Tranquility Base Arcade

2011 Game Room of the Year

2012-01-09T21:19:00.009-05:00

When Gameroom Magazine ceased operation in October 2010 the arcade collecting hobby lost a major inspiration point for homeowners to push forward and create their own unique game rooms. The honor of being immortalized on the pages of the magazine was every home arcade owners dream. Enter the Gameroom Junkies to save the day! In November 2010 Preston and Patrick picked up the slack and began featuring home game rooms on their Gameroom Junkies website. After an entire year of outstanding game room coverage a decision was made to have the arcade collectors of KLOV and elsewhere vote for the best game room of 2011. It was an honor for Tranquility Base Arcade to even be on the list and to win the GRAND PRIZE was just over the top! Thanks Gameroom Junkies! You guys are an inspiration to home arcade owners everywhere! I can't wait to receive my certificate, as it will be proudly displayed inside Tranquility Base Arcade!

Score Board

2011-12-09T22:07:00.004-05:00

I finally had a chance to put one of the finishing touches on the Tranquility Base Arcade - a score board! After spending over three years acquiring games, repairing them, building the arcade and bar, I can actually play the games! Naturally a score board was required to keep track of all the high scores. I went old school and got a "menu type" score board like I remember from the arcades of my youth. Any visitors to the arcade can "Shot for the Moon" and if they set a high score a nifty prize is awarded.

New Sea Wolf World Record!!!

2011-11-12T19:40:00.000-05:00

I recently set the World Record for Sea Wolf on Tranquility Base Arcade's very own Sea Wolf machine. Twin Galaxies International confirmed the record on October 9, 2011. I scored 11,300 points, which was 200 points higher than the previous record of 11,100 points set by John McCann on February 1, 2010. Sea Wolf, which was initially released by Midway in 1976, has been a long time favorite of mine and it is a thrill to be recognized as the current World Record holder for this game.

New Sprint 2 World Record!!!

2011-10-08T19:38:00.010-04:00

I recently set the World Record for Sprint 2 on Tranquility Base Arcade's very own Sprint 2 machine. The record was confirmed by Twin Galaxies International on September 29, 2011. I scored 524 points, which doubled the old record of 262 points set by Brian Kuh on May 31, 2007. Sprint 2, which was initially released by Atari in 1976, has been a long time favorite of mine and it is a thrill to be recognized as the current World Record holder for this game.

Dive! Dive! Dive!

2011-08-14T17:55:00.004-04:00

After a lengthy repair job, I have fixed Sea Wolf and put it in the arcade. The game is in excellent original condition and plays great! The game had sat unused in a warehouse for many years and required quite a number of repairs including the replacement of a blown transformer on the Motorola XM-701 monitor. To make room for Sea Wolf I slightly rearranged the games making an “Early Midway Row” where all the games are either electromechanical or black and white. Torpedoes away!

Space Shuttle Atlantis

2011-07-08T00:02:00.007-04:00

Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch today for the 135th and final flight of the shuttle program. The shuttle will be carrying parts and supplies to the International Space Station. Atlantis was first launched October 3, 1985 and is noteworthy for deploying both the Magellan probe bound for Venus and the Galileo probe bound for Jupiter. The space shuttle was the first orbital spacecraft designed for reuse. Six shuttles were built over the life of the program. With the end of the shuttle program the United States will now turn to Russia and their Soyouz spacecraft for future missions. Godspeed Atlantis! Godspeed!

Raise A Glass!

2011-06-15T21:57:00.008-04:00

I pulled out my old Apollo mission commemorative drinking glasses that I collected as a kid and had saved all these years. The glasses were a premium at Marathon gas stations back when the attendant pumped your gas, checked your oil and washed your windows! There are four seperate designs, each one featuring a different mission - Apollo 11 Apollo 12, Apollo 13 and Apollo 14. I also have the decanter, some smaller tumblers and a unique 'Moonshot' glass that doubles as a shot glass when you flip it over! The glasses will make a great addition to the new lounge area as well as a fun conversation piece for those who remember them.

King Of Kong Arcade

2011-05-28T12:35:00.016-04:00

I recently had an opportunity to stop by and see Billy Mitchell’s new King of Kong arcade located in the Orlando, Florida airport. Surprisingly the arcade lacks a Donkey Kong machine however the attention to detail and overall look of the arcade is excellent! I couldn’t leave without picking up a few bottles of hot sauce, which commemorate the King Of Kong arcade.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

2011-05-16T15:53:00.005-04:00

Space Shuttle Endeavour lifted off today for its 25th and final flight. The shuttle will be carrying parts and supplies to the International Space Station. Endeavor is the “baby” of the fleet and was first launched May 7, 1992. Endeavor is noteworthy for helping to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993 as well as bringing the first American piece of the International Space Station to space in 1998. Upon landing Space Shuttle Endeavour is to become a permanent display at the California Science Center.

