Arcade 1971–1999: Stories Behind Classic Coin-Ops (Image: BITMAP BOOKS)
When it comes to any new Bitmap Books release, you can pretty much take it as read that you’re going to get a quality tome. Gorgeous artwork, high quality printing and well researched written content comes as standard. Even the packaging deserves praise. While there’s something to enjoy in every new release from Bitmap Books, certain concepts are likely to pique your interest more than others. I love all of my Bitmap Books, but Go Straight: The Ultimate Guide to Side-Scrolling Beat-’Em-Ups is probably my number one, because it covers one of my favourite genres.
This is why I was so excited for The Arcade 1971–1999: The Stories Behind Classic Coin-Ops, because arcade games have played such an important part in my love affair with gaming. I play arcade games all of the time, whether it’s on console as part of a collection, or on my beloved Evercade Alpha. In fact, one of the main reasons I buy every Like A Dragon/Yakuza release is to play those gorgeous SEGA Model 3 games.
As the name suggests, the latest title from Bitmap Books focuses exclusively on arcade games released between 1971 and 1999, starting with the likes of Computer Space and Pong, and culminating with one of my personal favourites in Silent Scope – which I was really pleased to see make the cut.
If I haven’t made it clear already, the book is every bit as beautifully crafted as you would expect from Bitmap Books.
It’s jam-packed with full-page screenshots, as well as concept art, advertising material and planning documents for some of the really iconic releases.
There’s an agonisingly brief foreword by Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell – which includes his personal top five favourite arcade games – and an Afterword by Defender and Robotron: 2084 creator Eugene Jarvis. That’s on top of a section about some arcade games that never quite made it to market by The Games That Weren’t author Frank Gasking.
However, the main bulk of the book focuses on smash-hit arcade games that left an impression on millions of gamers, influenced countless developers and helped create entire genres.
Specifically, The Arcade 1971–1999: The Stories Behind Classic Coin-Ops explores the stories behind 120 vintage games.
This includes truly iconic releases like Space Invaders and Pac-Man, to more obscure gems and forgotten classics like Battle Garegga, Cannon Dancer and NARC.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t just one person’s list of the best arcade games ever and the reasons why, but rather the stories of how the games were made by the people responsible. It’s fascinating stuff.
As author Paul Drury points out in an interview with Daily Express, the biggest consideration “was whether we could talk to someone who was actually involved in making the game”.
“We didn’t want this to be a book which just relied on the nostalgia of seeing a picture of game you remember playing in the chip shop when you were a kid. Every single entry has the story behind its creation in the words of someone directly involved and that gives the reader a unique insight into the creative process.”
For example, Primal Rage producer Dennis Harper reveals that the dinosaur puppets used in the game cost a whopping $50,000 each. Harper also explains that the stop motion process took nearly two years to complete thanks to hundreds of frames of animation needed for each character.
Then there’s the story of how Daytona USA’s Beginner track was built to be the shortest course in the history of racing games, while the Advanced course was designed to be the longest.
You’ll read about the creation of Street Fighter II, the story behind Mortal Kombat’s infamous Fatalities, and why there was a near eight-year gap between the release of Dragon’s Lair and its sequel.
My only criticism is that The Arcade 1971–1999: The Stories Behind Classic Coin-Ops left me wanting more. It’s certainly not due to a shortage of content or lack of detail, but because there are so many other arcade games I would like to learn more about.
Fortunately, Drury is keen to revisit the idea and already has plans for a second volume if the book proves to be a hit.
“A follow-up book would be an opportunity to cover games like Golden Axe, Omega Race, Gyruss, Ridge Race and a hundred more,” Drury proclaims. “There’s no shortage of brilliant coin-ops to feature and it would spur me on to try and track down some of the so-far elusive creators.”
Add games like OutRunners and SEGA Rally to the list, and I’ll place my order now!
Indeed, if you have an interest in classic arcade games, or just video games in general, then there’s so much to love about The Arcade 1971–1999: The Stories Behind Classic Coin-Ops, which might just be my new favourite release from Bitmap Books.
