Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Mike Gedeon, who’s Cleveland's Classic Console and Arcade Gaming Show (CCAG) is displayed on card number 233, from the Superstars of 2012. Mike and his partner Matt Teske are the organizers of the Cleveland Classic Gaming Show in Ohio.  This event displays various gaming displays form both console and arcade gaming, as well as pinball.  Tournaments, auctions, prizes and many other surprises can be found at this one-day event.   The mission of this event is “To strive to keep the days of early video gaming alive.  Paying homage to the games and systems that started and formed the largest and most pervasive form of entertainment media ever!”

Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?

 Probably either some black & white arcade games at the local Sears or some 70’s pinball machines on a Florida vacation.

Happy Easter,

This week we look back at an interview with author and game enthusiast Brett Weiss.   This interview was done on November 29th, 2015.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Brett Weiss who currently is displayed on card number 221, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection.  He is also featured on cards 227, 1193,1207,1320,1393 and 1402.  These cards commemorate Brett’s books that he has written over the years.    Brett is a passionate writer of many books and has contributed to numerous publications, including Game Informer, Video Game Trader and the PinGame Journal, to name a few.  His well-known books, Classic Home Video Games can be purchased on amazon and other retail book sites.  You can also find out more information about his work at www.brettweisswords.com.

Do you remember your first video game/arcade you played and what do you remember about it?

My brother and I played Pong at my cousin’s house in 1975—they had gotten it for Christmas. We were amazed that you could play it on television. Prior to this, I had played Gun Fight, Pong, and a few others in the arcades. When Breakout hit the arcades in 1976, I began liking video games even more than pinball, which I loved.

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Today we look back at an interview I did from January 26th, 2016.  I talked with Galloping Ghost Owner Doc Mack.   With now the largest arcade in the world with over 630 arcade games to date,  Galloping ghost arcade is a place you need to visit and experience for yourslef.  

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features Doc Mack who currently is displayed on card number 483, from the Superstars of 2013 Collection.  Doc is the owner of an arcade in Brookfield, IL called The Galloping Ghost Arcade.   This is not your ordinary arcade of today; Doc has around 500 arcade machines up and running for all to play.  It is the biggest arcade to date in the United States.  You can play old classics such as Galaga and Pac-Man or play some games of today such as The Grid, or Mortal Kombat X.  Doc is also the owner of Galloping Ghosts Productions which is currently working on the arcade game Dark Presence.  His company designs and builds arcade games for other arcades in his area.  Doc is a huge supporter of local and out of state video game events brining his personal machines for people to enjoy and try to break records on.  

Do you remember your first video game / arcade you played and what do you remember about it?

I remember the first day my Dad brought home Pong and playing it for hours and hours.  In the arcades, Asteroids was the first game I ever played.  I remember being amazed to be out of the house playing and able to play video games.

Our next Trading Card Spotlight features George Riley, who is displayed on card number 206, from the Superstars of 2012 Collection.  He is also featured on card number 369.  George is a widely know Donkey Kong 3 Champion.  His scores on M.A.M.E. and the arcade are number one on the Twin Galaxies scoreboard.   George is a big collector of Atari 2600 games.  George also holds some records on Galaxian and Donkey Kong Jr.  You can always see George and subscribe on his YouTube Channel. When not gaming George makes his living as  substitute teacher. 

How does video game music influence games past and present?

Video game music adds flavor to a video game. It can also add a couple of notches to a video game.  The music to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series made the video game just as much as the graphics, and the gameplay.  As far as the Golden Age games it was important too.  Donkey Kong that came out in 1981 has a lot more music than most people realize, and it really does add to the experience.  Even Space Invaders with that da da da noise is something that's an iconic memory.