Though considered a failure at the time, the game was revolutionary, and formed the foundations of a new industry. The video game arcade had its roots in 1971, when Computer Space, the first commercially sold, coin-operated video game, was designed by Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It is also undeniable, however, that the video game arcade would not have happened without him. To say that Nolan Bushnell single-handedly created the arcade would probably be overstating it: coin-operated machines had been popular in America for decades by the time he got his start in the early '70s, and the pinball arcade had a storied (and notorious) spot in American history.

The defining feature of a “real” arcade, however, is that there aren’t really any left. In earlier days (though well into the ‘90s), it’s sometimes smoky inside, and the cabinets bear the scars of many a forgotten cig left hanging off the edge while its owner tries one last time for a high score, inevitably ending in his or her death. It’s noisy, with all the kids yelling and the video games on permanent demo mode, beckoning you to waste just one more quarter. This is a place for kids to be with other kids, teens to be with other teens, and early-stage adults to serve as the ambassador badasses in residence for the younger generation. Your mom wouldn’t want to be there, and nobody would want her there, anyway. There’s no sign outside that says you “must be 21 to enter.” These are rarely family-friendly institutions, either. You can make an exception for a lonely vending machine, sure, but full meals? No thanks. They’re dark (so that you can see the screens better), and they don’t sell food or booze. Lots and lots of video games, and (usually) pinball machines. Authenticity is a hard nut to crack, but there are a few hallmarks of the video game arcade of days gone by: first, they have video games. If you’ve never been inside a “real” arcade, it could be hard to distinguish one from say, oh, a Dave & Buster’s.

Arcade machine with coin slot