Rare Nintendo Sheriff Arcade - 44 Years of Gaming with a Gas Knob | Arcade History

What is Nintendo’s rarest arcade machine? This is certainly a contender, it's Sheriff from 1979.
Its been in my collection 9 years to this month and now takes resident at the Arcade Archive museum for you to play.
In this video we look at the history of this game, my epic road trip, and give it some much needed TLC.
👾You can visit the Arcade Archive
Come and enjoy a range of classic arcade games in my Arcade Archive museum located in Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK. Book tickets at www.retrocollective.co.uk
👾 Help support the museum.
Keeping these machines alive and making it the best experience for your to enjoy please visit / arcadearchive
👾Follow Alex and the museum on Twitter / arcade_archive
👾Follow Alex and the museum on Facebook / arcadearchive
👾Music supplied by Rich the world champion at championship Sprint, down load his music here
247retro.bandcamp.com/album/z...
👾Special thanks to Andy Welburn, Critical Kate, Oliver Moazzezi,Nintendo Memories and Toyo Kenizai for the pictures.
👾Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nintendo's Sheriff
00:34 The Back Story of this Nintendo Sheriff
01:19 History of Nintendo Sheriff
03:13 The Start of my Collection
03:55 An Epic Road Trip
06:45 Sourcing Original Arcade Parts
08:05 Different Versions of Nintendo's Sheriff
10:08 Taking Sheriff to Gaming Expos
10:50 Restoring Nintendo's Sheriff
15:10 What's Inside the Cabinet?
17:55 Nintendo Sheriff Gameplay
21:06 The Legacy of Nintendo's Sheriff
#nintendo #arcade #rarearcade

[@alistermunro7090]

OMG. I'm 55 years old. I loved this as a kid in the arcade and have never been able to find it until today :)

[@antray8481]

I know this isn't your biggest concern Alex, but the lighting and picture quality have taken a massive step up in this video. Looks great.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That’s good to know thanks mate.👍

[@JamesPotts]

That cabinet is fascinating. Miyamoto artwork, combined with a 70s cabinet. A transition from 70s style to the "modern" 80s style cabinet.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Yea it’s a real cross over from the 70s maybe that’s why it wasn’t so popular as other games were a bit faster paced too.

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Fantastic job keeping these classic machines alive. And a nice bit of history as well. Well done indeed 👍

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 😎👍

[@cdyson55]

Really enjoyed this on my visit. Kept going back for more. I can see why you love it.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Good to see you today, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@HappyCodingZX]

Great video Alex. I'm tempted to convert Sheriff to the Spectrum as I already did a bit of work on a way to control the direction. As you know, I recently finished converting Lunar Rescue, and thought that the cutscene featured in that game may have been the first in a video game. Now I'm wondering if Sheriff beat it by a month or tow.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That’s interesting, would love to see it converted to any system but the spectrum is my favourite so I look forward to that. Be sure to let me know on your progress 👍

[@RMCRetro]

One of my favourites to sneak into the arcade and play, it's odd how intuitive shooting with that cooker knob becomes. Did any other games use it?

[@TheArcadeArchive]

It’s the only game I’m aware of that uses it Neil, which makes it so special. I guess the rotary stick could be part of its evolution?

[@RetroSK3L3]

Embarrassed to say I didn’t play Sheriff on my visit to the Arcade Archive!! Oh well, great excuse for another visit. Great video.

[@retro_reflections]

One hell of a beautiful machine, and definitely one I'm looking forward to recreating in my next book. 😁

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Would love for sheriff to get more coverage 👍

[@crunchyfrog555]

I always loved Space Firebird and still play it a fair bit today. But I'd completely forgotten about Sheriff. I don't know why there's a massive hole in my memory of this, but thank you very much for spotlighting this.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Space firebird is one of my favourite Nintendo arcade games. I used to see them everywhere bitd and I’ve owned several in the past.

