During the 1970s and 1980s, arcade games gained immense popularity. Marketers capitalized on this trend by designing advertisements that emphasized the alluring and resilient persona of the average arcade game enthusiast. Their objective was to attract the main customer base of these coin-operated machines: adults.

These vintage ads, though cheesy by today’s standards, provided a glimpse into the culture of that era and how marketers attempted to capitalize on the popularity of arcade games.

More: The Arcade Flyer Archive

Arcade games were not only for adults. Despite the marketing, people of all ages enjoyed these games. From late 1970s’ Space Invaders and Galaxian to 1980s’ Pac-Man and Centipede, arcade games provided entertainment for everyone. The introduction of the central processing unit made these games even more intricate and captivating.

These vintage arcade ads provide a nostalgic and humorous glimpse into past game marketing practices, offering a stark contrast to the polished and sophisticated ads of today.