Comments on: Lamentation of my youth (the sad death of the arcade) http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/ irreverent and irrelevant video game culture... "We kick ass & chew bubble gum... and we're all out of gum." Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:46:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: TheBBPS.com » Closing Funland http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-198230 TheBBPS.com » Closing Funland Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:34:51 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-198230 [...] out some related posts: Lamentation of My Youth: The Sad Death of the Arcade, Video Arcade’s Last [...] [...] out some related posts: Lamentation of My Youth: The Sad Death of the Arcade, Video Arcade’s Last [...]

]]> By: TheBBPS.com » Video Arcades’ Last Gasp http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-195290 TheBBPS.com » Video Arcades’ Last Gasp Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:30:11 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-195290 [...] We’ve cover this before on a very personal level but the Chicago Tribune has a really interesting article up about how video arcades have transformed from the dark, dingy halls of yesteryear to the family-friendly niche atmosphere of today. [...] [...] We’ve cover this before on a very personal level but the Chicago Tribune has a really interesting article up about how video arcades have transformed from the dark, dingy halls of yesteryear to the family-friendly niche atmosphere of today. [...]

]]> By: Devin Durham http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-12150 Devin Durham Mon, 26 Feb 2007 23:37:16 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-12150 The arcade is not dead. I have a key in my pocket, and anytime I want I walk about 200 yards from my office over to 1984, put the key in the lock, and step back in time 23 years. "Whip It" plays from multiple screens mounted on the walls, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is coming soon, Peter Gunn blares at me from Spy Hunter, a robotic voice from GORF informs me that I am a "Space Cadet". Galaga plays those few bars of music that I know so well. I can play a quick game of Ms. Pac, and then move over to Robotron. Asteroids, Tron, Tempest and Battlezone all stand ready for my play, while Sinistar keeps me informed of his hunger. And if I want to play Simon or twist on a Rubik's cube, they are sitting right there on a table. And Wednesday through Saturday from 4pm to 11pm, you can step back in time too. Me and a few friends got tired of never being able to play pinball when we wanted, or finding a decent Joust game, or even just having a place where you can sit down and soak in that arcade ambient sound that I grew up with. So we made our own arcade. I would cordially invite any of you who think that you can emulate games perfectly with Mame to come and play a game of Spy Hunter. I challenge any of you who think that a LAN party is the same atmosphere as an arcade to come and be publicly humiliated by Black Knight pinball. And I welcome all the rest of you who knew the arcades and miss them to come and visit us. We know what you have been missing. We get it. When is the last time you go to hear the sound that Xevious makes when the coin mech is activated? When is the last time you repeatedly sunk arrows into the back of the head of the Warrior while your friend laughs and tells you to knock it off? When is the last time that between waves on Missile Command, you looked over and saw someone nodding thier head in time with "Hungry like the wolf"? When is the last time you walked into a room and it had THAT energy, that flashing light - attention noise - electric charge in the air that was what made the arcade the thing that it was. When was the last time you have stood in the middle of a floor full of video games and thought to yourself "This is right, this is the way it is supposed to be." Folks, you might think that this is just sentimentalism, but when I am in our arcade and everything is humming and there are 60 people there playing games and laughing and I have just had a grown man thank me for opening this place because the last time he got to play Karate Champ was when he was 12 with his father... I get emotional. Put away the obituary. There is an arcade that is exactly what you are longing for and exactly what you miss, and it is alive and well and it isn't going anywhere. Welcome back to 1984. http://www.1984arcade.com/ The arcade is not dead. I have a key in my pocket, and anytime I want I walk about 200 yards from my office over to 1984, put the key in the lock, and step back in time 23 years. “Whip It” plays from multiple screens mounted on the walls, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is coming soon, Peter Gunn blares at me from Spy Hunter, a robotic voice from GORF informs me that I am a “Space Cadet”. Galaga plays those few bars of music that I know so well. I can play a quick game of Ms. Pac, and then move over to Robotron. Asteroids, Tron, Tempest and Battlezone all stand ready for my play, while Sinistar keeps me informed of his hunger. And if I want to play Simon or twist on a Rubik’s cube, they are sitting right there on a table.

And Wednesday through Saturday from 4pm to 11pm, you can step back in time too.

