|
|
Post by ledzep on Jul 30, 2012 18:42:13 GMT -5
I flew up to Santa Clara on Saturday, it was amazing. So many arcade games in one place! There was a pretty decent row of vector games there which included favorites like Armor..Attack, Star Wars, Tempest, Quantum, Gravitar, Major Havoc, Star Castle, Lunar Lander, Battlezone, Space War, Asteroids Deluxe, along with games I never really got to play back in the day like The Empire Strikes Back, Lunar Battle (Gravitar proto), War Of The Worlds, Speed Freak, Boxing Bugs and Solar Quest. Unfortunately the Solar Quest game wouldn't play (no credits would register) but it was fantastic playing those old vector games all in the same room. There was even a sitdown Tail Gunner and a bunch of cabaret games like Omega Race, Asteroids Deluxe and Tempest. Even being the owner of some vector arcade games (and my beloved Vectrex) it was still a wonderful shock to see so many crisp vector displays, no raster display can come close.
I can't complain that not every game was represented (Rip-Off, Star Hawk, Space Duel, Sundance) because I hit overload about 4 hours in and there were some amazing raster games to play including some that were rare to me (Warlords, Missile Command 2, Space Dungeon, LeMan, Reactor, Joust 2), I wish I was still there playing!
I may have to go back next year. I could never really justify the time/money to go to the show before (why not have it in L.A.?) but after finally going I can easily see myself going next year or the year after.
|
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Jul 30, 2012 19:09:51 GMT -5
I flew up to Santa Clara on Saturday, it was amazing. So many arcade games in one place! Yeah, that's killer when a place gets big enough to have a lot of games. How many made it, do you know? The local H. A. A. G. expo here has hit 200 games in the last couple of years, and that's just dedicated cabinets. That's not including all the games that are brought for consoles and multicabs. You're talking probably 300 games total then, more or less (maybe MUCH more actually). along with games I never really got to play back in the day like The Empire Strikes Back, Lunar Battle (Gravitar proto), Wow, a LUNAR BATTLE? I wonder how many of those are around? I never even saw an Empire Strikes Back. I saw an ad for it in a magazine once and thought it never came out. Seriously? Wasn't there like only 20 (or less than that) ever made? That's astounding, but then, I've played the ultra-rare Quake machine though  Less than 30 of those were made. Unfortunately the Solar Quest game wouldn't play (no credits would register) That's a shame. I only saw the cab at a bowling alley once but wasn't old enough to drive there, and being along a busy intersection it was too dangerous to ride my bike to. And dad didn't like that bowling alley so we didn't go there  I can't complain that not every game was represented (Rip-Off, Star Hawk, Space Duel, Sundance) No kidding! At the last expo here though there weren't a lot of vector games, for some reason  So I complained about that a bit. because I hit overload about 4 hours in Yeah I know what you mean. Sometimes you go around the room(s) in a stupor, going "what to play?", but then you just go and PLAY something, really. Walk around and look at merchandise (if they sell stuff), take a breather by talking to people, etc. And try not to go alone if you can. there were some amazing raster games to play including some that were rare to me (Warlords, Missile Command 2, Space Dungeon, LeMan, Reactor, Joust 2) I don't know where on Earth TWO tabletop Warlords could be found and brought to the expo here, but a couple of years ago they did indeed have two. And they were heavily played! We also got Joust 2 and Reactor (played two games of that last time ). Never seen a Space Dungeon (not even back in the day) or a M. Command 2 though. I may have to go back next year. I could never really justify the time/money to go to the show before (why not have it in L.A.?) Do they move it around over the years, or are you just wishing? Luckily the local one here just changes venue occasionally. |
|
|
|
Post by TrekMD on Jul 30, 2012 22:32:39 GMT -5
Sounds like an amazing event to visit!
