Sega used to rule the arcades. Older readers will remember the glory days of tokens and quarters. From Out Run to Hang-On and After Burner, Sega arcade games stood out. This was mainly due to their cabinets which were usually huge and eye popping. Now select Sega arcade cabinets are popping out for a different reason.

Sega Arcade units launched a brand

Initially Sega was an importer of slot machines then jukeboxes and other coin operated equipment. They eventually went into making their own arcade cabinets and pushing the gaming experience. In the 80’s we saw monster arcade cabinets that featured designs like the game featured. As the arcades evolved, we got cabinets featuring niceties such as hydraulics.

This is the point of the Sega Arcade Pop Up book – those oversized arcade cabinets.

Enter the Sega Arcade Pop Up book

This is something that, as a fan, I would have killed for in the 80’s and 90’. I mean, seriously, this would probably have been on coffee tables of even non-Sega fans. It is just too cool.

There are a few arcade cabinets featured:

Hang-On
Space Harrier
Out Run
After Burner
Thunder Blade
Power Drift

You may recognize those titles if you frequented an arcade in the 80’s and early 90’s. You are also likely to have encountered the smaller “normal” arcade style cabinets Sega also produced. These were cheaper and easier for gas stations, supermarkets, etc. to accommodate. True dedicated arcades often did not feature these as they had room for the “deluxe” models. Those deluxe models are what are featured in the Sega Arcade Pop Up book.

More than a pop-up book

According to Boing Boing, each entry is accompanied by a written history by Keith Stuart. Stuart is a known novelist with best selling works under his belt.

Yu Suzuki has also lent first-hand information about the development of the featured arcade games.

If you want to grab a copy of the Sega Arcade pop up book, it is about £35 and shipping right now. Read Only Memory has it in stock. Can’t get enough Sega then check out our coverage here. If you want to grab some Sega classics then check out eBay or Amazon and grab a deal. These are affiliate links that help us keep the lights on but costs you nothing extra. Thank you.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams