Author Topic: The Forgotten Arcade (Read 6615 times)

Metaphysical Spirit · « **on:** May 27, 2004, 01:16:16 PM »

Heh, I thought I would post here after a long time. I read the posts, but never post anything anymore. Don't know why actually. Anywho, a friend and I were talking about older arcade games after getting out of class. The class we were in was a lecture on Animation and Video Game History, which steared us in a long conversation about the best arcade games and what happened to that industry. Don't get me wrong, The arcade industry is still trying to push out games, but not as much as it used to. An example would be DDR (Although I never really got down with the game). I understand that you can get a console for better graphics and never have to wait in line and play the game as much as you want, but back as a kid there was nothing better than going up to the mall to waste a good $5-$10 on videogames. In class, I learned that when Space Invaders was released as an arcade game, it created a coin shortage and China went "broke with coins" and made China to create more coins. I thought that was a pretty big impact when I heard that. I also laughed when I learned that when Donkey Kong the arcade came out, it was originally called Monkey Kong and becuase of the printing that was smeared with the M, it someone turned into a D. Since all the arcades already had Donkey Kong, it would have been to much to recall and replace the name, so they stuck with it. If this is true or not, I thought it was humorous. What would it be like if the game was Monkey Kong still? Anyways, I just wanted to hear what your favorite arcade games are and if they will ever come back like they did? Would Virtual Reality come to the arcade first, or just come to home systems?

Ian Sane · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2004, 01:40:58 PM »

I would return to arcades is all games went back to costing a quarter. That's all it would take. I left the arcade once every new game started costing at least 50 cents to play and I don't really regret it. They got greedy and I had games to play at home so I bolted.

My favourite arcade game of all time would probably be the classic six player X-Men. As far as I know it was never released for home consoles and if Konami every released their own arcade treasures collection with it on it I would buy it in a second. I also really liked WWF Wrestlefest which at the time was by far the best wrestling game around and like X-Men it was never released for home consoles.

Metaphysical Spirit · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2004, 03:24:50 PM »

Yeah. The old school WWF games I really liked. ALong with the old 4 player Turtles, 4 player Simpsons, and 4 player X-Men. Definatly all games. I really do think they need to put it back to quarter. I've gone to the arcade recently, and now they are charging $1.00 for new games. The newest, man I can't remember the name, but it's the popular shooter game with the pedals. I can't remember for some reason now. The game looked really good and I wanted to play, but I wasn't about to spend a whole dollar on one round that wouldn't last me as long as playing quarter games.

DrZoidberg · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2004, 04:45:54 PM »

Wild and Lucky is greater than you. I goto arcades every now and then, If i can find them (they're pretty rare in Australia) They're still only $1-$2 a play depending on the machine and the actual arcade it's in. Same price as allways.

Also, I think it was Japan that ran out of coins not China.

Uncle Rich AiAi · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2004, 03:01:00 AM »

Yep, it was Japan ran out of coins when Space Invaders was released. I remember b/c it was mentioned on documentary about the history of video games on the Discovery Channel.

Metaphysical Spirit · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2004, 03:45:25 AM »

Heh, That actually makes a lot more sense. I thought that was what it was, but my notes said differently. Ehh. What can ya do. Still some crazy stuff.

ib2kool4u912 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2004, 07:38:53 AM »

I think the game your thinking of Metaphysical Spirit is Time Crisis. I was about to bring that up because of what Ian said about games costing too much. Last summer i went to an arcade down the shore and they had Time Crisis 3. I was about to play it, then looked at the price. THE GAME COSTED $2. I thought that was crazy, so i didnt play it. Great story, eh?

S-U-P-E-R · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2004, 11:04:21 PM »

Quote
I also laughed when I learned that when Donkey Kong the arcade came out, it was originally called Monkey Kong and becuase of the printing that was smeared with the M, it someone turned into a D. Since all the arcades already had Donkey Kong, it would have been to much to recall and replace the name, so they stuck with it. If this is true or not, I thought it was humorous.

