20 Photos That Bring Back Memories of Old-School Arcades

There was nothing like walking into an old arcade. The lights were dim except for the glow of the machines, and you could hear the mix of pinball dings, button mashing, and coins dropping before you even made it to the change counter. You’d burn through quarters faster than you planned, trying to beat the high score while your friends crowded around behind you, and you’d agonize over how to distribute your winnings at the prize counter. These vintage pictures of arcades from decades past transport us back to the good old days.

1. Playing Pac-Man (1981)

2. Crowded Arcade (1980)

3. Mortal Kombat Drawing a Crowd (1990s)

4. Playing Ridge Racer in Amsterdam (1994)

5. Everyone Loved Whack a Mole (1990s)

6. Tube Socks Might as Well Have Been the Arcade Uniform Back in the Day (Late 1970s)

7. A Bunch of Cool Kids (1983)

8. Getting Ready To Hand Out Quarters at Time-Out (1981)

9. Father-Son Time at the Arcade (1988)

10. Steven Spielberg and Some of His Arcade Games (Early 1980s)

11. ‘The Simpsons’ Game (1992)

12. Playing Pinball (1976)

13. Teens Spending Their Allowance at the Arcade (1982)

14. Double Dragon With Dad (1989)

15. Street Fighter 2 Players in Los Angeles (Early 1990s)

16. Playing Karate Champ (1980s)

17. Kids Amazed by Defender (1980s)

18. Hanging Out in the Arcade (1981)

19. Escape Hatch 165 (1980s)

20. George Lucas Testing Out the ‘Star Wars’ Arcade Game by Atari (1983)

Looking for more vintage games?

From 15 Vintage Board Games That Are Surprisingly Valuable to 12 Vintage Video Games That Are Now Worth Thousands, there are plenty of old-school games to explore. You might also be interested in 19 Classic Photos of Atlantic City Through the Years.