GameSetQ: Cool Retro Arcade Hangout Guide?
Having managed to get my 'Watch Now' button working for movie rental service Netflix, I was checking out 'The Comedians Of Comedy' movie, which came before the Comedy Central series of the same name, and provides excellent geek comedy jam credentials.
Anyhow, along the way, there's a dream sequence involving metal/video game nerd Brian Posehn, who is wandering around Portland's Ground Kontrol in a daze, checking out all the gorgeous retro arcade machines for play in there. And it got me thinking - is there a directory/list of arcades that have decent classic arcade games in them, or are outfitted specifically for the retro enthusiast?
In the Bay Area, sure, there are some Nickel City and Dave & Busters locations, and there's the infamous Sunnyvale Golfland, which used to be a test arcade for a lot of the U.S. arcade manufacturers headquartered in Silicon Valley, but I don't think there's really a well-maintained retro arcade around here. In fact, the only decent one I can think of is the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which has about 15 classic machines in and among its larger selection. Am I wrong? How about in your area of the country? GSW readers must be told!
Comments
I know here in West Virginia we barely have anything other than little revenue share locations. Most of those hafto have the newer games.
The best place for retro here is my friends and my house.Me and three other friends have about 50 retro games between the three of us.If you know how to work on them you can usually pick up fixer upper's for 50 to 200 bucks!
Posted by: Bionic Commando | February 6, 2007 5:10 AM
Here in eastern PA we have Challenge Arcade. Place is great, They have over 80 games crammed into this little space, and a lot of them are top of the line classics. Pac, Ms Pac, Galaga, Paperboy, Track & Field, Super Don Quix-ote, Dragon's Lair, Punch-Out, Donkey Kong, Asteroids, just to name a few. Plus they're mixed in with all sorts of newer games and pinballs.
If you live anywhere near Reading, PA I suggest you come check them out. Great arcade, great atmospheere.
Posted by: TooManyGames | February 6, 2007 8:26 AM
There is a directory, its maintained by everyone who contributes, it covers the whole world and is accurate. Sometimes it may not be up to date but you could always call a specific location (you can look up phone numbers at yellowpages.com) if you are looking for a specific game to play. The owner of this is really nice too.
http://arcadelocations.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
Posted by: SaraAB87 | February 6, 2007 1:05 PM
I used to own one, from 2001 to 2003. It was a combination pool hall/arcade, with 16 classics (Tempest, Space Duel, Breakout, Steeplechase, Anti-Aircraft, Gorf, Turbo, Asteroids, Omega Race, Defender, Ms. Pac-Man, Pac-Man, and others), six pinball machines, and a few newer games. The pool tables brought in most of my business, but there were a few around Michigan that would drive many miles to stop in and play my classics. It's too bad I had to close the place (declining marketing conditions; a major company moved to Mexico), but it was always my dream to own an arcade someday. And I did :)
p.s. Hi Sara! Good seeing you here.
Posted by: Brian Deuel | February 6, 2007 6:26 PM
Hi Brian, haven't seen you around in a while!
Anyways this is a shameless plug for my friend's arcade near Buffalo, MN called S.S. Billiards (most known for their pinball machines).
Also my other friend's arcade in Rochester, NY called Fantasy Raceways, if you are looking for classic games and some pinball this is THE place to go, many restored machines and they have Discs of TRON in the EDot cab!!!
Posted by: SaraAB87 | February 7, 2007 9:59 AM