Музей советских игровых автоматов

[Soviet Arcade Game Museum]

Leann Wilson ’07

For those of you planning a visit to Moscow, I highly recommend taking a side trip to Metro Baumanskaia, where you’ll find the not-to-be-missed Soviet Arcade Game Museum. While you can arrange an official экскурсия, this isn’t your average gallery of untouchable artifacts. For an entrance fee of 300 rubles you’ll receive fifteen 15-kopeck coins that will allow you to play a wide assortment of refurbished Soviet arcade games.

Ever find those pesky, seemingly useless, 1-kopeck coins in your change purse? Keep ‘em! Right as you walk in the Museum you’re tempted by three fully-functioning газировка vending machines. If you want to tickle your palate with a fresh glass of Tarkhun or Orange Syrup Water, you’ll be needing those kopecks. Is your inner numismatist unwilling to part with those elusive 1-kopeck species? No problem; you can always get your fizz fix at the kassa for 50 rubles.

Most of the games have been restored to working order, but be forewarned that here, as at any arcade in the whole world over, your money will get eaten up by rapacious coin slots eager to deny you a fulfilling gaming experience. Ну, что же делать? In order to minimize disappointment, I advise you to seek out the following machines:

As alluring as the lush landscape of the Ни пуха, ни пера! Soviet Duck Hunt game is, in the first-person shooter category, the aspiring ФСБшник will want to head straight for the Sniper franchise (though this sharpshooter was unable to discern much of a difference between Снайпер-1 and  Снайпер-2).

There’s no Tetris to be found here, but under the “classic games” rubric, don’t miss the electronic version of the ancient Russian log-toss game Городки.

A personal favorite of mine is the Магистраль racing game. Pro tip: Attempt it one-handed and stay in the учебная mode. Motorists from the West are no match for Russian roadways.

Did you bring a buddy along? Then you can’t go wrong facing off at foosball, hockey, or basketball.

If a flight to the Russian capital isn’t on your horizon, you’ll have to settle with the Museum’s website: http://www.15kop.ru

Designed by the ultra-hip design team at the Art Lebedev Studio, the site comes complete with Flash emulators of the Soviet originals that you can play to your heart’s content. Be advised, though; it’s more addictive than krokodil!

For additional images of the Museum, click over to Leann’s Facebook album or Grinnell Gallery.