Me and a few friends got tired of never being able to play pinball when we wanted, or finding a decent Joust game, or even just having a place where you can sit down and soak in that arcade ambient sound that I grew up with. So we made our own arcade.

I would cordially invite any of you who think that you can emulate games perfectly with Mame to come and play a game of Spy Hunter. I challenge any of you who think that a LAN party is the same atmosphere as an arcade to come and be publicly humiliated by Black Knight pinball. And I welcome all the rest of you who knew the arcades and miss them to come and visit us. We know what you have been missing.

We get it.

When is the last time you go to hear the sound that Xevious makes when the coin mech is activated? When is the last time you repeatedly sunk arrows into the back of the head of the Warrior while your friend laughs and tells you to knock it off? When is the last time that between waves on Missile Command, you looked over and saw someone nodding thier head in time with “Hungry like the wolf”? When is the last time you walked into a room and it had THAT energy, that flashing light - attention noise - electric charge in the air that was what made the arcade the thing that it was. When was the last time you have stood in the middle of a floor full of video games and thought to yourself “This is right, this is the way it is supposed to be.”

Folks, you might think that this is just sentimentalism, but when I am in our arcade and everything is humming and there are 60 people there playing games and laughing and I have just had a grown man thank me for opening this place because the last time he got to play Karate Champ was when he was 12 with his father… I get emotional.

Put away the obituary. There is an arcade that is exactly what you are longing for and exactly what you miss, and it is alive and well and it isn’t going anywhere.

Welcome back to 1984.

http://www.1984arcade.com/

]]> By: Lincoln http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-12135 Lincoln Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:35:30 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-12135 We invite you all to come and visit and play. Check out the website www.1984arcade.com We are living the dream, for us the arcade cannot die. Some us worked at arcades, others just hung out. Now we call the shots, to make things a little easier we switched to freeplay, pay five at the door and play all you want. My first "home" arcade was Shakeys pizza on Glenstone in Springfield Missouri. The arcade will live on. Lincoln We invite you all to come and visit and play. Check out the website http://www.1984arcade.com We are living the dream, for us the arcade cannot die. Some us worked at arcades, others just hung out. Now we call the shots, to make things a little easier we switched to freeplay, pay five at the door and play all you want. My first “home” arcade was Shakeys pizza on Glenstone in Springfield Missouri. The arcade will live on.

Lincoln

]]> By: AdamDawes http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-6428 AdamDawes Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:35:47 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-6428 I also grew up with a huge fondness of the amusement arcades. Every summer my family would go to a little seaside town on the east coast of the UK that was PACKED with them, all blaring out their fantastic tunes and sound effects. They were truly excellent times. I eventually got to the point where I mastered several games, and as you say, it was a great feeling to have a crowd of people standing around watching as you applied your gaming skills. When I grew up a bit and left school, I stopped visiting amusement arcades. During this time the home consoles such as the Playstation started to really take hold. I was genuinely upset when I visited my first arcade for quite some time, a few years ago. The games were all gone. All that was left were fruit machines and the odd driving/shooting game. The heart had been ripped from the arcade and nothing of any value had filled in the void. A couple of years back I re-visited my childhood holiday town, certain that I'd find that at least that place must have survived the ravages of time. But as I walked from one arcade to the next, all of the floor space that used to be filled with the machines I had played was now full of gambling machines. Devastating. Whenever I get an opportunity, I still take a quick stroll around any arcade I happen to pass. And every time I'm disappointed by what I find. The thing that puzzles me is, what do young people DO on holiday these days? Sure, I used to enjoy other parts of my holidays too, but visiting the arcade was definitely the focal point. Now that's gone I can't help but think things must be very boring... Recently I've rennovated my own arcade machine and even built a sit-down driving cabinet from scratch (all of which can be seen on my website at www.adamdawes.com) and it's nice to know that I have some kind of physical connection to the arcades of my youth. But it's sad to think that the only way I'll ever be able to visit a "real" arcade in the future is in my memories. The arcades that we used to visit are lost in the mists of time, and never will return. I also grew up with a huge fondness of the amusement arcades. Every summer my family would go to a little seaside town on the east coast of the UK that was PACKED with them, all blaring out their fantastic tunes and sound effects.

They were truly excellent times. I eventually got to the point where I mastered several games, and as you say, it was a great feeling to have a crowd of people standing around watching as you applied your gaming skills.

