Missile Command Cockpit

Purchased October 8, 2000
Derek's Classic Top 50 Ranking: 1st All Time
Originally Released 1980

Contents

The Pickup and the Panic

On October 8, 2000 I made the trip of a lifetime. On that day I purchased one of the (if not the) greatest game ever created, Missile Command. To top it off this is the ultra rare cockpit version. There might be only 15 of these left in existence, maybe slightly more. Only 99 were thought to be made and to find one in this condition is a remarkable find. This game is a solid 8.5 all around.  The only reason I rate it at that is the initials carved into the side and the pealed stickers. The cab itself it a 9+.

(Since I wrote the above paragraph someone mailed me a picture of their MC cockpit with he serial number of 138! Quite a surprise and a mystery. I plan on keeping some sort of Registry so I can figure out the exact production run and how many are left. If you have a MC cockpit, please email me!)

Unfortunately, after less than 24 hours something fried in the monitor section while was out and left the game on. Man I panicked when I went into my basement only to smell the smell we all dread, the something's burnt smell. I dashed over to the MC cockpit only to see the screen blank and the game start button flashing. I pushed the start button and it made all the right noises but no picture. Man I was so bummed!!! 

I have since fixed my cockpit by replacing the monitor. If you are interested n seeing the inside of this baby and what I did to fix it, click here.

The first thing you notice when you turn on the machine is the loudness of the fan. There is a strong fan to the right of the coin door. The coin door itself is pretty cool. I love the lettering  one coin 1 play. It appears however that the right coin slot was changed to 50 cents at one point. 

(Click on the above and all images for a larger pics. Click the back button to get back here)

The next thing you notice about this machine is the size. It has weird dimensions 77" high, 30" in width and 47" on the side. You have to ask yourself how do they fit a 25" monitor in there? It just doesn't seem long enough. The way they accomplish this is with the upright shape. (the shape sort of resembles a Missile itself or the cockpit of a space ship) The monitor is almost mounted above the person seated and the image is reflected into an angled mirror.

Here is the cockpit from all 4 sides. 

Now for the inside. Love the cool panel!

When you play the game the thing that sticks out the most is the awesome sound. There is a 6" speaker mounted above your head and let me tell you this baby cranks up the volume. The game actually vibrates when you play. You may also notice the nice glow in the dark stars someone placed a long time ago...

I had a Red Trak Ball lying around from a Irritating Maze kit I bought a while back and it is the exact same size as the Missile Command ball. So I replaced it and it feels awesome!

If you have any information on who designed the cabinet or why only 99 (or 138) were made or any information at all about the cockpit, Missile Command II or Super Missile Command , please email me! Also, if you happen to have one of these babies, please email me and let me know how much you love it! 

Oh yeah one more thing. I found a few Barrel of Fun tokens on the inside. Does anyone remember an arcade with that name? I am trying to track down where this game has been.