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Michael Jackson

Last week, as you know, pop-icon Michael Jackson joined your grandmother, Beethoven and all the pretty angels up in heaven. As I discussed previously, the King of Pop was no stranger to video games. He conceptualized Moonwalker for Sega and was reputedly working on a this-gen game too. But Jackson wasn't just interested in making games. The pop-singer had a huge, enviable collection of arcade machines.

Back in April, Jackson's personal possessions were being auctioned off, and among them were deluxe versions of the following arcade cabinets:

  • Sega F1 Exhaust
  • Crazy Taxi: High Roller
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation Pinball (Perhaps the best pinball cabinet ever made.)
  • Tokyo Cop
  • The Simpsons
  • Virtual Racing
  • Guitar Freaks
  • Alpine Racer 2
  • Need For Speed
  • Super Street Fighters 2
  • Sega R-360 (Full-motion, 360-degree spinning jet-simulator)
  • Many, many more...

Jackson's Neverland arcade also contained Nintendo 64, PlayStation, 3DO, Dreamcast, Super Nintendo and Nintendo Virtual Boy kiosks as well as a full retinue of fortune telling machines, cotton candy dispensers,air-hockey tables, creepy life-size hyper-realistic human figures and dolls, original 1930s nickelodeons, photo booths and other weirdo,  arcade crap. In short, Jackson used his vast fortune to compile the best arcade ever, circa 1993. (Pro-Tip Having the coolest toys in the world doesn't make you happy.)

I can only hope that Jackson's estate plans to open Neverland to the public, much like Elvis's estate opened Graceland. How great would it be to tour the man's arcade, petting zoo and personal living quarters? Yes, I'm totally fascinated with Michael Jackson, I can't lie.

Check out the auction catalog for a look into the mind of Michael Jackson...if you dare!

Tags: Music, Videogames

Comments

Oldest First
  • zortman66

    "Star Trek: The Next Generation Pinball (Perhaps the best pinball cabinet ever made.)"

    Incorrect. Twilight Zone is the greatest pinball game ever created.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 10:49 AM | Reply | Report
    zortman66
  • Zmeeds

    i'm going with funhouse

    Posted: June 29, 2009 10:52 AM | Reply | Report
    Zmeeds
  • big13lak

    Incorrect. Nah not really all i know is that MJ had alot of games he more than likely played only a few dozen times.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 10:55 AM | Reply | Report
    big13lak
  • Stephen Johnson

    I gotta add "The Getaway" as one of the great pinball tables ever too.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 10:55 AM | Reply | Report
    sjohnson
  • Triple6ix

    Kiss Pinball
    best
    pinball
    game
    EVAR!!
    .

    Posted: June 29, 2009 11:31 AM | Reply | Report
    Triple6ix
  • Bunghole3030

    I would've slept at Neverland Ranch and drank some Jesus Juice with the King of Pop just to play in the arcade! Anyone with me?

    Posted: June 29, 2009 12:25 PM | Reply | Report
    Bunghole3030
  • qec

    yeah and all you woulda had to do is open your Bunghole for him.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Report
    qec
  • deathnotejoe

    according to a few people MJ was very close to, MJ was a very childish man(not in a bad way) they said he likes to mess around and giggles alot and acts alot like a child when hes not doin his thing. i wouldnt be surprised if his carnival in his backyard was built for just himself. i also wouldnt be surprised if he did play all these games. he did play a part in a few games and seems like he had an interest in others so he might of been a more than casual game

    Posted: June 29, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Report
    deathnotejoe
  • Luna_Saisho

    I live in a house with a Star Trek TNG pinball machine, and it *IS* the greatest pinball table out there. To say we've spent countless hours with it is an understatement! ^_^

    deathnotejoe, I respect what you said and I believe it's true. I don't think he diddled any kids. I think he just was a kid himself, and from watching past interviews, I don't think he ever really grew up. He didn't like the adult world, and wanted to stay a kid.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 1:28 PM | Reply | Report
    Luna_Saisho
  • ihitterdal

    This would be something I wouldn't mind being able to see. I'm guessing he played quite a few of them... HOLY HELL. GUITAR FREAKS. SWEET.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 1:34 PM | Reply | Report
    ihitterdal
  • contactone

    I wonder if his candy vending machines dispensed roofies as jelly belly's.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 2:29 PM | Reply | Report
    contactone
  • DPsx7

    I second the TZ pin as the best. It's always been my favorite and one I had to own (and do). Never was fond of STTNG. Funhouse is good, along with a couple other machines I was lucky enough to find running in arcades.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 3:01 PM | Reply | Report
    DPsx7
  • l33t360

    kotaku says he had mortal kombat. that is awesome.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 3:32 PM | Reply | Report
    l33t360
  • tarbis

    I want moonwalker arcade =(

    Posted: June 29, 2009 4:17 PM | Reply | Report
    tarbis
  • Slymerz

    ummm.... I believe wacko's Neverland was taken down when he sold it awhile back. He used the Arcades to make his victims feel confortable with him. Be careful if you buy one of those you may find some "Art" books stored in them.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 4:36 PM | Reply | Report
    Slymerz
  • Dredgon

    @Stephen Johnson - You are a prick! My grandmother died last year, and you think it's funny to say MJ is with EVERYONE's grandmothers?! That is insulting and ignorant, you heartless bastard.

    Posted: June 29, 2009 8:26 PM | Reply | Report
    Dredgon
  • Thundercracker

    @dredgon

    you are the reason that political correctness is necessary. Oversensitive d bags like you...lighten the hell up

    he should have just had a MAME arcade like im having built

    Posted: June 29, 2009 11:24 PM | Reply | Report
    Thundercracker

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