Blog

Fistful of Quarters - the Donkey Kong World Challenge

"The average Donkey Kong game doesn't last a minue.  It's absolute brutality!" Billy Mitchell 

Game Profile: Dig Dug

The objective of Dig Dug is to eliminate underground-dwelling monsters. This can be done by inflating them until they pop or by dropping rocks on them. There are two kinds of enemies in the game: Pookas, round red monsters (said to be modeled after tomatoes) who wear yellow goggles, and Fygars, green dragons who can breathe fire. The player's character is Dig Dug, dressed in white and blue, and able to dig tunnels. Dig Dug is killed if he is caught by either Pooka or Fygar, burned by a Fygar's fire, or crushed by a rock. It takes four 'pumps' with the player's action button to inflate a monster until it bursts. If left partially inflated, the monster will deflate and recover after a few seconds, but half-inflating is a useful way to stun an enemy for a few moments, especially to make sure it remains in the path of a falling rock. You can also pass through the enemy while he is deflating. The monsters normally crawl through the tunnels in the dirt but can turn into ghostly eyes and travel slowly through the dirt. More points are awarded for eliminating an enemy further down in the dirt (the levels are color coded), and the Fygar is worth more points if it is inflated horizontally rather than vertically (because it only breathes fire horizontally). More points are also awarded for dropping rocks on enemies in order to eliminate them rather than inflating them. If one enemy is killed by the rock, it is worth 1000 points. The next two add 1500 points each and any after that they add 2000. The act of digging is itself worth points, giving ten points for each block dug, so some players do as much of it as possible in situations where the threat from the remaining monsters is minimal. After the player drops two rocks, fruits and vegetables (and other edible bonus items, such as Galaxian flagships) appear in the center of the play field, and can be collected for points if the player is able to reach them before they disappear. These edible bonus items will appear even if the rocks fail to hit any enemies. In some versions of the game, the most points you can get for this fruit bonus is 8,000 from the pineapple. If the player drops a rock on a foe at the same time he pumps it to death, the game will be tricked into thinking that all enemies have been destroyed, but that the level has not been defeated. Thus, all enemies will promptly disappear, and the player will be free to dig through all dirt. Until another rock is dropped, going to the next level will remain impossible. The last enemy on a level will try to escape off the top left of the screen. Level numbers are represented by flowers in the top right of the screen and each new level is noted at the beginning of each stage on the bottom right (as seen in graphic above). In successive levels, more monsters appear on each screen and they move more quickly. A level is completed successfully when the last monster is dispatched or succeeds in fleeing. In the coin-operated version the game ends on round 256 (round 0), since this board is unplayable. At the start of the level, a Pooka is placed directly on top of where the player starts, with no way to kill it (this is an example of a kill screen). Source: Wikipedia

Sighting: Swell Tavern at the Gold Coast

At the Swell Tavern at the Gold Coast, not only do you get to check out the Quiksilver-branded Arcade Tables (count 'em ... two!), but you can get your hands on the actual tables used 'backstage' at the recent Quiksilver Pro event for the competitors to use to chill out between surfs.  Yep, Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning played on these little babies! Swell Tavern 1640 Gold Coast Highway Burleigh Heads Ph: 07 5589 9599

Urban Grind - coffee with a conscience

Brissie people love their coffee just as much as our southern cousins and increasingly, it's coffee-with-a-conscience that's ringing our bells.  When you're in town, drop in to Urban Grind at 530 Brunswick Street, New Farm for a great cup and to support a small business that's supporting environmental causes and the less fortunate all over the place. Morgan Daly, owner and barista extraordinaire, prides himself on Urban Grind's carbon neutral status, slow extraction method and serving up damn good coffee.  Go there for free wi-fi and ... *drum roll* ... FREE ARCADE GAMES on their in-store Arcade Table!! For parking tips at Urban Grind and to see what else is going on, click here.  Photos coming soon of the Inaugural Urban Grind Galaga Challenge!