It's not true, read any historical Nintendo article ever for the real answer.

Quote
I would return to arcades is all games went back to costing a quarter. That's all it would take. I left the arcade once every new game started costing at least 50 cents to play and I don't really regret it. They got greedy and I had games to play at home so I bolted.

Hasn't inflation more or less doubled since the 80s? And most places that use tokens have sweet bulk discounts.

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The game looked really good and I wanted to play, but I wasn't about to spend a whole dollar on one round that wouldn't last me as long as playing quarter games.

I can play like an hour (the whole game) on one credit on that one! Guffaw! I rule!

Quote
I was about to play it, then looked at the price. THE GAME COSTED $2.

Where the hell was that? The Metreon? Barf

Metaphysical Spirit · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2004, 01:33:38 AM »

The game I was talking about was Time Crisis, I don't know why I couldn't remember at the time. It was only a $1 at the arcade when I went, but I still think thats too much. S-U-P-E-R is right though about buying in bulk, which is true. You can get tons of coins like on e-bay for real cheap. Though I still think it would be better if they lowered the prices to encourage the arcade more.

About the Donkey Kong thing. Here is a link where I found it states that. Though as I was looking for a site to see what was what. I did find that a lot of sites say it was supposed to supposed to be a combination of King Kong and the word Donkey which was supposed to meant as Stupid.

Donkey Kong Reference Site says:
The name "Donkey Kong" was created by Miyamoto as a combination of the word "Kong" from King Kong, and "Donkey", a word which Miyamoto (with his loose understanding of English) believed was a general synonym for "stupid". It is believed by many that the name "Donkey Kong" was the result of a typo on the original cabinet's art work for "Monkey Kong", but this has been denied by Miyamoto and others.

Sorry, Just wanted to clear that up. Thank you for correcting my errors. =)

Ian Sane · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2004, 12:13:14 PM »

"Hasn't inflation more or less doubled since the 80s?"

True but console games haven't had prices raised so why should arcade games? I pay the same price for new Cube games that I paid for SNES titles.

S-U-P-E-R · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2004, 08:14:55 PM »

Technology gets cheaper, but the overhead costs of running a business sure don't.

I think a lot of gamers have a wrong perspective on arcades. Don't look at them just like they're just games to play - they're a social center for gamers, for meeting new friends and competing with the whole community.

The Omen · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2004, 05:16:38 AM »

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I think a lot of gamers have a wrong perspective on arcades. Don't look at them just like they're just games to play - they're a social center for gamers, for meeting new friends and competing with the whole community.

Arcades suck. That community now consists of punk 11 year old kids with cell phones thinking theyre Eminem.

I used to go to see what may be on my Nintendo system a year or so down the line, now I go home to see what may be in the arcade later on. And there is rarely a difference in quality at this point, so home it is. Unless its a place that serves alcohol, like Dave and Busters or Excess, then I really enjoy it.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2004, 05:19:09 AM »

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That community now consists of punk 11 year old kids with cell phones thinking theyre Eminem.

Oh yes. Indeed. Oh yes.

TOO MUCH RADIATION EEEEEAAAARRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

Metaphysical Spirit · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2004, 10:56:13 AM »

For me, the only big thing in the arcade's right now is Dance Dance Revolution. Well, I just don't like that game. The Omen is right though about the community in the arcade. The next generation, sorry to say, are full of kids who think they are.. "Ghetto". Now obviously that doesn't mean everyone in the next generation. It's just filled with kids for DDR and a place for the young kids to chill at.. especially at mall arcades. Though I do seem a little bias, and I am over exagerating a little. It is a place for comptition, but it seem's like all the compition went from the arcade's to the online gaming.

Jale · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2004, 11:09:00 AM »

Arcades really aren't as big in england. They are way too expensive. Whereas you get a game for a quarter it costs us a WHOLE POUND. It sucks big time.

S-U-P-E-R · « **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2004, 12:02:35 PM »

Maybe you guys need to go to a good arcade, and also play some fighting games

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2004, 12:59:44 PM »

DDR is quite big in the arcades, but it also brings a lot more customers to the other games. The DDR machine gets by far the most play at my arcade, but the people waiting for their turn go around and play other games quite a bit. The Grid was popular until they got rid of it for some reason, and Tokyo Wars is a blast. And like Ty said, there's a plethora of great fighters around- Tekken, Soul Calibur, perhaps Marvel vs. Capcom (or any VS game, for that matter).

DrZoidberg · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2004, 02:17:30 PM »

and Guilty Gear X Mouse, can't forget that game

Basically, play more fighters, twitch shooters and light gun games, they're outstanding.
Recently I found an arcade near where I live (they're quite rare in Australia) that has a Raiden II cab, it was bliss. Also i got the second highest score on my first credit

chase out the big scary 11 year old kids by going there your self, they're only 11

Infernal Monkey · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2004, 02:38:41 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Jale
Arcades really aren't as big in england. They are way too expensive. Whereas you get a game for a quarter it costs us a WHOLE POUND. It sucks big time.

I've seen some games as high as $2.50 for one credit here. INITIAL D I'M LOOKIN' AT YOU. (Flintstone Phone)
Plus there's the like, $5 needed to get a freakin' card for that game. Everybody ignores the San Francisco Rush machine right next to it, despite it being a MORE FUN GAME AND ONLY COSTING 80 CENTS.

*ANGRY DOME*

DrZoidberg · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2004, 02:43:35 PM »

DON'T SPILL THE CUP TAKUMI!

The best part about games like that being excessively popular, is all the lesser known games being readily available! Also, I need to play that when i come visit

Infernal Monkey · « **Reply #20 on:** May 30, 2004, 02:58:52 PM »

You mean you haven't played it? We can play it on my Nintendo Entertainment System.

Oh wait.

Metaphysical Spirit · « **Reply #21 on:** May 30, 2004, 03:24:10 PM »

There are a lot of good games. I just recently used to go to the arcade just to play Soul Calibur 2 before it was out on systems. You would pick the color area you wanted to join and face other people's stats. It was pretty cool. Toyko Wars was and is a great game, but it is older and not found as much. Don't get me wrong, I love the arcade. I just think it's not what it used to be. Granted Tekken and all those fighting games are still there, but they can be played at home too. Nothing beats those big screens and an arcade joystick. I love playing Marvel vs Capcom 2 though when I go up there. I just don't like the crowd that goes up there now a days, and how expensive newer games are. I did however pay $1 a game to play that rowboat game, but you play that with a friend so it was 50 cents. The term no pain, no gain really worked out on that game. That game really put a number on my hands. I just wish Arcade's were like they used to and all types of different gamers still went there all the time.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #22 on:** May 31, 2004, 03:01:03 AM »

For new SNES games back in the day, I paid $80 or less.
For new Cube games in the present day, I pay $50 or less.

The Omen · « **Reply #23 on:** May 31, 2004, 03:06:08 PM »

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Maybe you guys need to go to a good arcade, and also play some fighting games[/Q

Well, two problems with that. One, these so called 'good' arcades(I guess i only go to sh!tty arcades?) are more likely to attract dopes, not less. Secondly, fighting games are great. Until you realize those punk 11 year olds who have been there all day everyday cutting class , while i'm at school/work , undoubtedbly have a huge advantage. Not to mention, first dibs on the machines. Which , in a nutshell, is why arcades are dying. Who wants to put up with kids saying "Thats hot, yo!", when you can play those games at home?

DrZoidberg · « **Reply #24 on:** May 31, 2004, 03:12:37 PM »

-_o They're 11. Also, go with friends of yours, play against each other for fun and proffit. You're killing arcades with your agoraphobia.

I'm a punk 11 year old kid, fear my mighty vocabulary

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Author Topic: The Forgotten Arcade (Read 6615 times)