16 Platripedia—Game Tips
Knowing Your Roots: Classic Arcade Games
The Golden Age of Arcade Games spawned many classics that changed not only the face of arcades but our culture as well. These games have stood the test of time and are still played to this day for their simple, yet challenging, gameplay. These games have defined a generation and influenced video game design for decades. It is a requirement for any modern gamer to know your roots and familiarize yourself with these games.
Space Invaders (1978). This early, extremely successful arcade game had millions of players attempting to save planet Earth from endless waves of alien invaders. High scores were produced when players realized that they should not shoot at where the ships are, but rather, where they are going to be. The grim reality of Space Invaders was that there was never a way to “beat it” and doom was inevitable. The waves of aliens would keep coming until the player, no matter how skilled, eventually succumbed to the horde and Earth was obliterated by the alien menace. Game Over.
Asteroids (1979). One of the earliest vector-based game had you disposing of enormous space rocks and saucers from your tiny, triangle-shaped ship. Asteroids is remembered for its unwieldy, but satisfying control scheme. The controls allowed you to rotate the direction of your ship and fire in 360 degrees. Yet, maneuvering your ship was a challenge since hitting your thrusters was the fastest way to collide with one of the titular asteroids. However, remaining stationary was not always an option since the disintegrated remains of the asteroids would inevitably hurtle directly into your ship.
Pac-Man (1980). It’s hard to imagine what went into the initial concept of Pac-Man: a yellow circle that enjoys eating dots and sometimes fruit in a maze while being haunted by colorful ghosts. But despite the peculiar concept, Pac-Man achieved worldwide fame for its strategic, fast-paced gameplay. Perhaps it was the first game that let you switch roles with your tormentors. By consuming a “power pellet” found in each corner of the maze, the ghosts that continually plagued Pac-Man would briefly become his lunch. Players, no doubt enjoyed this hunted-becomes-the-hunter gameplay of Pac-Man.
Frogger (1981). Frogger took a break from the accustomed high-stakes action roots of arcade games to focus on something much more humble—helping frogs cross the street and reach their homes. But make no mistake, even though you weren’t dodging laser-fire from a horde of alien invaders, Frogger was just as challenging. Your enemies came from modern civilization as well as the natural world—cars, bicyclists, buses, snakes, alligators, and turtles—just to name a few. Frogger made us realize that the journey of the lowly frog to his natural habitat was wrought with peril.