"Winners Don't Use Drugs" | How The FBI Invaded Arcades

It’s a phrase and screen seared into the memories of anyone who visited an arcade in the late 80s and 90s. An arcade staple that’s just as recognizable as Street Fighter 2, NBA JAM, or Pac-Man. “Winners Don't Use Drugs.” Where did this screen come from and how did it end up on most arcade games from the 90s? This is the story of the Winners Don’t Use Drugs screen.
#Arcade #90sgames #Retrogaming #gaming #gaminghistory #capcom #warondrugs #retrogaming #nostalgia #wrestlingwithgaming
Follow me on Twitter - / wrestlesgaming
Patreon - / wrestlingwithgaming
Special thanks to:
Ethan from The history of how we play - thehistoryofho...
Bob Fay and Bob Davenport voiced by:
Friday Night Arcade - / fridaynightarcade
HistoricNerd - / historicnerd
Additional footage:
Patrick Scott Patterson - / patrickscottpatterson
ABC News
C-Span
Tucker Time! - / silentbobstash
Sources:
Washington post April 25, 1988
RePlay Magazine - Volume 19, Issue No. 2 November 1993
Cash Box Magazine Feb 18, 1989
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin - October 1988
ABC News Report July 19, 1993
Play Meter - Volume 18, Number 7 June 1992
Cash Box Magazine April 29, 1989
Cash Box Magazine December 30, 1989
www.inverse.co...
www.escapistma...
www.wilcoxarca...
www.upi.com/Ar...
Additional 3D models used under Creative Commons License:
Arcade Machine by PureUgliness
Hrvoje Wächter Hallway Old Arcade cabinets (this scene’s original arcade cabinet and some textures were replaced by Yahel)
Attract Mode by byron-barry82

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Follow me on Twitter! - twitter.com/WrestlesGaming You can support the channel on Patreon - www.patreon.com/wrestlingwithgaming Special thanks to: Ethan from The history of how we play - thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/ Bob Fay and Bob Davenport voiced by: Friday Night Arcade - kzbin.info HistoricNerd - kzbin.info Thanks for watching! This video was modeled and animated using Cinema 4D & Redshift. Editing and compositing was done in Premiere Pro and After Effects.

[@superscatman4236]

Who did the voice for Bob Davenport? Because it sounds like Mitch Pileggi

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

That's would be HistoricNerd

[@ChriKn]

@@Darthborg "Expecting"... How dense are you ?

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

@@WrestlingWithGaming I've been clean and off of crack for 42 years !!! actually, 43 years on my next birthday

[@MrMackmonster]

Dude!!! What happened 2 your hair?

[@mymomsaysimcool9650]

As a child of the 80’s I’d have to say, video games were and still are my drug of choice.

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

Me too. That and weed.

[@avtips4779]

So what part do you smoke, the PCB?, the rom? Or the controller?

[@viperdemonz-jenkins]

and weed.

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

@@avtips4779 you grind up the sprites into subpixels, and then snort them.

[@avtips4779]

@@DissociatedWomenIncorporated makes sense

[@DasNordlicht91]

The idea of an entire arcade branded entirely around the “Just Say No” campaign is kinda hilarious to think about.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Right? Though to be fair it got them a good amount of press so I guess from that standpoint it worked. But yeah, hilariously weird.

[@automobilesarefun409]

It's Dumb

[@toddmiller5322]

Actually there was an arcade I frequented in my teens in the late 80s and early 90s that was named "Just Say No". The amount of drug deals that went down in that building and the parking lot rivaled the GDP of some third world countries.

[@FromTheRoomOfLittleEase]

That is exactly where i would have sold drugs if given the opportunity back then. All our arcades back then (in my home town) were awesomely "red light district" sleazy in that way boxing is somewhere between a sport and a crime and how certain parts of the flea market could also be the *black market* back then. That's the part of Sega's branding that the younger kids discovering this stuff can't understand, how they were kinda openly courting the dirty underworld aspect of arcade culture like some kinda penthouse magazine of carnival sin..."Adults only" heh. The palpable world was completely different in so many ways than the current cerebral world. (by cerebral I mean "in the mind" not in any way intellectual, though attempts at such clearly come with the territory as we now see today.)

[@quajay187]

its something you wouldn't really understand unless you were around at that time

[@lalalaLaFlex]

As a rom collector I appreciate the screen. It let's me know I'm playing something from the US region.

