It was a title that inspired many others, from pool to shoot-em-ups. But should a game as basic as Konami’s Video Hustler be available as a standalone title?
The long-running (and record-breaking) Arcade Archives has delivered a few bangers over the past few months, but when I saw the title of this week’s offering — given the new pricing structure — I was surprised.
Back when Video Hustler first came out, most home computers had monochrome displays. Arcade machines offered fun for 10p. The main alternatives were Space Invaders and Pac-Man, games with a huge history and series of sequels.
Video Hustler, meanwhile, is notable only in showing people that games could handle (to a limited extent at that time) spherical physics. In many ways, it is a gaudy proof of concept, rather than a genuine classic.
It certainly isn’t worth the usual £15 price tag that has been applied to the Arcade Archives lately, which is probably why it’s noticeably cheaper. This week, the Arcade Archives have dropped the price back down to £8 (or thereabouts) for the Nintendo Switch and PS4, and around £10 for the current gen systems.
What is Video Hustler?
This game is one of the first arcade pool/snooker/billiard titles:
“VIDEO HUSTLER” is a sports game released by KONAMI in 1981.
This game is a simplified version of pool (pocket billiards). You strike the white cue ball to roll it, hit six balls, and sink them into the pockets.
The game’s most distinctive feature is that the score can vary greatly depending on the numbers on the balls and the different multipliers assigned to each pocket.
As an Arcade Archives release, it comes with some quality of life improvements. For the Nintendo Switch and PS4, you can get game difficulty controls, CRT filters, and access to an international high score table, as well as the option to save your game state.
Meanwhile, grabbing the game on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, or Xbox Series unlocks time attack mode and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support for a more authentic arcade experience.
Gaming platform links and further details can be found at the Arcade Archives page for Video Hustler.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