|
|
|
|
Post by ledzep on Jul 31, 2012 13:07:39 GMT -5
Yeah, that's killer when a place gets big enough to have a lot of games. How many made it, do you know? The local H. A. A. G. expo here has hit 200 games in the last couple of years, and that's just dedicated cabinets. That's not including all the games that are brought for consoles and multicabs. You're talking probably 300 games total then, more or less (maybe MUCH more actually). Not sure, the site lists all the games that probably were going to be there - www.caextreme.org/games2012though I don't remember seeing the Eliminator game or the Space Duel, for example. Doesn't mean they weren't there, just that there was so much to see that I might have screwed myself out of an opportunity. Wow, a LUNAR BATTLE? I wonder how many of those are around? I never even saw an Empire Strikes Back. I saw an ad for it in a magazine once and thought it never came out. I don't know how you do a prototype game, like if there's a way to get the board or reproduce it and put it in a normal cab but that Lunar Battle looked like it had a homemade marque. The Empire Strikes Back games were all Star Wars conversions back in the day, just with a new marque I think and also new side art that didn't seem to be on either of the California Extreme games. Nice to finally play that one. Seriously? Wasn't there like only 20 (or less than that) ever made? That's astounding, but then, I've played the ultra-rare Quake machine though Less than 30 of those were made. Ya, I thought the color War Of The Worlds was the super-rare one but I guess all of them are. I don't know where on Earth TWO tabletop Warlords could be found and brought to the expo here, but a couple of years ago they did indeed have two. And they were heavily played! There was a cocktail Warlords listed but I don't remember seeing it at the convention. I like that the cocktail Warlords allow for 4 players, that's more fun. But the stand-up Warlords has really cool graphics (game is reflected onto a paper background like Asteroids Deluxe) that make it look like the playfield is on top of 4 tall castle towers. But only 2 people can play against 2 game A.I.s. We also got Joust 2 and Reactor (played two games of that last time ). Never seen a Space Dungeon (not even back in the day) or a M. Command 2 though. Man, Space Dungeon on the Atari 5200 is a lot easier to play than the arcade version! The Missile Command 2 is a prototype that someone put together in a converted cocktail cab, no side art, nothing on top but the trackballs and single fire buttons. Still, If I had a cocktail Missile Command I would love to be able to buy a conversion/daughter board to allow me to switch the game to Missile Command 2. I wonder if anyone is going to do that. Do they move it around over the years, or are you just wishing? Luckily the local one here just changes venue occasionally. I think it's always in Santa Clara, I'm just wishing they'd move it once in a while. I'm hoping to hear soon about when the local SC3 show will be. Not as many games but I can just drive to that one. www.sc3videogames.com/And maybe there will be a game that that wasn't at the California Extreme show. |
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Jul 31, 2012 14:47:05 GMT -5
I didn't bother counting but it looks like it has more games than H. A. A. G. does here. Pretty damn big, whatever the total was! though I don't remember seeing the Eliminator game or the Space Duel, for example. Doesn't mean they weren't there, just that there was so much to see that I might have screwed myself out of an opportunity. No, there are always games at expos that don't make it. I would say they FINALLY quit saying that Computer Space would be at an expo after it failed to show three years in a row here (pissing me off, as I've played Pong, the second wide-released arcade game ever, but not C. Space, which was the first!), but then someone in the group actually did get his hands on a C. Space a few months ago. And he always brings in games (and either his sister or wife sells merchandise) for the shows so maybe this one will finally appear. But the stand-up Warlords has really cool graphics (game is reflected onto a paper background like Asteroids Deluxe) that make it look like the playfield is on top of 4 tall castle towers. Wow, that sounds cool; don't think I saw the standup version back in the day. Might've just been the tabletop I saw back then; been so long I can't remember! Man, Space Dungeon on the Atari 5200 is a lot easier to play than the arcade version! Sometimes it's better that way, like with ColecoVision's Space Panic. It's slower and easier than the coin-op original. |
|
|
|
Post by ledzep on Aug 2, 2012 12:02:23 GMT -5
I'm not sure what vector games I have left to play in person. I remember Space Fury from back in the day but don't remember what it was like so I'd like to try that one again. I don't think I ever played Tac/Scan or Eliminator so those would be two I'd want to play. And I've never seen a Demon or Aztarac anywhere so those two are a must. Then I suppose a color War Of The Worlds would be icing on the cake.