Contact Light - The Bar Has Landed!

2011-04-17T10:58:00.007-04:00

I am finally to a point where the bar/lounge area can be considered just about done. A few minor tweaks remain but nothing of note. The epoxy is poured, the custom countertop has been assembled and mounted and the LED effects have been installed. Also installed are a unique glass faucet and vessel sink which visitors cannot resist trying when they first walk in! The 'glowing coasters' are huge hit as your drink can be blue one second and red the next! You and a buddy can engage in some friendly competition on the nearby Chexx Hockey or just kick back on a stool and listen to the game sounds drifting in from the arcade.

Michigan Pinball Expo

2011-04-15T20:00:00.005-04:00

I attended the Michigan Pinball Expo today and had a great time! There were hundreds of machines to play ranging from a rare 1936 Bally Bumper to Stern's Avatar. I had the most fun playing Bally's classic Fireball but that Williams Space Mission sure would look good in the Tranquility Base Arcade!

50th Anniversary of Human Spaceflight

2011-04-12T22:09:00.013-04:00

Fifty years ago today Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut, became the first human to journey into space. His spacecraft, Vostok 1, flew a mission of 108 minutes and completed one orbit of the Earth. He landed safely and became an international celebrity. Thus, the Space Race began....

A full length movie titled First Orbit, which chronicles Gagarin's historic flight, was released today on YouTube.

1976 Midway Sea Wolf

2011-04-02T00:12:00.003-04:00

After a lengthy search I recently acquired a 1976 Midway Sea Wolf. I vividly remember this game being larger than life as a kid and after moving it into the arcade with the help of a friend my back will never forget that it still is! Sea Wolf is historically important, as it is the first arcade game to display a high score. Since the game was in storage for decades and is not working it has been sent to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

Gameroom Junkies

2011-03-20T19:46:00.008-04:00

Roger that...We read you loud and clear Gameroom Junkies!

I was fortunate enough to have Tranquility Base Arcade recognized this month by the Gameroom Junkies! Along with an article being written about my arcade I was also the recipient of their very retro 'Get Your Fix' t-shirt! Patrick and Preston do an incredible job with their podcasts and are keeping the spirit of video arcade game collecting alive!

Space Shuttle Discovery

2011-02-24T20:39:00.003-05:00

Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off for its 39th and final mission today. It will be carrying spare parts and supplies to the International Space Station. Discovery is the oldest and most often flown shuttle. It was first launched August 30, 1984 and has traveled 142 million miles! Discovery is also noteworthy for putting America back into space after the Challenger and Columbia disasters. Upon landing Space Shuttle Discovery will make one last trip – to the Smithsonian!

Landing Pad

2011-02-12T14:41:00.007-05:00

After pricing out various options for a countertop, all of which were extremely expensive, I decided to make my own. I acquired a used table from Craigslist and modified to fit the area. I plan to epoxy the surface just like my stools but in a satin finish so the 45 degree seam can be pieced together without it being visible. The countertop will have custom LED lighting as well! Buying something already sealed and with a routed edge gave me a head start. Plus, who needs a Corian countertop in the basement? More to follow!

New Gorf World Record!!!

2011-01-29T12:53:00.007-05:00

Tranquility Base Arcade extends enthusiastic congratulations to John McCann of Altura, Minnesota who set the world record on Gorf at his very own Lost Highway Arcade! McCann, who played the six ship version of the game, finished with a final score of 1,153,710. McCann, who was the current world record holder, nearly doubled his previous score of 621,690 set on October 5, 2008. The game took about six hours and is the first time a score of over one million points has been verified on Gorf.

Space Shuttle Challenger

2011-01-28T19:23:00.003-05:00

"We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of Earth' to 'touch the face of God." President Ronald Reagan - January 28, 1986

Final Descent

2011-01-01T20:56:00.011-05:00

I finally had a chance to resume work on the lounge area. Stainless steel cabinets have been installed and the NASA phone has found a home. Further updates will include custom countertops, a bar sink, a small bar area and special LED lighting features.

