Old Arcade Games Bring Back Memories

With the meteoric rise in popularity of home gaming systems like PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox 360, full-fledged video arcades seem like a thing of the past. That's too bad, as some of my fondest childhood memories involve taking a huge handful of quarters to a couple of video arcades by my house to play pinball, Pac-Man, Centipede, and Space Invaders for hours on end. Now these old arcade games can't be found in any public places -- but are still available to hardcore collectors, or those looking to recapture a piece of their childhood.

Because these old arcade games aren't being manufactured anymore, the best way to find them is to check online for specialty dealers. There are actually quite a few companies that do nothing but buy, sell, and refurbish these monstrous gaming units that were staples of the 1970s and 1980s, so finding your childhood favorites shouldn't be too difficult. The real challenge is finding old arcade games that are still playable, in relatively good condition, and reasonably priced.

Fortunately, the Internet makes it easy to contact dealers from across the country. This obviously gives you access to a far greater number of sources, and increases your chances of finding the unit that you want. For instance, one of my favorite old arcade games is Galaga, a fixed shooter game where the player controls a spaceship and shoots at a never-ending stream of enemy aircraft. I couldn't find Galaga at any dealers in my entire state, but discovered on the Internet that a store nearly 500 miles away from me had two units available. After viewing photos, asking detailed questions about the game's operability, and engaging in some haggling, I ended up buying the thing at a price I could live with.

For those who want to play old arcade games without shelling out a thousand dollars or more on a machine, you can enjoy free action on some retro gaming websites. By accessing these sites, you can play your favorites right on your computer without having to pay a penny. Sure, you'll likely have to put up with a few annoying advertisements, but that's just a minor inconvenience that can easily be overlooked. After all, getting to play old arcade games online is worth a few bothersome pop-ups, right?

Whether you're a serious collector or just an enthusiast bitten by the nostalgia bug, locating old arcade games is a piece of cake. So if you miss Frogger, Donkey Kong, Q-bert, Pole Position, or any of the other beloved titles you grew up with, why not bring all the exciting action back to your place today? Start searching for a specialty retailer near you or scan the top auction sites to find your favorite game right now!