It’s time to dust off the Atari gents, geek chic is in. Our Gamer Girl shows us how she likes to play her favorite classics. Game on.

Photography: Jason Ierace | Gaming products: The Gamesmen Styling: American Apparel, Wicked Weasel

atari 2600

Released in 1977, The Atari 2600 was one of the first home video game consoles to utilize video game cartridges instead of having hardwired games built into the machine. Credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware, the console had only 128 bytes of RAM for run-time data. Nine games were released to accompany the launch of the machine, including Outlaw (below), Space War, and Breakout.

Galaga

The sequel to the game Galaxian, the 1981 starfighter shooter Galaga was one of the most successful games from the golden age of arcade. It introduced many new features over its predecessor, like the ability to fire two shots in succession and the bonus challenge stages. However, the enemies’ ability to capture your fighter was its stand-out feature, as it allowed players to free it later on, giving you the use of two starfighters and double the firepower!

NINTENDO— GAME AND WATCH

Game & Watch was a line of handheld electronic games produced by Nintendo from 1980 to 1991. Created by game designer Gunpei Yokoi, each Game & Watch unit featured a single game to be played on an LCD screen in addition to a clock, an alarm, or both. In 1983, The TableTop versions were released with larger multi-coloured displays and built-in joysticks. Popular titles included Mario’s Cement Factory, Popeye, and Snoopy.

R.O.B.

Robotic Operating Buddy, or ROB, was a computer robot accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Released in 1985, its intention was to portray the Nintendo Entertainment System as a novel toy in order to alleviate retail fears following the video game crash of 1983. However, it had a short product lifespan, with support for only two games: Gyromite and Stack-Up.

The Legend of Zelda

Made by Nelsonic in 1985 as part of Nintendo’s Game & Watch line, The Legend of Zelda multi-purpose wristwatch allowed players to play a game based on the NES’s original The Legend of Zelda. Using a four-button control pad on the watch face, the player controls the character Link through a series of caves, defeating enemies in order to retrieve pieces of the Triforce. At a time before mobile phone apps, this was a great way to game on the go.

Donkey Kong

Released in 1982, The Game & Watch Donkey Kong was a simplified dual-screen version of the classic 1981 arcade game, and was an instant hit. As the first platform game to feature jumping, the player started at the bottom screen and was required to jump over barrels and climb ladders in order to reach the top screen. There, the player then had to use an activated crane to swing out and cut one of the four wires holding Donkey Kong’s girder. Cut all four wires to clear the level and receive a score bonus.

NINTENDO — GAMEBOY

Nintendo’s second handheld system following the Game & Watch series, the Gameboy combined features from both the Nintendo Entertainment System and Game & Watch series. Released in 1989, the 8-bit handheld video game device had tremendous success, selling over 64 million units worldwide by 1997.

Rock Band

A music video game developed by Harmonix in 2007, Rock Band allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments. Reusing many gameplay elements from the Guitar Hero series, players are scored on their ability to match scrolling musical “notes” while playing instruments, or by their ability to match the singer’s pitch on vocals. Rock Band 4, out now, builds on the legacy of the franchise, with over 1,500 songs available in the game’s ever-growing Rock Band Music Store.

Playseat Alcantara and Logitech Driving Force Racing Wheel

Made from a real car seat, covered with black alcantara and supported by a steel structure, The Playseat Alcantara creates an ultra-realistic driving simulation experienced in your living room. The adjustments system allow all the drivers, even the youngest ones, to customize the cockpit in order to easily find their ideal driving position. Add Logitech G G29 Driving Force to your playseat, and you may never want to race with a regular controller again. With dual-motor force feedback, on-wheel controls and responsive pedals, G29 makes racing feel like the real deal.

ASTRO A50 Wireless Headset

Just as consoles evolve, so do gaming headsets, and they don’t get much better than the A50 wireless headset from Astro. Using wireless Kleernet 5.8ghz technology, a higher frequency than most wireless devices, the A50 employs three varied EQ modes designed to fit your audio needs.

Street Fighter V Arcade Fightstick Tournament Edition

Developed by Mad Catz for the current consoles, The official Street Fighter V TES+ delivers the excitement of an authentic arcade machine. Using the very same parts found in Japanese arcade cabinets, it’s built to last and can endure the abuse dished out during fierce battles. A built-in touchpad gives you press, swipe, and multi-touch access to special in-game options and a three-way button enables the joystick to function as the left or right analog stick or D-Pad, opening gameplay for a wide variety of game genres. Welcome to the future of arcade gaming at home.