The Best and Worst Arcade & Game Rooms Ever

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The Best and Worst Arcade & Game Rooms Ever…

This is intended for those who wish to share their best, worst, or a combination of past experiences at an arcade or game room. Like many of you, I saw all kinds of different arcades and game rooms over the years. They could be anywhere really. In a lobby, a highway rest-stop, at a hotel, a restaurant, at an actual arcade, a mall…you get the picture.

What games do you remember these places having? Were the arcade games there horrible, boring, or so-so? Did you ever find yourself asking that question; why the hell would they ever have this particular arcade game here? It’s horrible. It’s dumbfounding really… (You know, those types of arcade games that no one in their right mind would ever play because they totally suck, and on one ever does) A glowing dust collector… Those games… (They are no MK or SF2) I never understood it and I never will. I would surmise that those who make the decisions ordering those machines haven’t the slightest concept of what people or the gamers actually liked. Or so it would seem…Of course, there are other factors to consider which must also be taken into account.

Additionally, the environment of the arcade/game room is important to consider when addressing this subject in its entirety. What about those cheap prizes? (provided the game room had such horrible ticket based incentives...) How filthy was the arcade or game room you visited? Were some of the machines totally broken, or were they half functional? Ever notice some odd and funky stain that might as well have been of otherworldly origin? Trash everywhere? Sticky soda stains? Partially eaten candy of sorts? Bubblegum? Any vomit? Should the arcade or game room have been condemned? Or was it actually semi-acceptable for an arcade/game room? What about the crowd there? Did you ever witness something crazy or funny go down at such a location?

Please share your tale of entertainment, humor, or torment.

The best arcade I've ever been to was probably at this place near Atlantic Beach. I'm sure its long gone now, its been FOREVER, but it was a mini-golf course and the whole place had this really awesome atmosphere. The course itself wasn't incredible, but I thought it was very neat, probably the nicest I've been to. Had bumper boats outside too (whee don't hit the panel or you'll get soaked!!). The actual arcade was a two floor building, on the outside it was built to resemble a larger thatched roof hut like you'd encounter in the jungle, but the inside was quite modern. I remember Samurai Showdown, Afterburner, Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and a ton of top down shooter stuff. I believe they had Street Fighter 2 turbo and Mortal Kombat 2, which was a very big deal for a long time. The bottom level had most of the video games and the top level had stuff like ski ball. I don't remember the prizes very well, its been forever.

For worst I almost want to nominate my local arcade, I had some bad experiences there, but it was actually a nicely equipped place for our little town. They had Mortal Kombat 2, Street Fighter 2 (or alpha..I can't remember), one of the Area 51 games and Xmen Children of the Atom (an all time favorite). I had one birthday party there, it really wasn't horrible. There was a bating cage and bumper boats too, I've heard the place has gone under but really it was a decent place. My town sucked so much we were lucky to have any place like it. I know that I liked collecting the tickets for prizes but I really can't remember the awards, in fact I think I had more fun collecting tickets instead of turning them in. I think I cashed in once for a stuffed animal that was of pretty shoddy quality..and then a piece of faux jewelry.


Worst arcade award is going to have to go to Chuck E. Cheeses. I went there once for a birthday party and don't even remember any video games there and all the rides and games were out of order. The animatronic band gave me nightmares too, really I was 5 or 6. I think a kid peed all over the floor too. Pretty nasty place.

Best arcade I ever went to was one in Buzios, Rio De Janeiro.
it was larger than the former SEGA World in London at its peak. Had all the latest games for its time including motion-based Tekken 3!

I went through all the floors, about 15 games, and won a lot of matches against randoms. Very good times.

My favorite was called Fun & Games in Framingham MA it was very cool for it's day 80's.
It had about 50-100 arcade games all only 1 quarter unlike now where it is nearly a dollar!
Good atmosphere (Roller Rink type) club like lighting playing disco and rock.
I could play all day on about $10

I was checking out some images of SEGA World and it looks awesome. The arcade in Brazil must have been amazing considering your description and personal account. That’s cool you're a Tekken fan, that happens to be a game that is amazing for many reasons. One such reason involves character mastery. Once you master a character, and understand the particular martial arts discipline of that character, you can be a difficult opponent to defeat. I happened to like the characters Baek and Hwoarang. Not because I liked 1 button cheapness, but because I like Tae Kwon Do, and also because once you understand their combos and are familiar with stance switching, you can seriously juggle people for years on end. It’s awesome.

That sounds cool, especially the idea of playing all day for $10. Your avatar looks familiar... That must be the gargoyle from Tales from the Dark side.

It would seem that back then especially, a good arcade had to have at least one of, or more of the following game units like: MK, MK2, SF2, etc, etc. If they did not, it automatically took it down several notches. If they did not have some of the other games which you mentioned which could help them make some kind of recovery, it is all over for that arcade. There are other factors like sanitation, game functionality etc, but the major thing to look for are the awesome titles. Also, venues like mini-golf, bumper cars/boats are a major plus as well because they offer variety. I really liked mini-golf because I could challenge myself a bit, and I did find it to be an enjoyable experience, especially with navigating the fancy obstacles.

Chuck E. Cheeses is where the T-virus was probably cultured…. Umbrella would have a deep vested interest in such an infectious environment. That place is filthy… Its right up there with places like ball pits, etc. (which can also be found at certain locations as well) I was there once as a kid, and even then I had this ominous feeling of being infected with something really, really, nasty. Most kids don’t care about such things, but I just felt odd like something was very off there. In response to your statement; it would not surprise me if some kid actually pissed all over the floor there, and on purpose too. That would probably be a typical day at ‘Chuck E. Cheeses…’ what’s the slogan…? “Where a kid can be a kid!” Infect everyone with nasty pathogens, and spread more bacteria… petri dish style! Be a kid!