When the "Space Invaders" video game first appeared at the 1st Street Pizza Hut in Grand Junction in the early '80s, you would have thought the Beatles had gotten back together. Regardless of whether or not you even wanted a pizza, did you run to the restaurant to check out this bizarre machine everyone talked about? Celebrate "Video Games Day" by reflecting on what might of been Grand Junction's first video game.

"Space Invaders" was introduced to the public in 1978, but I don't recall it arriving in Grand Junction until 1980 or 1981. This particular "Space Invaders" machine was a horizontal table you sat at, with players on either side.

Keep in mind, at this point in GJ's history, there was no Aladdin's Castle at the Mesa Mall. For that matter, there was no Mesa Mall.

If one wanted to play a "game" in Grand Junction, the options were pretty much the "Space Invaders" machine at Pizza Hut on North 1st, or the "KISS" pinball machine at the Circle K directly across the street.

Did you make the voyage to Pizza Hut to play the game? Did you drive your parents crazy asking for a ride? While there playing the game, did you ever actually get around to ordering a pizza?

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