[@abcmaya]

Never heard of this game. i'm so happy there are people who collects and restore these things.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Not a lot of people have it’s very rare. Thank you

[@2steaksandwiches665]

I was born the year after this came out and I’ve never heard of it

[@PoPeration]

Ace. I look forward to watching the smile on my 10 yo sons face again tomorrow at the 3-5 freeplay sesh!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Excellent look forward to seeing you all 😎👍

[@Ed-eq5kd]

Quality video Alex, this game really still has incredible fun factor.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks Ed 😎👍

[@TheHobbyLodge]

An absolute cracking machine, James and I loved playing this when we visited and I am sure will be playing it again soon. The cooker knob control is so tactile and push down to shoot feels great. Excellent video mate.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Looking forward to seeing you and your boy in September Martin 😎👍

[@thierrydelage1681]

I'm playing it from time to time with mame. I set-up the second joystick on my arcade control panel to act as the gas knob (turning the game into a twin stick shooter...sort of). I use the closest button to my right hand palm as a fire button and it does the trick 😄... Fantastic game !

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That’s awesome 😎

[@thegreatjonzini]

Super fun game loved playing it at the arcade archive finally 🥂

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Munenushi]

19:19 - interestingly, the Average Height of an Adult Japanese Male born around 1960, is 5 feet 4 inches tall - which explains the viewing port, heh [Looking it up, O-Miyamoto was born in 1952 and is 5'5''] Fantastic nostalgia and enjoyment here - thank you

[@Tetlee]

That looks fantastic, I feel like I've played this before but some of these games its really difficult to remember. Great video and what a beautiful machine. I need to get up to the Arcade Archive some time!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

It would be nice to see you and give you a high noon challenge on sheriff 🤠

[@robotronuk]

Fantastic game and great so one still in operation. Here in Blackpool the arcades that had one tended to have the Sega version. These days there is still one in Blackpool, a Nintendo table top inside Arcade Club and one of my favorite games there.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

I’ve got a feeling that used to be mine at the arcade club. It’s a fantastic game and glad you can get to play it at AC

[@faenethlorhalien]

Oh god I played that Galaxian 3 machine at Port Aventura amusement park in Salou, Tarragona, Spain, in the late 90s-ish!!!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Could have been this one as they didn’t make many

[@davidretrogamesplayedbadly3533]

Really enjoyed this mate, great to hear the story behind how you acquired sheriff. Great to see the arcade machine spruced up. I will get down eventually to see you mate.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Would be lovely to meet you dave

[@pacscalatorarcade5736]

Really love how you show us how the games are doing and keeping them up to date, never played Sheriff on a decided machine before but definitely hope to get the chance to one day, excellent job👍🏻

[@retrorobbins]

Great job 😊

[@Retro_B8]

Excellent video Alex, I must admit I think Sheriff was my favourite arcade cab when I made it down to the Arcade Archive it was so much fun and just different to play due to the gas hob controller! Great stuff, enjoyed a bit of the history and your nostalgia for it!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks Paul. It’s such a unique game and such a joy to play, you can see why it would have been so appealing for me bitd. Hope to see you again soon mate

[@francoisc6422]

belle photo alex magnifique sheriff 👍thank you

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 🙏

[@Rob.Coleman]

Best. Story. Ever. 😁 great stuff, love hearing the back story on your finds 👍👍👍.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

thank you mate 😎👍

[@rmrepairs]

Great video again Alex

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks mate

[@jumpingeneral]

Another piece of history preserved. Good to see you Alex. Take care cheers 🍻

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the video

[@vectorrepublic]

Great vid of a great game Alex. Always been my favourite of your cabs. Cheers for the shout out for Frontier on the Vectrex as well, much appreciated :)

[@TheArcadeArchive]

No problem Chris I’ll have to pop over to yours soon, it’s been ages.

[@RetroChiZ]

Oh man, thank you so much for the memories! This was the first arcade game I ever played. And boy, did I play it.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That’s amazing, not many people remember it from bitd

[@mogwaay]

Great video Alex, nice to have a bit of a deep dive on it, I think it's fab

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it

[@zamiadams4343]

Such an amazing episode man, all the best and look forward to visiting the arcade.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you my friend 😎👍

[@TransCanadaPhil]

The Sheriff machine was my favourite to play at your museum when i was there. I noticed there is a slight lag/delay between when you move the control lever and your player starts moving but you're right, you get used to it and start to anticipate the delay. After awhile you can get rather adept at moving/dodging and perfectly playing your shot to intercept one of the enemies.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Yea the delay Jim Bagley was telling me is due to having to swap the character position from left to right. I guess it was lack of hardware capability at that time.