NASA Phone

2010-12-02T18:10:00.024-05:00

For those of you old enough to remember using a rotary phone this is an old North Electric payphone. I wanted to put a working payphone in the arcade but was very disappointed to learn that my current service did not support a rotary dial unit. I wasn't keen on the fact of hanging a phone on the wall that did nothing but loved the old school utilitarian look of the phone. I imagine it is similar to something you would have seen at a government facility such as NASA in the 1960's. Thus, with inspiration from another collector and some elbow grease I created the "NASA Phone." I wired in a playback module with a USB port so you can download various WAV or MP3 files. Of course, I put the sound bite of when Apollo 11 landed at the Sea of Tranquility (Tranquility Base) on July 20, 1969. Now when visiting the Tranquility Base Arcade you can actually hear the astronauts as they land on the moon!

Doorways

2010-11-16T21:26:00.004-05:00

I had been planning to add some LED features to the arcade and finally had a chance to do so earlier this month. Both doorways in Tranquility Base Arcade now feature custom lighting. I designed a custom cross section consisting of Plexiglas, white masonite, standard case molding and drop ceiling trim strips to make plain looking door jambs during the day turn into a spectacular light show when the arcade gets fired up. All components were custom fit including the LED strips. The lights are controlled via a wall mounted keypad. This allows for custom color mixtures, strobe lights, fades and more!

New Joust World Record!!!

2010-10-22T23:20:00.009-04:00

Tranquility Base Arcade extends enthusiastic congratulations to John McAllister of Portland, Oregon who set the world record on Joust. McAllister, who played the game for over 53 hours straight, finished with a final score of 107,301,150. The mark eclipsed the previous record of 107,216,700, which was set by James Vollandt in 1985. In a great display of sportsmanship Vollandt joined a live streaming of the event to urge on and later congratulate McAllister on the new record.

1981 Atari Asteroids Deluxe

2010-09-13T16:42:00.010-04:00

An Asteroids Deluxe has been added to Tranquility Base Arcade! This is the sixth and final game of the "time capsule games" I purchased a little over two years ago. The game was in storage since 1983 and the condition is simply amazing! Even though Asteroids Deluxe is considered to be a disappointing sequel to the smash hit Asteroids, it is a very fun and fast paced game...and most importantly...I am a HUGE fan of it! Asteroids Deluxe has been sent to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

Tank Undergoing Restoration

2010-08-15T21:13:00.010-04:00

The Atari/Kee Tank I recently acquired is being thoroughly gone through before it is subjected to the rigorous environment of the many arcade enthusiasts who frequent the Tranquility Base Arcade. Board repairs, monitor rejuvenation, cap kit, cleaning, tweaking have all been completed .Nothing is being left to chance. Here she is just after I installed the rebuilt Motorola XM 701 monitor. Tank is almost ready for battle!

Houston...We Are Fixing Problems Here...

2010-08-15T20:09:00.013-04:00

The Tranquility Base Arcade has recently completed another upgrade to the onsite Repair Station. As the collection grows and the arcade draws more visitors the amount of repairs necessary to keep the games running grows as well. All board repairs, monitor rebuilds, restorations, etc. are performed by yours truly. Thus, whenever I have the opportunity to purchase a piece of equipment to help me with these repairs I jump at the chance. Recently, I picked up a vintage B&K 467 Analyzer/Rejuvenator and an HP 10529A Logic Comparator. Both pieces of equipment were immediately put to use. If you have a vintage arcade collection these two items are a must have!

Go For Landing!

2010-08-02T20:51:00.005-04:00

What in the world is going on at Tranquility Base Arcade? Houston, are extra games landing? Some people say the original lineup is always the best but in the case of Tranquility Base Arcade the lineup keeps getting better and better! A home use only Sprint 2 along with an excellent condition Asteroids Deluxe and a Kee Tank have been unable to stay in orbit and have been pulled in. How is extra room being created? I have no idea but I hope the patrons of Tranquility Base Arcade like the new additions!

1976 Atari Sprint 2

2010-07-17T22:54:00.018-04:00

I recently acquired a HUO 1976 Atari Sprint 2. Sprint 2 was my favorite game as a kid so when I began collecting arcade games I started to search for one. Over the years I found several of them but they usually were in poor condition so I was extremely pleased to find such a nice example. This particular game was purchased new along with several others by a wealthy businessman for his home game room. Due to the current poor economic conditions, the gentlemen liquidated some of his assets, which included the contents of his now vintage game room. The game appears to
have seen very little use and is in near mint condition. Sprint 2
is historically important, as it is the first driving game to use a microprocessor. The game does not work and has been sent to
the Repair Station for diagnosis.

