do kids still go to arcades?

Maverick

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2000
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I remember when I was in middle school and late elementary I used to love arcades...but it seems like these days kids are more into consoles and playing online games. Are arcades still seeing a lot of business? You never hear about the latest arcade releases for games anymore.
 

kt

Diamond Member
Apr 1, 2000
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Most kids go to internet cafe pseudo gaming shop and play online games.
 

TommyVercetti

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2003
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The only arcades I know of are in malls, and I don't see a lot of people there. If anyone, it would be the grown ups going there to play the old games.
 

Dedpuhl

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
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Why play arcade games when kids nowadays have access to big screen TV's and near arcade-quality consoles?

My friends and I played arcade games nonstop until the SNES versions came out (Killer Instinct, Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3), etc. Even then, we went less cause we had good enough versions at home.

 

Sideswipe001

Golden Member
May 23, 2003
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Last time I went to an arcade was Gameworks in Seattle. That place rocks, but you have to pay for the unlimited use pass. It's just sucky to go and throw down $1 a game anymore.
 

virusag11

Senior member
May 22, 2002
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Nah, most kids go over to friends houses now. Arcades are way to expensive. I remember getting 24 tokens for 5$ and each game took a single token. Its like 75¢ for most games now.
 

ThaGrandCow

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
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The only arcades left are the ones that specialize in the total experience (moving seats, gimmick controllers, etc.) The traditional arcade filled w/standard game cabinets and 27" monitors for 2 people to stand in front of and move 8-way joysticks is all but dead.

The downside is arcades now cost like $1/game.

The traditional arcade is dead, and the new arcades are very few and far between.
 

aircooled

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
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I'm an arcade veteran from the '80s

Space Invaders
Pac-Man
Donkey Kong
Asteroids

Ahh memories..... :)
 

TheAudit

Diamond Member
May 2, 2003
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There are hardly any real arcades left around.
Remember when games were a quarter? Special games were fifty cents.
Now they give out cards and games cost a dollar, two dollars or more.
No one really makes arcade games anymore, only a trickle come down the pipeline.

I still hit the local Dave and Busters every so often to play their basketball games, but they hardly ever get any new games at all.
 

royaldank

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2001
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I find it amusing that the #1 grossing arcade machine of all time is very rarely seen in arcades. Golden Tee has surpassed them all in total revenue but is rarely seen outside of bars.

I think arcades are a dying pleasure. Kids today have consoles that are basically just as good as anything in arcades. Heck, arcade machines nowdays are powered by souped up console boards. So, unless you are playing the latest and greatest releases, you are probably playing on equipment older and less powerful than your console at home.

But, places like Dave and Busters or Jullians have realized that adults like arcades machines. The re-surgance of arcades may be an adult thing now. No more arcades but rather late night clubs were folks can play 20 person Daytona racing.

GlobalVR has a new Need For Speed machine about to come out. It will have national tournaments each month. They are trying to extend the Golden Tee type product to another genre. Doubt it will be as big as GT or PGA, but it's a cool idea.
 

TheAudit

Diamond Member
May 2, 2003
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Originally posted by: maziwanka
i would go if the games werent so damn expensive. i wish there were nickel arcades in nyc.

Go to the Broadway Arcade and get a $25 card and see how long it will last you
(i.e., not very long).
 

WobbleWobble

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
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I still frequent arcades. Although you won't see little kids there anymore, they tend to be more for gangster type young adults.
 

trilks

Golden Member
Aug 16, 2002
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i spend many an hour in the arcades. $.25 games, high tech games were $.50, and my favorite, the "50 to start, 25 to continue" games. arcades these days are just the dollar games, which i dont even find that fun. give me SFII Tournament, MK (the first one), NBA Jam, and Star Trek pinball, and im good to go.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Last time I was in an arcade...well, it will be the last time. The graphics were worse than any game I can play on my xbox and I still had to pay a good bit for them. I suppose some arcade games are probably worth playing, but I can safely say that most arcades suck badly now.
 

ComputerMonkey

Senior member
Sep 25, 2002
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I remember when I was growing up (I'm 24 now) there were arcades in every single mall around. Ah, those were the days.

I've actually gone to a couple of arcades recently for one reason: Pinball. Ever since discovering Vpinmame and Visual Pinball (screenshots & available tables here) I've fell in love with pinball. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed playing them. Being able to play all of the tables that I remember as a kid on my computer is amazing. Now when I play the real thing it's so much better.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Originally posted by: ComputerMonkey
I remember when I was growing up (I'm 24 now) there were arcades in every single mall around. Ah, those were the days.

I've actually gone to a couple of arcades recently for one reason: Pinball. Ever since discovering Vpinmame and Visual Pinball (screenshots & available tables here) I've fell in love with pinball. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed playing them. Being able to play all of the tables that I remember as a kid on my computer is amazing. Now when I play the real thing it's so much better.
Man, I just could never like pinball. I hated the aspect of it that relied on luck of where the ball went.

 

Maverick

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2000
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so it looks like arcades really are a dying breed. Last time I want to an arcade was Dave and Busters...I think they make up the money they lose on letting you play for cheap by charging you outrageous prices for drinks and food.
 

CChaos

Golden Member
Mar 4, 2003
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I think I posted this in another thread on here awhile back, but when I was at the Seaside Heights boardwalk this summer, I found a "nostalgia" arcade behind the carosel. The carosel by the pier not Coin Castle, I can't recall the name. Anyway, they had every game I loved to play growing up and it was heaven. I'd highly recommend stopping in for some Crazy Climber, Spy Hunter, Punch-Out, Yeair Kung-Fu, Kung Fu Master, Karate Champ, vs. Excitebike, Track and Field, or a few dozen other classics.

EDIT: This is at the Jersey shore of course!
 

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
32,236
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doubtful. arcade games suck compared to what people have in their living room these days.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
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well i would if there were any! the 2 left that were near my house are gone. only option is gameworks, which is hella fun, but you have to get in on a good deal, but still expect to pay 30-40 bucks to play, but its worth it.

i love arcades.. regardless of what tv/systems/sound i have in my house.
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
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I go to Arcade Infinity still and I'm 20. But all they have are Imported Japanese Cabinets (mostly Music games, Bemani).
 

Lager

Diamond Member
May 19, 2003
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I will kick all yo asses in Street Fighter II Turbo/Hyper/Rainbow/Championship/Super with Ryu.