Arcades that are still around

[jimfath]

I thought I'd start a thread about arcades that are still around after a recent trip to Geneva on the Lake, Ohio.

For anyone that's never been Geneva on the Lake it's a summer strip near Lake Erie in Ashtabula about an hour East of Cleveland. Back in the day the street had at least 8 large arcades peppered in amoung the hamburger stands, ice cream places, and other touristy places. Now it's down to 3. I took some pics on the outside as they paint it and update it. It's rare to see an arcade but it's even rarer to see one that hangs up any kind of sigange for the games inside. Granted the signage for the games are 3 years old at the newest.

[Grimoz]

Thats very cool, very old school looking. Dont see many arcades that have the full lighting setup like that anymore.

[Singapura]

The arcade scene is still very much alive in Singapore although there are exactly zero old school games. Every mall has it's own arcade, often with an internet cafe attached. You often see whole families playing together but than again, nobody looks strangely at you when you play a DS or PSP on the bus either.

[Louis Tully]

.

[shateredsoul1979]

Nice, we have a pretty nice arcade here in Santa Cruz, CA at the boardwalk. Some pretty old school games. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to visit very often in my 4 years here due to school.

[BadMouth]

How well are the games maintained there?  (I'm ready for a road-trip)

  I go to Ocean City, MD a couple times a year and every other game I try to play has something wrong with it.
The last time I tried 3 gun games in a row that were calibrated too poorly to be playable.  One used a positional gun and I had to hold it sideways to get the crosshairs in the center of the screen.  I also tried to play Daytona.  Out of 4 machines, only one had sound, but 3rd gear didn't work on that one. 

The local fair is coming up and a couple vendors set up temporary arcades that aren't too bad. 

[DashRendar]

Here in Omaha we have a couple decent-sized arcades still.

The first is Family Fun Center. 



Notice the 2 story tall arcade cabinet out front-



This used to be a dedicated arcade, but over the years they've added lazer tag, paint ball, and an old-school arcade themed glow golf.





Family Fun Center is really designed around kids birthday parties as part of their business plan.  Every now and then they do a purge of arcade cabinets, leaving them out free for any takers (not sure if they're replacing them).

Our other arcade option is a Dave & Busters.



Yep, it's a chain, but they do take care of their machines, and they do tend to have the latest arcade games. 

[HaRuMaN]

Castles & Coasters, Phoenix, AZ (these pictures were taken just a few weeks ago):

[boardjunkie]

^^^^^^^^^^^LIKE^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Mikezilla]

---smurfing--- Phoenix. Thats not fair, I wish there was something out here in San Diego like that!  

The only thing we have left, is the Boardwalk in El Cajon. They started parting out their cabinets, but thats where I had most of my memories of arcades from when I was a kid. Its still there, but they are geared more towards little kids now, they have a ball pit, and some hamster tube things, and mini golf and some bumper car things. I havent been there in years, but I might go check em out. Ya never know. Its attached to a bowling alley that used to have a bunch of machines in there too. I remember the first time I played Primal Rage, and Killer Instinct. They were at the bowling alley  

[yotsuya]

I was at Castles N' Coasters for my daughter's birthday on July 14. They were doing a lot of repainting and other cosmetic work. Nice to see them still taking care of the place.

[dfmaverick]

Castles & Coasters looks familiar.

Stopped there for the kids to play mini golf on a trip thru Arizona back in 2002.

Nice to see it's still alive.

[DCsegaDH]

I'm in Arizona too, I know of 4: Gameworks (Tempe), Dave And Busters (Mesa), Golfland/Sunsplash (Mesa), and Castles and Coasters (Phoenix). I wish I had pictures.

[yotsuya]

I went there a lot as a teen, and now I go there a lot with my daughter. She's a gamer, like me. The place is great- it even still SMELLS like an arcade.

[HaRuMaN]

I love that they have RC Cola on tap at the snack bar...

[Mikezilla]

I'm in Arizona too, I know of 4: Gameworks (Tempe), Dave And Busters (Mesa), Golfland/Sunsplash (Mesa), and Castles and Coasters (Phoenix). I wish I had pictures.

Dave and Busters counts? I have one of those down the street from my work, but...I dunno. It just doesnt have that arcade feel.

[HaRuMaN]

I'm in Arizona too, I know of 4: Gameworks (Tempe), Dave And Busters (Mesa), Golfland/Sunsplash (Mesa), and Castles and Coasters (Phoenix). I wish I had pictures.

Dave and Busters counts? I have one of those down the street from my work, but...I dunno. It just doesnt have that arcade feel.

Yeah, I don't really count Dave & Busters and Gameworks...

I've never been to Golfland, though.  I should give it a shot.  It's closer to me than Castles & Coasters...

[yotsuya]

It's been years since I've been to Golfland. It's like a poor man's Castles 'N Coasters.

[DashRendar]

The place is great- it even still SMELLS like an arcade.

Blech...   

[yotsuya]

C'mon! Wood, carpet, nachos... That arcade smell!

[jimfath]

Wow... Castles and Coasters... It's fair to say that, with the architecture and the arcade contents there in, it could easily become our collective Mecca.