When I grew up a bit and left school, I stopped visiting amusement arcades. During this time the home consoles such as the Playstation started to really take hold.

I was genuinely upset when I visited my first arcade for quite some time, a few years ago. The games were all gone. All that was left were fruit machines and the odd driving/shooting game. The heart had been ripped from the arcade and nothing of any value had filled in the void.

A couple of years back I re-visited my childhood holiday town, certain that I’d find that at least that place must have survived the ravages of time. But as I walked from one arcade to the next, all of the floor space that used to be filled with the machines I had played was now full of gambling machines. Devastating.

Whenever I get an opportunity, I still take a quick stroll around any arcade I happen to pass. And every time I’m disappointed by what I find. The thing that puzzles me is, what do young people DO on holiday these days? Sure, I used to enjoy other parts of my holidays too, but visiting the arcade was definitely the focal point. Now that’s gone I can’t help but think things must be very boring…

Recently I’ve rennovated my own arcade machine and even built a sit-down driving cabinet from scratch (all of which can be seen on my website at http://www.adamdawes.com) and it’s nice to know that I have some kind of physical connection to the arcades of my youth. But it’s sad to think that the only way I’ll ever be able to visit a “real” arcade in the future is in my memories. The arcades that we used to visit are lost in the mists of time, and never will return.

]]> By: Todd http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-5738 Todd Mon, 08 Jan 2007 23:14:49 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-5738 They're not all gone... There's a great place in Earlington, PA (Near Souderton/Montgomeryville/Lansdale). http://www.pinball-parlour.com - Check out the Game List for all the details. Disclaimer: A friend of mine runs the place. They’re not all gone… There’s a great place in Earlington, PA (Near Souderton/Montgomeryville/Lansdale). http://www.pinball-parlour.com - Check out the Game List for all the details.

Disclaimer: A friend of mine runs the place.

]]> By: Number6 http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-5723 Number6 Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:01:00 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-5723 Apparently, we can go back to the 80s arcade. There's a retro-arcade in Portland, Oregon. http://www.groundkontrol.com I have never been to this arcade -- I live far from Portland -- but I discovered the website after finding these wonderful, nostalgia-inducing pictures, all taken at Ground Kontrol. I love the lights glowing in the dark: http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=191435323&size=l http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=191435089&size=l http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=191435245&size=l Apparently, we can go back to the 80s arcade. There’s a retro-arcade in Portland, Oregon.

http://www.groundkontrol.com

I have never been to this arcade — I live far from Portland — but I discovered the website after finding these wonderful, nostalgia-inducing pictures, all taken at Ground Kontrol. I love the lights glowing in the dark:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=191435323&size=l

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=191435089&size=l

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=191435245&size=l

]]> By: Rob http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-1294 Rob Thu, 09 Nov 2006 14:25:42 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-1294 I guess there are some advantages with living in a Third World country, because where I live (Panama) there are still arcades. Honest-to-God arcades where it's dark, it smells like smoke and iron and people still hold that comaradery... that gamer code of honor that's been around for over 20 years. I've gone to several but my favorite is still this one that to this day continues to be inside this ridiculously old mall; the arcade was called "Jordano," and even though it changed its name a few years back it'll always, ALWAYS be "Jordano" to my friends, my gamer comrades and I. I played so many games in that place. Galaga, Space Invaders, Pac-Man... played my first beat-them-up there (that massive 8-player X-Men brawler!!!) and first fighting game... got my first blister there, too. So many memories. I dunno, things might've changed and the games might've changed its focus on score to the spirit of competition but everything at some point has to change in order for it to evolve. Nobody can take away my memories from me, though... no one. Now that the crummy old mall where the arcade is at is now being renovated into one of those shiny and pedestrian super malls I don't know what's gonna happen to my arcade. I'm sure as hell going today, though... thanks for reminding me of the good ol' days. I guess there are some advantages with living in a Third World country, because where I live (Panama) there are still arcades. Honest-to-God arcades where it’s dark, it smells like smoke and iron and people still hold that comaradery… that gamer code of honor that’s been around for over 20 years. I’ve gone to several but my favorite is still this one that to this day continues to be inside this ridiculously old mall; the arcade was called “Jordano,” and even though it changed its name a few years back it’ll always, ALWAYS be “Jordano” to my friends, my gamer comrades and I.

