Want to see a decent sketch effect?

Sketch effects can be done well, check this one out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxrKvRRa-O8

The graphics weren't basic

"It didn’t matter that the graphics were basic - these games were addictive because of the simplicity."

This was not my experience at the time - the graphics were amazing, I remember seeing games like outrun and streetfighter and being blown away at how great the graphics were.

The point of reference for most people was their C64/Spectrum at home, and the arcade graphics were far superior.