As for Geneva on the Lake, I didn't go photo crazy as I was out with the GF. We only went this arcade as it was the last of them on the strip not go 90% redemption games.


Last night I went to BLIPSY BARCADE in Los Angeles. Accroding to about.com "It's a small operation started out by a group of friends who collected classic arcade games and would invite friends over for regular parties of drinking and gaming." (Sound like anyone we know?) "Eventually the parties became so successful that they decided to go into business and open an arcade bar, selling beer, wine and sake."

If I won the lottery I'd do the same thing only 10fold and hire as many of you talented and willing folks as I could. (Ah, things I dream about while at work)

The machines are all original, dedicated, and in poor to fair condition. Ms. Pacman (cocktail), Double Dragon, 720, Gun Fight, Robotron, Defender, Track and Field (buttons), Punch-out, Paperboy, Rampage, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Spy Hunter (sit down), Centipede, and Asteroids. Pinball had Twilight Zone (lights hardly worked), and Playboy (1974)

I did discover playing the arcade Double Dragon that my emulated version of it is way too slow. The place is in a corner of Korea town accross the street from the largest KFC I've ever seen.

[mgb]

Whats up with these yuppy bars that are popping up all over with "retro" arcades in them?

Great classic arcade - Fun Spot in New Hampshire. I love it and go every year

[yotsuya]

Castles & Coasters, Phoenix, AZ (these pictures were taken just a few weeks ago):

The handle on the Tron in this picture is broken. It bugs me because I'm pretty sure I know how to fix it. 

[DCsegaDH]

It's been years since I've been to Golfland. It's like a poor man's Castles 'N Coasters.

Yeah, but it's closer to me than Castles 'N Coasters. They have Japanese cabinets last time I went there (last month), it's really different now compared to the last couple of years I went there.

[HaRuMaN]

It's been years since I've been to Golfland. It's like a poor man's Castles 'N Coasters.

Yeah, but it's closer to me than Castles 'N Coasters. They have Japanese cabinets last time I went there (last month), it's really different now compared to the last couple of years I went there.

Hmm... now I really want to go.  Maybe I'll see if I can get free this weekend.

[yotsuya]

It's been years since I've been to Golfland. It's like a poor man's Castles 'N Coasters.

Yeah, but it's closer to me than Castles 'N Coasters. They have Japanese cabinets last time I went there (last month), it's really different now compared to the last couple of years I went there.

Interesting. I might have to hit it up as well. I saw a few months ago that they had put a Super Monaco GP on Craigslist for $100.

[jtslade]

The Arcade scene here in Germany is very limited, there is a Pinball Xtra-Ball Pub that I am dying to go to (now that school is finished for me), but arcades are almost non-existent. I'll post pics and owner interviews in English when I go.

But when I travel back to the USA and visit my wife's family in Fort Lauderdale I always try and visit the Florida Swap Shop. It is massive, (largest in the USA if I recall) just crazy large and a impressive site to see. I know this in not a traditional arcade but the guy has a pretty large selection of arcade games, with a few redemption games (good to see a place that has a reverse trend like this).

The website has their standard local commercial in flash on the homepage at http://www.floridaswapshop.com/swap.html it's worth a look.

The entrance


The main building showroom. The guy who owns it is a big car collector, so his auto collection is spread out all over the location. He even is selling his Gulfstream Jet if anyone is interested.

The Ferrari shown was used in Miami Vice.


A original Ms. Pacman with some color problems in one of the color rom chips, or a monitor going bad. It has a multigame chip in it.



A newer model multi-Donkey kong/ Mario Bros machine in mint condition.


Street Fighter with color problems or bad monitor.


His Ultracade Unit only had about three games on it. Needed some monitor adjustment. It is interesting to see the system that Hyperspin got it's inspiration from.




Metal Slug 6 Atomiswave which I am dying for the emulator to support, should be soon?



Cybersled, left monitor was out. This is one of my favorite games and will be in my collection when I get back home to the US.


Never heard of this one. I'll play it next time.


Best Rock & Roll band themed shooting game ever made..


He only has two pinballs, Ripley's Believe It or Not and my favorite Red and Ted Roadshow. I spend hours playing Roadshow when I go, I plan to spend one entire day on it the next time I go back.





Cobra Command, in a converted cab.


If I had to have a redemption machine, then TMNT or Simpsons would be 1st choice.. Any thoughts?


This is by no means all of the games there, on my next trip I'll get better pics and a complete list.

[gnateye]

castles and coasters looks AMAZING!! thats sounds like a road trip destination for sure!!

here in chicago we have a few of the 'kid friendly' chuck e cheese type of places that are technically arcades, but...

enchanted castle and haunted trails, safari land, chuck e, and D&b's

but we are also lucky enough to have an awesome arcade called galloping ghosts! 200+ games, tournaments, 15$ all you can play til 2am... i could go on, but you have to see it to believe it.

http://www.gallopingghostarcade.com/

edit: i almost forgot novelty golf in lincolnwood (?) its an awesome old school minigolf place with a small but cool arcade attached. also a must if you're in the area

[extendedplayarcade]

Here is a video of Richie Knucklez place in Flemington, NJ.



