Jump to content
IGNORED

Missile Command Cockpit Model


Tempest

Recommended Posts

:lust:

 

I was thinking of starting a seperate thread on this but I'll ask here.

What was the deal with cockpit games? I can see certain games,

Battlezone, racing games, SWTAG maybe a few others where a sit down

version would be the best way to play. But a game like MC doesn't

really seem to me like a sit down game. Its still cool and all but it

doesn't make sense to me. Also I don't see why operators would

want to spend the extra $$ and use precious floor space for such

games?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What was the deal with cockpit games? I can see certain games,  

Battlezone, racing games, SWTAG maybe a few others where a sit down  

version would be the best way to play. But a game like MC doesn't  

really seem to me like a sit down game. Its still cool and all but it  

doesn't make sense to me. Also I don't see why operators would  

want to spend the extra $$ and use precious floor space for such  

games?

 

For one thing, it cost at least twice as much to play the cockpit model so that makes up for the price difference. The cockpits also served as an attraction (much liek Dragon's Lair did). People would wander into the arcades just to see what this big sit-down game was all about. Then they would wait for a turn or play something else that catches the eye. The cockpits were usually placed in a prominent position to draw such attention.

 

Missile Command doesn't make much sense as a sit down, but Atari was probably experimenting to see how it would go over. I notice we don''t see any cockpit Centipedes or Dig Dugs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, what you're saying makes sense. In a 2004 perspective it doesn't

but back then yeah I can see the appeal. I suppose I am spoiled today

where almost all racers are cockpit. And there are those deluxe machines

like the new Star Wars.

 

But back to the topic man do I want that machine! Maybe when I'm

40 :ponder:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is a bit of water damage on it, though. I used to have an Omega Race cocktail that had similar dimensions (tall and not very deep).

 

I remember I had a Centipede cabinet that was beautiful except for major water damage at the bottom. I actually removed the bottom couple inches of particle board, reconstructed the whole area, and carefully repainted it to blend into the original artwork (most of the damaged area was white). It looked pretty good... then it went to a local amusement auction. :)

 

-Bry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Missile Command doesn't make much sense as a sit down, but Atari was probably experimenting to see how it would go over.  I notice we don''t see any cockpit Centipedes or Dig Dugs.

Don't view it as a cockpit. View it as an ABM turret control seat.

It makes more sense that way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Man, back when I was in college there was a MC cockpit at the dead mall that was for sale. They were asking I think $575 for it (maybe it was $375?) and it sat there for months and months. I kept wanting to buy it but had no way to transport it and no where to put it if I COULD transport it. :sad:

 

I lived in an upstairs apartment too so it probably woul d have crashed through the floor anyways!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember playing one of these way back in the day, don't know if it was at an Aladdin's Castle or somewhere else. But I didn't know they were that rare. It's too bad about the water damage, but it still looks pretty damn cool and certainly would be a great game to have in one's arcade collection, if someone had lots of space for such a collection. :)

 

Were there any sit down games before this?

 

..Al

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember playing one of these way back in the day, don't know if it was at an Aladdin's Castle or somewhere else.  But I didn't know they were that rare.  It's too bad about the water damage, but it still looks pretty damn cool and certainly would be a great game to have in one's arcade collection, if someone had lots of space for such a collection.  :)

 

Were there any sit down games before this?

 

..Al

 

There was a cockpit style Omega Race, but I don't know which came first. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think Omega Race came first.

 

EDIT: Of course, KLOV says 1980 for Missile Command and 1981 for Omega Race, so so much for MY memory. :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Earliest sit-down game I could find:

 

http://klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8109

 

Night Driver was not long after that (76), and don't forget Fire Truck (78). Not sure on the first cockpit was, but it may have been MC. They were special orders from Aladin's Castle. I never saw one back in the day, but have seen a few recently. Wonder where this one was hiding all those years?

 

Cassidy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What was the deal with cockpit games? I can see certain games,  

Battlezone, racing games, SWTAG maybe a few others where a sit down  

version would be the best way to play. But a game like MC doesn't  

really seem to me like a sit down game. Its still cool and all but it  

doesn't make sense to me.

Immersion in the game, that's why. I had the opportunity to sit in one of these at a game auction. The walls shut out most of your view of the outside world, and the 25" screen has a lens on it to make the image even bigger.

 

Missile Command's graphics are simple, but that cabinet made me feel like I really was surveying a coastline populated with cities.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...