Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Robin Mihara, who currently is displayed on card number 286, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection. Robin is one of the top Tetris players in the world. His preference is the NES version and has been playing since its release in the 1980’s. Robin starred in and produced the documentary ‘Ecstasy of Order’, which about the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC) and top competitors in the world. Robin is also known as participating in the 1990 Nintendo World Championships, which he came in third place. Robin traveled over 30 cities in 1991 to compete in the Disney Capcom Play Tour. Traveling and playing NES games against others was a true honor.
When did you first play Tetris and what do you remember about it?
I first played Tetris as a rental shortly after it was released. I thought it was tedious and did not enjoy it at all. I ended up buying it when the Nintendo World Championships (1990) came to Portland and I realized it was a deeper game with a very high skill-cap.
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Andrew Welburn, who currently is displayed on card number 1643, from the Superstars of 2014 Collection. Andrew has been collecting arcade games since 1997 and has been repairing very rare and undocumented PCBs for collectors since 2000 at http://andysarcade.com. For a period of two years he wrote a video game section in the Antique Amusements Magazine before its demise and has appeared on national TV and in magazines in the UK covering the history and culture of video games. He has also been involved in supplying arcade machines for TV shows and for classic gaming events in the UK and USA.
What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?
I mainly just play the games that I am repairing, usually in not-ideal conditions, with the monitor rotated 90 degrees because it’s on my workbench, or with approximate controls in very substandard conditions. I think I could beat anyone at Space Invaders played sideways as I fix the most amount of those and am pixel-perfect with the gameplay.
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mike Imhof, who is displayed on card number 2712, from the Superstars of 2017. Mike and his wife Lisa are also on trading card number 2913. Along with his wife, Mike has a home arcade in Pittsburgh, PA called “RetroBrain Arcade”. Each year Mike hosts an annual home arcade party. Dozens of gaming enthusiasts come out to participate in this family friendly competition. For over a decade now, Mike has been collecting retro and modern-day consoles, pinball machines and arcade video games to share among the community. The reason Mike does this unselfishly is because he remembers going to an arcade with a group of friends and sharing the experience with others. He loves to recreate that feeling again in his home arcade.
Do you like it when Hollywood makes a movie from the video game?
No. Nine times out of ten they are awful. They never get anyone who actually knows what the game was about. I mean, have you seen Super Mario Bros. or House of the Dead? To be fair though, there have been few gems. I liked Silent Hill, Mortal Kombat, and the first Resident Evil.
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features DJKen Heath, who is displayed on card number 2653, from the Superstars of 2017. DJKen is a talented entertainer and technician who dedicated his time and knowledge for the initial building of the Museum of Pinball and production of all its events since its inception in Banning, California. He also uses his time to make sure all the technology and machines are running smoothly during the events. Music has brought DJKen to meeting many gaming talents through the years. He is honored to be a part of the Walter Day trading card family.
What games today do you play and what are your favorite genres of games?
I own four games, two pins and two vids. “Drop A Card” (Gottlieb), “Fan-Tas-Tic” (Williams), “Maximum Force/Area 51” (Atari), and “Police Trainer” (P&P Marketing).
Written by Todd Friedman on . Posted in Trading Card Spotlight
Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Brian Allen, who currently is displayed on card number 329, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection. Brian is also featured on cards 2130 and 2466. Brian is considered one of the best Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Junior players in the world. He has accomplished the well-known ‘Kill Screen’ many times in Donkey Kong. He has his name in the record books for Donkey Kong Jr and Donkey Kong 3. Brian has had a personal tournament named after him called the ‘Allen-Off”. This battle between Allen Staal of Australia and Brian Allen of the U.S. Look for Brian at some of the Kong Off tournament, as he will surely be up there in the rankings.
If you could own one arcade game besides Donkey Kong, what would it be and why?
I do own 18 arcade and pinball machines in my game room arcade in my house. There is always machines I am wanted but the lack of space and money limits me from buying anymore. I used to own a Space Fire Bird arcade machine. I would love to find another one of those and take the world record on that.
