As you push aside the blacked-out double doors, your eyes adjust to the smoky darkness of the game room. You've arrived at the arcade. Dim black lights illuminate your clothes to an alien neon, and a barrage of pops and clinks washes against your ears. To your left, you see rows of shoddily-kept dining tables, stuffed with sugar-high children and bored parents. To your right, you see a never-ending row of flickering cabinets, each adorned with fanciful colors and characters. You rustle in your pocket to find your wallet, and approach the token dispenser. Where to first?
When I think about the concept of "childhood", arcades are the first thing that come to my mind. As a "zoomer", I would be remiss if I didn't recognize that I only experienced the back-end of the arcade lifespan, but for many people who grew up in the 2000s without the means for vacation or the access to the luxurious technology, arcades were the pinnacle of family entertainment. Simply put, it didn't get any better than this. But what about you? Did you have any significant memories in the arcade? I have a couple to share:
I remember there was always one arcade cabinet I'd flock to every time I visited my local spot. Carnevil, it was called. Excellent game. It was a rail shooter from the 90's with goofy enemies and a spooky setting.
My brother and I once attempted to finish the entire game in one go. At 50 cents a play, it took us about $15 to beat the entire game. I remember being shoulder to shoulder with him blasting Ludwig von Tokkentaker and his cheating firework rockets into a blimp propeller. Good times. Also, the soundtrack is amazing. It's becoming rarer and rarer to find a working Carnevil cabinet these days, ever since Midway's bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition by WB. I wish they'd remaster this game for modern consoles or even PC. This would look amazing in VR, don't you think?
Here's a link to a great fansite dedicated to the game!
I also remember Stacker, that game was completely bogus. It was 100% rigged, I can guarantee you that. But it was still fun competing against fellow party members, to see who could get the closest to the top. Always go for the major prize, only pansies settle for the minor prizes. They used to have the worst prizes for the minor section too, you could get that stuff at the dollar store. Has anyone here ever beaten the illustrious Stacker machine?
Finally, how could I talk about arcades without talking about the biggest draw (for me): the animatronic band? There was always one. Of course, being a zoomer, the only band I ever saw was Munch's Make Believe Band. Surprisingly, the location closest to me used the Rock-a-fire reskins that CEC's Concept Unification protocol installed. They were pretty well-kept too, I don't remember them ever breaking down or being closed for maintenance purposes. Then again, that could just be my rose-tinted glasses speaking. Usually, older bots like the Rock-a-fire reskins would have been replaced by the Mijjin models or the Studio C show. Unfortunately, it was not to last. In the summer of 2016, they sold the bots to collectors in order to make room for that God-forsaken dance floor. Who thought that this was a good idea? I'm kind of glad that they're going under after that.
Notice all the empty seats on the right? Talk about a downgrade.
Well, that's all the arcade memories I have for you. But, I wouldn't have made this thread if I was only interested in my arcade memories. How was your experience at the arcade? Share any stories you have.
When I think about the concept of "childhood", arcades are the first thing that come to my mind. As a "zoomer", I would be remiss if I didn't recognize that I only experienced the back-end of the arcade lifespan, but for many people who grew up in the 2000s without the means for vacation or the access to the luxurious technology, arcades were the pinnacle of family entertainment. Simply put, it didn't get any better than this. But what about you? Did you have any significant memories in the arcade? I have a couple to share:
I remember there was always one arcade cabinet I'd flock to every time I visited my local spot. Carnevil, it was called. Excellent game. It was a rail shooter from the 90's with goofy enemies and a spooky setting.
My brother and I once attempted to finish the entire game in one go. At 50 cents a play, it took us about $15 to beat the entire game. I remember being shoulder to shoulder with him blasting Ludwig von Tokkentaker and his cheating firework rockets into a blimp propeller. Good times. Also, the soundtrack is amazing. It's becoming rarer and rarer to find a working Carnevil cabinet these days, ever since Midway's bankruptcy and subsequent acquisition by WB. I wish they'd remaster this game for modern consoles or even PC. This would look amazing in VR, don't you think?
Here's a link to a great fansite dedicated to the game!
I also remember Stacker, that game was completely bogus. It was 100% rigged, I can guarantee you that. But it was still fun competing against fellow party members, to see who could get the closest to the top. Always go for the major prize, only pansies settle for the minor prizes. They used to have the worst prizes for the minor section too, you could get that stuff at the dollar store. Has anyone here ever beaten the illustrious Stacker machine?
Finally, how could I talk about arcades without talking about the biggest draw (for me): the animatronic band? There was always one. Of course, being a zoomer, the only band I ever saw was Munch's Make Believe Band. Surprisingly, the location closest to me used the Rock-a-fire reskins that CEC's Concept Unification protocol installed. They were pretty well-kept too, I don't remember them ever breaking down or being closed for maintenance purposes. Then again, that could just be my rose-tinted glasses speaking. Usually, older bots like the Rock-a-fire reskins would have been replaced by the Mijjin models or the Studio C show. Unfortunately, it was not to last. In the summer of 2016, they sold the bots to collectors in order to make room for that God-forsaken dance floor. Who thought that this was a good idea? I'm kind of glad that they're going under after that.
Notice all the empty seats on the right? Talk about a downgrade.
Well, that's all the arcade memories I have for you. But, I wouldn't have made this thread if I was only interested in my arcade memories. How was your experience at the arcade? Share any stories you have.
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