Billy Mitchell and Classic arcade action in Florida Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood

[jtslade]

Added some pics of my quest in Florida to find some arcade games to play...

If you know of a place to go in the Ft. Lauderdale area please respond to this posting. Thank you...
Update: stopped by Rickey's BBQ in Hollywood and wasn't able to meet Billy Mitchell but did play the Ms. Pac man and the NBA pinball, see pics..

So for the 1st couple of weeks in June I'll be back stateside visiting with my wife's family in ft. lauderdale..

I am really jonesing to go to an actual real arcade since it's been a long time.

I know of the big gameworks in sawgrass mall..

And Billy Mitchel's ms. Pacman at his BBQ place on Hollywood..

But what can you broward/dade county local arcade fans suggest for a fellow gamer to check out.

Thank you guys!!

[mimic]

There is Boomers north of Glades Blvd and small arcade in muvico complex next to Boomers & Somewhere in Hollywood there is that Buy/sale/play arcade where King of Kong rematch took place. don't know exactly which exit it's on, but you can see it when you drive southbound on I95 towards Miami on the west side of I95.

Edit: That's the building you can see off I95. Very easy to spot on west side of I95.

[jtslade]

Rickey's BBQ in Hollywood Florida. I went there today to have lunch and play some Ms. Pacman.



The inside of the place from the back corner booth...



Ms. Pac Man in o.k. shape, given that this has been out in the wild for a long time it's got a good picture on the tube...








I got the high score but then my food came so I stopped playing. I guess Billy had not played it today.

[jtslade]

I think something that is interesting is that he uses a vending company for his video games at his BBQ lounge..

Makes sense given that arcade games take a beating when out in public use.

His Ms. Pac Man had a very smooth feel and not anything like the Mag Stik Plus's that are on my cab. I guess to get that arcade round rolling feel of a actual Pac Man you would need a Arcade 360 with a round restriction plate.. Maybe I am wrong?

Anyway his games are run by this company in Florida.. JC Vending


I called them but they were not super keen to let me come see their warehouse...

Next I have picks of some nice pins at the Gameworks at Sawgrass Mills Mall.. The Southpark pin had to be worked on a bit before it worked.

[DrumAnBass]

His Ms. Pac Man had a very smooth feel and not anything like the Mag Stik Plus's that are on my cab. I guess to get that arcade round rolling feel of a actual Pac Man you would need a Arcade 360 with a round restriction plate.. Maybe I am wrong?

The smooth feel of the joystick is the original leaf switch joystick that uses a rubber grommet to return to center. Surprised I can't find more photos, best photo I could find:

[wp34]

I got the high score but then my food came so I stopped playing. I guess Billy had not played it today.

 

That was the first thing that entered my mind when I saw your first screen shot.  Surprised he does not have a DK there. 

[WhereEaglesDare]

I got the high score but then my food came so I stopped playing. I guess Billy had not played it today.

 

That was the first thing that entered my mind when I saw your first screen shot.  Surprised he does not have a DK there. 

Well makes sense.  He wouldn't like the competition.

[mytymaus007]

His Ms. Pac Man had a very smooth feel and not anything like the Mag Stik Plus's that are on my cab. I guess to get that arcade round rolling feel of a actual Pac Man you would need a Arcade 360 with a round restriction plate.. Maybe I am wrong?

The smooth feel of the joystick is the original leaf switch joystick that uses a rubber grommet to return to center. Surprised I can't find more photos, best photo I could find:

Thats the best Dammm 4 way Joy Stick in the world. I have 2 and its the only way to play pacman. Worth every penny if you can find one. I found mine on ebay

[WhereEaglesDare]

What are they called, if someone wanted to go find one.

[mytymaus007]

What are they called, if someone wanted to go find one.

bally midway pacman joystick leaf switch 4 way

[MameMaster!]

BILLY MITCHELL!!! 

[DrumAnBass]

Thats the best Dammm 4 way Joy Stick in the world. I have 2 and its the only way to play pacman. Worth every penny if you can find one. I found mine on ebay

Agreed!! I have one myself and much prefer it to any other stick; for PacMan at least!

I also have a Ms. PacMan / Galaga reunion stick (which is basically a modified Happ Super) and it doesn't come close. Wico Leaf sticks are pretty close in feel to the original Midway joystick however.

[mytymaus007]

I beleive this is the same stick as Pacman. You can buy new parts for it if you have to Jump on it

http://cgi.ebay.com/GORF-Cocktail-Arcade-JOYSTICKS-Bally-Midway-Leaf-MAME-/300434864180?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f3503834