Here is another fine example of Willis artwork, this time a replacement overlay for Donkey Kong Junior. While this may not be the best choice for fixing up your DK Jr, you have to admit that Willis produced a quality product. I’m not talking about the design, bash that if you want, I’m talking about the materials. Quality screen printing on 3M paper with clean die-cuts, better than many of the overlays produced back in the day. (more…)

I connected with another video game collector recently, Steve23, located in Georgia. I had referenced a Wico catalog, on my resource page in response to Steve’s Willis side art post on KLOV. He liked my efforts to preserve a little bit of the history behind the video game industry and messaged me. After a brief discussion via messages, Steve offered to donate a box of miscellaneous artwork to my preservation cause; very generous. (more…)

The Tron control panel overlay by Willis was a decent attempt at capturing the feel of the original cabinet design in an aftermarket product. A step up from some of the random artwork jumbles commonly seen in bootleg artwork, this cpo was produced by Willis in 1983 with quality materials and an attention to detail. While the artwork is vaguely similar to the original overlay, there are some notable differences. (more…)

I’m on the lookout for a Willis Vanguard cpo, at least I believe it to be a Willis piece. I saw this control panel on eBay, but didn’t bid since the overlay was already applied. As much as I like Willis artwork, trying to collect examples attached to games or game parts would become space consuming real quick. I need my space for actual games!

If you happen to have or come across an NOS Vanguard overlay, or any NOS Willis artwork, drop me a line.

Of all the funky Willis control panel overlays that exist, this has got to be my all time favorite. The fabulous 70′s color scheme with swirls and patterns that jump right out of the famous sesame street 12345 song. You just can’t go wrong with this particular piece of arcade nostalgia. (more…)

This is the second NOS overlay I picked up from Troy Smith (vidgameseller), the first was a Popeye cpo. Troy got a whole bunch of NOS parts in a bulk buy when IPB sold off most of its parts inventory in an attempt to downsize operations. (more…)

I recently picked up this NOS (new old stock) Popeye control panel overlay from Troy Smith (vidgameseller). The initial thought was that its a Willis piece, but after examining it, I’d say it’s a bootleg. Here’s why. (more…)

I was watching this frogger control panel overlay on eBay, an odd variation that I hadn’t seen before. The seller had it listed as Willis, but it didn’t see the usual markings to identify it as such. (more…)

I’m a big fan of Willis artwork and consider myself to be an arcade history buff too. Unfortunately because of collector attitude towards most things Willis, these two subjects rarely meet. I would like to change that just a little. A recent eBay win has shed some light on the history of Willis and that companies place in arcade history. While this information may be known to some of the die hard collectors out there, it was new information to me. My enlightenment started with this little piece of documentation:

A true piece of 80′s cheese, for sure, but if you can get past the airbrushed silkscreen fantasy cover, you will find a few nuggets of classic arcade history. (more…)

I got a response to a WTB post in RGVAC from Chris Loggans.  He had a handful of Willis overlays available and we quickly struck a deal.  I soon received a Robotron, Stargate and Zaxxon cpo rolled up in a heavy duty mailing tube.  While I already have a Robotron and Stargate, the price was right and I was hoping to find them in better shape than the ones I already have.  The Zaxxon would be a new addition.  (more…)