Director: Dave Danzara
Genre: Documentary, Retro Gaming
Runtime: Not specified
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Plot: From Quarter Poppers to Preservationists
The Video Craze dives into the world of North America’s arcade collectors and enthusiasts who keep the spirit of 1980s gaming alive. Framed by the tagline “Where were you in ’82?”, the documentary explores how these self-proclaimed “vidiots” restore classic cabinets, organize retro gaming events like The Kong Off 2 (featuring Donkey Kong legends Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe), and transform bars into modern “barcades” . While the film ambitiously covers collectors, historians, and YouTube personalities like Keith Apicary (a fictional retro-gaming character played by Nathan Barnatt), it struggles to balance its many threads, often prioritizing breadth over depth.
Visual Style: A Love Letter to Neon and Noise
Danzara’s direction leans into a frenetic, DIY aesthetic, blending archival footage of 1980s arcades with contemporary interviews and quirky animations (including Pac-Man attempting mundane human tasks). The grungy, neon-lit visuals evoke the era’s chaotic charm, though technical flaws—like uneven sound mixing and reliance on filler shots of synthwave tracks playing over static scenes—detract from the immersion. Standout moments include vibrant segments on Oregon’s barcades and the meticulous restoration of cabinets, where the passion of collectors like Cat DeSpira (formerly of Retrocade Magazine) shines through .
Cast: Passion Over Polish
Walter Day (Twin Galaxies Founder): Day’s closing speech about gaming’s communal legacy serves as the film’s emotional anchor, though his screen time is limited.
Keith Apicary (Nathan Barnatt): The comedian’s portrayal of a delusional retro-gaming fanboy injects humor but risks tonally clashing with the documentary’s earnest segments.
Collectors & Restorers: Anonymous enthusiasts steal the show, their hands-on work—repairing circuit boards, repainting cabinets—speaking louder than any interview.
Themes: Preservation vs. Nostalgia
Cultural Legacy: The film argues that arcades were more than gaming hubs—they were social ecosystems lost to home consoles and corporate indifference.
Modern Revival: By showcasing barcades and events like The Kong Off 2, Danzara highlights efforts to resurrect communal gaming, albeit for a niche audience.
Critique of Nostalgia: While celebrating collectors, the documentary inadvertently questions whether preserving the past risks fetishizing it, especially when funded by affluent hobbyists .
Reception: A Polarized High Score
Critics praised the film’s heartfelt dedication to arcade culture and its synthwave-heavy soundtrack (featuring artists like Lazerhawk and Miami Nights 1984). However, its scattershot structure and technical shortcomings—poor audio quality in interviews, disjointed editing—left some viewers frustrated. Despite mixed reviews, it gained a cult following among retro gamers and even screened at festivals like the Utopia Film Festival.
Critic’s Verdict
The Video Craze is a flawed yet heartfelt tribute to gaming’s golden age. While its chaotic structure and uneven production values mirror the cluttered arcades it venerates, the film’s sincerity and nostalgic beats make it a must-watch for anyone who ever fed a quarter into a machine. Danzara’s crowdfunded passion project may not convert newcomers, but for those who lived the craze, it’s a joystick jab to the heart.
Strengths
Infectious enthusiasm from collectors and historians.
Synthwave soundtrack that feels like a 1980s arcade .
Walter Day’s poignant reflections on gaming’s communal spirit
Weaknesses
Overstuffed narrative lacking focus.
Technical hiccups (audio, editing) undermine immersion.
Keith Apicary’s schtick clashes with the doc’s earnest tone
Rating: 6.5/10
A nostalgic quarter well spent for retro gamers, but others may hit “insert coin to continue.
Pair With
King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007) for a tighter arcade rivalry story, or High Score (2020) for a broader gaming history lesson.