RF: But they did that to reduce cost.
BK: Of course.
RF: The cabinets from the golden age are amazing. Works of art!
BK: Arcade owners lost a fortune on laserdisc games. Remember that Tron cabinet?
RF: Yep.
BK: What a beaut!
RF: There's an arcade in Pennsylvania called Challenge Arcade. They have rare modern stuff and classic cabinets all set to their original prices: a quarter. That's the way I like it, I just wish I lived closer.
BK: Wow, I'm impressed. As I said, today it's all rows of racing cars and mini-batting cages and all, but the big ideas don't come from the arcades anymore, which is why they've dropped so far back in terms of popular culture.
RF: If you could bring back any videogame series what would it be and why?
BK: Toejam & Earl. Especially the first one. One of the most delightful game experiences I've ever had. The second was great for a platform game, but I'm not a huge platform game fan.
RF: Toejam & Earl came out for Xbox but I didn't think it was great.
BK: So I'm told.
RF: I think the original developers did it too.
BK: I believe so.
RF: Would you want it in 2D or keep with the times and plaster it with polygons?
BK: I'd like it in two-thirds perspective like the original. Just bigger, with more levels, new prizes, etc. I think they had a classic there.
RF: I've got to play it again!
BK: How about Zombies Ate My Neighbors? I'd like to see them redo that one. Konami for the SNES.
RF: And Genesis.
BK: Riiiight.
RF: I was playing it for Genny the other day...no kidding!
BK: If you got to keep your weapons on the saved levels, it would have been awesome.
RF: Some new attacks would be great too.
BK: Of course.
RF: And to give something to the newer gamers there'd be an unlockable code via Gameshark to have sex with the zombies. That would put it over the top.
BK: And make Jack Thompson a very happy fascist.
RF: He claims that kids mimic videogames and proposed a game to kill a developer. Something like that. If they designed a title to off Mr. Thompson, I'd be cool with that.
BK: He can claim the world is flat, too, but he's still full of shit. Actually, the developer in question was Vince Desi, CEO of Running With Scissors and a game was actually developed and I hear it's hilarious.
RF: I'd like to check that out. What is your favorite game and system?
BK: So many systems... From the old days, the Bally Home Arcade was just sweet. The N64 I still play and I love the sports games on the PS2. My favorite game? It just depends on what I'm playing at the time. But I have stated that I believe Tetris is the most perfect videogame ever created.
Article comments
1 - Rob F
What a wonderful interview!
2 - Rob F
Check out my video interview with Bill on www.coin-op.tv. I dig it! Of course I would.
3 - RCM
What does that have to do with anything Kayne?