Does anyone remember the 80's arcade in Gatlinburg TN?

AlkalineJay

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Does anyone remember the 80's arcade in Gatlinburg TN?

When I was in middle/high school, there was an 80's themed arcade in the gatlinburg mall, I remember it was the first place I ever got to play the original star wars, (and fell in love with it) anywho, it had a great collection of classic games. It didnt happen to be a fellow klover that owned it by chance? Anyone else ever see this place? Its now just a regular arcade with your standard games, not nearly as cool....
 
hmmmm...never heard about that. HOw long ago was this? Ive been meaning to check out Gatlinburg, just never got around to doing it.
 
I've been to Gatlinburg twice...its awesome. If you tell the local tourist traps that you live in the city you get a discount...just be ready to name a fake address. I didn't know about that arcade. Where was the mall?
 
it was about ten years ago, the mall is right near ripleys aquarium, where the road splits. I live about thirty minutes form gburg, so I am there quite a bit frequenting the arcades doing..."market research"....haha
 
I was just in Gatlinburg this past weekend. I never went to the arcade in the "indoor mall". We went in there a few days ago to buy some hot sauce at the "Pepper Palace", which is a pretty cool place. Back in the 80's, I remember the two best arcades were under the space needle and "Fanny Farkles". Both of them are still there, but they are mostly redemption ticket dispensing factories these days. I sure wish that I could jump in a time machine on go back there in the early 80's. They were really neat back then...
 
I remember the Space Needle. It was everything an arcade should be. Its been so long i can't remember much, but i do remember spending a lot of quarters on the cockpit Spy Hunter they had there. I'm guessing this was anywhere between 1984 and 1989.
 
The space needle has gotten a little better this last year. They have a few fun games, although there are alot of redemption games. My girlfriend and I love playing the sega game "Lets Go Jungle". Fun stuff. As for the 80's arcade, it was on the top floor of the mall, which is now the bathrooms. The new arcade is located the floor beneath, and is your standard run of the mill arcade. Not bad per-say, but nothing really to keep you hanging around very long...
 
When I was in middle/high school, there was an 80's themed arcade in the gatlinburg mall, I remember it was the first place I ever got to play the original star wars, (and fell in love with it) anywho, it had a great collection of classic games. It didnt happen to be a fellow klover that owned it by chance? Anyone else ever see this place? Its now just a regular arcade with your standard games, not nearly as cool....

I totally remember an arcade in Gatlinburg from the 80's. I remember it being kinda in the middle of town right on the corner of one of the busier intersections. On the left hand side if you're traveling south. I think if I had to guess what is there now.. hm.. (went there a few years back) There is a car museum that is across from where it used to be I think. At least that is how I remember it from the 80's. It was always a must visit location when we took our vacations there back in the day. Ha Ha, in fact I remember when we would take trips there it was all I could think about visiting. Mind you I was only about 12 years old at the time and I don't remember the name of the place or anything now though. Even to this day when my wife and I take a mini vacation to there I think about that old arcade.
 
I remember the place your talking about. Right as you come into gatlinburg, the road kind of spits in 3. One lane goes up the strip to Ober and to Cades Cove, one goes on the backside by the creek/river, and the other goes to the left up the mountain to various hotels and hiking trails. In between the the lower creek road and the road that goes up the strip is a vintage looking wooden faced 4 story mall. On the third or 4th story at the far end was an arcade. I believe it was the first place I saw an MKII. I am pretty sure its closed now, but I do like that little mall. I can't recall if I ever saw a SW though. I am sure it would be there in the 80s. But considering that Gatlinberg has about 6-10 arcades, its no wonder this little hole in the wall failed. I would say that it was less than 1000 square feet. A quaint hold over of the smaller mall arcades. Its a shame its gone as so many have. Hope this helps.
 
We stopped in Gatlinburg last week and found our way into 4 arcades while walking around. Only one had a couple classics (Pacman & Galaga) but they all had some other good games to play. My sons and I played some Terminator Salvation and a sit down Pirates of the Caribbean type shooter that was way cool. My little girls really like the jumbo Frogger redemption game.
 
We stopped in Gatlinburg last week and found our way into 4 arcades while walking around. Only one had a couple classics (Pacman & Galaga) but they all had some other good games to play. My sons and I played some Terminator Salvation and a sit down Pirates of the Caribbean type shooter that was way cool. My little girls really like the jumbo Frogger redemption game.


Sounds like you went to the space needle arcade. Thats def my favorite one up there. They have actually been putting money into it lately too which is way cool.
 
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