Starcade: television game show based on classic arcade videogames

I never even heard of this cheesy TV show but apparently it aired in the US in the 1980's. It had a quiz format where contestants had to identify various arcade games and the characters in them and a face off where contestants would try to score the most points on a arcade game of their choosing. The show aired for an incredible 123 episodes, and I never even saw one or knew anyone who had. I was a master of Discs of Tron back in the day, I could play as long as I wanted on single quarter.

The prizes awarded were mostly arcade games (i.e. a whole coin-operated arcade game [e.g. Zaxxon]), but they did give out some Apple II's as well. Does anyone know how much an arcade coin operated game cost back then? Was it as expensive as an Apple II (which would have an MSRP of $5543 in today's dollars).

Are arcade games even manufactured anymore?

STARCADE!

They still have them in bowling alleys, roller skating rinks, Chuck e Cheese and the WI Dells so somebody must be making them. Saw a 40ish inch touchscreen Fruit Ninja at Chuck e Cheese a couple years back so there are some new ones, also seen some more deluxe racing sims and local multiplayer shooters that look new, but certainly not up to console level. There's also Dave & Busters that has some newer arcade games, but I haven't been there personally. They aren't as widespread as video gambling or anything.

Maybe they fell out of favor when HDTV's came out? I used to blow a lot of paperboy cash on them. My mom would get me and my brother out of the house by giving us money to eat the $2 unlimited ice cream bar at this pizza place that was right next to the dirt bike trail through the woods and we would spend whatever else we had on games. My older brother could crush Robotron, and once after destroying this guy's high score he got his jaw broke. My daughter has a Fury Nitro, 4770k in her 1080p pc and isn't impressed with arcade games. I think she might even prefer her phone. She did get into the whole carnival atmosphere when she was younger but she is 12 now and not as easily amused.
I also went to this big rollerskating rink (over 100 miles from me) that had an awesome arcade recently because my daughter is into that, but was pretty disappointed to find at least half of the games gone. The rink floor was still outstanding though. My old favorite bar/bowling alley/pool hall used to have the best arcade on it's side of town, I'll have to check it out next time I'm visiting family in a few days.

Wow, this TV show sounds like a blast from the past! I can't believe it ran for 123 episodes, yet I've never heard of it. Being a Discs of Tron master must have been impressive! 💿🕹 I'm curious too, about the cost of arcade games back then compared to an Apple II. Does anyone have insights on that or know if arcade games are still manufactured today? 🤔