1974 Atari Tank

2010-06-07T18:58:00.012-04:00

In a great act of “Arcade Friendship” Steve MacDonald drove this Tank game all the way from Denver, Colorado to Detroit, Michigan which is believed to be around 8,000,000 miles one way! Tank is historically important as it is the first arcade game to use ROM. This particular example, which appears to have been last incensed in Texas in 1978, is in outstanding condition thus making it a true collector’s gem. The Tranquility Base Arcade will be purposely rearranged to make a special spot for this very special game.
“Tanks” again Steve!!!

Happy Birthday Pac-Man!

2010-05-21T17:10:00.015-04:00

Pac-Man, the most successful video game ever, turns 30 years old this week. The game, which was designed by Namco in Japan and liscensed in the United States by Midway, sold over 100,00 units and generated over one billion dollars - all in quarters! The game became so popular it spawned everything from a breakfast cereal to a Saturday morning cartoon to a hit song. The Tranquility Base Arcade is proud to have a Pac-Man game in its collection. The game, acquired from the daughter of the original owner has just over 8,000 plays and after 30 years remains in mint condition.

Floored

2010-05-08T12:55:00.008-04:00

The floor installation is complete! I selected a pattern similar to "diamond plate" in order to give the room an industrial look. The dark color will also hide dust and dirt and make cleaning a snap! Since most bars have a TV and/or arcades games, I hung a 25" flat screen TV in the corner and added a Chexx hockey.

Sand The Floor

2010-04-17T15:24:00.013-04:00

I received the tile and it is ready to be installed but first I had to sand the floor. Over the years the floor had been painted several times. I didn't want to strip the paint chemically so I rented a square buff sander. They sure made some tough paint in the past as I went through four sheets of 20 grit paper! Once I finished sanding, the floor was washed with TSP - a commercial heavy duty cleaner/degreaser. I will let the floor dry a few days before I start to lay the tile.

New Asteroids World Record!!!

2010-04-06T17:34:00.024-04:00

Tranquility Base Arcade extends enthusiastic congratulations to John McAllister of Portland, Oregon who set the world record in Asteroids. McAllister, who played the game for over 57 hours straight, finished with a final score of 41,338,740. The mark narrowly eclipsed the previous record of 41,336,440 which was set by the late Scott Safran in 1982. The former record, one of the most venerable in video gaming history, had stood for 27 years!

Look Up!

2010-04-03T13:02:00.004-04:00

I installed the ceiling this past week. I used the same ceiling as I did in the other two rooms in order to give everything a uniform look. The ceiling took just a few hours to complete. I remembered all the time savers from the earlier ceiling installations and they proved to be a big help. I ordered the floor and hope to receive it next week!

Trimmed

2010-03-26T22:58:00.010-04:00

I have completed the chair rail molding as well as the trim around the doorway, closet and electrical panel. All nails have been patched and painted over. The ceiling will be installed next.

Paintin' The Blues

2010-03-20T12:41:00.007-04:00

Two coats of paint have been applied and the room is starting to take shape. I used the same color blue that was used in the other two rooms. The addition of chair rail molding along with trim work around the doorways and electrical panel is next.

Primed And Ready

2010-03-13T09:59:00.008-05:00

Ready for paint that is! The mud and tape has been completed. The walls were sanded to make everything smooth and then the primer was applied. The next step is to get some color on the walls.

Drywall

2010-03-07T10:52:00.007-05:00

I finished the wiring and put up the drywall. I am doing 1/2 sheets due to the difficulty of carrying a full sheet of drywall down my tight stairway. I'll cover the seam with chair rail molding just like in the other rooms. Mud and tape is next then on to the primer!

We've Been Framed!

2010-03-01T17:30:00.011-05:00

Well not really but the walls have been! All the studs are up and the insulation is in place on the exterior wall. Some of the wiring has also been installed. Once the wiring is complete, the drywall will be put up next.

Pardon Our Dust!

2010-02-21T17:39:00.013-05:00

The former downstairs laundry room is no longer needed which opens up this small but interesting space to Tranquility Base Arcade. We are pleased to announce that ground has been broken for the new lounge! Plans are to have a wet bar, Chexx "Bubble" Hockey game, flat screen TV as well as some top secret LED lighting effects. Demolition is complete, wiring is in place and we are in the process of framing and drywall. Please stay tuned as the transformation continues!

