Hey Arcaders!
If Lock N’ Chase put Data east on the map- this next game is what solidified Data East as a true arcade manufacturer- Burgertime!
If Data East needed a maze game- they really needed a platformer! And Burgertime fit the bill nicely!
The development of BurgerTime was led by Akio Nakamura, who had previously worked on Lock ‘n’ Chase . Nakamura came up with the idea for BurgerTime while eating a hamburger and thinking about the process of making it.
The game was created using Data East’s own hardware, the DECO Cassette System, which allowed for multiple games to be stored on a single cassette and played on the same arcade cabinet. BurgerTime was one of the first games released for this system.
The game’s graphics were designed by Toshio Kai, who drew inspiration from Japanese cartoon characters such as Astro Boy and Doraemon. The characters in BurgerTime, such as the chef Peter Pepper and the food items he must assemble, were designed to be cute and appealing to both children and adults.
The game’s music and sound effects were composed by Yoko Osaka, who had previously worked on the sound design for other Data East games. The music features upbeat, catchy melodies that match the fast-paced gameplay.
BurgerTime was a commercial success, becoming one of the most popular arcade games of the early 1980s. It was ported to many home gaming systems, including the Atari 2600, NES, and Intellivision, and spawned several sequels and spin-offs over the years. Burgertime was released in the US by Bally Midway, with a dedicated board and a sweet cabinet- check it out!
There were so many versions and sequels- some of them we will talk about them soon!
And that’s just the tip of the Burgertime iceberg! Old Peter and his gang were in Wreck It Ralph!
And howsabout all the handheld games?
And the beautiful Arcade 1up cabinet?
And then…
There’s the totally awesome that is- HEAVY BURGER!
And of course, BurgerTime is available on the Arcade Archives to play on modern systems (no relation).
So- what do you think of BurgerTime? there’s something truly satisfying when you blast pepper on a couple of hot dogs- standing on a bun- knowing its going to the bottom! Try it sometime, it’s a life changer!
Keep Playin Like it’s 1981!
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