AMOA EXPO '81
S*TJ DECEMBER 198 1 3
NEW* GAME* STANDOUTS
The 1981 AMOA (Amusement and Music Operators Association) show in
Chicago this year (Oct. 29-31) was an enjoyable and heavily attended
exposition of new game releases.
Videos, as expected, dominated once again this year. Among the most talked
about machines were;
Atari "Tempest"
This company's first color x-y game featuring superb graphics and player
appeal.
Taito "Qix"
This sleeper suprised everyone, including Taito, since it was first demo'd in
late summer
Sega/Gremlin "Turbo"
An exceptional color video driving game. Added driving fields makes it a
natural follow-up to "Monaco GP"
Nintendo "Donkey Kong"
Good color graphics and a unique theme attracts attention for this Japanese
import
Some nicely illustrated pinballs were in evidence at the show, but perhaps
attracting the most attention and for sure the most unusual pin game was
Gottlieb's "Caveman".
"Caveman" is a combination pin/video game. Players start with a conven-
tional pinball game approach, but after launching the ball into the upper-
playfield a color chase-like video game is activated.
Player then controls a joystick mounted in front of him until he is ''caught''.
The bottom, main pinball playfield then relights, the ball drains, and another
is reloaded into the ball-shooter ramp. (This concept was only a matter of
time, and if accepted, could this possibly merge pins & videos together?)
Williams' hot show game was a novelty piece called "Hyper Ball." A pinball-
like playfield with targets and lights, an attractive backglass and head-on
speakers highlight this unusual game.
Players go after selected targets by shooting small size pinballs from their
"Hyper Cannon" , using raised swivel handle grips for aiming and triggers
for rapid , almost continuous, firing. A challenging and intense game due to be
released this winter.
All of the music manufacturers were present with their new models, but
Stern Electronics caused the biggest stir introducing their "VMC" system.
Jukeboxes may never be the same! Incorporated into Stern's "Video Music
Center" is a 19" color TV monitor displaying up to 200 music titles and
location information.
Nex t year: a video shuffle alley????
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