What are your best memories of the gaming arcades when they were at their peek in the late 70's, 80's and early 90's? (Obviously this is only for those who can remember the 80's and were actually born. )
For me the most memories are of the arcade in Southsea near Portsmouth. I used to go there when I could to see what the latest arcade machines were. I remember seeing the full Namco Ridge Racer with the full sit in car for the first time at that arcade. And the linked up Virtua Racer cabinets. Another memory that sticks is playing the full sit in After burner machine and the Xybots cabinet with it's rotating joysticks to turn corners.
My earliest arcade memory is probably playing Pacman, Space Invaders and a couple of others at Butlins around 1980. Butlins was also the first place I saw and played (and completed with help) the original Laserdisc game Dragon's Lair.
Another great arcade memory is of an arcade in Brighton. I visited the city with my family to see the Lego exhibition at the Brighton Centre and the arcade was just up one of the side roads near by. It was a week day so not very busy and I remember it well because the first Robocop game had just been released and they had it. I played that for some time but could not get past the ED209 at the end of the first level. I also played Pacman, Galaga and a few others I can't remember.