In a recent wide-ranging interview with late-night host Stephen Colbert, the hugely successful director Steven Spielberg spoke about his family, his long career and his love of film. But we’re not here to talk about that. Instead, what’s that over there behind you, Stephen and Steven? Is that… oh yes. It is a war of stars arcade cabinet.
Steven Spielberg is the director behind hit films like Jurassic Park, Pine, And Schindlers List. He has been making films for over 50 years and is often cited as one of the greatest and most successful directors in history. And as part of the ongoing awards season, Spielberg sat down with Stephen Colbert March 2 episode The late show with Stephen Colbert to chat about many things, but also to talk specifically about his latest, Oscar-nominated film The Fabelmans. And it’s a great movie. I loved it. However, I was distracted by an Atari during the interview war of stars Arcade cabinet hanging in Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment headquarters.
A little research shows that the cabinet seen in the video is not original. Instead, based on the shape and artwork, it appears to be 1up war of stars Arcade cabinet that went on sale in 2019. At just 1.20m tall, it’s not a full-size box, but it does include a riser that makes it taller and easier to play. (You can see the riser under the cabinet in the video.) This 1up cabinet collects all three Atari war of stars arcade games into one playable collection so you can easily switch between the three via a menu. Today these games are – especially the original war of stars Arcade release – considered classics of all time. Fun fact: Ataris Reich strikes back arcade game came out after It is Return of the Jedi game and years after Rich premiered.
Steven Spielberg’s history with video games
Interestingly, since this came out in 2019, it means this isn’t an old closet that he bought when he was younger, but probably something he recently bought (or asked someone to buy). This might come as a surprise, but Spielberg had had a connection with video games for a long time, even before directing it in 2018, okay, but not great Ready player one Adjustment.
For example, in 1982 he spoke about how much he loved playing games like Donkey Kong And Storm, explains that these games “massage” his ego. and immediately gave him a thrill, unlike filmmaking. And in 2005, Spielberg worked with EA on a game with the working title lmnr about an extraterrestrial woman who you rescue during a road trip across the United States and who you help to hide. Spielberg requested that the game not have any gunfights and instead focus on puzzles. This game would eventually go into the can in 2010. However, in 2008, Spielberg and EA released Boom Bloxa physics-based, all-ages party game that the director created because he wanted more games to play with his kids.
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It’s fun to see that even at 76, Spielberg still plays video games and enjoys being around them. Or maybe he keeps this arcade machine in his office to remind himself all the money he made from a stupid bet between himself and George Lucas.
