Arcade & Classic Games · 71

A joystick gate can physically restrict movement directions, which is why classic four-way games can feel different on hardware designed for eight-way control. The player-facing version of the idea is simple. Arcade cabinets were physical interfaces: steering wheels, trackballs, light guns and giant buttons could make one machine feel completely unlike the cabinet beside it. Old arcade sound effects are short because they had a difficult job: be heard over every other old arcade sound effect.