http://www.vintagevideogames.com/
A big THANK YOU goes out to John (Vectorman) for opening the arcade to my family on Sunday; a day it is typically closed. If anyone ever is traveling through Springfield or Bloomington Illinois I would highly recommend shooting over via Interstate 55 and stopping in McLean. We were driving through, stopped for gas at the interstate exit and then spent an hour in town at the arcade/museum. Normally I am pretty intense when it comes to travel time, making good time, and staying on schedule but this was one pit-stop that I would indulge in anyday.
What a cool setting! Both in the town square and inside with the wood floors, exposed brick walls and unbelievable collection of games. As an aside, it was also very neat, and almost surreal, to see a couple local kids ride over on their bikes to pump some quarters in the machines like it's "all a day in the life..."
I pumped a lot of quarters into the Star Wars Cockpit, Dedicated Lunar Lander, Battlezone, Spy Hunter Cockpit, and a number of pins. The wife also enjoyed the front lounge area to just be able to stretch out and get out of the car. I really liked how the machines are positioned on an angle where you can see the side-art for each cabinet and get a little more personal space when playing the game. I was kicking myself for never thinking of arranging my cabinets like this; for all the money I spent on sideart to then go about and hide it is uncharacteristically dim on my part.
John, thank you again for allowing us a great experience that will become a habit anytime I am near Bloomington. You have a great setup in a really neat town.
A big THANK YOU goes out to John (Vectorman) for opening the arcade to my family on Sunday; a day it is typically closed. If anyone ever is traveling through Springfield or Bloomington Illinois I would highly recommend shooting over via Interstate 55 and stopping in McLean. We were driving through, stopped for gas at the interstate exit and then spent an hour in town at the arcade/museum. Normally I am pretty intense when it comes to travel time, making good time, and staying on schedule but this was one pit-stop that I would indulge in anyday.
What a cool setting! Both in the town square and inside with the wood floors, exposed brick walls and unbelievable collection of games. As an aside, it was also very neat, and almost surreal, to see a couple local kids ride over on their bikes to pump some quarters in the machines like it's "all a day in the life..."
I pumped a lot of quarters into the Star Wars Cockpit, Dedicated Lunar Lander, Battlezone, Spy Hunter Cockpit, and a number of pins. The wife also enjoyed the front lounge area to just be able to stretch out and get out of the car. I really liked how the machines are positioned on an angle where you can see the side-art for each cabinet and get a little more personal space when playing the game. I was kicking myself for never thinking of arranging my cabinets like this; for all the money I spent on sideart to then go about and hide it is uncharacteristically dim on my part.
John, thank you again for allowing us a great experience that will become a habit anytime I am near Bloomington. You have a great setup in a really neat town.
