445 selects the correct color pallet for the game, a new marquee, and sometimes a cardboard cabinet topper to advertise the new title to the paying public. Using the wrong PPU chip with a set of ROMs will normally still allow the game to function but with the incorrect colors. Select titles required a special security daughter board, light gun, or in the case of the game Slalom special ski controls. Value of a game cabinet can vary depending on the game title(s) installed, and not all titles were officially released in the USA market. Some game titles originally advertised for the system were never released including Vs. Football and Vs. Nintendo 500. Additional game titles to the ones listed were released in Japan only. Several of the shared game titles have dramatic differences compared to the home versions. Some of the notable differences include: • Excitebike contains bonus rounds • Super Mario Bros. is more difficult than the NES or Play Choice version and contains additional levels • Many of the tricks or shortcuts in the NES version of Super Mario Bros. do not work in the Vs. version • Castlevania is much more difficult than the home version including a much faster timer and less forgiving health bar • Duck Hunt allows you to shoot the dog Vs. Balloon Fight Released September 1984 A co-op game which is very similar to William’s Joust Vs. Baseball Released April 1984 A simple baseball game that can support up to 4 players using two monitors Vs. Battle City Not released in the USA Tank combat game developed by Namco which can be seen as a sequel to their arcade game Tank Battalion Vs. Castlevania Released by Konami in 1987 Unisystem version of the classic side scrolling fighting game. Uses a special daughter board required to function Vs. Clu Clu Land Not released in the USA Puzzle/maze type game Vs. Dr. Mario Released in 1990 Puzzle game starring Mario and the last commercially released Unisystem game kit Vs. Duck Hunt Released April 1984 Classic light gun target shooting game, not released in Japan Vs. Excitebike Released February 1985 Classic side scrolling dirt bike racing game Vs. Freedom Force Released by Sunsoft in March 1988 Side scrolling light gun-based game Vs. Golf (Stroke and Match Golf) Released October 1984 A simple golf game that allows for 2-4 players using two monitors for 3-4 player play. Vs. Goonies Released November 1986 Fun side scrolling game based on the movie of the same name, and different than the NES released version. Uses a special daughter board to function properly Vs. Gradius Released November 1986 Classic side scrolling shooter originally developed by Konami. Uses a special daughter board to function
446 Vs. Gumshoe Released May 1986 Light gun-based target shooting game not released in Japan Vs. Hogan’s Alley Released April 1985 Target shooting game for use with a Light Gun, not released in Japan Vs. Ice Climber Released October 1984 Fun co-op platformer with similar game concepts to Mario Bros. Vs. Ladies Golf Released December 1984 A simple golf game but with female avatars instead of male ones as in Vs. Golf which also allows 2-4 players Vs. Mach Rider Released November 1985 Simple motorcycle racing game very similar to Sega’s Hang-On Vs. Mahjong Not released in the USA Mahjong game produced by Nintendo for Asian markets Vs. Mighty Bomb Jack Not released in the USA Scrolling platformer by Tecmo Vs. Ninja JaJaMaru-kun Not released in the USA Scrolling platformer fighting game developed by Jaleco originally Vs. Pinball Released October 1984 A basic video pinball game Vs. Platoon Released by Sunsoft in 1988 Scrolling shooter based on the movie of the same name Vs. Pro Baseball Family Stadium Not released in the USA Baseball game from Namco which would become R.B.I. Baseball Vs. R.B.I. Baseball Released by Atari/Namco in 1987 Somewhat advanced (for the time) baseball video game Vs. Raid on Bungling Bay Released in 1985 Scrolling shooter adapted from the home computer title of the same name Vs. Slalom Released May 1986 Came with special Ski controller control panel and “Skiing” platform, the only Unisystem game to use this controller set-up and a USA released exclusive Vs. Soccer Released November 1985 A basic soccer videogame allowing for up to 4 players Vs. Sky Kid Released by Sunsoft in 1987 Scrolling shooter originally developed by Namco Vs. Star Luster Not released in the USA First person space combat game developed by Namco that plays like the Atari home computer game Star Raiders Vs. Super Chinese Not released in the USA RPG action game known as Ninja Boy outside of Japan Vs. Super Mario Bros. Released February 1986 Unisystem version of the classic platformer game and probably the most common game to find with these units Vs. Super Xevious Not released in the USA Namco developed scrolling shooter and the follow up to the original Xevious game Vs. T.K.O. Boxing Released by Data East in 1987 Game is a version of Data East’s Ring King arcade boxing game, it’s unclear why they changed the name for the Unisystem version