1980 Midway Rally-X

2010-02-20T10:12:00.010-05:00

I pulled Rally-X out of storage and sent it to the Repair Station. Rally-X was displayed at the 1980 Amusement Machine Operators of America show alongside Defender, Pac-Man and Battlezone. As unbelievable as it seems now, Rally-X was thought to be the hit among the four games! Unfortunately, Rally-X became a little more than a footnote in arcade history and is best remembered for the game’s distinctive soundtrack. To make room for Rally-X, Kangaroo was taken out of the current rotation moved to the Annex. The game has not been turned on in about 25 years so a thorough inspection is required.

The First And The Best

2010-01-04T22:31:00.013-05:00

After a difficult and lengthy repair job, I have finally fixed Defender. Defender is Williams best selling arcade game and is widely regarded as one of the most popular video games ever. In stark contrast is Williams first video game, a long forgotten Pong clone named Paddle-Ball. Harry Williams, the founder of the Williams Manufacturing Company was best known for inventing the “tilt” mechanism for pinball machines. I thought it would be an interesting tribute to Harry to stand The First next to The Best.

Custom Arcade Stools

2009-12-24T13:02:00.007-05:00

I had thought about picking up some stools for quite some time but was never able to find the right ones so I decided to make some! I purchased some cheap stools, painted the tops and poured a two-part epoxy finish over my arcade graphic. I was careful to choose paper for the logo that 'glowed' under the blacks lights. My young daughters were so excited over the stools that I had to make a mini stool for each of them!

1980 Williams Defender

2009-12-05T16:54:00.012-05:00

I brought Defender out of storage and sent it to the Repair Station. Defender is generally regarded as the first video game to feature horizontal scrolling. It is also thought of as one of the most difficult games to play. Despite that criticism, Defender sold over 60,000 units and is considered an all-time classic. The game is completely dead so I will have to go through it thoroughly in order to find the exact problem.

1971 Midway Wild Kingdom

2009-11-10T18:45:00.015-05:00

I have been looking for an electromechanicanal gun game for some time as they are among the first arcade games that I remember playing. Recently, I was lucky enough to acquire a Midway Wild Kingdom gun game. The owner claimed the game had been in his family for almost 40 years and believed his father purchased from a local arcade along with two other games for their home game room. The game needs several minor repairs and a good cleaning so it has been sent to the Repair Station.

Good Move Space Cadet

2009-10-25T15:22:00.013-04:00

Finally! After a lengthy repair job, I have fixed Gorf and put it in the arcade. The game was purchased from the daughter of the original owner’s and is in excellent condition. I would like to say thank you to fellow collector Scott Z. for allowing me to use his Gorf boardset in order to help narrow down various problems. Bad RAM and bad chips on the pattern board were among the culprits that kept the game from working. Long Live Gorf!

Tranquility Base Arcade Annex

2009-09-19T12:14:00.005-04:00

Tranquility Base Arcade here....we have a problem! No, not that kind of problem but a problem of too many games and not enough room. Thus, the Tranquility Base Arcade Annex was born. The Annex will hold games that can be moved in and out of the arcade's main rotation either to replace a malfunctioning game or one that is getting few plays. The current lineup is Breakout, Tank Battalion and Space Invaders Deluxe. The Asteroids does not work but once restored, will replace the one currently in the arcade.

Goin' Berzerk

2009-09-01T19:06:00.009-04:00

I finally had a chance to add my Berzerk PCB Repair Log to the site. You can find it here. To my knowledge, it is one of the very few Berzerk Repair Logs on the entire Internet! Hopefully, it will help someone fix or maintain their game. Watch out for Evil Otto!

Breaking Out Breakout

2009-08-10T21:59:00.011-04:00

I acquired Breakout last November and finally had a chance to send it to the Repair Station. Early indications are that it has a PCB problem. Once the game is repaired, the Tranquility Base Arcade may have to be rearranged to make room for this arcade classic!

July 20, 1969

2009-07-20T10:51:00.011-04:00

"We Came in Peace for All Mankind."

Blast Off!

2009-07-16T19:20:00.028-04:00

Forty years ago today, July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 left for the moon. Four days later the Lunar Module “Eagle” carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, Jr. landed. It was and continues to be the crowning achievement for all mankind. We are all familiar with the landing but how many of us have ever seen the actual launch? Click below!

Wall Art Going Up!

