The Space Invaders: In Search of Lost Time

Starting with the release of Space Invaders in 1978, arcade games began to proliferate widely. By 1982, North America boasted 13,000 dedicated arcade venues. This period marked the Golden Age of Arcade Games, with revenues reaching $3.2 billion in 1983. However, by 1985, earnings had plummeted by 97%, leading to Atari’s bankruptcy and the closure of many arcades. Most of the classic games were either repurposed or destroyed, while a few were stored away in warehouses, largely forgotten for at least a decade. This narrative explores the history of arcade video games and the generation that frequented these arcades, striving to collect and preserve their cherished memories.