Number count of USA arcades in 1982 vs today...

[PC Engine Fan X!]

In 1982, there were an estimated 22,000 arcades across the USA. Nowdays, that number is a former shadow of it's self...a mere 2,000 arcades are still existence across the USA. That sounds depressing, given the current state of the American arcade.

I got the chance to talk to a local arcade techician when he was cleaning the local bowling alley's arcade room. He told me that today's arcades are mostly racing, shooting (meaning the light-gun based games & not the shmup variety) and fighting games. That is very true.

Of course, the arcades of Japan make the arcades in the USA pale in comparision genre-wise. What will it take to restore the USA's arcades to their former glory days of the early 1980's?

During the early 1980's, there were new arcade games coming out every week from the myriad of arcade manufacturers. Sure, alot of "bombs" but a few managed to be come blockbusters (i.e. Atari Games' Gaunlet 4-player cabinet). Sad to say, there will never be another era such as the "early 1980's arcade game era" to be repeated ever.

But when one stops and thinks about the relatively short arcade video game era, it really isn't mature enough to be compared to the movie making business which has been around for more than a hundred years. It's still rather in it's infancy if you get my gist. Will the current game center/arcade game center that we know today still be around in the 22nd century? Only time will tell if that is to be so...

Perhaps, some great strides of progress in Virtual Reality will have been made in the 21st Century...remember when Sega promised that it would be releasing a VR headset for it's Sega Genesis console only to cancel it in 1993. Does the bell of "Atari Jag VR" ring with anyone? Such hype ended up being a joke!

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[gameoverDude]

It's a shame that the arcades in the US are this way. I recently lost a Time Out at my local mall, but I wasn't truly sorry to see it go because it was all racers and light gun games. The only fighters there were Tekken 5 and Soul Calibur II. Tekken 5 was pulled after a few weeks- who knows why.

Many of the racers were old, including some boring shit like Suzuka 8 Hours, Cart Fury, San Francisco Rush, etc. I did luck out and find Out Runners there at one time. For some lame reason, they ditched their 500 GP yet kept Suzuka 8 Hours.

This place had too many redemption games, and I think the actual count of video games was fewer than 20. What you would pay per game was too much- they wanted 75 cents a play for the small-screen version of 1998's Time Crisis 2. At one time they had Time Crisis 3 and Warzaid (The World Combat), but these were gone in a week.

[rolins]

I envy the Japanese that they have easy access to all those STG games. Shooters here in the U.S is almost non-existant in the arcades these days. In my area the best place for shooters in the past and present has always been pizzia parlors and laundry mats. I remember being excited to do laundry every week just because I know I can play Galaga and Defender at the same time.

[Dave_K.]

I envy the Japanese that they have easy access to all those STG games.

Really? And would you pay $1 per game? Thats what they commonly pay now (well not counting the exchange rate and all...but you know what I mean...its about the same value as a dollar to them in their currency). Maybe you are forgetting that westerners are cheap stingy bastards.

[sethsez]

Maybe you are forgetting that westerners are cheap stingy bastards.

More importantly, they know they can get a similar experience at home for much longer (and, quite frankly, with better graphics and a controller that isn't likely to be gummed up) if they rent a game instead.

Arcades need to offer something that can't be had at home. For a while DDR was doing that, but it could only last so long. With circa-2001 graphics, ridiculous prices and nothing new in terms of what there is to actually play, why would anybody bother if they hadn't grown up with arcades and thus felt a nostalgic attatchment to them?

[GaijinPunch]

Apples and testicles guys. America this, Japan that. Different cultures, and definitely different lifestyles. Dave K does have a point though. I can't comment on early 80's or even early 90's, but my first excursion to Japan way back in Fall 1996, when I was the ripe old age of 21, games were about 100 yen a pop, although I did pop in 200 yen to play Virtua Fighter 3 once... and only once (I was a student, and poor, and smoked a lot so spent money on that). It's obvious that money has had a huge impact on arcades.

Now I can't comment for those that live out the middle of fucking nowhere, but roughly 30% of the nation works in Tokyo, while about 10% of them actually live there. (Dont' quote me, but it's something like that). That's a lot of people in one place, and doesn't count the other rather large cities. What am I getting at? Well, there's a large population of youngins that will walk about aimlessly, and old salarymen that hate their wives, and don't want to go home. Arcades are there to kill a little time before you have to go home. They are adult friendly in that you can smoke in them, while you're playing games, and a lot of them have adult games. They're also filled with Print Club and other weak ass shit that girls like. They have done their best to cater to everyone, and have done quite well doing so.

While it's the home consoles that most likely killed arcades in Japan, I think the lifestyle in at least the Tokyo area has kept arcades alive. People kept going even when home versions came out, b/c of the experience. They're all over the place. You can pop in, play a game, and go on about your day. I played Virtua Fighter 4 on my lunch break every day for a year w/ 2 friends from work. Who'd we play against? Mainly other salarymen on their breaks.

(and, quite frankly, with better graphics and a controller that isn't likely to be gummed up)

Doesnt' happen in good arcades. Just grab one of the punks most likely wearing and apron and tell him the stick is bad. They'll swap it out right then and there. Perhaps another testament to why they've survived in Japan -- service!

[D]

Netherlands, Amsterdam In 1990, 10 arcades and lots of cafes other places also had machines.
Now 0 arcades, please never come here, it sucks.
The last arcade left us probably in 1998.
Reason: gambling machines make more money and the government thought that it's bad for the kids.
There are some in cities: The Hague, one in Almere (Sega dedicated only, no fighters/shmups/puzzlers/action, just racing and light gun)
Sorry, but I had to tell the sad tale, perhaps other Dutch Shmembers can contribut, then again maybe not

[SAM]

Oh, when the day acrade disappeared on Earth. That's the end of game play in video games.

[Brian]

When I was a kid I would spend the day in the arcade, playing Indiana Jones, Ms. Pac-Man and the sort. But, sadly those days have come and gone.

But, here in Houston, a new arcade actually just opened up. The odd thing is, it is called Planet Zero Anime, but there is NO anime in the place at all. It is simply an arcade. But, I guess to get people into the place they put anime on their sign!

Anyway, the place is a slice of Japan in Houston. It has all Astro City cabs and Naomi Universal cabs. He has all the usual Japanese games you would expect, except of course, none of the shooters. But, he has all of the racers and fighters, and he told me he will have Metal Slug 6 as he just ordered it from Japan.

But, I have been lucky enough to collect my own home arcade with some of the games I played in the arcade in my salad days. In addition to the standard fare of an Aero City and an Egret, I have some of my favorite dedicated machines: Q'Bert, Gyruss, Tempest, Jr. Pac-Man, World Series, Wacko, Tac/Scan, Indiana Jones, Crystal Castles/Arkanoid, a Raiden II machine that I recently swapped the board for a Raiden Fighters and a Punch Out.

[CIT]

There are still two arcades here in Munich, Germany.

One just got House of the Dead 4 and mainly has 3D fighters and gun games.

The other one has some pretty classic racers like Daytona and Scud Race, and an MVS with Metal Slug and Puzzle Bobble.

But shooters... nope, no shooters.

[icycalm]

Please don't crucify me but I think the future of arcades is not in arcade games. I go to these internet places (in Greece, where I am from, as well as in Japan, France and elsewhere) and I see them full of people playing Counterstrike- and Everquest-type games.

For a while there I would go with 5-6 friends and play Counterstrike for 5 hours and we'd have an insanely fun time. Most often we would play against a team of strangers, or sometimes we'd take strangers into our team and go to war with a larger team of 10 or more people. I realize many people here hate 3D/FPS games or whatever, but I had almost as much fun then as when playing shooters in Japan. Maybe even more.

I read once there was this company somewhere in the US that had converted a large building into a "new school" arcade of sorts. It was full of hugeass LCD TVs (30 inches plus) and PCs and Xboxes.

If you add larger TVs, 7.1 sound systems and a section for REAL arcade games, then you'll have the arcade of the future, I think. I could live there.

[stuffmonger]

I think many game manufacturers are shooting themselves in the foot by releasing ports to their games about a month after the arcade releases... by doing this, they make it so that people will only really go to arcades to test out whether or not to buy a game so they only spend 50c or so instead of $50. If gamers couldn't go play the "exact same game" on a home console that they can play in their home, I belive they would go out more to the arcade parlors to play. I know I go to Arcade Infinity to play on the arcade hardware that I am too cheap to but such as Senko no Ronde (but the got rid of it last time I was there ) Most of what you see nowadays is stuff that people don't have space for in their homes (racing machines, dancing machines, and gun games). True, some of those games you can get for your ps2 or whatever, but it is a VERY obvious difference between arcade and home usually... subtle changes that only game lovers really notice don't effect the mainstream gamer.



p.s. I am only speaking in behalf of the US mainstream market, as it is really the only market I can see every day.