|
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Aug 2, 2012 12:12:13 GMT -5
I'm not sure what vector games I have left to play in person. I know which ones I'VE never played!  I remember Space Fury from back in the day but don't remember what it was like so I'd like to try that one again. You might want to try sokurah's version of it. I deleted the ROM from MAME and haven't regretted that. But then it couldn't get the voice right. Plus his version has some new stuff thrown in (different alien entity bugging you after every several levels, new ship shell, etc.). I don't think I ever played Tac/Scan or Eliminator so those would be two I'd want to play. I think you'd remember those!! Tac/Scan was very different, what with controlling a fleet of ships. Eliminator I never played but the clone of Repulse on the Vectrex homebrew of Vecmania made me understand why the only machine I saw of it in my life back in the day was constantly in play, as I never tried it. Wish I could've gotten a game or two of that in now! And I've never seen a Demon or Aztarac anywhere so those two are a must. I never even heard of Demon or Aztarac until several years ago. Hopefully someone will bring the latter back to my local gaming expo at some point, since it appeared at the first one I went to (back in 2004 or something) but someone had broken the joystick of it off |
|
|
|
Post by gamezone on Aug 4, 2012 7:23:16 GMT -5
Glad you had a good time ledzep! Thanks for sharing the info! It is not like being there but still very nice. |
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Aug 15, 2012 12:12:25 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by detonator on Aug 15, 2012 14:51:37 GMT -5
Amazing shots... I wish I had been there. I could easily spend a few days in a place like that.  This was posted somewhere just a while back... it's also worth watching. |
|
|
|
Post by TrekMD on Aug 15, 2012 17:54:41 GMT -5
Awesome! Thanks for posting those pictures! I can definitely see spending some time there! |
|
|
|
Post by ledzep on Aug 15, 2012 18:06:18 GMT -5
You're welcome. And thanks for posting them (even if one is raster!) since I don't have Photobucket or anything like that and don't plan to.
Ya, it was a great time being there. After looking through my pics I see were I messed up on some of them, will definitely try harder next show. Damn, I totally forgot to get a pic of Empire Strikes Back?
|
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Aug 15, 2012 18:21:49 GMT -5
And thanks for posting them (even if one is raster!) Heh! After looking through my pics I see were I messed up on some of them, will definitely try harder next show. The more you go to, the more you learn, like how I learned that, if your camera has a flash that almost always goes off inside an indoor setting such as that, it's best to take pics of machines at a slight side angle, and not head on with a game to reduce glare off the screens and all. |
|
|
|
Post by detonator on Aug 15, 2012 18:53:51 GMT -5
You're welcome. And thanks for posting them (even if one is raster!) since I don't have Photobucket or anything like that and don't plan to. Ya, it was a great time being there. After looking through my pics I see were I messed up on some of them, will definitely try harder next show. Damn, I totally forgot to get a pic of Empire Strikes Back? Good video of the game. The guy in the video is way too hard on ESB... true, it's not as good as its predecessor but still very solid game... and MUCH better than Return of the Jedi, which was a huge disappointment with its raster monitor. It's kinda hard to be compared to the top-5 arcade games ever (imho). |
|
|
|
Post by VectorX on Aug 15, 2012 18:57:05 GMT -5
The guy in the video is way too hard on ESB... true, it's not as good as its predecessor but still very solid game... It probably didn't help that it came out after the crash, once the permanent decline in arcades was starting to get under way. I thought it had never even been released until the last several years when I started getting into this "internet" thing. |
|
Less than 30 of those were made.
So I complained about that a bit.
