As I’ve grown up, most arcades around me have withered and died off. Now the only place to find an arcade machine is in a smoky pool hall or the random restaurant. Of course I don’t have to tell you that when I was growing up, arcades were everywhere.
When I was a kid, my folks and I would visit a local fast food restaurant in town called Spangles. The place had pretty good food, (though now they have some atrocious commercials). Anyway, past that they also had a decent little arcade inside with a few pinball machines, arcades cabs, and even a Neo Geo 2 slot. It was a good mash up of food and fun.
A week ago, me, my wife, and the wee one went to that exact resturant to grab a bite to eat. As I enter, I’m a bit excited. And not just because of the good food about to be in my belly, but I was curious as to the state of the arcade. Well, I got what I wished for. Here it is folks, the most awesome, coolest, and craziest arcade you’ve ever seen. Don’t you dare click on unless you’re prepared for some face melting action. I’ve warned you. Alright then, be my guest and click on.
Yep, that’s it. That’s what this arcade has been degraded to. A claw machine. A CLAW MACHINE!!!
Worst part about it all, they had the audacity to put a glowing neon sign proclaiming to all patrons, this is an arcade. Yea, one single claw machine an arcade does not make. It was so terribly and depressingly funny, I took a picture. I walked away and tried my best to forget about what I had just seen.
Maybe this place will become a new haven for arcade gamers around the world. A place where people of all faiths, races, languages, and creeds can come together in harmony. We can only hope.
The state of the non-casino/strip arcade here in Vegas is quite depressing. The game shop that I do most of my retro shopping has a nice collection of cabs like Cap/SNK2, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Street Fighter III:3rd Strike, Silent Scope, House of the Dead 2 & two pins Star Trek TNG & Pirates of the Caribbean. Sadly it’s located is a crap neighborhood and the ghetto gang banges tag or etch their names into the glass so I’m expecting to see them go away real soon.
There’s also Gameworks on the strip but the prices to play each game is set way too high and it’s a pain in the ass to get to, even though I’m technically 4 miles away, it takes almost 20 due to traffic and parking.
If you want the Neo-gaming, hit all the pizza huts and Mexican restaurant because your more likley to find a random 2-slot in places like those here.
I hate claw games but my brother is a master at them.
I’ve never been much of an Arcade gamer, but I can appreciate the experience they provide. The last time I was at one was on 2006 the day of my birthday seeing as the concert I was going to attend to got canceled and the arcades were just across the street. I thought I would spend some time of SoulCalibur II greatness.
So there I was at the machine playing the first round and a guy comes and challenges me with the usual “go easy on me” to which I just reminded silent. Turns out the guy was a rather good Xianghua player and gave a good fight, but my Nightmare won after some struggle with his play style.
We kept on for like 3 more fights in which he lost all of them. So he gives up and comes this girl. Man, was she good! I got beaten by her Astaroth, but I wouldn’t be a good sportsman without my revenge. And I just did that. Nonetheless, she wasn’t going to give up just yet so she got me on the next round, but, to her grief, I had to leave.
Now with that out of the way (maybe I got a little carried away, but oh well) and back to the article, I think I know how you felt when you saw your little corner of arcade goodness stripped off to a mere… claw machine! And, on top of that, they had the nerve to but an arcade neon sign above it.
But, hey! Not everything is lost. Didn’t you say in a previous article that the “Belmont” Bar is going to be established in your city? That will be your heaven for arcade goodness.