Raiders of the Lost Arcade

In 1980, Phoenix-based video game company Amstar Electronics released an upright cabinet called, what else, Phoenix. This vintage descendent of Space Invaders and cousin of Galaga will be right at home at the ZapCon Arcade & Pinball Convention on Saturday, April 12.Your smartphone has more processing power than any machine...

By Jose Gonzalez

April 10, 2014

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In 1980, Phoenix-based video game company Amstar Electronics released an upright cabinet called, what else, Phoenix. This vintage descendent of Space Invaders and cousin of Galaga will be right at home at the ZapCon Arcade & Pinball Convention on Saturday, April 12.

Your smartphone has more processing power than any machine at this second edition of ZapCon but playing Flappy Bird can’t compare with landing a well-timed shoryuken punch in Street Fighter II in front of a gaggle of onlookers. In addition to some official competitions and some compelling arcade-centric film screenings, all of the games are set to free play. The biggest game of all might be using your time wisely.

The ZapCon Arcade & Pinball Convention levels up at the Renaissance Downtown Phoenix Hotel, 50 East Adams Street, from 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. A one-day pass is $25, while the weekend pass is $35. See more info at www.zapcon.com.

Sat., April 12, 10-midnight; Sun., April 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2014

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