History Main / PersonalArcade

[[caption-width-right:350:[[SarcasmMode A responsible role model.]]]]

[[quoteright:350:[[Series/SilverSpoons http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/silver-spoons_1460.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Guess who's the mature one here?]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Dad demonstrates parenting skills between rounds of ''VideoGame/{{Pac-Man}}'']]

* In ''Series/SilverSpoons,'' the ManChild father has several pinball and arcade video machines amongst his collection of giant expensive toys. In the opening credits he starts up a game of pinball and dances along to the music it makes.

Since a good-condition machine typically costs more than a personal computer, such a prop establishes some level of wealth for the owner; having multiple machines serves to further emphasize the character's extravagance or misguided priorities, especially if he's already financially challenged. Actually playing with the game is not required; simply having it in the background flashing its attract mode is enough to make the point.

* ''Film/TheSocialNetwork'' has a ''Street Fighter 2: Alpha Warriors' Dreams'' game cabinet next to a conference room.

[[caption-width-right:350:Dad demonstrates parenting skills between rounds of ''VideoGame/{{Pac-Man}}]'']]

[[caption-width-right:350:Dad demonstrates parenting skills between rounds of ''VideoGame/{{Pac-Man}}]]]]

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/stewiegriffin-galaga_9186.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[MyNewGiftIsLame Because nothing says "Christmas" like your own arcade machine!]]]]

* In ''Series/SilverSpoons,'' the ManChild father has several pinball machines amongst his collection of giant expensive toys. In the opening credits he starts up a game and dances along to the music it makes.

* There is a ''Harlem Globetrotters'' pinball table in the guys' apartment in ''Film/ThreeMenAndABaby''.

* There's an ''Asteroids'' cabinet in ''Film/PeeWeesBigAdventure''.
* ''Film/TheLifeAquaticWithSteveZissou'' features a customized "Zissou" pinball machine.

Since a good-condition machine typically costs more than a personal computer, such a prop establishes some level of wealth for the owner; having multiple machines serves to further emphasize the character's extravagance or misguided priorities, especially if he emphasizes his financial troubles. Actually playing with the game is not required; simply having it in the background flashing its attract mode is enough to make the point.

* The spoiled rich kid in ''Film/TheToy'' has ''VideoGame/{{Centipede}}'' and ''VideoGame/SpaceDuel'' cabinets in his bedroom.

Since a good-condition machine typically costs more than a personal computer, such a prop establishes some level of wealth for the owner; having multiple machines serves to further emphasize the character's extravagance or misguided priorities. Actually playing with the game is not required; simply having it in the background flashing its attract mode is enough to make the point.

* In ''What Happens In Vegas'', Jack Fuller has a ''Free Fall'' pinball machine in his apartment.
* There is a "Harlem Globetrotters" pinball table in the guys' apartment in ''Film/ThreeMenAndABaby''.

* Appropriately enough, in ''Film/GhostRider'' there's an ''Evil Knievel'' pinball in Johnny Blaze's apartment.

* In ''Film/BoogieNights'', Dirk Digger has a ''Hot Line'' pinball game at his house.

[[caption-width-right:350:Because nothing says "Christmas" like your own arcade machine!]]

* In ''Film/{{Big}}'', one of the things Josh (Creator/TomHanks) gets in his rapid rise up the corporate world is a ''Pinball/PinBot'' pinball machine.

A subtrope of PastimesProvePersonality. Also see FictionalVideoGame.

Also see PastimesProvePersonality.

* On one segment of ''Series/TheTonightShow With Jay Leno'', Norm Macdonald was doing a series of jokes about selling his home in Los Angeles. One photo he showed was an exercise room with a ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' pinball machine, and Norm comments that the buyer can have the exercise equipment, but not the pinball table.

* In ''I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry'', Chuck owns a "Balica"[[note]]actually a modified ''VideoGame/{{Galaga}}''[[/note]] arcade game.

Just as [[SmartPeoplePlayChess a chessboard indicates a smart character]] and [[OfficeGolf golf clubs indicate an upper-crust executive]], a quick way to establish a character's frivolous personality is to show them having a [[PhysicalPinballTable pinball machine]] or [[VideoGame arcade video game]] in a home, work, or personal environment. Such a character will typically be almost AlwaysMale, and is either TheSlacker, a ManChild, OneOfTheKids, a CloudCuckoolander, or something comparable.

[[FictionalVideoGame If the game is actually based on the character,]] that could be a further sign or extraordinary wealth or an overinflated ego.

Note that this trope does not apply when the game in question is in a location that reasonably '''should''' have such things, such as a video arcade, bar, laundromat, or boardwalk. Similarly, having a home [[VideogameSystems video game system]] doesn't qualify for this trope, as those are affordable for most people.

* In the first night of the ''Film/{{Ghostbusters}}'' franchise, the guys' upper-level loft includes two arcade video games (''Ms. Pac-Man'' and ''Star Castle'') and a ''Star Gazer'' pinball machine next to the fireman's pole. Notable in that Ray Stantz had mentioned less than a minute ago that they were out of money...
* In ''Film/{{Big}}'', one of the things Josh (Tom Hanks) gets in his rapid rise up the corporate world is a ''Pinball/PinBot'' pinball machine.

* There is a "Harlem Globetrotters" pinball in the guys' apartment in ''Film/ThreeMenAndABaby''.
* ''Film/TheThing'' has an ''Asteroids'' arcade machine at the ice station.

* The original 1986 comedy ''Running Scared'' shows a ''Battlezone'' machine in Gene Wilder's apartment.

* The spoiled rich kid in ''Film/TheToy'' has a ''Centipede'' and ''Space Duel'' cabinets in his bedroom.

* In ''SilverSpoons,'' the ManChild father has several pinball machines amongst his collection of giant expensive toys. In the opening credits he starts up a game and dances along to the music it makes.

* The Series/{{Columbo}} episode "The Conspirators" has Columbo and a suspect talking over games of pinball in the suspect's home.
* One episode of ''Series/InPlainSight'' showed a vintage electro-mechanical pinball in the apartment of Mary's boyfriend Raphael.
* One episode of ''Series/MrBelvedere'', the Owens family gets a ''Fireball'' pinball, only to get rid of it once Belvedere becomes addicted to the game.

[[AC:RealLife]]
* Creator/StevenSpielberg was known to have had a varying set of arcade video games in his home and offices, including ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders, VideoGame/MissileCommand,'' and ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong''
* On one segment of ''Series/TheTonightShow With Jay Leno'', Norm Macdonald was doing a series of jokes about selling his home in Los Angeles. One photo he showed was an exercise room with a ''Family Guy'' pinball machine, and Norm comments that the buyer can have the exercise equipment, but not the table.
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If the game is actually based on the character, that could be a further sign or extraordinary wealth or an overinflated ego.