Brisbane Extra results in a rush on Arcade Tables

Well the Brisbane Extra segment aired on Channel 9 in Brisbane on Good Friday and the enquiries have been amazing!  We will post the segment on this blog very soon and those of you who are not in the Brisbane viewing area will see how gorgeous it looks on the small screen!  Actually, it was great to see the Hinze family of Eatons Hill having such a great time playing at their table in their downstairs media room. If you've been considering purchasing an Arcade Table for your home, jump in quickly because the Extra telecast has depleted current stocks. To all our newest Brisbane owners, your Arcade Tables are on their way!!

Cocktail recipes

To further enhance your enjoyment of your brand new Arcade Table, we thought we'd send a couple of cocktail ideas your way!

GALAGARTINI

Serve in honey-rimmed glasses as homage to those pesky Galaga bees!

• 1 tbs honey mixed with 2 tbs lemon juice
• 1 tbs caster sugar
• 2 measures of Gin
• half measure of blue Curacao
• red maraschino cherry to garnish

1. Rim glasses with honey/lemon juice and caster sugar.
2. Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker.  Add Gin and blue Curacao.  Shake well.  Strain into a cocktail glass and carefully add maraschino cherry.

SPACEMOPOLITAN

In space, no one can hear you screeeeam: "Another Spacemopolitan, please!!!!!!"

• 1.5 measures of citron Vodka
• 1 measure of Cointreau
• 1.5 measure of cranberry juice
• quarter measure fresh lime juice

Add ice to a cocktail shaker then add Vodka, Cointreau and juices.  Shake well.  Strain into chilled cocktail glasses rimmed with sugar beforehand.

60 games for just $50 each

We'd love for you to better comprehend the outstanding value of our Asobu Arcade Table.  Think of it this way:

60 games @ $50 each = $3,000

(and you get change from that!)

And it all comes beautifully packaged in a stylish retro cabinet that not only looks good, it's multifunctional as well!

• Replace your coffee table with your 60-game Arcade Table.  High tea and Donkey Kong, anyone?
• Use it as a cocktail-mixing table.  Spacemopolitans and Galagartinis are all the rage now!
• Snack at it and burn off some calories with a rapid-fire game of Galaxian.
• The only homework table that features built-in bribery!
• The score-settler: put an end to disagreements by holding high score challenges.
• The best 'come-back-to-my-place' line: "Would you like to come over and see my Arcade Table?"
• Pets-not-allowed alternative: Landlord doesn't let you have a dog or cat?  Your Arcade Table will keep you company, help you make friends, doesn't require walking or letting out, feeding, watering or vet visits!

1942 arcade game - love the soundtrack!

For all you 1942 fans out there, here is a taste of the action to really whet your appetite!!

Layby now available at Arcade Tables

Q:  What’s the simplest, most cost-effective way to buy a high ticket item without going in to debt in order to have it? A:  Layby!  And it's now available at Arcade Tables!

• No interest payable.
• No fees payable.
• Monthly invoicing.
• Lock in current pricing and shipping rates.
• Up to 12 months to pay off your layby.
• Take delivery when final payment is made.
• A great way to keep that special gift hidden from the birthday boy/girl or for Christmas.
• No credit dramas.
• Contact me for our layby terms and conditions.

Fancy a 30% tax deduction on your Arcade Table?

Yet to be formalised is the Business Investment Allowance for Depreciating Assets Scheme.  If your business turnover is less than $2,000,000 annually and you acquire an asset greater than $1,000, you can claim a 30% deduction straight away, provided the purchase date is between 13th December 2008 and 30th June 2009.  Beyond the 30th June and through to 31st December 2009, you can claim a 10% deduction. The equipment purchased must be:

• purely business related
• a new asset (or a new improvement on an asset)
• used in Australia, and
• a tangible asset.

Sounds to me like a great way to score an Arcade Table for your business!  For more information, visit the ATO website's information page.