[SAM]

Most of what you see nowadays is stuff that people don't have space for in their homes (racing machines, dancing machines, and gun games). True, some of those games you can get for your ps2 or whatever, but it is a VERY obvious difference between arcade and home usually... subtle changes that only game lovers really notice don't effect the mainstream gamer.

I have to ammit that what you say here is the bitter truth. Acrade style game in the 80' are dying, and dying fast. Those are the exact kind of video games people here enjoy playing most. Soon we would running out of new games.

I think many game manufacturers are shooting themselves in the foot by releasing ports to their games about a month after the arcade releases... by doing this, they make it so that people will only really go to arcades to test out whether or not to buy a game so they only spend 50c or so instead of $50. If gamers couldn't go play the "exact same game" on a home console that they can play in their home, I belive they would go out more to the arcade parlors to play.

No, they are not shooting their foot by releasing the console port. In fact, even if they don't releasing the console, the game would very soon be enuminated on PC anyway, this is especially truth for games low system requirements like shmups, puzzler & 2D fighting... The fact is they just trying to make the most out of the game.

Do you know why Cave charging so much for their PCBs? judging form the actuall cost for making a PCB, they could have sell them a lots cheaper. This is because of the same reason: Those would buy the PCBs anew would buy them no matter the cost. For those wouldn't, they just buy them used or wait for MAME.

Thus, in the PCBs sale Cave is trying to make more from those who are willing to pay. By releasing the ports later, they could get a few bug from those reminding *what ever*.

[doctorx0079]

One big diff between US and Japan, and I hate to say it, but I think bowling is much more popular here than in Japan. The bowling alleys hardly have video games any more because they want you to bowl. Also poker is doing pretty well these days. Video games are often seen as geeky and childish and not cool. A lot of 30 and 40-year-olds can't be bothered with them any more.

Also a lot of ppl who want to play video games, will go to a bar where they can get a drink, and sit down in front of the MegaTouch machine with its friendly touch screen.

[Ceph]

There are still two arcades here in Munich, Germany.

One just got House of the Dead 4 and mainly has 3D fighters and gun games.

The other one has some pretty classic racers like Daytona and Scud Race, and an MVS with Metal Slug and Puzzle Bobble.

But shooters... nope, no shooters.

Munich, a city of 1.3 million has ONLY TWO arcades? That's just sad.

[iatneH]

I wouldn't really know. Back in 1982, I wasn't even born yet. Plus I grew up being taught that arcades were places where bad kids and gangsters and generally good-for-nothing punks hang out. I never set foot inside an arcade until about 3 years ago. And my punkish rating instantly rocketed several notches.

[Dale]

If anyone wants to go to a good big U.S arcade check out Funspot in NewHampshere awesome place.

[SAM]

Plus I grew up being taught that arcades were places where bad kids and gangsters and generally good-for-nothing punks hang out. I never set foot inside an arcade until about 3 years ago. And my punkish rating instantly rocketed several notches.

Me too. In fact the law here on this island prohibited yougers below age 18 going into an acrade.

Sound silly?? Well actually when you open an acrade, you are either get a lenances for over 18 or under 18. Since kids under 18 got not much pocket money, so nearly every acrade on this island got the over 18 lenance, thus....

[Dave_K.]

Anyway, the place is a slice of Japan in Houston. It has all Astro City cabs and Naomi Universal cabs. He has all the usual Japanese games you would expect, except of course, none of the shooters. But, he has all of the racers and fighters, and he told me he will have Metal Slug 6 as he just ordered it from Japan.

I just checked out their website (http://www.planet-zero.com/index2.html) definately a nice setup there! I really hope they can survive with the extra food income, because arcade income alone won't cover all operating expenses (unless they guy's dad own the building or something).

[CIT]

Munich, a city of 1.3 million has ONLY TWO arcades? That's just sad.

Well, two that I know of, that have games. I go into every game parlour I see, but most are just slot machine places filled with unemployed alcoholics...

In fact the law here on this island prohibited yougers below age 18 going into an acrade.

Sound silly?? Well actually when you open an acrade, you are either get a lenances for over 18 or under 18. Since kids under 18 got not much pocket money, so nearly every acrade on this island got the over 18 lenance, thus....

Exactly the same here in Germany. Since most arcades here are 90% gambling machines, under 18s are not allowed, which is probably why game machines never really took off.

So when I was growing up I had to make due with the few machines at my local sports club. Still, they had Chase HQ, New Zealand Story and Shinobi - not too bad I guess.

As a kid I really hated the shooters though. They were just way too hard and frustrating for me.