Ranting about arcades

There is something in the world of video games that I really miss and that's a good arcade. I completely understand why arcades are gone right now (for the most part) but that doesn't mean I can't mourn the departure of good arcades. Arcades are gone because honestly the home experience is much better than the arcade experience. The only real thing that arcades have to offer now are gimmick games (ones that have some crazy accessory to play). But what I really miss are the arcades that I remember in the late 80s and early 90s. One that I went to a lot was a place in Monterey, California that I remember being called the Edgewater Packing Company (from what I understand it is closed now). There was a carousel in the building which was neat and I have memories of my grandma taking me there and riding the carousel. But the main attraction for me was the arcade. I have always loved arcades which is not surprising since I love video games and pinball.

I remember being so happy every time I went in there seeing the new games (usually with my friend Jovette). We would go in there and just have tons of fun spending time at the arcade. I remember playing Dragon's Lair and just getting owned so hard which is not a uncommon occurrence with that game. I briefly remember there being a holographic game at the arcade about time travel called Time Traveler. I don't think I ever played it but I remember it capturing my imagination when I was young (I was 9 when it came out). The game I remember playing the most when I was younger was the Simpson's arcade game. That game was a great value when I was young because you could usually play quite a while with a quarter. I'm surprised that the Simpson's arcade game hasn't come out for home consoles yet. It is probably a licensing issue but I would love to see it on the Xbox Live Arcade. More after the break.

I remember coming down one summer and Street Fighter 3 came out. I was blown away by the animation on that game and I just thought it was so good looking (I still do love that way that game looks). I remember using some of the money I had playing that game and the game just rocking me so hard. That game was brutal to play but it was still really fun. I know they had a ton of games there, way too many to remember especially after this long of a time. Daytona USA was a game that blew my mind when I was young, I thought that it looked so amazing and was going to be the direction that games were going in regards to graphics. The game looked so good at the time (doesn't look amazing by todays standards). Back when I was younger playing arcade games was such a experience and that is what made them so special to me. I always love a good arcade even to this day I get kinda excited about going to a arcade. The problem is that the gimmicky stuff is not really for me. I want a arcade with more classic type arcade games.

I have always loved pinball machines but I haven't really played a ton of them in person because my dad had one at his house and it is still one of my favorites to this day. There is something very special and familiar about the machine that my dad owns which is the Pioneer pinball machine pictured above. We used to play that game as a family when I was younger and we kept high scores with a wax pen on the backglass. Whenever a relative came over or a friend and they got a new high score we would write it with the wax pen. The machine itself is not complex or anything like that but it's the personal memories attached which make it so special to me. The sound of the machine is another thing that sends chills up my spine, no real music or anything but the bells and pops that come out of the machine is just so amazing to me. It makes me remember when I was a little kid whenever I play or hear that machine.

Up here in Bend there is a different arcade experience for me. I first played Space Harrier in the Mountain View Mall at the arcade after I moved over here. I have very fond memories of play Bubble Bobble, Bloody Roar, and Metal Slug waiting for my mom to get done shopping. I also used to play Dance Dance Revolution like a fiend when that started getting big over here in the states. During this time it was kinda a social event playing that game and I had a great time when that game was in it's prime. Just thought I would mention that Neptune's Kingdom in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is pretty amazing, lots of classic and new arcade machines there (at least there were the last time I was there). The one arcade that I really want to go to is Funspot over on the east coast. That arcade was in King of Kong and it is just full of all sorts of great old arcade machines. I think that is gonna end my ranting on arcades for now, I really miss good arcades...