Have you ever wondered what arcade games look like in the old Soviet Bloc? Wonder no more... they're fracking weird!
Up until a few days ago, I had never even considered the idea that once upon a time the eastern European games industry was made up of anything other than the guys who made STALKER. However, in hindsight, given the slavish Russian need to copy - poorly, and with often fatal results - western military technology, it shouldn't be at all surprising that our erstwhile Cold War enemies not only aped jump jets and battleships, but also arcade games.
Of course, you're probably wondering how I even got onto this. Well, a workmate (atomics_son, for those paying attention) holidayed in Russia recently; when he came back to the office, he proudly told me of finding a strange yet highly entertaining Russian arcade game museum.
"Hey, Dave - I found a Russian arcade game museum," he told me. "Tell me you took photos," I rebuked. Thankfully, he did, and, sadly, they amounted to three blurry iPhone photos.
"I am sad that you only have three blurry iPhone photos," I replied. But, lo, behold, etc... "It's okay Dave, I have a friend over there who can take more."
"For the love of God, Phil," I demanded, "MAKE HIM."
And so, we have this gallery. I don't even know where in Russian it is, and I think that's kind of for the best. I don't know what these games are called, or how old they are, but I think that only adds to the odd mystery and allure of these strange artefacts. I can say that I am forever in the debt of Seraphima Onofrei, who subjected himself to this strange hell for our amusement.
So, please. Click through the gallery for a whole new world of gaming - Russian-style.
Issue: 137 | June, 2012