Share some of your best arcade memories!

Mango7

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Share some of your best arcade memories :D

My fondest memories involve walking into a dark, toasty, lone-standing arcade out of a snowy, frozen January night, after working in a restaurant kitchen in wheaton, md. All the machines beautifully lit up like Xmas trees. I still remember the feel of that brand-spanking new missile command trackball and tall, rigid fire buttons. You could feel how high the perfectly smooth ball sat out of the ctrl panel- sometimes your finger would get snagged between the two, lol. I remember the graphics being so warm and glowingly beautiful. The wonderful sounds it made my adrenaline surge and endorphins kick in. The machine even smelled fabulous! Ahh, the memories!!
 
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Mine were of going to the arcade and seeing the new games on the floor for the first time. I was between 8-10 yrs old during the golden age of arcades and it was a magical time. My fondest memory is going to the arcade on a saturday morning, heading to the dark back room lit-up with black neon, looking for the first game to spend my allowance on. Then I saw it.... There in the middle of the back wall was Star Wars! I was blown away! The artwork, the music, Luke's voice, "Red 5 standing by!" and the beauty of the color vectors. I'll never forget that moment. I still feel like that 10 yr. old boy when I play it...probably why I collect.
 
I went to Aladdin's Castle most weekends when my mom was shopping...but this was past the Golden Age years (late 80s). I do remember the feeling of awe and amazement the first time I went to CEC for my best friend's 9th birthday. It was December 1983 and it was during Chuck's prime. Ours had just opened that Summer and the lighting was just amazing. I also loved climbing in all the little secret tunnels around the stages in the various dark lit rooms. It's a shame that CEC has to be so brightly lit now.
 
Just walking through the entrance of said arcade and just seeing the my favorite games on.
Either it be on demo mode or people playing them, with the music and sound effect blaring away. SF, Tekken, and MK always brought that special moment for me, and the gathering with lots of people jumbled around them. Just like I'm sure Defender, Pac-Man and some of my old favorites did back in their newly release BITD. Somehow the whole arcade got quiet except for a few comments here and there, and the awesome sounds of screaming and hits, blood, music, and the announcers voice would always send a chill down my back.

I wondered into the animal shelter at the mall, It's where Time out arcade used to be. Since I used to work there, It felt weird to be there for the first time in 10 years with it a ghost of it's former self. I could still see and name off where every game was. But it was dank and so empty looking, the back room token vault was now stored with cat litter and toys. I miss the old days. The animal shelter just moved out, and I wonder what will take it's place? I wish somehow an arcade could make a comeback. I miss the environment and the social gathering it used to have.
 
For me it is the excitement of uncrating a new game, set it up, be sure it is working. Then stand back and watch the customers enjoy and learn it's play.

I was fortunate to see the looks on children with the first video game, first XY game, first game in color.

Everything seemed right in the world. To provide that magical moment.

LTG :)
 
Chuck E. Cheese

I also loved climbing in all the little secret tunnels around the stages in the various dark lit rooms. It's a shame that CEC has to be so brightly lit now.

I remember doing Chuck E. Cheese at 8-9 yrs. too. It was 1980 and the one in CA was huge! That's where I first remember playing Crazy Climber and Venture and where my love of these games started. One of the walls in the seating area was a huge wall painted like cheese with holes you could wave to your parents through. It went up to the second floor where the games were. It was such a thrill as a kid to crawl through this giant cheese maze and come out the top and play games. The pizza was edible then too!
 
I went to Aladdin's Castle most weekends when my mom was shopping...but this was past the Golden Age years (late 80s). I do remember the feeling of awe and amazement the first time I went to CEC for my best friend's 9th birthday. It was December 1983 and it was during Chuck's prime. Ours had just opened that Summer and the lighting was just amazing. I also loved climbing in all the little secret tunnels around the stages in the various dark lit rooms. It's a shame that CEC has to be so brightly lit now.
I used to play games at Showbiz Pizza back in the day and that store now exists as a Chuck E. Cheese. One of my favorite memories was playing TMNT with 3 other kids. I can't remember if we beat the game or not, but it was a total blast. :)
 
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