Quick Index

Video Paradise links

  • July, 1982 Photos
  • Pole Position High Scores
  • Video Game Masters Tournament - 1983
  • Advertising Flyers
  • Video Paradise High Scores

    Twin Galaxies links

  • News Video on the Video Game Masters Tournament - 1983
  • Video Game Masters Tournament - 1984 Rules & Game Play
  • Video Game Masters Tournament - 1984 News Article
  • Worldwide High Scores - 1983
  • Top 5 Worldwide High Scores - 1983
  • Competitive Video Game Playing Rules - 1983
  • High Score List - October, 1982.

    Other Historical Information & Documents

  • Arcades - 1990
  • Amusement Parks - 1990
  • Go-Kart Tracks - 1990
  • Miniature Golf / Batting Cages / Go-Kart Tracks / Water Parks - 1990
  • Bowling Centers - 1990
  • Skating Rinks (ice & roller) - 1990
  • Top Score Newsletter - Fall, 1986
  • Top Score Newsletter - Winter, 1987
  • Top Score Newsletter - July / August, 1987
  • Top Score Newsletter - September / October, 1987
  • 3rd Annual Invitational Player of the Year Contest Poster - 1985
  • Video Games Express - Number 5, March, 1984 (trade publication)
  • Video Games Express - Number 6, April, 1984 (trade publication)

  • Contact us

    Click on the image below to read all about classic video arcade gaming!



    More historical info coming in the future!
  • Video Paradise - San Jose, California - 1982 / 1983

    During the years 1982 and 1983 this very popular arcade existed in San Jose, California, both on Del Mar Avenue and later moving to downtown.

    Over time the following video games were in the arcade (including the dates). Those without ending dates were in the arcade until it closed.

  • Tempest - March 19, 1982 - May 16, 1983
  • Berzerk - March 24, 1982 - April 26, 1983
  • Centipede - March 26
  • Donkey Kong (1) - April 5 - October 19
  • Stargate - April 12
  • Donkey Kong (2) - April 19
  • Head On - May 5 - June 24
  • Dig-Dug - May 6
  • Ms Pac-Man - May 25
  • Zaxxon - May 25 - November 13
  • Tron - August 12
  • Donkey Kong Jr - August 31
  • Jungle King - September 8 - May 9, 1983
  • Tutankham - October 7 - March 20, 1983
  • Galaga - October 20
  • Moon Patrol - November 1
  • Joust - November 23
  • Burgertime - December 1 - March 14, 1983
  • Pole Position - sitdown (1) - December 10 - March 17, 1983
  • Pole Position - sitdown (2) - December 17
  • Popeye - January 21, 1983 - April 28
  • Pacman Plus - February 4
  • Xevious - March 9 - removed within 30 days - date unknown
  • Bump 'N' Jump - March 14
  • Bagman - March 18
  • Zoo Keeper - April 6
  • Mappy - April 6
  • Sinistar - April 12
  • Wacko - April 26 - May 16
  • Guzzler - May 11
  • Dragon's Lair - (dates unknown)
  • Millipede - (dates unknown)
  • Mario Brothers (dates unknown)
  • Star Wars (dates unknown)

    The arcade started with one game, Tempest, which collected just 25 cents on the first day.

    At first the arcade operated days and evenings but eventually was open 24-hours a day.

    Click HERE to see photos of the arcade in July, 1982. At the time the arcade had 9 games. Ultimately it expanded to at least 20 games. We added six more photos on April 10, 2011.

    We also had an Atari 800 computer (seen in the photos referenced above). Games available to play were: Pac-Man, Missile Command, Star Raiders and Space Invaders.

    The 1983 Twin Galaxies "Video Game Masters Tournament" was held at Video Paradise at the downtown location. We have two photos of the competitors and more information about the competition HERE.

    The two highest scores on Pole Position were made on the Video Paradise games. See HERE for a news photo of Les Lagier, taken on the weekend he set the ultimate high score. Mike Klug has the second highest score, just slightly behind Les' score. These two scores have weathered the decades and it is unlikely these scores will ever be matched or beaten. From the time we added Pole Position to the arcade until the arcade closed, Pole Position was the most played game every single week, no exceptions.

    Our wonderful employees helped make the arcade a great success:

    Del Mar Avenue

  • Chris Howard
  • John Arvay
  • Brian Buckley
  • Brian Sanfillipo
  • Mike Klug
  • Peter Johnson
  • Steve Cirimele
  • Manuel Michel
  • Mike Sands
  • Rick Alameda
  • Chad Phillips
  • Jeff VanderZweep
  • Tim VanderZweep
  • Rob VanderZweep
  • Jeanann Buckley
  • Brett Woods
  • Brian Hager

    Downtown

  • Mike Klug
  • Rick Alameda
  • Buzz Ringer
  • John Stagi
  • Tom Colla
  • Troy Kindred
  • Dave Pett
  • Mike Ternasky
  • Dave Rogers
  • Rick Fernandez

    To publicize both arcade locations we printed flyers to advertise them. HERE are the flyers.

    During a little over a year we had four power outages at the Del Mar Avenue location. They weren't during bad weather, the power just went out! San Jose was (obviously) not a place of reliable electricity.

    HERE is a list of the Twin Galaxies International Scoreboard high scores made at Video Paradise as of June 11, 1983. It was supplied by Walter Day of the Scoreboard at that time. On that page is a link to the entire 218-game Twin Galaxies International Scoreboard as of June 17, 1983.

    We are looking for photographs and other recollections of the Del Mar location. If you have anything to add, please let us know by sending an email to us HERE.

    This site was established in March, 2011.


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