Before BlockBuster and HollyWood Video there was Video Ventures, a small video rental store in my home town where I grew up. The VCR had just come out and this was the only place for MILES to rent a movie. They also had a few Arcade Games. My mother rented a LOT of movies and every time we went I would see what new games had arrived.

Shinobi for some reason really caught my attention. Maybe it was the whole "Ninja" craze that was going on at the time. You know what I'm talking about, we all used to put on our black PJ's and throw cardboard Ninja Stars at each other. But for whatever reason I was hooked instantly.

I was a kid and obviously I didn't have a lot of money so my mother would give me a few quarters here and there. She was a very willing participant in my addiction and I thank her dearly for that. Having this game reminds me of that special time when my Mom and I would just walk around Video Ventures talking to the locals and checking out the new movies.

Shortly after I recieved the Hand Held Tiger Game of Shinobi for Christmas which I still have (See Pic Below). I was THRILLED!!! I had my own Shinobi!! Those of you who had Tiger Hand Held Games know that they were nothing compared to the hand helds of today but I was in heaven. I wore out 3 sets of AA Batteries over Christmas Vacation. Now every time I play this arcade game it brings me back to those precious moments spent at the Local Video Store.

Video Ventures eventually closed down in the late 90's. Too much competition for the little guy and another great small business was forced to shut it's doors.