Old is Gold! And it applies to video games too! Being a guy who grew up playing classic 8-bit games on my console, the memories of classic video games like Mario Bros, Contra, and Donkey Kong always put a smile on my face! In order to revive the spirit of arcade games of the 70s and 80s, The Internet Archive, a nonprofit that offers a historical collection of software, has added more than 900 classic arcade video games to its site.
Known as The Internet Archive, the site will feature some of the earliest and classic video games that include favorites like Astro Fighter, Dig Dug, and Pac Man. The restoration of these games has been made possible by JSMESS Project (JavaScript MESS) led by Jason Smith. JSMESS is a program that emulates old computers like Commodo 64 and Atari 2600 into Javascript. This enable MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) to work on your browser, thereby enabling you to play these games directly from your web browser.
The arcade (coin operated or coinop) video games, which used to be a multi-billion dollar industry a couple of decades ago, is now nothing but a thing of the past. With gaming PCs with buffed-up configurations and superior consoles like XBox and PlayStation, you can now play games with realistic graphics, a major factor which drives today’s video game industry!
This doesn’t mean that everyone has forgotten those classic arcade games. There are still thousands who are looking for these games which are so intimate to their childhood memories. So, if you are a fan of old-school video games, then read on!
How to Play a Classic Arcade Game on Your Browser
The Internet Arcade lists down the games featured in its classic collection of coin-operated arcade games. It is highly likely that you may find some of your favorite, if you play any, and other games that you may not have even heard of before!
It is recommended that you use the latest version of Firefox or Chrome browser for the best gaming experience. Moreover, these two are the only browsers that can detect a traditional joystick. So, if you have one, then plug one in, and you are good to go!
Also see: RetroCopy
When you click on a game, you will find a brief description about the game, details of its manufacturer, year of manufacturing, and other information. Below the screenshot of the game, click on ‘Run’ to launch the game!
Now, you will be taken to the MAME interface. If it detects a joystick, it will show it in the screen. I am using my keyboard, so I am asked to hit the Space Bar to start the game.
Click Space Bar, to get into the game interface. Now, click 1 for single player, or 2 for two players. And voila! You are back to the 70s and 80s!
If you’re using your keyboard as the joystick, you should probably know the keys assigned to control the game. Otherwise, you will spend minutes pounding on your keyboard, trying to figure out the correct control keys!
5 key—Insert coin; 1/2 key–Player 1/2 start button; Arrow keys—Directional stuff; SHIFT/CTRL/ALT/SPACE—Primary action buttons and TAB–Key configurations
However, there is no guarantee that all the games will run as smoothly as they do in their original console. Some of them didn’t even load, while others were too hard to play on a keyboard. Nonetheless, the effort made by the JSMESS team is commendable!
Conclusion
The Internet Arcade is a web-based home to 900+ arcade (coin operated) games. It caters to those who grew up playing these games and who still cherishes them. If you are passionate about video game, and about its origin, you should definitely check out this site. You will have an idea of the evolution the gaming industry and its difference between now and then! Else, simply cancel your weekend plans, and sit down for some old school action!