[@AdmiralBison]

It's more a stamp of time for me. Future generations will get to see the propaganda that occurred during the era.

[@sircolt8184]

Sometimes it feels like we get brainwashed today aswell. Feels like a never ending cycle of changing societal values and accepting that.

[@daveraschke]

@@sircolt8184 i don't

[@sircolt8184]

@@daveraschke Then you may have a lot of money

[@tripplexxxplicit4270]

@@sircolt8184 or he is brainwashed👀

[@MattMcMuscles]

Kept me off drugs and into video games for several years AT LEAST! Absolute legend of a screen!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

The ghost of William S. Sessions tips his can of Game Fuel to you.

[@intrepidnick2939]

I ended up doing lots of drugs because of that screen. You were one of the few good outcomes. 😜

[@prinnyherodood2490]

Oh yay Matt is here. How are ya dood? As for me, I stayed off drugs but not just because if this screen. Perhaps it helped a bit, maybe? Who knows.

[@Gatorade69]

I am very anti drug. **takes sip of beer** Good on ya Matt.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

That's awesome m thanks for watching my stuff and leaving such a nice comment. Comments like yours make all the work I put into these worth it. Cheers!

[@underwearskids1]

"Nostalgia can be like a powerful drug, warping our memories and feelings about the past" I could have used this advice 20 years ago.

[@SicketMog]

Are... Are you writing from jail?

[@townlinetim876]

Your animation skills are impressive. They definitely add that extra layer of immersion. Great work.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks Tim! Good seeing ya

[@cre8iveone699]

Are you using Blender?

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

@@cre8iveone699 I do use Blender at times but for the 3D stuff I only used Cinema 4D with Redshift for rendering in this video. I used a combo of Blender and Cinema 4D for my last few videos though.

[@powercage]

Top quality.

[@VideosbySteve]

I like the animations dont get me wrong, but i cant help but think the idea was "borrowed" from strafefox, along with it taking more time to make videos.

[@st1ka]

It's so interesting to see the history behind this screen as we never had it here. Super weird to think that the FBI got involved with gaming in this way xD

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Only federally sanctioned winners are allowed here lol

[@st1ka]

@@WrestlingWithGaming I can take a hint! I shall take my leave. GOOD DAY SIR!

[@GeoNeilUK]

In the UK, we never actually had it, but it would appear on arcade machines over here.. the actual FBI screen too, not a British version.

[@rhuttrho88]

@@st1ka Yeah it is weird!

[@TRJ2241987]

I love that the Final Fight and TMNT Arcade1up releases kept this screen. I always dreamed of having this screen in my house lol

[@GeoNeilUK]

They'd have to alter the ROMs to delete that screen. Something they didn't bother doing for the original machines outside the US.

[@TRJ2241987]

@@GeoNeilUK as it is Arcade1up did need to alter the rom though, they needed to use a re-recording for the theme to the 1st game. Some of their releases like NBA Jam use extremely modified ROMs. So I think it's cool they left the Drugs screen alone

[@GeoNeilUK]

@@TRJ2241987 I think the UK version of the original arcade TMNT had both the title and the theme changed to Teenage Mutant *Hero* Turtles (as the UK government required the name change at the time - ninjas couldn't be mentioned in children's media back then) I'm guessing the Winners Don't Use Drugs screen isn't protected by copyright as it's US Government IP which I think automatically becomes public domain. Also nostalgia.

[@budwyzer77]

The TMNT attract screen has a bong in April's apartment.

[@1000huzzahs]

It also puts a subtle idea in your head that law enforcement isn't far away - the FBI is literally inside the game you're playing. You're in a dimly lit arcade away from your parents etc., but the eyes of the law are still staring back at you from the brightly lit screen.

[@ddjsoyenby]

yeah it's kinda creepy.

[@TargetRenegade]

Yeah, creepy. *puts phone in pocket *

[@sird2333]

Just like Polybius.

[@prototype8137]

Subtle? Lol...

[@SonicDMonkey]

Growing up in a small Greek town in the 90s, I remember seeing this screen in a lot of our arcades. Made me wonder why did the FBI care about what we did in Greece, lol.

[@earlofsandwich7884]

Same for me in the UK!

