Long before the first coin is inserted, the story begins. Classic arcade game machines were masters of environmental storytelling, using their physical cabinet designs to immerse players in a unique world. The most prominent narrative tool was the cabinet art. Games like "Donkey Kong" featured detailed side panels illustrating the captured Pauline and the towering construction site, setting the stage for the rescue mission. "Ms. Pac-Man" cabinets were often adorned with vibrant, cartoonish scenes of the character in action, establishing a lighthearted and chase-driven narrative.

Beyond the painted scenes, the marquee played a crucial role. This brightly lit sign at the top of the cabinet acted as a dramatic prologue, often showcasing the main characters and the central conflict. The control panel itself contributed to the lore. The distinctive flight stick and single fire button of "Star Wars" immediately placed the player in an X-Wing cockpit. The shape of the cabinet was also narrative; sit-down cabinets for racing games like "Out Run" simulated a sports car, while cockpit enclosures for "Star Wars" or "After Burner" enhanced the feeling of piloting a real vehicle. This holistic design approach transformed the arcade machine from a mere console into a portal, using every physical surface to build anticipation and context for the digital adventure within.