Happy birthday 1984 Arcade!

[IG-88]

For all you nay-sayers out there that prattle on about how a Classic Arcade cant possibly make it these days, read it and weep. 9 yrs and going strong. AND during a recession! Go ahead, piss on that parade. 

https://www.facebook.com/1984arcade

[wp34]

That's pretty awesome.  We wanted to go there last summer when we were on vacation in Kansas City but it didn't work out.

[pbj]

Nothing else to do in Springfield except cook meth and beat your family.....

[Le Chuck]

Nothing else to do in Springfield except cook meth and beat your family.....

What, they close all the liquor stores now?

[roknrol]

^^ It's the Bible Belt, yo. Half the counties around there are dry ....

@wp34: You didn't happen to check out the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown KC last summer by any chance? They had 30+ classic, unrestored arcade games in the lobby. $5, play as much as you want.

[IG-88]

I've heard they removed them all. I am going down to Schlitterbahns at the end of the month. Hopefully I can make it over there to see for myself.

[wp34]

^^ It's the Bible Belt, yo. Half the counties around there are dry ....

@wp34: You didn't happen to check out the Alamo Drafthouse in downtown KC last summer by any chance? They had 30+ classic, unrestored arcade games in the lobby. $5, play as much as you want.

We did and it was awesome.  I hadn't seen a real live dedicated Journey cabinet in 25+ years.  They had a great selection of games.

I took the family to see War Games while we were there as well.  The Alamo stop was easily their favorite part of the vacation.   

[roknrol]

That's really good to hear. Alamo is a pretty good time; they replay a lot of golden oldies (and have quote-a-thons, MST3K-like comedy nights, and so on) along with the first-run movies. And their food is really surprisingly good.

However, I did just find out from a co-worker that they did indeed remove all the games. Not sure what happened. I, too, was pretty amazed at the quality and selection that they had. I believe everything was working, too, with the exception of Dragon's Lair.

IG-88: Enjoy the Verruct. Sorry about the games!

[wp34]

I heard somewhere the games were on loan from a collector.  I'm not sure the specifics though.  I'm sorry to hear they have been removed.

You are right about the food.  We were also impressed with how unobtrusive the wait staff was during the movie. 

That's really good to hear. Alamo is a pretty good time; they replay a lot of golden oldies (and have quote-a-thons, MST3K-like comedy nights, and so on) along with the first-run movies. And their food is really surprisingly good.

However, I did just find out from a co-worker that they did indeed remove all the games. Not sure what happened. I, too, was pretty amazed at the quality and selection that they had. I believe everything was working, too, with the exception of Dragon's Lair.

IG-88: Enjoy the Verruct. Sorry about the games!

[roknrol]

I heard somewhere the games were on loan from a collector.

That makes complete sense. There were no duplicates, and like the Journey game, there were several machines I had never seen in the wild. I meant to ask last time I was there for specifics, but in my, um, excitement -- I forgot. 

And, yes, I do get a kick out of their theater design -- stadium seating with "staff runner" lanes between the rows. You literally don't even know people are walking right in front of you. I remember thinking, "mmm, something smells really good" and then looking down to find my pizza sitting there!

[pbj]

Alamo Drafthouse had a pretty quirky, early, and cool location in San Antonio.  It was near the air force base, and bored cadets would sit around all day getting smashed and watching movies.  Lots of weird looking tattoo and piercing freaks that could actually suggest a decent beer and provide reasonable service.

Then they became a victim of their own success and went to that stadium seating nonsense in new locations, which sprang up everywhere.

Food started getting lower grade, prices crept up, they started letting kids into movies, the good waitstaff were moved to the other locations...  Then the competitors crept in, and I could get a 32oz margarita for $10.  So.... adios Drafthouse.

Anyway, point being, if you've got a new location in Missouri and you like it, milk that thing for all the enjoyment it's worth.

[Le Chuck]

I could get a 32oz margarita for $10

That right there is the best damn business model I've ever heard of.