
Classic Gamer Magazine December 2000 54