Seen At Classic Gaming Expo 2014

Classic Gaming Expo 2014 started today in Las Vegas. While the panels and charity auction don't start until tomorrow, there's still plenty to see. The ballroom is filled with vendors, who've packed their tables with merchandise seemingly designed to make wallets cry for mercy. There are also dozens of arcade games and pinball tables set on free play, which might be a bit more economical. I made a beeline for The Videogame History Museum's space, which is now in a completely separate room. According to the museum's cofounder, John Hardie, the organization is weeks away from announcing details on a permanent home for the collection. Until then, he says this will probably be the last time they'll be taking this large a part of their collection on the road. With that in mind, I snapped a ton of pics for your enjoyment. So... enjoy.

Here's a big section devoted to the ill-fated Vectrex console. 

According to a nearby card, this is a prototype of a color Vectrex, which was developed by engineer Jay Smith. It would have eliminated the need for color plastic overlays.

OK, that's enough Vectrex stuff. Look at all those games, though.

Apparently, you cannot escape the pull of the Vectrex. I know I couldn't.

This device looks pretty amazing. You can see it in action by watching the Devo video over here. Note: It probably did not generate all of the backdrops, such as that weird spanking sequence. Watch the video.

Here's another amazing-looking Atari device. This one didn't generate rotating squares for music videos. It was used by technicians to diagnose problems with arcade hardware in the 1980s. It was called the CAT Box, short for "Computer Assisted Troubleshooter." It looks like something Doc Brown would have designed.

This table is covered with old shirts, hats, jackets, and more. They're all rea--- wait a second...

Is that what I think...

The olden days were the classiest days.

I rest my case.

The past was quite dusty, which is why we had to put covers on absolutely everything.

Here, dad is running his brains out using this Atari 2600 peripheral. You either have to peel away from that terrifying face, or that terrifying face is you. Either way, it's a pretty kickass setup for people who have turned their televisions sideways.

The more things change... Preppies and adventuring never go out of style.

ToeJam & Earl design docs out of nowhere!

You know how Sony and Microsoft want to own your living room, serving as all-in-one media hubs? Long ago, Coleco thought it could win the console battle by sneaking in through the home office. Calling a snap on dual-tape drive, keyboard, and printer setup a "module" is a bit of an understatement.

For the longest time, you could find N64 systems set up in hotels as a pay service. That concept has been around for a long time, as this SpectraVision display shows. 

These two devices are pretty slick. You could load them up with several of your favorite Atari 2600 games, and then select between them by pressing a button on the caddy instead of swapping out cartridges (or "tapes," as the box and my mom calls them).

I don't want to be cynical and call these Space Ace wrist pinball watches a cheap cash-in, but I don't remember that elephant guy or the headphone girl being in the game. Pac's yo-yo is super tight though. Keep on spinnin', Mr. P.

Paging Tim Turi.

Paging Matt Miller.

True story: I used to think this era's version of the Hulk was so gross that just looking at him made me a little queasy. I've gotten over that, but still. Yuck.

There's an absurd display of handheld games here. This is only one side of the table.

If you ever need to name a company, why not go with "Grandstand Leisure Products?" They're obviously super chill about using other peoples' stuff as inspiration.

Man, I always wanted one of these.

I did get one of these, however, and it was awesome.

Remember all those vendors. Here's a shot of my latest acquisition, from my hotel room. Damn it.

I'll have more from Classic Gaming Expo 2014 over the next few days. In the meantime, take a look at Ben's gallery from 2012.