I filmed and edited the video for him so i might be a bit bias and say all his machines play mint.  99% of the machines are classics.

 

[Gatt]

I don't have pictures,  but I'm pretty sure Kennywood in Pittsburgh still has a huge dedicated arcade,  was there last year.

Pretty good sized room,  skeeball on the sides,  huge number of arcade games in a large building,  many of the classics represented and I'm pretty sure they're all originals.  They were there when I was little,  and they're still there today. 

I think it counts!

[jimfath]

I don't have pictures,  but I'm pretty sure Kennywood in Pittsburgh still has a huge dedicated arcade,  was there last year.

Pretty good sized room,  skeeball on the sides,  huge number of arcade games in a large building,  many of the classics represented and I'm pretty sure they're all originals.  They were there when I was little,  and they're still there today. 

I think it counts!

Yes they do. The large Arcade close to the Jack Rabbit still exists. The classics are in the back. For that matter Cedar Point still has it's giant arcade near the center with a lot of old classics in working order.

[shateredsoul1979]

I've been wanting to go check out the boardwalk arcade again, anyone want any specific pics?

[nakeworks]

In Atlanta there are the usual Dave and Busters and then a Mario Andretti Go Cart place that have a nice selection of current games.  There was a place in Kenwood that was a huge bowling alley and arcade but I can't remember the name.  Anyone know of any arcades in North Carolina? C'mon south---represent!   

[Mikezilla]

Cactus Jack's in Oklahoma City's been open forever and a decent arcade, if by some unfortunate turn of events you find yourself in Oklahoma.

Its so funny how you are such an Oklahoma hater. Doesnt Ginsu Victim live there and you guys get into arguments about how ---smurfy---/tolerable it is there?

[Donkey_Kong]

Just a heads up for Minnesotans or visitors, AFAIK The Grand Casinos have about the best to offer in our state.

They have two locations, both centrally located and probbaly not worth the trek from Minneapolis (100+ miles North) However if you are in  central MN then it's worth it.


http://www.grandcasinomn.com/grand-casino-mille-lacs/guest-services/grand-arcade.aspx

With more than 100 arcade machines, including pool, skee-ball, and the latest games, the Grand Arcade inside Grand Casino Hinckley is a fun, safe way for teenagers to play. It is also one of the largest arcades in MN, so there is plenty of room for excitement! We also feature game tickets redeemable for prizes for the kids’ enjoyment. Plus, parents can rest assured knowing that their children, ages 13 to 18, are in a supervised area in the southwest corner of the casino. Younger children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

[Vigo]

Thanks for the heads up! We usually go to Mystic Lake or Treasure Island.....the wife and I were thining of hitting one of the grand casinos next....now I have to make that a must for our next casino trip. 

[gabe]

There's a pretty cool "barcade" here in Grand Rapids, MI called Stella's Lounge. They have a handful of pins, and probably about a dozen cabs. Lots of cheap beer, and a nice vegan friendly menu.


Website Photos by stellasgr, on Flickr


Website Photos by stellasgr, on Flickr

They serve 22oz cans of malt liquor in brown paper bags:

Website Photos by stellasgr, on Flickr


Website Photos by stellasgr, on Flickr


Website Photos by stellasgr, on Flickr

[Donkey_Kong]

Thanks for the heads up! We usually go to Mystic Lake or Treasure Island.....the wife and I were thining of hitting one of the grand casinos next....now I have to make that a must for our next casino trip. 

Cool! Glad someone might be able to use the info. I've been to both arcades and the Mille Lacs version has all the recent DK all in ones, Galaga/Ms Pac Space Invaders and another machines that has a bunch  of games like Robotron, Defender ...and a boatload more.


Here's the catch though...you cannot purchase any alcohol on the Mille Lacs reservation or Casino. You would have to bring your own to your hotel room and hit your room whenever you needed a bump lol.

Hinckley on the other hand has drinks everywhere. 

[Gray_Area]

It's been years since I've been to Golfland. It's like a poor man's Castles 'N Coasters.

It wasn't in the 80s.

 

Notice the 2 story tall arcade cabinet out front-

Is that the only classic-like one on the lot?

Whats up with these yuppy bars that are pooping up all over with "retro" arcades in them?

At least they have real retro machines in them...

I was in L.A. last month, and stopped by the Santa Monica pier arcade (three classics, and a few decent pins) mentioned elsewhere on the forums......if I'd known about Blipsy's, I would've gone there instead! Especially because the SM pier arcade was so loud you could barely hear the machine in front of you.

There's a pretty cool "barcade" here in Grand Rapids, MI called Stella's Lounge...and a nice vegan friendly menu.

That's just weird.

[jimfath]

I was in L.A. last month, and stopped by the Santa Monica pier arcade (three classics, and a few decent pins) mentioned elsewhere on the forums......if I'd known about Blipsy's, I would've gone there instead! Especially because the SM pier arcade was so loud you could barely hear the machine in front of you.

I will say that Blipsie had a rather loud DJ playing Latin after 11pm. I couldn't hear any of the games but they were dedicated and there was a decent amount of them in working order.