[@h.m.5724]

Grew up in Zimbabwe and hated that screen because it made no sense at all

[@ampersand2001]

Winners don't use drugs....inside the arcade. Do that stuff outside!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

😂

[@MrTBoneSF]

Just like any Capitalist enterprise, the "winners" aren't the users, they're the suppliers. That whole campaign was as useless as Nancy Reagan's tone deaf, privileged "Just Say No". One top comic at the time had in his stand-up routine "I've never done drugs in my life, but just hearing Nancy Reagan's patronizing 'Just say no' makes me want to mainline every drug I can find." Seriously, did they think a kid would say "William Sessions! He's my hero! I won't do whatever he says I shouldn't". Most kids would say "Who the heck is William Sessions? Just start the game already!".

[@stompchunkman4248]

@@MrTBoneSF Worked for me. Doesn't help that my country has a severe case of dryg-related violence, so I never caver in or got curious about doing drugs.

[@adrienfourniercom]

I remember an Indiana Jones pinball in the early 90, where the LED scrolling display read "Winners Don't Use Drugs" on demo mode. It was more than a video game gimmick, it was every where!

[@jC-kc4si]

I don't think it's displayed on the Judge Dredd pinball machine.

[@orkoto6057]

Mmm most williams pinballs of the era have the message, however i think it can be deactivated via menu

[@NightRanma]

Such an iconic screen. I had no idea how legitimate it was, it was still in tons of games that came to Australia which is pretty weird if you think about it

[@marcberm]

"Kids passing fast remarks!" Oh my goodness gracious! 😂

[@milkmanleeroy]

Everytime I boot up my Neo Geo MVS and see that screen, it takes me back to a simpler time in life and makes me appreciate my machine that much more.

[@Pendarr]

This screen is absolutely nostalgic for me, really cool to learn the background! Watching this actually brought back a slightly embarrassing memory of being a dumb kid and seeing this for the first time on the Street Fighter II machine at the arcade. I just saw the FBI logo and thought the machine was being monitored by them, so I was worried about getting in trouble for playing or something 😂 I was not the brightest child! Also, truly incredible work with the graphics as always! You keep getting better and better at those.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Lol that's too funny. As a kid, I always thought it was akin to the FBI message on DVDs and vhs movies. Never mind that those didn't mention drugs at all. I too wasn't that bright lol. And thank you, I've been working hard to improve my 3D stuff.

[@fearanarchy]

"I am worried what arcade games will do to our kids" "Well that divorce wasn't helping either"

[@bradybrapples]

"And, in retrospect, maybe the constant threat of nuclear war might have had a little influence"

[@ciscornBIG]

Man, that screen was just part of the landscape wasn't it? I never thought about it much I guess but DARE and other anti drug propaganda was EVERY WHERE when I was in elementary and going to arcades (87 to 94) so I just tuned it out of course :) Love every last one of your vids, dude.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! Yeah, that stuff was everywhere. We had some DARE-like program we had to do in middle school. It was inescapable

[@TRJ2241987]

My first day of D.A.R.E. the officer asked us, "Does anyone know what D.A.R.E. stands for? And no, it isn't Drugs Are Really Excellent!" That's literally the only thing I remember from the program

[@AaronOfMpls]

My school district had its own program called CounterACT. I don't really remember much of it. My middle-school health classes were probably _more_ effective though.

[@nebularain3338]

Shame that "war on drugs" was a bullishit phrase designed to just put people in jail for people who profit by having lots of people in jail. It is a nostalgic screen though.

[@danproposkanovovski]

And specifically people Nixon considered to be political opponents: the war on drugs was started because it would disproportionately impact hippies and black people

[@jannevaatainen]

Exactly. As nostalgic as this screen is, it still gets me angry, as it's clearly false propaganda to brainwash people.

[@Lightblue2222]

Some kid not even thinking about drugs walks into an arcade, leaves the arcade with drugs on the mind lol "wow they must be really good"

[@mistamontiel00]

@@Lightblue2222 L0L

[@48hourrecordsteam45]

Exactly and it came from the people who actually was bringing the drugs l🤦🏾‍♂️ 😂 1.Sell u the drugs-make money 2.Arrest you and take all the money and everything own 3.have you in jail making money off of you. Its just genius by the us government.

[@pokepress]

If this was still a thing today, I wonder what kind of PSAs games would have.

[@ddjsoyenby]

"winners don't do anticapitalism"

[@PoonTang-sf8kn]

"Winners test their drugs with fentanyl test strips"

[@MegaCygnusX1]

Was always a trip seeing that screen in British arcades. Great video.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! Yeah, as these machines got resold around the world the screen really ended popping up all over.