I played so many games in that place. Galaga, Space Invaders, Pac-Man… played my first beat-them-up there (that massive 8-player X-Men brawler!!!) and first fighting game… got my first blister there, too. So many memories. I dunno, things might’ve changed and the games might’ve changed its focus on score to the spirit of competition but everything at some point has to change in order for it to evolve. Nobody can take away my memories from me, though… no one.

Now that the crummy old mall where the arcade is at is now being renovated into one of those shiny and pedestrian super malls I don’t know what’s gonna happen to my arcade. I’m sure as hell going today, though… thanks for reminding me of the good ol’ days.

]]> By: halosoul http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-783 halosoul Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:15:29 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-783 We've never really had an arcade where I've grown up, of course I've played the odd machine here and there but just recently I spent a large portion of the afternoon in an arcade with some freinds, and I really didn't want to leave. We battled it out of Street Fighter Alpha 3 and K.O.F 2002 mostly. I'd managed to beat my friend Adam on Alpha 3, I noticed that someone was watching, a stranger... After Adam had left his seat and I had began plowing through the game the dark staranger sat down next to me and pressed start, picked Guy...he didn't say a word, someone had challenged me! After a heated battle he won, I said well done and smiled, he didn't say a word, I think I saw a smirk, I then left him to it. After a bit I decided I'd have another go and fed some money into the change machine, when i turned round, he had gone... That was a pretty cool arcade experience, one day I hope to go back and challenge 'The Shadow' again We’ve never really had an arcade where I’ve grown up, of course I’ve played the odd machine here and there but just recently I spent a large portion of the afternoon in an arcade with some freinds, and I really didn’t want to leave.

We battled it out of Street Fighter Alpha 3 and K.O.F 2002 mostly. I’d managed to beat my friend Adam on Alpha 3, I noticed that someone was watching, a stranger…

After Adam had left his seat and I had began plowing through the game the dark staranger sat down next to me and pressed start, picked Guy…he didn’t say a word, someone had challenged me! After a heated battle he won, I said well done and smiled, he didn’t say a word, I think I saw a smirk, I then left him to it. After a bit I decided I’d have another go and fed some money into the change machine, when i turned round, he had gone…

That was a pretty cool arcade experience, one day I hope to go back and challenge
‘The Shadow’ again

]]> By: David http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-741 David Fri, 01 Sep 2006 16:18:47 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-741 feel free to check my webby at http://www.arcadejukebox.homecall.co.uk its not great but you might get a idea of what will be going in my cabinet ALTERED BEAST feel free to check my webby at http://www.arcadejukebox.homecall.co.uk
its not great but you might get a idea of what will be going in my cabinet ALTERED BEAST

]]> By: David http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-740 David Fri, 01 Sep 2006 16:17:22 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-740 can u believe it i got a cab my dad found me one im either getting it to night or tomorrow i haven't seen it but have been told it needs a lot of work i presume its a rust bucket of a thing got it for nothing so the electic sander paint brush will be out this week end can u believe it i got a cab my dad found me one im either getting it to night or tomorrow i haven’t seen it but have been told it needs a lot of work i presume its a rust bucket of a thing got it for nothing so the electic sander paint brush will be out this week end

]]> By: danzuke (NetPhantom) http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-716 danzuke (NetPhantom) Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:33:45 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-716 Try this site http://www.mameworld.net/ they have all kinds of sites for DIY kits and places to order parts. You'll save a ton of money building it yourself. I've been thinking about tackling it myself one of these days. Though I'll say nothing beats the real thing Try this site http://www.mameworld.net/ they have all kinds of sites for DIY kits and places to order parts. You’ll save a ton of money building it yourself. I’ve been thinking about tackling it myself one of these days.

Though I’ll say nothing beats the real thing

]]> By: David http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-715 David Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:27:14 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-715 hi latest update from me got a midway classic cd rom for the pc spyhunter smash tv , defender great am lovin it shame i haven't got a arcade cab to put it in does anyone no of a place that sells a empty shell cab near bristol england???? hi latest update from me got a midway classic cd rom for the pc spyhunter smash tv , defender great am lovin it shame i haven’t got a arcade cab to put it in does anyone no of a place that sells a empty shell cab near bristol england????

