National Video Game Museum

https://nvmusa.org/

Oh what a trip!

In and of itself, to play an assortment of silly, fun, wonderful, historic games, in their "native" settings was more fun than I can describe. Had I known nothing about these games, but simply been a visitor to the National Video Game Museum, I'd have had a great time.

But how much more fun when the visit was also a trip down the infamous Memory Lane. 

On a trip to Dallas, Texas over the holidays, I was treated to an afternoon at the National Video Game Museum, 8004 Dallas Parkway Suite 300, Frisco, TX 75034. I had no idea what to expect, though I am an admitted gamer from what I thought was fairly early on. I recall the days, for example, when early video game consoles were available in bars and restaurants, and people would gather around them for a game of Pong, or Tank, or even Pac-Man. I really got hooked when graphic adventure games and text adventure games became popular, and I discovered Gabriel Knight and Curses. (And oh, no, researching this article turned up some new text adventures you can play online, so I might be in trouble!)

It was my theory that when home computers were first introduced, the "excitement" level was relatively low until the idea that you could play your popular game favorites right from your desk at home was noted. Suddenly, everyone wanted a home computer. 

Needless to say, video games were not new when the home computer market picked them up. I was somewhat shocked to learn, however, how old the concept was.

According to the infallible source, Wikipedia: "The first video game prototypes in the 1950s and 1960s were simple extensions of electronic games using video-like output from large, room-sized mainframe computers. The first consumer video game was the arcade video game COMPUTER SPACE in 1971. In 1972 came the iconic hit game PONG and the first home console, the MAGNAVOX ODYSSEY..." A gold age in the late 70s and early 80s was followed by a crash in the mid-80s, but after that, the Nintendo, Sega and Sony games grabbed the market.

Games are often divided into platforms, devices, and genre. Platforms include things like Atari, Sega, Gameboy, and XBox. Devices would include PC, arcade, console and handheld devices. Types might include adventure, first person shooter, and role-playing, among many.

This information, of course, is a vast simplification in what is a three dimensional and ever-expanding universe of gaming. Devoted gamers can select not just an amped-up computer for speed and graphics, but even dedicated chairs, screens, and "feedback" keyboards and input devices that improve the immersion experience for certain games.

The museum itself would have required a minimum of a full day to truly appreciate. The arcade game room alone took up at least an hour of my time, recollecting the old days of Pac-Man and Pong. There was a panel of computer stations with assorted games available to launch from the old-school cartridge, and try your hand at games like Contra, Ape Escape and Halo. You can view old (and new) consoles, game play gear, images, and series. Try to best your buddies at a giant game of Pong (with everyone watching!), or go visit a 1980's bedroom - the mess, the color, the clothes, the games you might have grown up with.

The mission is simple: to capture the artifacts of a history that is zooming by at the speed of light - almost literally. The founders may not have been around for the absolute zero hour of computer gaming, but they were certainly part of its rise to glory, and decided to dedicate themselves to "(preserve) as much information about the creation and evolution of the videogame industry as possible and preserve as many physical artifacts as possible for generations to come."

One thing that surprised and interested me: I visited the museum with two relatively young people - a nine-year-old and an eleven-year-old. I more than half expected these children of the days of high speed and internet-based gaming to be bored, or at least quickly tire of the older game modules. Not at all! In fact, contrary to my expectations, they spent a surprising amount of time in the old arcade room, and a equal amount of time playing the old computer-based games - and adding their scores to the ranks of the high totals.

Locals (and out of town visitors) can host birthday and other parties, get married, attend special events and sales, get private tours, and much, much more. 

But in case you can't get to Frisco for a quick visit, you might want to try the virtual walk-through:
https://nvmusa.org/virtual-tour/

Game on!