[@shanepoulsen540]

Australia too 😂

[@davidjames579]

I know FBI telling me I can't do drugs! I live in Amsterdam, dammit!

[@gamefun29]

I remember the screen from some arcades in Israel too

[@Nathan-mu1pz]

I was born in the late 90s so I didn't have the arcade experience. I did see that famous screen once though at a local pizza place where they have an old snk machine still up and running. I didn't think much of it, but I never forgot it. Now I know it's story! Great video!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@bernardomarkuskampffdemelo4323]

I mean, arcades still exist to this very day

[@DIASTCartoons]

I always remember seeing those advertisements at bowling alley arcades in the mid 2000s.

[@supermahmoud]

Oh remember those ! I used to seeing them all the time in arcades in the mid 90s, and I'm not even in the US !

[@Chandasouk]

I miss going to arcades and co-oping some hard ass game with strangers. Built camaraderie so quickly lmao.

[@CommodoreFan64]

I was thinking about this yesterday when I was playing NARC on the GameCube, and what games had the screen, so I guess it had a lasting impact on a lot of us kids in the 90's. How effective it was in keeping kids off drugs, along with the whole war on drugs in the 80's, and 90's is debatable at best. As always keep up the great work. 👍

[@Gatorade69]

Narc is great. Your killing thousands in the name of the war on drugs. Why not shoot a rocket at a druggy in a trench coat.

[@jannevaatainen]

@@Gatorade69 War on drugs told people that anyone who uses drugs, is a lowlife and should be punished or killed without mercy. Really, REALLY fucked up thing, if you think about it.

[@m8x425]

@@jannevaatainen I don't remember that narrative. I do remember them telling us about going to jail and the normal life of a homeless addict.... in which case my city of full of Homeless addicts.

[@averyj.steele1074]

I don't know about this FBI message, but a few studies have shown that the old D.A.R.E. program failed/backfired spectacularly.

[@Gatorade69]

@@averyj.steele1074 I was still kind of young when DARE was a thing. Every kid with a DARE shirt I saw I always assumed were on drugs. I seriously thought it was a program for kids who were caught with drugs. So yeah in my 6 or 7 year old mind I assumed people with DARE shirts were on drugs. I would call that backfiring.

[@wubdidu]

Being younger and from Europe, this was completely new to me. Thanks for the interesting tidbit!

[@xen0bear]

I’ve seen this screen so many times and never wondered why it was there. Great video! Such a cool peek into a tiny corner of video game history :)

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks xen0bear!

[@madaction9373]

Another masterpiece! Keep up the great work Yahel!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks Mad ACtion!

[@316whatupz]

The voice of Davenport reminds me of a nerd who I have heard is quite historic and loves Thunder In Paradise. Great work on the video.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

indeed!

[@BurtSampson]

anti-drug messages always made me want to do drugs. I always figured they must be really fun if they were trying to keep us from doing them. That's how everything else was. If it was fun, you weren't suppose to do it.

[@John_Lee_]

Awesome video. Makes me feel like a kid in the arcade again!

[@krstensky3729]

FBI: winners don't use drugs me: loses in a videogame FBI: ohno

[@play_history]

Thanks again for the spotlight! You do wonderful work Yahel and I'm glad I could make it all the better.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

And thanks again for your help! Those scans you sent me were just what I needed for the video!

[@Evercade_Effect]

So much nostalgia. Glad to know I wasn't the only person curious about this screen. Always look foward to your videos.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! It's a neat little story. As a kid, I always wondered why it was on so many arcades myself.

[@lucrativesoundsent.1274]

This really brought me back to my childhood. I think this may have worked for many as a subliminal message edged in our brains while playing these games. Great video! Cant wait for more!

[@losalfajoresok]

amazing story, didn't know anything about it, cheers from Argentina!

[@Futuredynamo]

I was actually really happy to see the "Winners Don't Use Drugs" screen in front of Turtles in Time on the TMNT Aracde1up cabinet when I got it, just for the nostalgia of it.

[@blackishjustin]

Your videos just keep getting better and better, Yahel. I appreciate the content. Thank you! 👍🏿

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment.

