Grand Theft Auto Fan Shows Off Incredible Custom Vice City Arcade Cabinet

gamerant.com:

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City released in 2002 and was Rockstar’s love-letter to, and deconstruction of, all things “1980s.” The gameplay allowed for the series' usual open-world chaos, this time freely taking inspiration from films and media of the 80s. At many points the game slips completely into parody of movies like Scarface and other cultural touchstones of the decade like Miami Vice. Naturally GTA: Vice City’s hyper-80s aesthetic pairs well with gamers that have fond memories of gaming culture from the real 1980s, and has inspired some fans to imagine how the game would have been presented if it had been released in decade it was set in.

In the 1980s games were in their infancy, the games market crashed in 1983, and it seemed unlikely at the time that home console video games would ever be a viable market again. But arcade gaming was still in its golden age, with some of the best games found exclusively in arcades. Though arcades would begin to fade in popularity in the decades to follow, there are fans of arcade gaming that remain dedicated.

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These arcade fans are so dedicated some rare cabinets can sell for up to $10,000, and an entire gaming subculture has developed around reproducing and designing arcade cabinets for more modern games that never would have seen an arcade release. One very prolific member of this subculture is Reddit user SHAR-KADE, who specializes in custom designed arcade cabinet builds, and who, for their latest build, has taken inspiration from GTA: Vice City.

The arcade cabinet certainly looks the part, with a synth-wave deep purple color scheme that has become so synonymous with everything 80s technology-inspired.