Hey Arcaders!

I love YouTube. It’s like a library of the past- and if you put in the right search words, you can find some amazing things!  Things like Video Game All Stars!

The show Starcade was lightning in a bottle! This show is what revitalized  the children’s game show in the early 1980’s. What made it popular? VIDEO GAMES! Competing in video game challenges on the show, and winning an actual arcade game was what kids wanted ( and still do ). Other Shows tried to capture that same  excitement that Starcade did. We did a piece on The Video Game Challenge about four years ago. that looked like it was headed for syndication lake Starcade did- but sadly, never made it past the pilot (if it did, please let us know- we would like to put more up her at the Archives!)

Cut to today, and I’m looking for some arcade footage to put up on the site, and this little nugget pops up on the screen. And I’m floored.This description is from the YouTube Chanel-

In 1983 and 1984 I produced and directed a local Colorado Springs TV show called “Video Game All Stars,” which aired on KOAA TV, channels 5 and 30, the NBC affiliate. There were only 3 episodes produced. I consulted with my friend, experienced TV professional Larry Frost before getting started, and then hired Wes Rogers to host the first episode. He interviewed players and did a few stand-ups.

Highlights of this show include the early 1980s coin-op video games, the big Eighties fashions, hairstyles and the players’ funny descriptions of how they beat the games.

What fascinates me most about this, is that its a local show- and it looks it! And I mean that in a good way! From the old videotaped look to it, to the interviewers that you can tell DON’T PLAY GAMES… It screams early 1980s more so than even Starcade does. It’s so…rural. It’s like a group of friends got together and said “Let’s make a TV show about something popular, even though we know nothing about the subject!” Very typical back then- remember: there was no internets to cheat with back then! You learned about the subject as you rolled with the interviews! And the kids! They were so into playing games ant telling you about the experience- because it was so new! Some highlights of the episode include-

What you like most about playing games!

Tips on Tron!

Tips on Frogger!

The future of the arcade (and boy, was this guy wrong!)

New game reviews!

But the best part- is… THE COMMERCIALS!

The local arcade footage is nothing short of awesome!

With names like QuarterFlash, and The 5 Center, I wish I had gone to these arcades!

Let me know what you think- Let me know in the comments section below!

I’ll post the next video soon!

Keep Playin’ Like It’s 1981!