2009-06-08T19:41:00.015-04:00

I have an extensive collection of hard to find items from the original 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. What would be a better place to show them off than Tranquility Base Arcade? The moon landing was front page news on all the newspapers around the world however; one rarely seen newspaper documenting the event is my local county newspaper The Macomb Daily. I scanned the original paper and then printed it out full size. I had the image laminated in 3 mil gloss and mounted it to black foam core board with spray adhesive. The result is a unique piece of local history for the Tranquility Base Arcade!

Another Tranquility Base Arcade Logo

2009-06-08T17:06:00.008-04:00

The first sign I made looked so good I decided I needed one in the other room as well. This time I had the logo professionally done. I sent the artwork to Rich at This Old Game who vectored the art, printed it, mounted it on plywood, routed the edge and installed arcade T-molding around the entire perimeter giving it a great finished look! Rich did a fantastic job and the sign was completed very quickly. It looks like it came right from a conference room at NASA...the NASA Arcade Conference room that is! I love it! And yes..."The Eagle has landed!"

1981 Midway Gorf

2009-05-24T11:15:00.017-04:00

I pulled Gorf out of storage and sent it to the Repair Station.
Gorf, which stands for Galactic Orbiting Robot Force, is generally regarded as the first videogame to feature multiple levels. The game is also among the first to feature synthesized speech. The former owner told me the game may have a joystick problem so I
will pay close attention to that area during the restoration process. Long live Gorf!

Sound System Added!

2009-05-18T21:50:00.022-04:00

You can now listen to some great 70's and 80's tunes or hear the Apollo 11 moon landing without leaving the arcade! I recently updated the arcade by adding a sound system, which consists of two ceiling mounted speakers in each room. A remote volume control allows you to set the exact level of sound for both rooms! Hi-Fi Works sells a great all-inclusive kit which makes the installation very quick and trouble free. Rock on and blast off!

There Is Another.....

2009-05-14T14:35:00.016-04:00

Last fall I acquired a Paddle-Ball game. The game is a simple Pong clone but it represents Williams first venture into the video game market. Since the game was made by Williams, I figured everything from the manual to the schematic to various parts would be in ready supply. I was wrong – I could find only one other example in existence! Recently, another Paddle-Ball came to light. The game was owned by Gary Hecht of Springfield, New Jersey. Gary sold his Paddle-Ball earlier this month but was kind enough
to send me a few pictures of the game before it was picked up by
the new owner. Thanks Gary! If anyone else has a Paddle-Ball or any information about Paddle-Ball, please contact me!

Reunited

2009-05-09T20:01:00.009-04:00

Last summer I acquired six games from the daughter of the original owners. You can read the story of the games here. Among the games were Pac-Man and Berzerk. After I finished restoring Berzerk, I placed it next to Pac-Man. It was the first time in almost 25 years that both games worked! The original owners numbered the games one through six. Pac-Man is number one while Berzerk is number six. Four games to go before the row is complete!

Official Tranquility Base Arcade Logo

2009-04-28T16:07:00.062-04:00

I could think of no better way to represent the Tranquility Base Arcade than to create a logo based on the Apollo 11 emblem. First, Photoshop was used to enlarge and modify a copy of the original emblem. I then removed all the blemishes, flaws and other imperfections from the artwork. This was a painstaking and lengthy process but necessary in order for the logo to look clean and presentable when printed in a large format. Once the artwork was complete I used a Hewlett Packard Designjet 4500 printer to print the image on plain white paper. A commercial laminator was used to seal the artwork with 3 mil gloss laminate. Next, I carefully cut out the artwork and traced it on a piece of black foam core board. I then cut the foam core board freehand with a sharp Exacto knife. Finally, a spray adhesive was used to mount the artwork to the foam core board. The logo was hung on the wall with Velcro strips around the perimeter. I specifically made the logo with white letters so that when the black lights were on, it would still be visible. “Houston…Tranquility Base Here…The Eagle Has Landed!”

Rare Control Panel Found

2009-04-22T20:51:00.026-04:00

I recently acquired an original Williams Paddle-Ball control panel.
I was thrilled to get this, as parts for Paddle-Ball are virtually non-existent. Besides my game, I know of only one other. I plan on mounting the control panel on a plaque along with a copy of the flyer as well as a brief history of the game.

