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The arcade is defined by being something special. While I lack the time to do a massive write up, I can still offer the perspective of somebody in their early 20’s who has gotten to grow up near something truly special. While many chain arcades don’t really wow as much anymore, they still offer games that you can’t play anywhere else many a time, including many physical props and specialized cabinets that make for a memorable experience. The arcade is still the home of the rhythm game, the racing game, and many of the machine types made specifically for that environment. But, if it’s the classic, true arcade experience you yearn for, you sadly won’t find it just anywhere anymore. But, if you know where to go, you will find it. Since places that offer such a service are more specialized, that means they tend to cultivate a specific audience, environment, and game library that really gives a specific experience you can’t get anywhere else.
On the east coast of the United States, I’ve found many arcades in my time, far more than you may expect if you choose to be jaded about such things. Of course there’s the venerable Galloping Ghosts, which IS spectacular, but it’s not just about the quantity of games available. Arcadia is another place that I don’t think gets enough credit. It has a pinball alley to accompany a pretty solid selection of games. It’s where I had a memorable high score battle for Donkey Kong 3. It’s where I learned about Pop’n Music, my favorite pinball table: the Doctor Who 1993 Bally machine, and learned my absolute adoration for Bubble Bobble. It’s where I saw older, non electronic pinball tables for the first time, and some of them are still fantastically designed nearly a century later! Most of all, however, I went there when I was 14. A child. A teenager. And I was absolutely wowed. The magic of the arcade never went away, even when the arcade itself did. As a kid, yes, you may have more impressive games at home many times, but all it takes is that one game which offers a memorable experience away from home to really set your mind.
And, of course, Boss Battle Games. It has a HOST of fighting games and light gun games, which still wow with a friend to play against! Large CRTs with fourth, fifth, and current gen consoles hooked up that have arcade style games to play. Bizarre machines, like the F-Zero AX cabinets, large sit down shmups, and table game classics. And, my beloved: giant eight player Daytona USA.
The point is, from the perspective of someone who saw the arcade come and go, it’s easy to be very depressed about the state of things. But, instead of lamenting what we’ve lost, let’s celebrate what we still have and preserve what we have left! Many people as well have taken to independent arcade ownership as well, and these people are growing up with kids of their own who will remember the games and the cabinets for the rest of their lives. Arcade gaming isn’t just about the games: it’s about the experience. And, as long as there are people who love it, it will be kept alive.
I can’t speak for anybody but myself. What I can say is that the love of the arcade has successfully been passed down to me by my elders, and I promise to do my part to keep the spirit alive for as long as possible, and pass it down further to my own children if possible. Long live arcade gaming!
On the east coast of the United States, I’ve found many arcades in my time, far more than you may expect if you choose to be jaded about such things. Of course there’s the venerable Galloping Ghosts, which IS spectacular, but it’s not just about the quantity of games available. Arcadia is another place that I don’t think gets enough credit. It has a pinball alley to accompany a pretty solid selection of games. It’s where I had a memorable high score battle for Donkey Kong 3. It’s where I learned about Pop’n Music, my favorite pinball table: the Doctor Who 1993 Bally machine, and learned my absolute adoration for Bubble Bobble. It’s where I saw older, non electronic pinball tables for the first time, and some of them are still fantastically designed nearly a century later! Most of all, however, I went there when I was 14. A child. A teenager. And I was absolutely wowed. The magic of the arcade never went away, even when the arcade itself did. As a kid, yes, you may have more impressive games at home many times, but all it takes is that one game which offers a memorable experience away from home to really set your mind.
And, of course, Boss Battle Games. It has a HOST of fighting games and light gun games, which still wow with a friend to play against! Large CRTs with fourth, fifth, and current gen consoles hooked up that have arcade style games to play. Bizarre machines, like the F-Zero AX cabinets, large sit down shmups, and table game classics. And, my beloved: giant eight player Daytona USA.
The point is, from the perspective of someone who saw the arcade come and go, it’s easy to be very depressed about the state of things. But, instead of lamenting what we’ve lost, let’s celebrate what we still have and preserve what we have left! Many people as well have taken to independent arcade ownership as well, and these people are growing up with kids of their own who will remember the games and the cabinets for the rest of their lives. Arcade gaming isn’t just about the games: it’s about the experience. And, as long as there are people who love it, it will be kept alive.
I can’t speak for anybody but myself. What I can say is that the love of the arcade has successfully been passed down to me by my elders, and I promise to do my part to keep the spirit alive for as long as possible, and pass it down further to my own children if possible. Long live arcade gaming!