]]> By: David http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-557 David Sun, 06 Aug 2006 11:36:08 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-557 i agree those machines keep you happy for about ten mins after spending a fiver but then u get bored as you can get past a certain levelat least with high score the pricable is simple but the game might get faster or something to make it more challenging i agree those machines keep you happy for about ten mins after spending a fiver but then u get bored as you can get past a certain levelat least with high score the pricable is simple but the game might get faster or something to make it more challenging

]]> By: danzuke (NetPhantom) http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-549 danzuke (NetPhantom) Sat, 05 Aug 2006 18:50:15 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-549 There are still arcades around, but the games are mostly huge involved cabinets like shooting and driving games, in an effort to give you something you can't play at home. They're expensive to buy, so the games usually stay there forever. They're ok in certain situations, like on vacation or at an amusement park, but it just ain't the same. There are still arcades around, but the games are mostly huge involved cabinets like shooting and driving games, in an effort to give you something you can’t play at home. They’re expensive to buy, so the games usually stay there forever. They’re ok in certain situations, like on vacation or at an amusement park, but it just ain’t the same.

]]> By: David http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-547 David Sat, 05 Aug 2006 13:52:20 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-547 Hi, I’m 14 will be 15 soon and live in England, Great Britain, I can’t help but see how our country is not as great as it was. Everything is going down hill. Now you fear to go out late at night because you bike might get nicked or you could get killed. I would have loved to have been born in the 80's but was born in the 90's 91 to be precise. where I live there is a small crappy arcade thing for over 18's only and a local video arcade but its very expensive just to shoot a few dead things and then get ate I mean these game can be played on your Xbox or PS2 at home for the price of the electric over and over again. If they brought back 80's style arcades I feel kids could enjoy there childhoods get out rather than being sat down in front of a TV. Recently I have decided to take things into my own hands and build an upright myself and put it in the garage so I can at least have something to enlighten me about the 80’s. I have always been a old style arcade fan would have a Sega mega drive over the ps2 any day how ever times are changing but how I wish someone would open a bog standard arcade so you could kick and hit a machine as your friend just beat u. Does this make sense???? Hi, I’m 14 will be 15 soon and live in England, Great Britain,

I can’t help but see how our country is not as great as it was. Everything is going down hill. Now you fear to go out late at night because you bike might get nicked or you could get killed. I would have loved to have been born in the 80’s but was born in the 90’s 91 to be precise. where I live there is a small crappy arcade thing for over 18’s only and a local video arcade but its very expensive just to shoot a few dead things and then get ate I mean these game can be played on your Xbox or PS2 at home for the price of the electric over and over again. If they brought back 80’s style arcades I feel kids could enjoy there childhoods get out rather than being sat down in front of a TV. Recently I have decided to take things into my own hands and build an upright myself and put it in the garage so I can at least have something to enlighten me about the 80’s. I have always been a old style arcade fan would have a Sega mega drive over the ps2 any day how ever times are changing but how I wish someone would open a bog standard arcade so you could kick and hit a machine as your friend just beat u.

Does this make sense????

]]> By: danzuke (NetPhantom) http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-543 danzuke (NetPhantom) Sat, 05 Aug 2006 05:28:02 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-543 This is still my favorite article, if for no other reason that I really walked down memory lane when I wrote it. It brought back a ton of memories that I hadnt thought about in YEARS This is still my favorite article, if for no other reason that I really walked down memory lane when I wrote it. It brought back a ton of memories that I hadnt thought about in YEARS

]]> By: Michael http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-533 Michael Fri, 04 Aug 2006 04:07:06 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-533 As an arcade manager during my college years, this article hits home. I spent 40+ hours a week in my store while attending college full time - my arcade was my home. It's been more than a decade since I left and I still see and talk to some of the regulars of which you spoke. I've watched them grow from young kids whose parents dropped them at the mall alone for the first time to first rate adults that have earned success just as they earned those 3 character high-scores. Yes, I miss it. As an arcade manager during my college years, this article hits home. I spent 40+ hours a week in my store while attending college full time - my arcade was my home.

It’s been more than a decade since I left and I still see and talk to some of the regulars of which you spoke. I’ve watched them grow from young kids whose parents dropped them at the mall alone for the first time to first rate adults that have earned success just as they earned those 3 character high-scores.

Yes, I miss it.