1980 Midway Space Encounters

2009-04-19T16:57:00.018-04:00

I pulled Space Encounters out of storage and added it to my row of black and white games. I repaired the game several months ago
but still need to make a few minor adjustments. You can read the Repair Log here. Space Encounters was one of the last black and white games made and by most accounts it's late release date of 1980 made it largely unsuccessful. The game's obvious Star Wars tie-in, strange sound effects and flashing strobe light all make it
a classic appreciated by video game collectors everywhere!

Coins Detected In Pocket

2009-04-05T12:27:00.009-04:00

At last! I have been working almost two months to hear those words! Finally, after an extremely difficult and lengthy repair job,
I have fixed Berzerk and put it in the arcade. The game is in excellent condition and has the original “Opto-Bat” joystick. I would like to take this time to give a very special thank you to fellow collector Steve M. Without Steve’s contributions, help, encouragement and assistance, this repair would not have been possible. Thanks to local collector Scott Z. for allowing me to test my Berzerk boards in his rare and working Frenzy. I would also like to thank my Dad for accompanying me on the 500 mile round trip that was necessary to acquire the game. Last but certainly not least, many thanks to my wife and family for allowing me to spend all hours of the day and night working on “some video game.” Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!

1976 Williams Grand Prix

2009-03-28T17:35:00.006-04:00

I added something completely different to my collection this week - a pinball machine! The game is one of the last electromechanical pinball machines made before they switched over to electronics. The game is in very good condition and plays great!

1980 Stern Berzerk

2009-03-17T16:17:00.008-04:00

I recently pulled Berzerk out of storage and sent it to the Repair Station. The game has seven different boards that are proving very difficult to analyze. As with most Berzerk’s, the main game board was severely damaged by acid that had leaked from the onboard battery. Despite all that, I am confident the game can be repaired – I will not “‘run like a humanoid” on this one!

Party Like It's 1977

2009-02-27T21:57:00.022-05:00

I repaired Gun Fight and put it in the arcade. You can read the Repair Log here. I remember playing Gun Fight in the 1970's and had not played it for over 30 years! Gun Fight was made in 1975 so I thought it was fitting that I put it next to my 1976 Lemans. If you want to learn more about Gun Fight as well as see the game in action, please click here.

1975 Midway Gun Fight

2009-02-07T15:07:00.005-05:00

I recently acquired a 1975 Midway Gun Fight. Gun Fight is one of the first video games I remember playing so I was very pleased to obtain one. Gun Fight is historically important, as it is the first video game to use a microprocessor. It is also the first video game to feature two human figures battling against each other. Other games of the time featured lines or squares. The game does not work and has been sent to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

1973 Williams Paddle-Ball

2009-01-04T12:11:00.011-05:00

I fixed Paddle-Ball and put it in the arcade. You can read the Repair Log here. Paddle-Ball is Williams first video game and only a few are known to still exist. My Paddle-Ball is serial number 1964-1. The only other one that I know of is serial number 614 which is owned by a gentleman in Wilmington, Delaware. You can read about that machine here. If you have a Paddle-Ball or any information about Paddle-Ball, please contact me!

1980 Midway Pac-Man

2008-12-31T21:46:00.019-05:00

This past year I had the opportunity to procure several very special arcade games from the daughter of the original owners. You can read the story of the games here. Among the games I acquired was the game - Pac-Man! Last week I had a chance to pull the game out of storage and send it to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

1975 Fascination

2008-12-07T11:29:00.010-05:00

I recently acquired an old Pong clone cocktail made by Fascination Ltd. Not much is known about the game and what is known comes from the few flyers that exist. I doubt there were too many arcade games wrapped in vinyl but I now own one! The game uses a 12" Hitachi TV for a monitor and appears to be for 2 or 4 players. Anyways...it is not working but appears to have a very simple PCB that I can hopefully repair. The game has been sent to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

1976 Atari Lemans

2008-12-06T13:55:00.026-05:00

I finally had a chance to put a game in the newly finished room! I remember playing Lemans quite a bit as a kid as was thrilled to finally acquire one this past summer. When I purchased the game it was completely dead and in need of total restoration. You can read the repair log here. If you want to learn more about Lemans as well as see the game in action, please click here.

Let There Be Black Light!

2008-11-30T13:30:00.005-05:00

The black lights have been installed. I put four fixtures in the new room and the effect is outstanding!

Change?

2008-11-29T20:10:00.007-05:00

You can't have an arcade without quarters so the first thing I installed was this vintage Ardac change machine. The machine works perfectly and accepts one or five dollar bills. The unit is mounted on a small file cabinet which I use to store the keys to the games, manuals and other arcade related paperwork. If you wish to learn more about the change machine as well as see a short video of it in action, please click here.

