Reading an article on tabletop arcade game systems from the 1980s, I was surprised to see Retro Games Ltd make a starting revelation.
The company – well known for TheC64 and TheA500 – own the rights to classic brands Grandstand and Quickshot.
As part of a feature on everything from classic Grandstand systems to more recent forays into the retro market by SEGA and SNK, the information is gleaned from contributsions by Retro Games Ltd’s MD Paul Andrews.
“But there’s one thing you have to remember about a lot of homes in the early 80s. “Often there may have been only one TV in the house, or even if there was a second smaller portable TV it might have been shared with siblings,” says Paul Andrews, MD of Retro Games, which makes retro consoles such as the C64 and A500 Mini and owns the rights to classic game brands Grandstand and Quickshot. “Handheld and table top games allowed the kids to play arcade style games in their bedrooms and even in the car, or share and play with friends.”
Paul Andrews hinted that Retro Games may be bringing back some of the classic Grandstand titles for the modern era.
(RGL has made clear that this isn’t its much-heralded forthcoming announcement.)
Some of the Grandstand games were a bit below-par, but equally, a few of them were absolutely superb. I owned a BMX handheld, the game and monochome LCD powered by a pair of watch batteries. Other devices were more elaborate, with multi-coloured LCD displays and mains power.
It’s almost certain we won’t be seeing any of these devices again – unless Retro Games Ltd plans a Grandstand classic/mini with them all pre-loaded.
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