]]> By: spe_22 http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-532 spe_22 Fri, 04 Aug 2006 03:38:28 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-532 As a kid we had an arcade that was attached to a local mini-golf venue. Every Saturday morning at 9am, a gang of about 10 of us would wake up and all get on our bikes to ride the mile to the arcade. While I never really got into fighting games much, it was amazing to watch friends play the original Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter 2. We all marveled at the introduction of Mortal Kombat 2 and spent about two summers hanging out at the arcade every Saturday morning. It honestly was blissful and I have vivid memories of my friend Chris actually punching a wall when he lost at MK. The flashing lights and colorful sounds all faded once we learned to drive and figure out the whole girl thing. As a kid we had an arcade that was attached to a local mini-golf venue. Every Saturday morning at 9am, a gang of about 10 of us would wake up and all get on our bikes to ride the mile to the arcade. While I never really got into fighting games much, it was amazing to watch friends play the original Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter 2. We all marveled at the introduction of Mortal Kombat 2 and spent about two summers hanging out at the arcade every Saturday morning. It honestly was blissful and I have vivid memories of my friend Chris actually punching a wall when he lost at MK. The flashing lights and colorful sounds all faded once we learned to drive and figure out the whole girl thing.

]]> By: danzuke (NetPhantom) http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-84 danzuke (NetPhantom) Fri, 23 Jun 2006 11:41:09 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-84 I don't think LAN cafes are the same thing. Everyone brings their own equipment, then although they play together, you put your headphones on and sit alone. It's kind of solitary, and not really like everyone crowding around 2 people playing. It has a much different vibe. I don’t think LAN cafes are the same thing. Everyone brings their own equipment, then although they play together, you put your headphones on and sit alone. It’s kind of solitary, and not really like everyone crowding around 2 people playing. It has a much different vibe.

]]> By: Nezuji http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-78 Nezuji Fri, 23 Jun 2006 07:53:26 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-78 I live in Melbourne, Australia, where if you know where to look, the 80's-style arcade is alive and kicking. Down at the corner of Russell and Bourke Streets in the middle of the CBD, there are three deep, dark, and somewhat dank video arcades with cabinets packed in as close together as possible. And as someone who also grew up in the "Golden Age of Arcades"... I can say that it WAS (and IS) as good as you remember. With the possible exception of the cigarette smoke ;) LAN cafes... Well LAN cafes are good, but they're just not quite the same. I live in Melbourne, Australia, where if you know where to look, the 80’s-style arcade is alive and kicking. Down at the corner of Russell and Bourke Streets in the middle of the CBD, there are three deep, dark, and somewhat dank video arcades with cabinets packed in as close together as possible. And as someone who also grew up in the “Golden Age of Arcades”… I can say that it WAS (and IS) as good as you remember. With the possible exception of the cigarette smoke ;)

LAN cafes… Well LAN cafes are good, but they’re just not quite the same.

]]> By: Wuggl3z http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-72 Wuggl3z Thu, 22 Jun 2006 14:17:55 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-72 arcades were never as big in britain, its a shame there is usually a small arcade with a couple of racing games and things like house of the dead at bowling alleys but they are really expensive arcades were never as big in britain, its a shame there is usually a small arcade with a couple of racing games and things like house of the dead at bowling alleys but they are really expensive

]]> By: martian kyo http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-69 martian kyo Thu, 22 Jun 2006 05:41:57 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-69 I entered the arcade world just around when fighting games got popluar. But yes I loved everything about it, the cigaret stench, the darkness and the time when a new machine arrives and everyone gathers around it... eagerly waiting for their turn. I like what you said, "I feel bad for me, cause if they were still around, I’d still be there.". Great article! I entered the arcade world just around when fighting games got popluar. But yes I loved everything about it, the cigaret stench, the darkness and the time when a new machine arrives and everyone gathers around it… eagerly waiting for their turn. I like what you said, “I feel bad for me, cause if they were still around, I’d still be there.”.
Great article!

