At the Arcade Again, Mom
April 23rd, 2008Something about the letterforms reminds me of the late-60s/early-70s rococo period in display type. Televisions shows from that era had titles that were over the top with swashes and other type flim flammery. Quite lovely.
Also reminded me of playing Galaxian far too long before moving on to Tempest and having to explain to my mom the benefits of video gaming. She never bought any of my reasons. I worked a couple of part time jobs to fund my investment in hand/eye coordination development and early geek foundation. o
Tags: arcade, los angeles, sign, type, videogames, vintage
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 am
Ah, Tempest. You were far superior to Asteroids AND Galaxian. (We shall not speak of Frogger or Centipede, for they are abominations before the Lord, although PacMan was sort of okay I guess.)
The sign makes it look like some sort of Ye Olde English Wild West shooting gallery.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Considering that your career is built upon the foundation you started with the video-gaming, your mom may have come to the conclusion that spending time in arcades was a wise investment of your time.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 am
Love this photo. So vibrant and I love the type. Gorgeous.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Galaxian was a big part of my mis-spent youth, which I’ve been able to relive somewhat on this site. http://www.1980-games.com/us/
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:15 am
Ah! *sigh* the good times of videogaming.
I think Galaga was way superior to Galaxian. But I had a better experience playing Space Invaders back in the day.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
We got one ofthese a while ago. Fun!
I’m loving on FF Zapata for that 1970s stereo-as-furniture feel.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am
looks like your “geek” training has paid off handsomely!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
That sign sort of reminds of Lagoon Amusement (the one of my youth, not the pseudo-Disneyland that it is today) in Farmington. Not sure they had a sign like that, but it has that flavor. They had a real penny arcade!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Elevator Action. Spy Hunter… Donkey Kong. And once, to impress a girl, Q-Bert.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Whoa, looks like one we have in San Francisco.
Also, tempest…bow down to the master, my friend.
I saw the face of Arkanoid on the final level.
That is when my geekery began.