System16 Online Arcade Museum Expands

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the System16 arcade game info site, which has "...added a Capcom section by popular request", showcasing some of that company's classic arcade boards such as CPS1 hardware (as used for Street Fighter II), and the seminal CPS2 hardware used in so many of Capcom's '90s arcade titles. The site takes a different approach from the excellent VAPS arcade site, in concentrating on games by hardware type, and featuring famous arcade software/hardware manufacturers such as Sega, Atari, Konami, Midway, Namco, and Taito.

Comments

Prolonged interest in old games

[Magic Thread]

It's apparent from web sites like these that people are never going to forget classic games. But what about the video games today? Do they have the same lasting value?

It seems to me like recent games are lacking in the character the old ones had. I can't imagine in fifteen years still obsessing over what the game companies are coming out with now.

But who knows? Maybe that's when they said about System16 games back in the 80's. In any event, kudos to the creators of this great site.

Re:Prolonged interest in old games

[Sixtoe-System16]

Its not just classic games, but from a hardware geeks point of view its how game hardware has evolved. You can see in each of the sections, perhaps with the exception of Konami, the slow but gradual progress and learning of lessons with each new type, and then the trimming back in the late 90's when console hardware caught up and arcade hardware wound down due to spiraling costs.

In addition, I think the trouble with getting games to stick in peoples minds nowadays is that we dont have the *massive* leaps or differences in technology and asthetics that we did in the 80's/90's, seeing something that shocks you is a sure fire way of making you remember it.

All you have to do is look at what was around at the time, a good example being Outrun in 1986, at home you had a C64 or a Spectrum (or similar)and on you went down to the local arcade in the 80's and were literally blown away by the machines down there, such was the difference between the formats.

Probably the best example of this to happen to me was when I first saw a Daytona USA in a seaside arcade in 1993, at home I had an Amiga and was playing overdrive or 4D Sports Driving or some such rubbish, and seeing this 3D monster stopped me right in my tracks. (it also helped that it played superbly as well ;)

IMO this all came to an end in around 1995 when Namco brought Tekken out in the arcade on Playstation based hardware (System 11), and the divide between arcade and home closed right up, sure there were some differences, but not blindingly obvious, and nothing shocks you nowadays apart from the odd exception like Halo when it was announced and Half Life 2, the arcades now have to rely on bigger and better ride experiences rather than the actual game or graphics.

Anyway, enough drivel from me, thanks for the kind comments, I appreciate it :)