Rich Birdsall’s Retro Game Ridiculousness

When I was a kid video games were one step up from pong but still very new to the world. I wanted a Nintendo for my birthday, Christmas of 1989, instead I received an ATARI 7800 for Christmas(<--See what I did there?).

I was confused. All of my friends were taking about the Nintendo and when I got this game system I really had no idea what it was. I told my friends in school what I had gotten and they said, "No, you want a Nintendo." I felt awful until I opened this thing up and saw the smooth black lines and shiny chrome Atari logo. Firing this thing up was pretty awesome as I only had one game that came with it.

Pole Position 2

I drove this Formula 1 car around 8 bit curves on 4 tracks over and over. until I ended up getting more games as I saved my allowance up. Then as Christmas's and Birthdays went by I was given a SEGA Genesis.  Over the next few years I played these games and spent some quarters at Aladdin's Castle in the mall and the game room at Belden Hill Campground until I outgrew the video game thing. I'm not sure if I lost interest because the games got increasingly harder to play with added buttons and stuff or I just lost interest because making money seemed like more of an attractive concept.

Either way, here's a list of my favorites. Be sure to click on the picture and you can play them online from different providers!!

This game was simple and fun. Smash the chefs in the face with food from the piles provided. This was worrisome for my Mom however, she was a lunch lady at my high school.

Fly Jets and take out the "Migs" whatever those are. Violence at a distance at it's best!

1980's Zombies! AAAAHHH!

Shoot the tanks and the hostage holds and save the hostages! You are an instant hero!

My 1st video game addiction! I have probably dumped $200.00 dollars in quarters in this bad boy in the 90's. Kill bad boys and save child ninja girls. Awesome. Hey don't forget an awesome Ninja Magic button that makes you invincible!

Obviously the only game my friends on Nintendo couldn't have. I have spent countless hours playing this game for free at Service Merchandise. Remember Service Merchandise? My Dad would load us all into the Crown Victoria Wagon and shop at this store basically because he was enthralled with the idea of the stuff he bought coming down that conveyor belt.

Have fun playing these and thanks for the memory dump!