Original Computer Space Arcade Cabinet From Pre-Atari Era Hits Auction
A piece of arcade history is heading to the auction block: the original Computer Space cabinet, a landmark from the pre-Atari era and widely regarded as the first “real” arcade game. The specific unit, built under the banner of Syzygy Engineering’s follow-up efforts and later refined into a two-player form, has surfaced for sale after more than half a century—an appearance that’s being framed as exceptionally rare, especially for the two-player version.
Release, editions, and auction timeline
| Item | Key dates | Versions referenced | Where it’s being auctioned | Current bid / offers | Estimated high | Auction end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Space arcade cabinet | Published in 1971; two-player variant released in 1973 | Two-player arcade cabinet highlighted | RR Auction | $6,748; 12 bidders | Up to $20,000 | August 20, 2026 |
Computer Space originally launched in 1971, and the game is still treated by specialists as the first genuine arcade title in video game history. The concept traces back to the early wave of space-themed experiments in gaming—specifically an alternative take on the 1962 Spacewar!—with the work credited to Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dagney.
Before Atari became the name most people associate with arcade culture, Syzygy Engineering existed and produced the arcade cabinet that later fed directly into the legacy of Computer Space. The cabinet’s look is described as retro-futuristic, presented as a visual match for the kind of style fans associate with games like Fallout.
Visually and mechanically, the original 1971 release is characterized by a small screen with limited color output, along with a control setup that did not include joysticks—only four buttons. The big shift came with the later cabinet: the 1973 arcade version added a modern-feeling competitive layout for the era, including two joysticks, one for each player, for the two-player mode.
The cabinet now up for auction is being sold by David Perry, known for Earthworm Jim (from 1994) and as a co-founder of Gaikai, the company associated with game streaming. The listing describes the front control panel in detail: a coin slot for 25-cent pieces, a coin-return button, a red “Start Game” button, a green “Two Player Operation” button, and the two original rotating joysticks topped with red “Fire Missile” buttons.
In Perry’s description, the unit is claimed to be in excellent shape, showing only slight scratches and wear on the cabinet body. The machine is said to power on, the display is functioning, and the cabinet is presented as especially noteworthy because original two-player arcade versions are described as practically hard to find and rarely offered to the public. The listing emphasizes that this example stands out further due to its “immaculate” cabinet condition and original components.
At the time of writing, the auction has reached $6,748 with 12 bidders. The expectation range suggests it could reach $20,000, with the auction scheduled to end on August 20, 2026.