447 Vs. Tennis Released March 1984 A basic tennis videogame which supports 2-4 Players Vs. Tetris Released by Atari/Tengen in 1988 Adaptation of the popular puzzle game Vs. Top Gun Released by Konami in 1987 Simple flight simulator and shooter based on the well-known movie. Uses a special daughter board to function Vs. Tower of Babel Not released in the USA Platformer puzzle game from Namco Vs. Urban Champion Released January 1985 An early one-on-one fighting game Vs.Valkyrie no Bōken Not released in the USA An innovative RPG game from Namco Vs. Volleyball Not released in the USA officially A basic volleyball videogame Vs. Wrecking Crew Released September 1984 Unique puzzle platformer game starring that well known plumber Mario
448 Photo Credits Photos from the collection of the author: APB, Arkanoid, Asteroids Deluxe Cocktail, Batman Part Two Countertop, Battlezone Cabaret, Berzerk Cocktail, Black Widow, Bubbles Cocktail, Centipede Cabaret, Choplifter, Cloak & Dagger, Crystal Castles, Defender, Donkey Kong (TKG-3 Red), Donkey Kong Junior, Elevator Action, Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters, Final Fight, Gun Fight, JROK (Stargate cabinet), Junior King (Crazy Junior), Liberator, Mania Challenge, Maze Man, Mikie, Millipede, Moon Patrol, Mortal Kombat, Ms. Pac-Man, Neo Geo MVS 2-Slot, Out Run Cabaret, Pac-Man Cocktail, Play Choice Countertop, Pong, Popeye Cocktail, Q*Bert Cocktail, Rally-X, Red Baron, Return of the Jedi, Scramble, Simpsons (The), Smash TV, Space Harrier, Space Invaders, Star Wars (Atari), Stargate, Stunt Cycle, Super Pac-Man, Tank, Turbo Cockpit, Vs. Super Mario Bros., Vs. System Red Tent Cocktail I would like to personally thank the following fellow collectors for allowing me to use their fantastic photos in this edition of the price guide: Photo from the collection of Christopher Bogart: Gimme a Break Cocktail Photo from the collection of Doug Densmore: Jack the Giant Killer Cocktail Photo from the collection of James Dinndorf: Eyes Photos from the collection of Catherine DeSpira: Burger Time, Galaga, Gaplus, Ghost ´n Goblins, Sinistar
449 Photos from the collection of Johnny Gallegos: Strategy X Cocktail, Space Out Photos from the collection of “Captain” Hendry: Cosmic Chasm, Rip Off, Solar Quest, Tail Gunner II Cockpit Photos from the collection of Todd Kanistras: Eeek!, Jungle King Cabaret, Kram, Qix Cabaret, Reactor, Swimmer, Track & Field, Wizard of Wor Cabaret Photos from the collection of Lyon’s Arcade: Regulus, Star Castle, Superman, World Series the Season Photos from the collection of Andy “O”: Atari 4-Player X’s & O’s Football, Ring King, Slick Shot Photo from the collection of William Payne: Ten Spot Photos from the collection of Jeff O’Connell: Mars Cabaret, Moon Shuttle Cabaret Photo from the collection of Daniel Tofalo: Atari Tournament Table Photo from the collection of Todd Tuckey: Digger Cocktail …and thanks to the countless unnamed souls on the internet who I swiped photos from or scans of arcade flyers from. I really appreciate your passion for collecting and preservation.
450 Special Thanks This book would not have been made possible without some awesome folks: Alex Busch for his friendship and forever positive vibes Catherine DeSpira for your tireless work around arcade game history and support Tony Temple for inspiring me to finish my book thanks to his excellent book Todd Tuckey from TNT Amusements, for consistently selling me crap I don’t really need and an overall vibe of positivity for the hobby The amazing librarians, professors, and staff at The University of Washington Fellow collectors on various Facebook collecting forums, Reddit, and KLOV …and last but most importantly my wife Trinity Quirk who has encouraged this crazy project for the last three years
451 About the author When not obsessing over classic video games Cassandra Chiles enjoys terrible movies, the occasional Moxie soda, travel, and over thinking things. Her background includes experiences in the visual arts, music, and trying to figure out where she put her shoes. Currently she resides in the state of Washington working as a social worker. Her wife Trinity and cat Buns somehow continue to put up with her nonsense.
452 game over