Carpet

2008-11-29T13:21:00.006-05:00

Carpet installation is complete! Room transformation is almost complete as well. Over the next few weeks I will begin to move some of the games in...can't wait!

Ceiling

2008-11-28T16:51:00.004-05:00

The final step before having the carpet installed is done! The ceiling took approximately 3.5 hours to complete. I remembered all the time savers from the earlier ceiling install and they proved to be a big help. Finally, a nice and clean looking room! The carpet guys will be coming early tomorrow morning. The games currently in "winter storage" are looking forward to their new and much warmer environment!

Trim

2008-11-26T18:18:00.005-05:00

Unexpectedly, the carpet installers informed me that they are coming this Saturday so the pressure is on! I have completed the baseboard and chair rail molding as well as the doorway and radiator trim. All nails have been patched and painted over. I have one day, Friday, to complete the entire ceiling! Wish me luck!

Look Up!

2008-11-23T16:15:00.010-05:00

Well...maybe look down for now. I measured the ceiling and figured out the amount of material required. The pile represents all the trim needed for the room as well as the material for the ceiling. I went with the direct mount 'CeilingMAX' system because my basement has a very low ceiling.

Blue And Orange Too!

2008-11-22T18:04:00.006-05:00

Two coats of paint have been applied and the room is starting to take shape. Black light carpet has been ordered and should arrive in about two weeks. The addition of chair rail molding along with trim work around the doorways and radiator is next.

Primer

2008-11-20T22:01:00.010-05:00

Three coats of mud have been completed. The walls were sanded to make everything smooth and now a coat of primer has been applied. The next step is to mix up some color and get rid of the hospital appearance. The midnight oil is burning....

Bonus Area!

2008-11-15T19:38:00.010-05:00

I decided to expand the second arcade room into a small area located next to the stairway. By measuring, it appears that I can fit an additional three or four games in this space!

Mud and Tape

2008-11-15T19:32:00.007-05:00

The first coat of mud and tape is complete. I plan on doing two additional coats. I also sanded the radiatior and put on a quick coat of primer. Nothing beats watching mud dry...except for paint!

Taking Shape!

2008-11-11T21:54:00.015-05:00

I started hanging the drywall. I am doing 1/2 sheets due to the difficulty of carrying a full sheet down my tight stairway. I'll cover the seam with chair rail molding just like in the other room.

Drywall

2008-11-09T16:38:00.020-05:00

I picked up the drywall for the arcade today. The composition of drywall must be changing as I get older as I believe the sheets are now made out of lead! Carrying two sheets around at a time is but a distant memory for me.

1976 Atari Breakout

2008-11-07T14:19:00.014-05:00

I also acquired a 1976 Atari Breakout. Breakout was an important game in Atari's history and was designed by the legendary Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The game has been sent to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

1973 Williams Paddle-Ball

2008-11-07T12:12:00.016-05:00

I recently acquired a 1973 Williams Paddle-Ball. Paddle-Ball is a Pong clone and was Williams first entry into the then burgeoning video game market. Up until that time, Williams had only made pinball machines. Some of this is evident as Paddle-Ball is the only video game ever to have a tilt switch! The game has been sent to the Repair Station for diagnosis.

Black Lights

2008-11-04T14:00:00.008-05:00

The black lights have arrived! The fixtures are wall mountable, 28" long and come complete with the bulb. These are the exact same fixtures I used in my original arcade room.

Let There Be Light!

2008-10-27T14:39:00.008-04:00

Recessed lighting has been installed as well as four new electrical circuits. Dedicated 15 amp circuits will have no more than three games per circuit. Outlets were added near the ceiling for the black lights and I added another outlet in the original arcade room for more black light!

Starting Construction

2008-10-11T14:42:00.009-04:00

The tear out is now complete. I feel like I removed over 1,000 finish nails from the ceiling! The 'outside wall' insulation is in place. I added a new electrical circuit with two outlets on that wall. Studs are going up as well. Progress is very slow and I do a little bit here and there when I have a free hour to spare.

Before

2008-10-03T03:48:00.012-04:00

The plan for the second arcade room is finally beginning to take place. After a massive clean out effort I'm left with the following space. The plywood ceiling needs to go along with the dried out insulation above it. I also need to redo the electrical to allow for additional outlets as well as recessed lighting. The plan is to match the current arcade room with similar construction in this one.