]]> By: rudy http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-66 rudy Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:04:53 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-66 Yeah, it was Alladin's castle around here for years. We've got a Time-out up at the local mall now... only reason I know is because I spent some time playing Ms. PacMan istead of christmas shopping this past year. And sure, you can play a couple of games while waiting for your movie to start, but only if, like everyone else has mentioned, you like racing and light gun games. No Final Fight, no Pinball machines.... really kind of makes me physically ill. I see vids about arcades in Japan and I wonder what they did different there. I've always thought that LAN cafes should have a selection of cabinets and pinball games, but it doesn't seem like they're very interested, like they don't understand the connection. Of course, they always go out of business after a few months around here. Yeah, it was Alladin’s castle around here for years. We’ve got a Time-out up at the local mall now… only reason I know is because I spent some time playing Ms. PacMan istead of christmas shopping this past year. And sure, you can play a couple of games while waiting for your movie to start, but only if, like everyone else has mentioned, you like racing and light gun games. No Final Fight, no Pinball machines…. really kind of makes me physically ill. I see vids about arcades in Japan and I wonder what they did different there. I’ve always thought that LAN cafes should have a selection of cabinets and pinball games, but it doesn’t seem like they’re very interested, like they don’t understand the connection. Of course, they always go out of business after a few months around here.

]]> By: Dan http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-65 Dan Wed, 21 Jun 2006 17:51:07 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-65 I think everybody had that really cool Aladdin's Castle in their neck of the woods. I really do miss the sound of the arcade as you approached the entrance. The din of those old analog sounds was the best. I especially loved, as a special treat, putting a 5 dollar bill in the token machine. One of my best memories was eating at the Walgreens restaurant across from Aladdin's and I told my mom I was going to play Dragon's Lair. I was able to beat the game with one guy and I loved having that little crowd around me. Truly the only game I ever really mastered. I think everybody had that really cool Aladdin’s Castle in their neck of the woods. I really do miss the sound of the arcade as you approached the entrance. The din of those old analog sounds was the best. I especially loved, as a special treat, putting a 5 dollar bill in the token machine.

One of my best memories was eating at the Walgreens restaurant across from Aladdin’s and I told my mom I was going to play Dragon’s Lair. I was able to beat the game with one guy and I loved having that little crowd around me. Truly the only game I ever really mastered.

]]> By: ExtraLife - Scott Johnson’s Comics, Podcasts, Blog, Artwork, Humor and MORE! » Blog Archive » Death of the old school arcade system http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-64 ExtraLife - Scott Johnson’s Comics, Podcasts, Blog, Artwork, Humor and MORE! » Blog Archive » Death of the old school arcade system Wed, 21 Jun 2006 17:32:02 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-64 [...] Read all about it here. (Thanks again to danzuke) [...] [...] Read all about it here. (Thanks again to danzuke) [...]

]]> By: rike http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-62 rike Wed, 21 Jun 2006 17:09:20 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-62 Arcades may be dead ... but today kids have LAN Gaming centers which provide much the experience and community as yesterdays arcades. 30 - 50 - 100 gaming PCs decked out with clear cases and lights ... all connected to a Gig network and then to the world via T1 access! A place to hang out and prove your skill. Today it is not the top 10 list ... but placement on teams in various gaming organizations like CAL/CEVO etc. Space Invaders, Centipede, Pac Man have died ... but have been replaced by CounterStike, Call of Duty and Battlefield! Rike lanatomic.com Arcades may be dead … but today kids have LAN Gaming centers which provide much the experience and community as yesterdays arcades.

30 - 50 - 100 gaming PCs decked out with clear cases and lights … all connected to a Gig network and then to the world via T1 access!

A place to hang out and prove your skill. Today it is not the top 10 list … but placement on teams in various gaming organizations like CAL/CEVO etc.

Space Invaders, Centipede, Pac Man have died … but have been replaced by CounterStike, Call of Duty and Battlefield!

Rike
lanatomic.com

]]> By: pjs2575 http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-54 pjs2575 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 21:08:18 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-54 The town I grew up in didn't have an arcade until I was well into high school. So, as a kid, if we wanted to play a game we had to go to the gas station across town. During those years they had several different games, ending their run with Spy Hunter (my personal favorite), Street Fighter, and Skate or Die. The town I grew up in didn’t have an arcade until I was well into high school. So, as a kid, if we wanted to play a game we had to go to the gas station across town. During those years they had several different games, ending their run with Spy Hunter (my personal favorite), Street Fighter, and Skate or Die.

]]> By: Joe http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-53 Joe Tue, 20 Jun 2006 20:33:31 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-53 While reading, I pictured the narrator of the Wonder Years reciting this in my head, with "Times They Are A'Changin" playing in the background. While reading, I pictured the narrator of the Wonder Years reciting this in my head, with “Times They Are A’Changin” playing in the background.

