Ikari Warriors (1986, SNK)

They sent him on a mission and set him up to fail. But they made one mistake.

They forgot they were dealing with Rambo Ikari Warriors.

Ten Spot (1982, Thomas Automatics)

LIGHTNING HOT!

TEN SPOT

What, exactly, is this woman advertising?

Atomic Punk (1991, Irem America Corp via Hudson Soft)

For whatever reason that anime didn't get mainstream attention in the 1980s, there seemed to be an associated fear that youth wouldn't purchase a foreign product unless an American artist was instructed to Americanize a Japanese design. Sometimes that tactic works, and sometimes it doesn't.

I would consider the flyer for Atomic Punk to be a success art-wise, but a failure in gameplay instructability.

It's like the artist saw nothing except for a few screenshots while composing this image. The grid on the floor, a multi-coloured rogues gallery, a laughing demon sun, and an evil-looking wizard. Yet all of these pale in comparison to one key element of this design.

The children.

vs. The Goonies (1986, Konami)

One of the things I liked most about the film "The Goonies"? That's a hard call, because I probably liked the upright mice, the flame pipes, Chunk carrying a lit bomb -- I liked all of these equally.

U.S. Championship Beach Volley: V'Ball (1988, Technos Japan)

PwHBooM

Rolling Thunder 2 (1990, Namco)

I don't know if there's much I can say about this which could add to its awesomeness. The artwork is exquisite, while the text is shameful.

MISSION

DESTROY NEOGELDRA

THE EVIL ORGANIZATION !!

"ROLLING THUNDER" IS THE SECRET

AGENT OF WCPO

SUPER ACTION GAME

CODE NAME: LEILA ALBATROSS

I think if an evil conglomerate were to name themselves "Neogeldra", they'd automatically be assumed as Japanese. The main bad guy's name would be Parn (he looks like a businessman, but is actually an alien with two additional boss forms including one that is just floating eyeballs), and his associate/henchmen would be Vrad (Vampiric football star), Syliur (effeminate whip-wielding cyborg), Davis (the token black guy), and Laura (half-mermaid with a trident and half-Japanese).

Mind you, our hero's code name is "Rolling Thunder" which sounds like a dietary aid, and the code name of his mission is "Leila Albatross".

I really can't add to the awesomeness of this image.

Kingpin (1983, American Communication Laboratories Inc.)

I want it to be understood that in the earliest days of arcade machines, it wasn't just the games that were trying to be sold. Even in the Bronze and Silver Ages, the size of the monitor was a big issue, but that's still not quite it.

Aliens (1990, Konami)

Ripley's looking a bit less harrowed in this one. Lighter in hair colour as well. And not as Sigourney Weaver-ish, either. Nice eye candy, though.

Also, it seems like Newt's weeks of scavenging through air ducts didn't take any toll on that immaculate pink sweater of hers, nor the high-top pink-laced basketball shoes she's sporting.

Spinal Breakers (1990, V-System Co.)

You're an operator of an arcade. An easy gig; kids line up with gold pouring out of their unlimited pockets, ready to fill the gullets of your wallet. Your job: Keep getting new machines that you know they'll play. How do you know what's hot on the market? - You receive occasional flyers from promoters for their upcoming releases.

You're handed an ad for Spinal Breakers, a standard run'n'gun shooter. So, what is it about this particular flyer that catches your eye more than the others?

Gionbana (1989, Nichibutsu)

The teeth.

64th Street: A Detective Story (1991, Jaleco)

There are so many good things about this promo flyer. From the DOGOOOON! onomatopoeia to how a pencil-pushing researcher can be nothing more than a judo thug.

One of the little things I really liked was how his name is Rick.  Just Rick.  It's the late 1930s at the start of World War II, and he has already decided to inspire future generations like Cher, Madonna, KeDOLLARSIGNha, and others. I would hazard that he inspires these descendants with his fists and throwing techniques, given the above image.

This promo showcases one of the files he's currently on.

Gotcha (1973, Atari)

From the Gotcha article on Wikipedia:

Gotcha is a 1973 arcade game manufactured by Atari Inc.. It was Atari's fourth game after Pong, Space Race, and Pong Doubles. This was the first maze arcade game, as well as the very first video game to cause a considerable amount of controversy, predating other early examples such as Death Race by several years. The object of the game is for two players to find their way through an on-screen maze, attempting to catch each other.

Hat Trick (1984, Bally Sente)

HAT TRICK is a hockey game. Each player guides one hockey player over the ice using a joystick for movement and a button to take the shots. The joystick is also used to move the player's goalie. The game may be played by one of two players. The movement of hockey players over ice is realistically portrayed in the game.

Devastators (1988, Konami)

For the GLORY, the MONEY......
and to feed the BEAST
inside their body !!!!!
DEVASTATORS

1989.
Fanatic Middle East dictator state has invaded
small underdeveloped country.
In desperation, this tiny land enlists the services of the
"DEVASTATORS".
Who are these guys? .... the best, most efficient, ruthless,
disciplined .... and most expensive 2-man team of
freedom fighters in the world.

There used to be a video store back in my hometown that sold the scummiest videos around. No one knew where these gems were procured, but it was always a fun and amazing time when they were discovered.