'Over the moon': Retro video game lover saves iconic collection from oblivion
Australia's largest collection of retro video games has been saved from oblivion thanks to a knight in shining armour with a love of the 80s classics.
Stephen Holmes had spent years amassing his collection at Brisbane's One Up Arcade, but COVID-19 shutdowns, followed by a landlord eviction, meant he was being forced to shut it down.
A Current Affair aired a story about the situation back in April and among the viewers was Rod Jones, who just happened to own Laser Force Brisbane and could see a silver lining.
Australia's largest collection of retro video games has been saved from oblivion thanks to a knight in shining armour with a love of the 80s classics. A Current Affair
"These guys have developed something fantastic, why throw that away? Why let it go? Let's bring it here," Jones said.
The end result is a new partnership with the bottom floor of Laser Force's Woolloongabba premises, now the home of the One Up Retro Arcade.
"This is something we don't have. But I saw what these guys did with what they're doing and they're so good at it. They're experts," Jones said.
The number of machines is slightly smaller now but there are still 150 to choose from, with an additional 50 games rotating through.
"There's nothing like playing them here with a proper controller stick. It's so different than trying to play it on your phone or at home," Jones said.
The collection includes cult classics like Pac-Man and Space Invaders as well as Ninja Turtles Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam.
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Rod Jones, who just happened to own Laser Force Brisbane and could see a silver lining A Current Affair
It's now all available for the public to enjoy at prices that are also stuck in the 80s - unlimited play all day for under $30.
Stephen Holmes is just relieved the games he spent years bringing together have a new life ahead.
"Over the moon," Holmes said.
"This is what I always wanted in the first place for the next generation to be able to come in and play these games that were just out of circulation."
"It's like walking into a video store, they don't exist anymore, and we didn't want arcades to go the way of the dodo."
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