In the year 20XX

Happy New Year fellow arcade throwbacks and coin-up cohorts, welcome to 2011, a year which-according to pretty much every sci-fi book and film--is THE FUTURE!  However, in games, another year is frequently quoted as being the future and that is 20XX.  Now I'm not exactly sure when 20XX takes place, other than some time between now and 2100, but what I do know is some of the things arcade games have taught me to expect:

According to Irem's vertically scrolling shmup Image Fight, in the year 20XX the moon will explode into four massive meteors, destroying the military bases on it.  This vile act will be perpatrated by aliens from the Boondoggle Galaxy. The bastards!

And it isn't just arcade games.  Perhaps the most famous game set in 20XX is Capcom's Mega Man, but more recently retro platformer Super Meat Boy is also set in that same year.  As fun as these games can be, I'm still a little worried about what it will mean for the average Joe on the street.  From exploding moons to foetuses in giant robot suits, it really doesn't look good.

But that's not going to stop Arcade Throwback from rabbiting on about old coin-op games.  For the new year I want to do more features and more monthly posts, including a new glossary of arcade terms and a look at sequels that somehow slipped under the radar.  All this and more, right here on Aaaarcade Throwback!

MTW