Classic Video Game Music and Flyers Galore

Every day I spend a little time trolling the web to try and find uncovered gems for my loyal readers, and today I managed to hit the motherload in classic gaming goodness.

Daniel P. Hower's Coin-Op Video Games appears unassuming at first glance, but hidden in the site are not one but two undiscovered gems of classic video game history. First, Daniel has the largest selection of video game flyers I have ever seen with over 2,732 flyers on the site and more added every day.

These "flyers" were nothing more than sales brochures created by coin-op game manufacturers in order to promote their games and feature game screenshots, pictures of the gaming cabinets, descriptions of game play and concept art. Not only are all the flyers on the site in mint condition but Daniel has an extremely well-designed flyer database allowing for lighting fast flyer locating.

But if that wasn't awesome enough his second "treasure" is even more impressive. I'll let Daniel explain this one in his own words:

Back in 1982, my best friend had a Sony stereo walkman recorder. Audio was the conventional recording media back then and we recorded all kinds of stuff. One day we were on our way to the arcade 'Just Fun' in Ithaca, NY and came up with the idea to record video game sounds.

We recorded video games from 1982 until 1988. Fortunately I managed to save all fourteen audio tapes of video game sounds and arcade ambience which were recorded from a variety of locations in the US. Most of the recordings are from Ithaca, NY, Albany, NY and Ocean City, MD.

So far I have not come across another individual who thought of documenting classic video games on audio tape! There are people on RGVAC who talk about classic video games and arcades shown in movies and TV shows, but nothing about video game audio recordings.

In the last several years I digitized these nostalgic recordings to preserve and share with all of you. Experience the nostalgic ambience! The blend of many video games being played simultaneously, the kids yelling and the coins being inserted. Experience and enjoy. We will never hear such beautiful chaos again....

The list of recorded arcade sounds is truly staggering ... it's practically a "who's who" of classic video games. Unfortunately Daniel was actually playing these games while he was recording, so they're not perfect copies. But ... who cares! Where else are you going to find recordings of Vanguard, Time Pilot, Venture, Phoenix, Gorf, Tron and hundreds upon hundreds of other games?

Daniel, I salute you! Check it out this site ... right now!