The Midway Portfolio Collection

Written by: Quinten Tallman

What comes to mind when someone mentions the name “Midway” in the same breath as video games? If you are anything like me, you are instantly overwhelmed with nostalgia. You are transported back in time and inundated with arcade and console gaming memories from what seems like a bygone era. Specifically with arcades, I can close my eyes and picture that abstract bright colorful carpet that glows under black lights. That familiar musty smell comes rushing back and I can see kids watching and waiting their turn to play the next round. I can hear the familiar clang of quarters dumping out of the change machine along with indiscriminate blasts, explosions, beeps, and boops from nearby games. But if I listen just a bit harder, there are a few words or phrases that rise above all of the other noise….”HE’S ON FIRE!!!” and “FINISH HIM”! Midway as a coin-op and game developer is responsible for some of the largest and most influential franchises in 90’s video games. Their library reads like a Rolling Stones or Aerosmith greatest hits album of gaming history including the likes of Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, Cruis’n, NFL Blitz, Gauntlet Legends, Hydro Thunder, and the list goes on and on. Outside of an arcade, it was almost impossible not to find a Midway game where there was more than one machine gathered, be it in a bar, hotel, or restaurant.

The Midway Portfolio Collection is a remarkable set of games that were impressively preserved for decades by a former Midway employee. This individual had a hand in the development and creation of over 50 games during their career with Midway across a diverse range of positions within the company. The games in this collection are uncirculated copies; meaning they didn’t come from a store or distribution center. Rather after the games finished manufacturing, fresh cases were shipped directly to the Midway development studio where employees were given a copy at no charge. Most of these employees opened the games to see the finished product of their hard work or gave it to their children or others to play and enjoy. The individual who had these copies carefully transported them home to be stored in a drawer or cabinet and kept them sealed all these years. The reason for this decision is referenced in the name, this collection of factory fresh games was intended to serve as their portfolio of work. As retirement now draws near, the desire to scale down has been the catalyst to sell these games. With the help of another individual, these games have been listed for sale on eBay, and this is where you may have seen some rare and hard to find games in near mint to mint condition for sale by the eBay user “SUGOTT28”. As it turns out several orders for some of these games were created and sent to WATA Games for grading before listing on eBay. At the time no one was aware of the magnitude of the collection. Both raw and graded games have already found new homes in collector’s hands.

WATA Games recognizes this collection as a pedigree due to the meticulous circumstances by which it was curated and maintained. The rationale behind preserving these games as a physical testament to one’s career has ensured that pieces of history from one of the greatest companies to grace the video game scene have been preserved and with the pedigree is now formally recognized. In addition to the pedigree name appearing on the label, these games will also receive a silver flow further distinguishing them from other sealed titles. There is still a chance to scoop up a part of history and own part of this pedigree, both graded and raw games are still listed on eBay for purchase by SUGOTT28.

If you previously purchased games from “SUGOTT28” and can provide proof in the form of an eBay invoice that game is eligible to be part of “The Midway Portfolio Collection”. You would need to include the eBay invoice with your grading submission along with listing the pedigree request in the notes section of your order for that title. If you purchased an already graded game that belongs to one of the order numbers below that game is also eligible as well with a re-holder. Simply list that request in the notes portion for that game on your submission.

-604069
-604508
-604671

I want to personally thank WATA Games for working with me to tell the story of this individual and bring both recognition and celebration to their professional accomplishments. It was an honor to tell their story and hear the passion they have for their work. With all of that said, this individual was gracious enough to share all of this with us but does request to remain anonymous and private. I would ask that the game collecting community honors their request. Any questions can be directed to me, and I will answer what I am able without overstepping my bounds or breaking confidentiality.