- Joined
- Oct 31, 2005
- Posts
- 4,478
I see little holes in the wall with signs that say arcade. I see big kiddie attractions with signs that say arcade. I don't see anything that looks like what I would have called an arcade.
So I pose the question, what really makes an arcade an arcade?
Those little places with a hand full of games, a chance machine and no attendant, I've always called game rooms. They don't feel like an arcade and feel just like some left over room at a hotel or walmart that had a few video games stuck in it. The equipemnt is really hit or miss on if it works or not most of the time from my experience and there may be as more vending machines than game machines, but often I see these places with a sign that says Arcade. These also sometimes are attatched to places like go cart tracks and such. Usually the games belong to a local vending company.
Then there are the bigger places full of ticket games and non video type games. These have attendants and usually seem to be set up to be attractive to children of a preteen age. They are full of bright colors, flashing lights, and often times some type of modern music. There are ski ball games, coin pushers, a few of the newer arcade games and then a classic game or pinball for dad. I've always called these redemption centers or amusement centers. Also I see these paired up with mini golf, and sometimes batting cages. With these places it seems a mix that either the games belong to the location or to some other company. The games here are usually in a decent working state though and the places are mostly clean.
What about the real arcade? How many games should an arcade have? What kind? How big does it need to be?
I don't know about everyone else but for me to walk into a place and for it to feel like an arcade it needs to remind me of the ones I grew up in. Dim lighting, at least 20+ actual video games. Some pinball games and little to no redemption type games. If it takes quarters or tokens does not matter but really I like tokens better because sometimes you can get more games for your money and if they have some kind of logo from the arcade keeping one or two is cool to take home.
As long as there is room to move around while people play the games then it is large enough and there has to be at least one person on staff to complain to if a machine takes your money. Snack and vending machines are optional. Also It needs to be a stand alone location. When they are attatched to resturants or such they just seem to loose that arcade feel to me.
Here where I am at there is an amusement center in the mall where the old Aladdin's Castle used to be. It is not very exciting but my daughter likes going there and winning tickets. I've a room full of arcade games and she wants to go to the mall to play games.. of all things. There is also a little game room type place in town. I know the guy that runs it and sold him a good bit of his equipemnt few years back. His place has about died as the games are in poor repair now and it is attatched to a hobbie shop type place where kids play those collectable card games.
I'm curious to what other people feel makes up an actual arcade.
So I pose the question, what really makes an arcade an arcade?
Those little places with a hand full of games, a chance machine and no attendant, I've always called game rooms. They don't feel like an arcade and feel just like some left over room at a hotel or walmart that had a few video games stuck in it. The equipemnt is really hit or miss on if it works or not most of the time from my experience and there may be as more vending machines than game machines, but often I see these places with a sign that says Arcade. These also sometimes are attatched to places like go cart tracks and such. Usually the games belong to a local vending company.
Then there are the bigger places full of ticket games and non video type games. These have attendants and usually seem to be set up to be attractive to children of a preteen age. They are full of bright colors, flashing lights, and often times some type of modern music. There are ski ball games, coin pushers, a few of the newer arcade games and then a classic game or pinball for dad. I've always called these redemption centers or amusement centers. Also I see these paired up with mini golf, and sometimes batting cages. With these places it seems a mix that either the games belong to the location or to some other company. The games here are usually in a decent working state though and the places are mostly clean.
What about the real arcade? How many games should an arcade have? What kind? How big does it need to be?
I don't know about everyone else but for me to walk into a place and for it to feel like an arcade it needs to remind me of the ones I grew up in. Dim lighting, at least 20+ actual video games. Some pinball games and little to no redemption type games. If it takes quarters or tokens does not matter but really I like tokens better because sometimes you can get more games for your money and if they have some kind of logo from the arcade keeping one or two is cool to take home.
As long as there is room to move around while people play the games then it is large enough and there has to be at least one person on staff to complain to if a machine takes your money. Snack and vending machines are optional. Also It needs to be a stand alone location. When they are attatched to resturants or such they just seem to loose that arcade feel to me.
Here where I am at there is an amusement center in the mall where the old Aladdin's Castle used to be. It is not very exciting but my daughter likes going there and winning tickets. I've a room full of arcade games and she wants to go to the mall to play games.. of all things. There is also a little game room type place in town. I know the guy that runs it and sold him a good bit of his equipemnt few years back. His place has about died as the games are in poor repair now and it is attatched to a hobbie shop type place where kids play those collectable card games.
I'm curious to what other people feel makes up an actual arcade.
I totally agree on what an arcade should be damn i miss those days