[@JimmyRetro]

Really enjoyed this Alex. I must get along to your arcade soon as I'm not too far away! :)

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Come down Jimmy it’s been a few years. I’ll Challenge you to a few games 😀

[@nerdygeezer78]

Really enjoyed this vid mate. Your knowledge on this stuff is crazy

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Awww thanks mate hope your well

[@Evercade_Effect]

Very well put together video. I really enjoyed the history of the game, cab, and how you acquired it. A tressuee for sure.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you

[@kevinmccartney4906]

Really enjoyed your personal stories throughout the video Alex. Great job! 👏

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks Kevin

[@BottIsNotABot]

Nice job Alex, the cabinet is looking great!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 🙏

[@Stoobers]

What an awesome cab. I'm surprised though that there's not been an unofficial clone of it on other platforms like the Spectrum etc. It wouldn't be too hard to do I'm sure :)

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Would love to see a port on the spectrum, I think someone in the comments here is actually in the process of porting it which is exciting.

[@ewstargamer]

Really enjoyed this video Alex, you can see how much you love this game and loved seeing you do some work on it Didn't know that Bell fruit made video games back in the day though it was just fruit machine they were into. Great video mate 👍

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Yea Bellfruit licensed quite a few games in the early 80s and they used there horrible square buttons that got hot which I remember vividly. You being into fruit machines would know all about that 😂 Thanks for watching Alex

[@davess61]

Great video 🙂

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 😁

[@DaveRepairs]

Nice one Alex... nice video too.. so thats how u play it .... talking with Rob about a CRT Primer class

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks dave 😎👍

[@properjob2311]

great presentation

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thank you 😎👍

[@earlbrown4398]

Great video, until the attempt at the accent near the end! Haha, all joking aside, great content, as always. I've never seen this game in the wild, and it looks fun. Love your work, Alex. Please keep it up!

[@canozzian]

Jeff was probably the one that got away 😭 23:04

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Hehe 😂

[@AstonsVintageTechnologyWorkshp]

Nice one, would definitely recommend the Vectrex version, it's surprisingly good. 🙂

[@retroimportgamer513]

That was a great video Alex, really enjoyed the story of how you acquired it and found the new panel and bezel Great looking cab. Does make you wonder what the spiders eat inside there, much like the ones permanently in your car door mirrors🤣👍

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Haha yea I’ve always got one flapping about in my mirror 😂 Thanks for watching James 😎👍

[@tigheklory]

Alex you need to put velvet ropes around that game to keep the grubby hands off it! ;-)

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Haha well I could do but where is the fun in that. How you doing buddy hope your well.

[@ziontrask4774]

I played the original black and white original in Australia when it was first released. I also played the original Jungle King stand up amongst others.

[@Pitbull0669]

My good friend it's a amazing game!! Can't wait to get together

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Thanks buddy

[@Pitbull0669]

@@TheArcadeArchive bless ypu mate

[@qster]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, I 100% misheard you though the first time around as I thought you said Betty had lost her nips!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

😂

[@Chriva]

Always a great day whenever Retro Tom Hardy shows up in the subscription feed :)

[@TheArcadeArchive]

😂 Favourite Tom Hardy Film ?

[@Chriva]

Oof. That's a hard one! Inception maybe? You have a way cooler arcade tho :)

[@arlasoft]

@@TheArcadeArchive Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Hunter, This Means Gorf or Child 1942.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

@@Chriva has to be Bronson for me

[@electricadventures]

A fantastic early Nintendo machine, it still looks brilliant but nice to do some TCL. With the LCDs why do you use mains volts ones, the converter box would be taking that down to 12v and the game itself would not be drawing all of the 12v line amps?

[@eternylbliss2151]

This should be a ported over on to the Atari 2600 and released on cartridge

[@jjermar1]

Oh how I missed this intro music...

[@TheArcadeArchive]

I know it seem such a long time ago now but had to bring it back for this video. 👍

[@jjermar1]

@@TheArcadeArchive I didn't mean it ironically - I really liked the old intro, bring it back more often, please.

[@PondersRetroGoodness]

This does work quite well under emulation as a twin stick. Takes away the charm of the gas knob though!

[@leesmithsworkshop]

Does he still have that Galaxian 3. I used to play on one in Nottingham so loved that game and I also remember the one from Johns Arcade that was left in the Mall.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

No unfortunately think he sold it a few years ago now

[@puzzud]

I played the cabinet at Funspot. I enjoyed this game a bit--and I am not a fan of Invaders or Galaxian but I dug it a lot--felt like Gunfight.

