This vintage ad for a cockroach racing game is a great reminder that what seems normal isn’t necessarily natural or inevitable. Most Americans today would grimace at the idea of playing with cockroaches, as the insect is held up as an icon of filth and disease. But sometime in the ’40s, someone at the International Mutoscope Reel Company thought this was a good idea! Or, then again, maybe times haven’t changed so much; the company went bankrupt in 1949.
From Weird Universe.
Comments 17
Squazz Muntbacker — May 5, 2013
This needs to be part of a quiz, to the effect of "Which old ads are real and which did we photoshop?"
Elena — May 5, 2013
Most Americans today would grimace at the idea of playing with
cockroaches, as the insect is held up as an icon of filth and disease.
The Japanese *love* their beetles, for example. Beetle fights are so popular with kids that they've done videogames of beetle-fighting.
[links] Link salad gets ready to jet home | jlake.com — May 6, 2013
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michal — December 28, 2021
it is very old game. Right now, people love to play Afk Arena Mod Apk and other different games. I also love to play these types of games.
Argentics — July 17, 2023
Your question brings back memories of late-night gaming sessions with my friends. As an avid gamer and a big fan of racing games, I can assure you there's no shortage of fantastic racing games on PC. Here's a rundown of some of my favorites:
Assetto Corsa: Known for its realistic driving mechanics and physics, Assetto Corsa offers a very immersive racing experience.
Dirt Rally 2.0: If you're into off-road racing, this game offers an excellent range of rally cars and tracks.
Forza Horizon 4: Combining elements of arcade and simulation racing, Forza Horizon 4 offers a vast open-world environment to explore.
Argentics — July 17, 2023
One fond memory I have is of my time playing the original Need for Speed: Most Wanted. I was a part of a small online community where we'd race and compare our best times. It wasn't just the thrill of the race; it was the connections I made and the shared passion we all had for the game. Game here argentics
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Charles — April 20, 2024
It’s fascinating how perceptions of things change over time. The vintage cockroach racing game ad highlights this well, showing how what was once seen as entertaining can evolve into something quite different. Similarly, when we use, visit, download, or install modded Traffic Rider on PC, we’re engaging with a contemporary twist on something familiar, just like how the vintage game was a twist on entertainment norms of its time. It’s a reminder that our interactions with technology and media reflect the ever-changing landscape of what we find enjoyable or acceptable.
Myra4062Owens — February 13, 2025
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Anonymous — May 12, 2025
It’s fascinating to see how entertainment has evolved over time. A cockroach racing game might seem bizarre now, but it shows how creativity often reflects the culture and mindset of the era. What’s especially interesting is how people back then were open to unusual ideas just for fun—something we still see today, especially in mobile gaming.
Games today, though digital, continue to explore quirky and experimental themes. For example, those who enjoy modded game experiences might find themselves exploring all kinds of unique or unexpected gameplay. I recently came across a fun jenny mod alternative that brings a completely different kind of interactive twist—though thankfully, no cockroaches involved.
Anyone else notice these kinds of parallels between old-school oddities and modern-day game creativity?
Tony Williams — October 3, 2025
Well, I mean cockroaches aren;t that filthy. They are insects afterall and add to the beauty of the nature. Speaking of the cockroach racing game btw, I have played a similar game inpsired by this blog in roblox. Its a mod in roblox for anyone curious. You can get it by visiting here : www.roblxmodapk.com/
Rolex — October 3, 2025
Who said cockroaches were dirty and filthy. I have played a similar video game where cockroaches re raced. Its a fun game available in Roblox universe. You can try it out here : https://roblxmodapk.com/
Alex W — October 3, 2025
Cockroach racing is a very [fun game](https://roblxmodapk.com/]. I have played a similar video game, wondering if it was inspired by this.