Video Games - The Board Game

Growing up an only child in a neighborhood with few other kids, I spent a lot of time playing video games when there wasn't anyone else around (or when I got tired of hitting that 2 out, bottom of the ninth home run in game 7 of the World Series in the back yard with my trusty Steve Garvey bat and a Wiffle Ball). Someone at Milton Bradley must have been concerned about the anti-social behavior fostered by video games because that company started churning out board game versions of every even remotely popular video game of the era. Not only were these games nowhere near as much fun as the original versions, but each of them required at least two people to play.

Running out of games to ruin, but still looking to cash in on the video game craze, MB upped the ante with Electronic Arcade Mania. Instead of a single game, Arcade Mania was based on the competitive gaming concept popularized by Twin Galaxies. It also required four people to play.


The centerpiece of Arcade Mania is The Machine, a 9-inch tall plastic arcade cabinet with 9 buttons and 9 LEDs. Using plastic overlays, The Machine can be transformed into 4 different games: Alien Raiders (kinda like Space Invaders), Rattler (kinda like Centipede), Sneak Attack (kinda like Missile Command) and Run Amuk (kinda like Berzerk). Each player selects an overlay and a corresponding pawn and that become their game. Whenever another player lands on a square with your game on it, the two of you play and whoever gets the highest score wins some chips. The other 2 players can bet their chips on who they think will be the winner. The goal is to have the most chips when the game ends.

Considering that many parents in the early 1980's considered video game playing delinquent behavior on par with doing drugs and worshiping Satan, combining gaming with the unsavory practice of gambling wasn't a great marketing decision on Milton Bradley's part. That would explain the game's obscurity, even next to Zaxxon the board game.

The four games manage to be unique and playable (though not necessarily fun), despite being nothing more than the same 9 lights blinking in different patterns. But there's no reason to limit yourself to the games programmed into The Machine. Not in the 2000's. With roughly 96% of the titles released for the Wii being collections of mini-games, it would be easy to have players select games from one of those. Or, if you want to keep the retro vibe intact, there are several classic video game collections available for current systems to choose from.

Arcade Mania will add a nostalgic twist to your next game night. Or it will make three of your friends hate you. Fortunately, you'll have your video games to keep you company should that happen.