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That’s cool did you play the Exidy version Bandido?

[@puzzud]

@@TheArcadeArchive Yea I think it was. I don't think the cabinet was as nice as the one in the video. And the screen and the controller were not in good shape. But fun nonetheless.

[@paulstuntmaster4469]

Great video Alex. Do you still see Mark as not seen him in years since moving . Say hello if see him

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Hi Paul, Yes I still speak to mark and I did send him a link to this video and he loved it. Hopefully going to meet up with him very soon. Hope your well mate

[@wolfbeast80]

Very good game this is! Sheriff needs to be ported to the switch, it would work really well I feel.

[@giddygoon73]

Nice video, I used to chat to Bruno back in the day all the time as I also was a Dragons Lair owner, Just wondering I have a Nintendo Donkey Kong cockpit... I have always been looking for those white feet for the legs, do you have idea if any one makes reproductions of them. cheers for any info

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Ask Jonathan Clayton on Ukvac he’s got spares he might part with or I’m sure someone made some reproduced some a few years ago

[@giddygoon73]

@@TheArcadeArchive I'm on UKVAC i'll pm him, thx ( :

[@KJW648]

Got a Pac-man and a Galaxian, plus a load of game boards, interested, for the museum ?

[@TheArcadeArchive]

That would be amazing

[@VladTheImpaler454]

What's the intro track on this video? You use it on your other videos too, would love to throw it on a playlist

[@TheArcadeArchive]

It’s by Richard who does all the music for my channel, it’s cool isn’t it 😎

[@VladTheImpaler454]

@@TheArcadeArchive It's awesome, if he has a soundcloud/bandcamp or anything please share :)

[@TheArcadeArchive]

@@VladTheImpaler454 should be a link in the description 👍

[@VladTheImpaler454]

@@TheArcadeArchive Ah yes cheers!

[@djsquibby]

Cool baby ;)_~

[@leroyvisiongames2294]

OK, not to be “that guy”, but Assault was actually made by Namco, not Atari. Atari just published Namco’s games during most of the latter half of the 80’s

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Yea I know 😉

[@sambagogo777]

Nintendo did pretty well for a company that started out in video games by ripping off Atari and Sega!

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Sega was king in the arcade because they had most of the distribution at that time and were around long before Nintendo entered the arcades. Sega helped Nintendo by distributing there own games which they did. As far as ripping off everyone was at it making bootlegs and clones.

[@VID-KIDZ]

...Put The Gun Down !!! Your Above Being A "Video Cowboy" with Your Collection !!! Standing Next to an Original Defender with only 100,000+ as First Place !!! Sick-Shooter not Six-Shooter !!! More Defender Action... THX

[@TheArcadeArchive]

Is that a request for a defender video 😂

[@VID-KIDZ]

@@TheArcadeArchive Yesssss !!! Loved Defender from the Start... 1982 onwards... Had the : Williams / Streets mini cad for my 13th, then the Full Size for my 50th... Oh and a Stargate Cocktail too... Soooo Get To It Alex, You Know You Want To... End of Line

[@johneygd]

I find it really sad why on earth nintendo never ported sherrif,space fever,radar scope,monkey magic and sky skipper to the famicom,sure by the time the famicom and the nes came out,those games were already a few years old, BUT still there was no excuse since pac man,space invaders,galactic,centipede,melipede etc,,, from thirth parties were also already a few years old at the time but they were still put on the famicom,so what the heeck nintendo??? (Heck nintendo even put some of those old thirth party games such as xevious and pac man on their nes classic series editions,so it clearly proves that arguments from some people that because of games being too old to be ported to newer systems just makes no sense and with this in mind and that said i Also just don’t understand why nintendo didn’t had put those games on the switch online swrvice yet🥲🥲🙁🙁

[@TheArcadeArchive]

I feel your frustration but I think I know the reason why. A lot of the early games were coded by Ikegami and they own the source code and probably not worth the time or money for Nintendo to get those rights now. However sky skipper is on the switch so I could be wrong 🤷‍♂️ I would love to see space firebird on the switch because it’s terrible in mame.

[@johneygd]

@@TheArcadeArchive now that a very very interesting mentioning about this😁