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'Put Adam and the Ants on, get your shiny suit on, flash back to the 70s and 80s.'

Suzanne Elvidge hunts down the arcade games from our youth. Who's for a bonus life?!

All games are free downloads or free to view online, and need the minimum of equipment.

Some games require your browser to have a 'plug in' for Shockwave, Flash or Java.

To play a game, simply click on its name. If you are a parent, we advise you to try the game and the site it's on first before letting your kids play them, to make sure you're happy. (And, don't forget, you can also find great games for kids in our own Global Gang area)

When downloading games from the Internet, don't forget to keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date.

This month we are playing arcade games. So unless you want to go out and buy one, put Adam and the Ants on, get your shiny suit on, flash back to the 70s and 80s, click some links and don’t expect any intellectual challenges…

Pacman

Very annoying sound effects. Use your arrow keys to move the little yellow Pacman round the maze, eat the dots and avoid the ghosts. That’s about it.

Space Invaders

Sound effects not quite so annoying and very retro! Shoot down all the alien invaders – use the left and right arrow keys to move and shoot with the space bar, and try not to be killed too often.

Asteroids

A bit of history – this was released by Atari in 1979 and was so successful it had three sequels, Asteroids Deluxe, Space Duel, and Blasteroids. The aim is to navigate through space, blasting asteroids out of the way. Use your arrow keys to move and shoot with the space bar.

Defender

Defender was released in 1980. Rescue your astronauts (the pink things) from the surface and shoot the aliens (the green things). Use your arrow keys to move and spacebar to shoot.

Pong

Simple and addictive. Use your mouse to control the left paddle.

Centipede

Centipede was created in 1980 by Atari’s only female software engineer. Clear the insects and the centipede that produces them. You could even buy one!

Donkey Kong

An early 80s game from Nintendo, help Mario to rescue the damsel from Donkey Kong, a giant ape. Climb ladders and leap over barrels (or just get squashed by them like I did!)

Phoenix

Phoenix is an Amstar game from 1980. Another shooting aliens game, this time with five stages. Hit 3 to insert coin, then 1 to start the game.

Frogger

Created in 1981 by a Japanese company, the aim is to get your frog from one side of the road to the other. Simple as that. Afraid I had a high casualty rate for this one…

Lunar Lander

Lunar Lander, from Atari in 1979 – use your arrow keys to safely land your space craft.

And lastly, in 1982, Curtis Hoard recorded Conquer the Video Craze, an album of hints and tips spoken over the sound of video arcades. Bet you can’t wait…

Further reading

• Videogame History 101

• Classic 80s Games

• Retro Games Museum

• Other games

• surefish.co.uk culture section index