#1
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Vintage Arcades-What became of the coin-op machines?
So, growing up, I had console games but used to always haunt the many local arcades of the time. Nowadays, not one of those 4 locations exists.
I mean, I have memories (and VHS footage) of some fully-equipped, crowded arcades in NY from about '-87 to '94. We used to drive there in my dad's woodpaneled Jeep. Long time ago . It is sad to think that all of those flashy, noisy, fun video terminals got recycled or whatever when they shut the places down. Over the years I have wondered what happened when the video arcades disappeared. On the net, I see that some guys collect these coinop machines, but is anyone still swapping in new 19VJTP22s when they get screen burn? |
#2
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Once those machines were no longer attracting lots of quarters and their CRTs were dying, they probably had the same fate as console TV sets from homes: Off to the landfills, mostly.
19VJTP22 CRTs are no longer available. Some people have tried finding early-1980s TV sets with that or similar tubes to use, and others use RGB-to-VGA (15.75 kHz to 31.5 kHz or higher) converters and put in flat-panel monitors in their old arcade cabinets. There are probably lots of these machines still sitting in the storage rooms or basements of bars and other businesses, just as with home TV sets in attics and so on.
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Chris Quote from another forum: "(Antique TV collecting) always seemed to me to be a fringe hobby that only weirdos did." |
#3
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In Chicago there are a few popular "barcades" where the original 80s and 90s machines have been restored back to public operating condition. The bars often serve microbrews and have the games set to free play or run for 25 cents. I'm a big fan.
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#4
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Emporium is just a few block away from me http://emporiumchicago.com/
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#5
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Audiokarma |
#6
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I mi$$ good arcades!!!!!
Ms pacman,frogger,Galaga,dig dug,etc |
#7
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Microbrews plus pinball? Why did I ever move away from Chicago?
I need to visit those the next time I am back in town to visit my family. Thanks for posting those places.
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Chris Quote from another forum: "(Antique TV collecting) always seemed to me to be a fringe hobby that only weirdos did." |
#8
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This place is a local favorite in Pittsburgh. It is BYOB and crazy fun . I had my bachelor party there.
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John |
#9
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2 other retrocades in Chicago
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Chris, next time you're back home, you'll have to check out Underground Retrocade in West Dundee. They have 100 machines! $15 entrance fee. Unlimited free play on all machines. http://undergroundretrocade.com/ Then if you're still fiending, check out Galloping Ghost. Not as good a location, but they have (I shit you not) 400 machines. Same deal. One admission fee. All games unlimited play. http://www.gallopingghostarcade.com/games_list.htm BTW, I'm talking about arcade machines. If you're strictly talking pinball, then stick with Emporium. At least you can have a brew there. |
#10
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Thank you for the information, and welcome to Videokarma, xefned. Both places seem to have lots of good games including some nice pinball machines.
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Chris Quote from another forum: "(Antique TV collecting) always seemed to me to be a fringe hobby that only weirdos did." |
Audiokarma |
#11
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My partner(Steve) worked as an arcade tech for many years, in Spokane, WA. He loved the job, but unfortuneatly he was let go(not enough work). The company he worked for repaired the arcade games for people as well as owning their own arcade at the mall in Spokane. It was in the basement of the mall, with the ceiling open to the first floor. We were just up in Spokane last month and we went to the mall. Steve wanted to see if anyone he knew still worked there. The arcade was no longer there, and the floor had been all closed off. No longer could you look over a rail into the basement arcade. It was just all floor. Someone had bought a bowling alley in Spokane and also the arcade business. She runs both from the location.
Steve had told me, that at the time, if the arcade game or pinball machine didn't pay for itself in 3 months, it wasn't worth keeping it. |
#12
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The super at my old building used to repair arcade machines at his place. I had a loan of two of them at one time, I could just open them and trip the switches to simulate coin insertion. I really liked the swiveling table model with some version of Brick-Out. Probably a 12" color screen in that unit. I could swear that it is partially visible in one of my old photos, I'll have to check that out.
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#13
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I mean I like MAME but it doesnt sound AS GOOD as ther original games did at all!! Here is another retro arcade in New Hamsphire www.classicarcademuseum.org |
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