Good morning. I seem to be in an N64 kind of mood today and I may get lost in Goldeneye later.
Did I ever mention I like that game? Oh and Forsaken 64, the only way to play Forsaken.
I've tried explaining gaming arcades to my eight year old son. He's aware of them, but not in the way you'd think.
Arcades these days are basically ticket pushing machines, get points, get tickets, get a stylafoam airplane from the booth.
I showed him pictures of SEGA World / Pepsi World in London from the 90's, The Trocadero.
Then I showed him some footage. I can't explain the expression on his little face, but it was one of some confusion and 'happiness'.
Obviously, he had questions. Strange questions.
'Did they sell Prime?' no, I said.
'46 flavours of Pepsi' I said.
'What if you ran out of money' well, you watched other people, I said.
'All those lights and noise. I bet people had a headache!'
Erm, 'Yes, I guess'. I said.
For me, the Trocadero as it was back then, SEGA / Pepsi world was the pinnacle of our times. The future of things to come. Gaming in its highest form. Lights, music and every flavour of Pepsi known to humans. Socialising, Alien Wars, a DJ and VR. A place to hang out, make new friends and watch some of the greatest Street Fighter II players I've ever seen.
But it's gone now. There's nothing like it anymore. Arcades now are considered Niche, they are for corporate events and office Christmas parties with that one bloke who shouts 'Oh wow look, Mortal Fighter and Daytona Rally 2!" whilst you wait 45 minutes in a queue for a vegan hotdog.
My son thought the photos and the footage I showed him *was* absolutely out of this world. He really thought it was something from a film, a make belief place full life, lights and noise.
A different world.
He has asked if we can go, but I had to break it to him gently.
'It was 30 years ago, in the nineties. Things have moved on, for the better. You can play all of these games at home online with your friends 'PrimeApex560XXb' & 'MilfMoleJerry5' in the warm, can't you.'
Although he's only 8, I think the penny dropped.
#EggsAndSpam #SEGA
Which machine had the best attract mode? Some of my favourites below.
Walking along the seafront at Southend-on-Sea listening to these units do their thing was special.
Those days have gone, but the sounds live on.
Me watching Resident Evil fans argue over what version of Resident Evil 1 is the best whilst completely not understanding that the Directors Cut existed.