Aug. 25, 2026

Episode 5: Video and Arcade Games for the Ages

Here are a few bonus questions that didn't make it into the final script:

  1. (This one went along with the 1980s era of video arcades.) 

    This game was one of the first to attract a large female base of players.  You used a bug blaster (which was actually a garden gnome) to destroy insects and mushrooms.  What was that game?

  2.  The first coin-operated video game was called Galaxy Game.  Introduced in 1971, how much did it cost to play? 

  3. Developed in 1978, Space Invaders was the first major commercial video game to record and store high scores.   The media used this term to describe a physical ailment caused by playing the game too long at one time.  Fill in the blank: This ailment was known as Space Invaders _____________.

Answers:

  1. Centipede.  For a few glorious days in the early 80s my initials were actually on the "high scores" list.
  2. 10 cents for one game or 25 cents for three games.
  3. Wrist.

Thanks for playing!  Please let us know if you have any question or suggestions for Trivia for the Ages.

Jami