[@InfectiousGroovePodcast]

Cool video. I've seen that screen a million times and never ever thought about why it came about. As soon as I saw this video I thought "whoa, I bet that's interesting" and it sure was :)

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@elluciano5808]

As someone who likes emulation i always get blessed with this screen whenever i play an US Model 2 game

[@roberttaylor2058]

great video :) personally, the message had no affect. we used to say it sarcastically to each other when winning whilst on drugs

[@bidoofenshmirtzevilinc.4369]

You know, after having strained my back today, I'm more than happy to see Wrestling with Gaming upload a video while I rest😆 Thank you for the content😄

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Oof, sorry to hear about your back. Back pain is never fun. Thanks for watching and hope you feel better soon!

[@bidoofenshmirtzevilinc.4369]

@@WrestlingWithGaming I'll be better I'm sure but thank you😆 This is amazing content though! You should have at minimum 10x as many subscribers for content and quality alone! Thank you again😄

[@baccard]

Fun enough to mention: In Brazil a ton of arcade machines, even counterfeit ones, had the warning.

[@brian-nr5mo]

Damn, you've leveled up in 3d like mad! Excellent work with the arcade machines, and I love the Thunder in Paradise poster as well - a natural addition to any arcade wall.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

No arcade is complete without a Thunder in Paradise poster lol. Thanks a lot, I've been working hard to improve my 3D stuff so I appreciate it

[@cre8iveone699]

I like seeing the logo in MAME because it brings back memories.

[@rkraiem100]

"Winners don't use drugs, except steroids in which case use lots of drugs!" - Gary, SAO Abridged

[@Bignate55]

production value is top notch. very entertaining my man. its criminal how little your channel is compared to others with the same amount of production value. may the algorithm be good to you!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks Nate! Hopefully one day those sweet subs will come lol

[@samsoulee]

This message convinced me that I was supposed to use drugs since I kept loosing ... Worst idea ever.

[@StewartLucrative]

Very interesting, great job as always. That screen always stuck out to me. Another example of government bureaucrat busybodies trying to make a name for themselves in the name of "protecting children".

[@ChristopherGray00]

what could possibly go wrong by pushing an extremely high demand market exclusively into the hands of violent organized crime, essentially giving them total power seems like we haven't learned from alcohol prohibition

[@robbiebristow900]

This channel continues to be one of my all time favorites. Keep it up!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks Robbie, I appreciate it.

[@sircolt8184]

Yahel your channel is so amazing. It makes me calm on a stress full day with your calm voice and your neat presentation of information in these perfect length videos. It's just a great experience. Hopefully you make a few more.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much for the nice comment. This really made my day. I'm always working on new videos, between my day job and the 3D stuff being very time consuming to make, they just take me some time to get out. But thank you again, I really appreciate it and I'm glad the videos help to destress you.

[@brett84c]

Little did they know that games ended up creating a different kind of addiction. I say this as someone who has to stay hyper aware otherwise I'll blow hours a day before I even know it.

[@MrPoestyle]

This is just AWESOME !!!! A new video from you and a new video from The Gaming Historian a few days ago . My favorite KZbinrs . You guys should have a show on T.V. together . So much research and entertainment . Thank you !!!!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! Norm's U-Force video was great!

[@robertthomas4633]

Always love to see a notification from this channel, you just know it's gonna be good.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Too kind. Thanks!

[@tolust]

STUNNING EDITING !! Man your videos are the absolute cream of the crop. Why haven't you reach 1 million subscribers is mind blowing ! You pick the subjects i always wanted to know but no one ever posted . Super Kudos to you !

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much! I try to make these as visually interesting as possible. There's too many gaming channels that are basically glorified slideshows. That's not a bad thing, I watch and enjoy an lot of them, but I want my stuff to stand out. Hopefully the subs will come one day. Thanks again for the kind words. I truly appreciate it!

[@tolust]

I want a shout out on your next video !! hahaha ;)

[@TechGamer-pq1gu]

That Shirt is such a throwback, I am pretty sure Cody would love to see someone wearing that shirt in an AEW show.

[@metalslingr]

Creative video topic. Entertaining as always!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

I appreciate that! It's been a while since I covered something a bit more obscure. I expect this video to bomb but I thought it was an interesting topic.

[@lordjlo817]

Man, yet another fantastic video! I feel like I learn something new about editing and animation every time you put out a new video. It's crazy how clearly I can remember this screen but not the message. Seeing that in my youth usually meant I was about to have a lot of fun. I never understood why the FBI wanted to get involved in arcades, but now I know better.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks a lot! I'm always trying to make these as visually interesting as I can. Glad you liked it

[@TokyoXtreme]

Followed immediately afterwards with “THE 100 MEGA SHOCK” and the Samurai Showdown music.

