Holy Crap, Chuck E Cheese is Coming to St. Cloud!

Phetishboy

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How sweet. We had a Chuck E Cheese here in town back in the 80's, but it was sold to a local who turned it into a "Rock City Pizza" complete with games. As the interest in arcades declined in the late 90's, the place got dirtier and dirtier and was actually quite embarrassing. It closed sometime in 2001/2002 and is now a telemarketing hive. I just found out that the new CEC is going into the old Circuit City building, which has been vacant since CC went bankrupt back in 2008 or so. I am speechless. I hope this is the start of something cool and nostalgic. I also hope they don't run Space Aliens out of business.
 
How sweet. We had a Chuck E Cheese here in town back in the 80's, but it was sold to a local who turned it into a "Rock City Pizza" complete with games. As the interest in arcades declined in the late 90's, the place got dirtier and dirtier and was actually quite embarrassing. It closed sometime in 2001/2002 and is now a telemarketing hive. I just found out that the new CEC is going into the old Circuit City building, which has been vacant since CC went bankrupt back in 2008 or so. I am speechless. I hope this is the start of something cool and nostalgic. I also hope they don't run Space Aliens out of business.

Space Aliens in Mounds View went belly up. I was surprised. I drive past the empty building all the time.
 
Don't get too excited. Chuck sucks now a days. We have a Chuck in Boise... been there twice for birthday parties... lets just say I'd rather hit my own game room + order some pizza.
 
Interesting news on the CEC. I grew up in Duluth and my arcade experience was split between the CEC and Aladdin's Castle. I haven't been in a CEC since the late 80's.
 
Space Aliens in Mounds View went belly up. I was surprised. I drive past the empty building all the time.

The one in Albertville still seems to be doing well. I know the one here in St. Cloud gets lots of business. I just wish they'd increase the size of the arcade.

kidsarcadebathroom013.jpg
 
Have you not been to a CEC lately?

But this is new and will be located in White Cloud. Very low inner city element here. I get excited about these things unlike you and your Fuckbuddy Fritz.
 
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Don't get too excited. Chuck sucks now a days. We have a Chuck in Boise... been there twice for birthday parties... lets just say I'd rather hit my own game room + order some pizza.

I've been to one around here for a birthday party and couldn't agree more. Very dirty and all redemption games. I do love reading all the articles about the barfights that have been going on across the country. Hopefully yours will be nicer.
 
There's a reason this place sucks lately. Mostly it's because of J-huey, but also because you've all got a case of the Grumpies.
 
Don't get too excited. Chuck sucks now a days. We have a Chuck in Boise... been there twice for birthday parties... lets just say I'd rather hit my own game room + order some pizza.

Tru dat. Our CEC has ONE (count 'em), ONE playable game that isn't a redemption game- Shrek pinball. The last 2 times we were there, one flipper didn't work. Awesome.
 
Chiming in to say CEC is pretty terrible for actual games anymore.

Mostly redemption games and racers.

blaah, blaah, blaah. I get that. Space Aliens is the same way. It's still a fun atmosphere and I loves me some skee ball. And Sea Wolf II. And the new Frogger Redemption machine. And many of the new racers are a fucking blast whether you want them to be or not. I guess what I am saying is, I don't expect it to be full of 1981 classics and I really don't care. I have those games at home. I am just happy this franchise is still running and opening new locations.
 
blaah, blaah, blaah. I get that. Space Aliens is the same way. It's still a fun atmosphere and I loves me some skee ball. And Sea Wolf II. And the new Frogger Redemption machine. And many of the new racers are a fucking blast whether you want them to be or not. I guess what I am saying is, I don't expect it to be full of 1981 classics and I really don't care. I have those games at home. I am just happy this franchise is still running and opening new locations.

I guess "fun atmosphere" is a matter of taste. I own a few and enjoy getting tickets when I'm out. My particular CEC isn't very enjoyable. Redemption games can be fun.
 
I guess "fun atmosphere" is a matter of taste. I own a few and enjoy getting tickets when I'm out. My particular CEC isn't very enjoyable. Redemption games can be fun.

*shakes fist menacingly* "You won't break me punk! I'll love it even if I hate it!"
 
Don't get too excited. Chuck sucks now a days. We have a Chuck in Boise... been there twice for birthday parties... lets just say I'd rather hit my own game room + order some pizza.

I second that one! Our CEC here is dirty, run by all kids, broken down games and the pizza sucks shit.
 
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blaah, blaah, blaah. I get that. Space Aliens is the same way. It's still a fun atmosphere and I loves me some skee ball. And Sea Wolf II. And the new Frogger Redemption machine. And many of the new racers are a fucking blast whether you want them to be or not. I guess what I am saying is, I don't expect it to be full of 1981 classics and I really don't care. I have those games at home. I am just happy this franchise is still running and opening new locations.

I wish they bring a Dave and busters to Utah and take out the CEC. Went to one in Houston and it was alot of fun.
 
99% of the CEC's around here have a working pinball machine in them. The ones around me at least take care of their pins better than most independent places and pizza joints. That, and you can let your kids run around and not stress so much about them, makes CEC a once or twice a month trip for us - although we always try to go right when they open on Saturdays to avoid the hordes.

There's also a CEC near one of my usual lunch hangs. I eat a quick lunch, then pop in for a few games of POTC. Just a quarter a game, 18 cents if you buy bulk.
 
The 2 CEC closest to me (Utica & Latham) aren't bad, good selection of games, a few Atomiswaves, Afterburner Climax (awesome) that Sega island resort shooting game. Both have 1 Stern pin (RCT & NASCAR) a global VR, Johnny Adventure shooting. Few others and some really fun redemption games.
 
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