This is an original TouchMaster 7000 bartop machine, manufactured in the USA by Midway Games. Apparently less common than its rival Merit Megatouch, the Midway Touchmaster games up to the 8000 series had their software on EPROM rather than hard disk drive. Each series was really a software upgrade from the previous, achieved by swapping EPROMs and 'security chip' - the hardware being basically the same throughout.

The Touchmaster PCB set was also sold as a kit, with specific instructions for upgrading an older model Merit Megatouch machine to the latest Midway Touchmaster game. Consequently, many of the surviving Touchmaster games are actually converted Merit Megatouch machines. This one is the genuine Midway article, both Merit and Midway also made upright cabinet versions of their respective touchscreen games.

Midway's Touchmaster series evolved with each model adding more games to their selection until the software finally outgrew the available EPROM space on the Touchmaster game PCB. After the 8000 series Midway followed Merit's lead and integrated PC type hardware with a hard disk drive into their Touchmaster Infinity machines in place of the single PCB with EPROMs for program storage.

By then the days of the coin-op touchscreen games were numbered, the sudden rise of smart phones and then tablets allowed anyone to play touchscreen games anywhere, anytime at little or no cost.

This type of game represents a point in time where the Arcade machine had come full circle. From the first Atari Pong machine wowing crowds in Andy Capp's Tavern to conquering the world with video arcades in every corner of the globe, arcade machines had evolved along the way from Space shooter to Street brawler and every genre in between.

The eventual decline saw most arcades closing as consoles and home computers allowed people to play more sophisticated games at home. Arcade machines evolved once again and found themselves back in the bars and taverns where they had begun, entertaining patrons with card or puzzle games, maybe a couple rounds of 'Hot Hoops' to test the reflexes.

I purchased this one in non-working condition, reportedly when last used the game was running well but the image on the monitor gradually faded over time until it became unuseable. Apparently spares for the monitor chassis were believed to be unavailable at the time so this could well be the case, even more likely now I suppose.

In addition, I can't be certain the game PCB still works - like many PCBs of the era there is a 'Dallas' type non volatile memory which is a cmos RAM IC with a small battery built in to the package and these are usually used to retain some sort of security key along with custom settings, high scores etc.

When left unused for a time there is a small drain of the battery charge and once that runs flat stored information will be lost, in many cases rendering the PCB completely unusable. This type of setup with a battery backed RAM containing critical setup or security code is often referred to as a 'suicide battery' for obvious reasons.

In some instances these devices have been decoded when working and a new non volatile memory can be programmed and installed but I'm not sure what the situation will be with this machine. So the first step will be to test the existing PCB and touch screen / controller, using a separate display if necessary to view the machine's output.

Then, if the game is working test the original monitor chassis and CRT, see if either can be saved and if not look for alternatives which can be fitted hopefully retaining the original curved touch screen if that is also still working. That's the plan, anyway.

To be continued...

Web Resources (External Links) -

Midway Touch Master - YouTube

Armchair Arcade Video Review: Midway Touch Master - YouTube

Hot Hoops! Rob Midway Touchmaster 7000 - YouTube

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