[@__1201]

Man, I love what you cover on this channel. These obscure topics in gaming history are really interesting.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@mrbransformer4184]

These videos are so good! G4 should get you to remake Icons!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Wow, thanks for the high praise! I loved G4's icons. It's definitely one of my biggest influences so that anyone would put me in that category means a lot.

[@EQOAnostalgia]

The irony is not lost on me of just how many people have a multi-cade of some sort in their house, toking up and playing some retro.

[@TheLastLineLive]

Thanks for covering this, it's really interesting to see all that was involved in such a seemingly insignificant part of gaming and how it was actually kind of a big deal.

[@nateg452]

I don't understand how your channel is not blowing up. You do an awesome job man. Thanks for the content.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! The algorithm just isn't always kind to my channel. But I really appreciate the sentiment. Thanks again.

[@mtshark7]

Awesome documentary Yahel! I'd say that message kept me off drugs, much more than the DARE program.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@pixel_infusion8281]

Great video and thank you for using some of my models, greatly appreciated dude 👍

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

They were really well made. By the way, the FBX and OBJ versions from the attract Mode pack didn't seem to want to load the textures on C4D. I think this is more of a C4D issue as I've seen it happen with other Obj/mtl and FBX files. I bring it up not to complain, but rather to thank you for naming the textures in a way that made sense. It made it super quick to get everything manually setup. I did end up redoing a few here and there but that was more because I was using redshift and it's a bit particular at times with emissive materials. Overall, you made a really excellent collection. Well worth the money on cgtrader

[@pixel_infusion8281]

@@WrestlingWithGaming oh wow thanks for that awesome feedback, and I'm shocked my naming conventions made sense lol. I have way more to do, keep an eye out for the super off road cab, space harrier, thunderblade and afterburner delux that I'm working on for pack two ;) and can't wait for your next video 😀

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Will do and thanks for the kind words!

[@RAWMUSICTV]

This channel has some of the most interesting content about retro gaming I've seen on KZbin. Love the editing style as well man!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@RolfWrenWalsh]

This is my absolute FAVORITE channel on KZbin, and while selfishly I would prefer more content more often, the production values always more than make up for the 2 - 3 month wait. Keep up the amazing work, and keeo kicking ass. I have watched the X-BAND video at least four times already, and as a Jaguar and 3DO fanboy, ha1be watched those several times as well. I remember seeing these PSAs on games at the arcade so many times in the early 90's, and when I see them now via emulation, it puts a HUGE smile on my face. Nostalgia baby.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much for leaving such a nice comment. Not to be too cheesy, but reading a comment like this one makes all the hard work worth it, especially after a rough day at work like today. You made my night. Thank you 🙂

[@DrCorndog1]

I love these documentaries on more niche gaming topics, and that's why I enjoy this channel so much.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@VinceOmega]

It's weird how iconic that screen actually is. Like it's baked in my mind when I think of the 90's arcade scene.

[@berserk046]

I remember see that screen here in my country (Spain) in some games, not all but some have the screen,I don´t know why, great video man!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! Glad your enjoyed it

[@streetmagik3105]

The war on drugs itself was a complete failure, but that screen is super nostalgic. Great video!

[@ianclements47]

Found this channel the other day and it is awesome!! Thanks for the endless mini documentaries to watch!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Glad your enjoying the videos. I usually post ever 2 to 3 months but I promise, I'm always working on stuff. The 3d animation and modeling just takes time. I know that there are a lot of gaming channels on KZbin so I really appreciate you giving my channel a shot. Thanks again

[@ianclements47]

@@WrestlingWithGaming yes I bet they take some time. Thanks for your work

[@midimusicforever]

FBI: Winners don't do drugs CIA: But we do smuggle them

[@bloopbloopbloops]

first time watching your show, and i gotta tell ya, man, that i was thoroughly entertained~! thank you!

[@livefreeprintguns]

Out of curiosity I checked my KZbin subscription history, and you were legit the 3rd channel I ever subscribed to: Wrestling With Gaming - September 22, 2017 LGR - September 21, 2017 First We Feast - October 6, 2016 Amazing video, as always!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Wow. The channel was only like ten months old when you subscribed. Thanks for sticking around and watching my videos for so long. I appreciate you!