]]> By: rdaneel72 http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-51 rdaneel72 Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:23:51 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-51 The arcade is dead. The brightly-lit, family-friendly indoor amusement centers that remain are just sad, hollow shells of what once was. But, in the distant past, when home consoles were limited to 4K carts and 16 colors, the arcade reigned. There were no costumed animals juggling for screaming birthday boys; no coin-op carousal, ball-crawl or Whack-a-Mole. There was instead a darkness illuminated by nothing but lighted marquees and monitors, a deafening mix of rock n' roll and sound effects, a stale odor of sweat and flat cola, and smoke-- lots of smoke. The arcade was bliss; a sensual paradise of electronic over-stimulation. It was there I learned my most valued lessons; how to smooth the wrinkles out of a dollar bill so the change machine will take it, how to mark your turn on an occupied game by placing a quarter on the control panel, and how to place your gun under a column of mushrooms and continually massacre that wily Centipede. Atari 2600 and Intellivision were great fun, but the arcade was the real deal; cutting edge graphics and sound, unique controllers, spirited competition among perfect strangers, and the immortality of your initials in the top ten. The arcade is dead, and I miss it. The arcade is dead. The brightly-lit, family-friendly indoor amusement centers that remain are just sad, hollow shells of what once was. But, in the distant past, when home consoles were limited to 4K carts and 16 colors, the arcade reigned. There were no costumed animals juggling for screaming birthday boys; no coin-op carousal, ball-crawl or Whack-a-Mole. There was instead a darkness illuminated by nothing but lighted marquees and monitors, a deafening mix of rock n’ roll and sound effects, a stale odor of sweat and flat cola, and smoke– lots of smoke.

The arcade was bliss; a sensual paradise of electronic over-stimulation. It was there I learned my most valued lessons; how to smooth the wrinkles out of a dollar bill so the change machine will take it, how to mark your turn on an occupied game by placing a quarter on the control panel, and how to place your gun under a column of mushrooms and continually massacre that wily Centipede. Atari 2600 and Intellivision were great fun, but the arcade was the real deal; cutting edge graphics and sound, unique controllers, spirited competition among perfect strangers, and the immortality of your initials in the top ten.

The arcade is dead, and I miss it.

]]> By: Les http://www.thebbps.com/blog/2006/06/20/lamentation-of-my-youth-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-49 Les Tue, 20 Jun 2006 13:14:16 +0000 http://www.bitsbytespixelssprites.com/blog/2006/06/20/you-got-a-high-score-enter-your-initials-the-sad-death-of-the-arcade/#comment-49 I remember the Golden Age of Arcades fondly myself. My favorite was also an Aladdin’s Castle located in the mall I haunted in my youth. Countless are the hours and cash I spent in that darkened abyss playing Elevator Action, Pac Man, Mappy, Space Invaders, Spy Hunter, Galaga, Jungle King, Rolling Thunder, Cliff Hanger, Dragon's Lair and so on. When it came to entering my initials on the high score list I was fortunate to have a first name that was three letters long so that's what I used. Yeah I miss those days on occasion, but I don't think I'd really be willing to trade in my PS2/PC and copies of World of Warcraft/Metal Gear Solid 3/God of War just to go back to them again. Those arcades of old are all the more magical because they don't exist anymore. Something I can be haughty about to my 13 year old nephew who likes to think he's an uber-gamer. Son, let me tell you about the Good Old Days... I remember the Golden Age of Arcades fondly myself. My favorite was also an Aladdin’s Castle located in the mall I haunted in my youth. Countless are the hours and cash I spent in that darkened abyss playing Elevator Action, Pac Man, Mappy, Space Invaders, Spy Hunter, Galaga, Jungle King, Rolling Thunder, Cliff Hanger, Dragon’s Lair and so on. When it came to entering my initials on the high score list I was fortunate to have a first name that was three letters long so that’s what I used.

Yeah I miss those days on occasion, but I don’t think I’d really be willing to trade in my PS2/PC and copies of World of Warcraft/Metal Gear Solid 3/God of War just to go back to them again. Those arcades of old are all the more magical because they don’t exist anymore. Something I can be haughty about to my 13 year old nephew who likes to think he’s an uber-gamer.

Son, let me tell you about the Good Old Days…

]]>