These pics are all via from a righteous Flickr pool called Growing Up In Arcades: 1979-1989. I’m going through the entire series and posting my faves, adding commentary where I see fit. Here’s the first installment.
AaronCaldwell/Flickr
May 24, 1983. Love the moonscape and the Berzerk marquee, but especially the moonscape. What’s an arcade but a series of trips to other worlds?
AaronCaldwell/Flickr
Homeboy on the left reminds me of the funny fat kid on The Cosby Show (what was his name?). Le Tigre dude is grabbing his balls or something; dude next to him is taking a shit in his pants; and dude next to him (the birthday boy in the previous pic) is sporting a killer E.T. shirt that I would wear today, if I could find one that fit.
David Atkins/Flickr
Another one from 1983. The socks. My God, the socks. And another Le Tigre polo (those were the shit back then). And the cut-off jean shorts. And a green t-shirt tucked into green, elastic banded P.E. shorts. Why not? It’s 1983, and we were there, and it was awesome.
Rad Arcade/Flickr
In the arcade cocoon we were kept warm by the fantasies our quarters bought us.
Rad Arcade/Flickr
Dad watches on, bemused by these newfangled games, but secure in the comfort of his pocket protector.
Rad Arcade/Flickr
Put those dice away, players! No gambling zone.
Rad Arcade/Flickr
Oh my sweet heaven. A Space Port.
2 Warps to Neptune 