[@livefreeprintguns]

@@WrestlingWithGaming I appreciate you! What can I say, I became a fast fan because I love video games and I love wrestling! In fact I used to be the web administrator for WFA Wrestling in the New England area run by Steve "Bradley" Bisson. Cheers homie.

[@livefreeprintguns]

Or should I say "MoFo" Steve Bradley. I spent COUNTLESS HOURS driving around with him flyering for shows at VFW halls, opera houses, etc... and was always at shows when I could helping set up/tearing down the ring, audio/lighting, and sometimes at the merch table. Fun times for sure. He was a good cat man, I miss him.

[@SuckerFreeGear]

Just like the FBI warning on VHS tapes I think most of us just ignored it, at least my group of friends and I did when we aw it at the arcade back then. It was just kind of a given that you would see FBI warning before watching or playing any media you just disregarded it.

[@badwrongfun5541]

Doing wonderful work as always

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much!

[@Gaber820]

This is a dope video, man.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks gaber!

[@purowave]

Great episode!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks so much!

[@TheKitsuneKunoichi]

This editing is really top notch. Gorgeous video!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! I try to make these as visually interesting as I can so I appreciate it.

[@tails_the_god]

Nice! Been wondering when a video about this screen would happen, I never thought it was a bad screen i always thought it was positive! :)

[@fightrudyfight5799]

Interesting! I never thought twice about learning more info over this game screen!

[@RetroCabeza]

Terrific video! Even in Spain, where we didn't got that screen, is pretty famous .

[@BeB02090]

Happy to see a new vid big guy. Hope you are doing well. Love the content. 😊 This was a great idea for an upload, that you pulled off flawlessly.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

thanks! It's a little obscure so I kind of expect it to not do well but I think the story behind it is pretty interesting.

[@BeB02090]

@@WrestlingWithGaming I'm confident that it will. As you know the material is one thing, it's author and presentation are quite another. You have a gift, for what you do 👌 Interesting story indeed.

[@andresbravo2003]

It's how the winners don't use drugs... great video Yahel!

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks!

[@ReptilianMedia]

I never knew what drugs were, until I saw that screen, then life got a lot more interesting. Great vid!

[@budwyzer77]

My favorite part about the Winners Don't Use Drugs campaign is that you can actually see a bong in April O'Neil's apartment in the TMNT arcade attract screen. I'm not kidding.

[@nekonekopanicnekonekopanic7335]

nice to see you back

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! I'm always working on stuff. These videos just take me a while to put together :-)

[@Pabloraster]

Very nice video! It reminded me my first joint, after I saw that video and I asked a guy in the arcade room "what is drug?" and he offered me a wonderful joint. Ah, good old times!

[@HellScream107]

Great work as usual! I was thought it was weird seeing anti-drug messages in super violent video games, but this makes a lot of sense now.

[@WrestlingWithGaming]

Thanks! Yeah, the contrast between some game content and the message was kind of funny

[@polymerizedrecords]

Great investigation man. What a great video

[@pummisher1186]

I remember when I was a kid, arcades were for adults and most commonly had ashtrays near the machines. Then when I got older, things changed until now it's a place that's only for kids.

[@snooks5607]

where's this? I think modern kids wouldn't even know what an arcade is. last time I ran into an oldschool arcade was in the 90s. the others I've been to since have been either hobbyist projects or beercades. ashtrays + coin-op sounds more like a casino.

[@Divector8]

The best way to get rebellious teenagers not to do something is to tell them "The Man" doesn't want them to do it.

[@horsepowerfactorytx]

It's criminal how little exposure this channel has. Saludos yahel.

[@marijuanas]

Your editing and research are always great!

[@mattb9664]

I always figured the Winners don't use Drugs was to make the moms feel comfortable with letting us play in arcades or give us a handful of quarters to play.

[@SatoshiMatrix1]

It was a very effective PR campaign. I was born in 1986, and by the time I was old enough to spend time in arcades, they were no longer seen as seedy places full of disreputable kids. About the worst that would happen is the occasional swear when someone would lose. If arcade operators really did have the problem of teens skipping school to do drugs and hang out in arcades, then this helped with that a ton.

[@TargetRenegade]

A HAHAHAHAHA. no it didn't. Do your research.

[@SoulforSale]

I dropped out of school and walked to the arcade

[@ryanschrafel9576]

Predating all of the arcade machine PSAs mentioned in this video is the most creepy arcade PSA of all. In the mid-1980s, some Bally Sente games had screens showing black and white digitized photos of missing children during the attract mode.