Penny arcades is where the aspect of arcades began. During the beginning of the 20th Century, these penny arcades sprouted up throughout the country and cost one penny to play – hence the name. There were a variety of types of not only games, but also moving pictures. The variety of games included the fortune teller, shooting games where a metal ball would shoot at targets, and even a cabinet you could look into a viewer and watch as pictures flipped quickly to give the sense of a moving picture. I remember years ago going to a museum in Stone Mountain, Georgia where they featured a handful of penny arcade attractions. I remember watching an old boxing match as well as a few other types of these moving pictures. You would put the coin in and watching into the viewer, the picture would flip quickly and the light turned on for a short amount of time. Suddenly the light dimmed and the pictures stopped rotating. The more you paid, the more you could watch.
It wouldn’t be until the 1970s when arcades began featuring actual video games. With the introduction of game companies such as Atari, and games like Centipede, arcades instantly gained popularity. More games continued to come out and kids, as well as adults, fled to these arcades that sprouted up in every town and city. During the 1980s, more gaming competition led to even more games, such as Pac Man and Donkey Kong being released which led to the peak of arcade popularity. Better graphics, sound and play ability brought players into these arcades where they used their allowance to play as many games as possible. Not only were games featured in arcades but also places such as restaurants and bowling alleys. Sadly, though, going into the 1990s, popularity of the arcade began to dwindle. Easier access to games at home led to the decline of the need to have to go to the arcade. Many companies shut down and arcades closed. Some remain today and have games such as at the bowling alley, bars, and there are still a few traditional arcades remaining.
With changing times came changing games. Throughout the 90s, games began producing tickets where players could collect a certain amount of tickets to exchange for prizes. Games such as Skee Ball and others were popular for gameplay. Coming into the 2000s, retailers/restaurants such as Chuck E Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza were still popular amongst kids and parties where children were still able to play a variety of games. Even retailers like FYE, as I remember going to in the early 2000s, had a large arcade in the back of the store in the Oviedo, Florida mall (sadly now having been shut down for a while).
Today, Chuck E Cheese and those alike are beginning to struggle whereas newer fusion restaurants geared towards adults, like Dave n Busters, still remain a hangout where adults can play numerous styles of games. The games have changed drastically since the beginning penny arcades and even the early 70s games. A lot of games today feature less gameplay but more attraction of winning a prize (even though nearly impossible). Some of the retro video games still remain popular and a name stay for arcades that are still operating to bring that sense of nostalgia back to those who play. Some bowling alleys still have games and even some pizzerias still have small arcade sections. Numerous pinball locations have popped up the last decade and have gained popularity. So, next time you see an arcade, head inside and bring back some memories. Throw a few quarters in the machines and go back in time as well as support the small business. The next time you’re in a restaurant and you see a lonely arcade game back in the corner, think of the attention that game once got and how hungry it must be for a quarter, so after you eat, take a few minutes to enjoy the game.
Arcade games have gained in popularity recently due to the ability to purchase smaller versions for home use. Many traditional and popular games have been produced and many more will come in in the near future. These games still feature the joystick and original gameplay but not being in the arcade surrounded by your friends with all the noise echoing throughout the room just isn’t the same but for most, where there are no arcades, it can be a great alternative. It is always fun watching an old film from the 80s and watching a scene take place in the arcade and wishing to be able to go back there for a day.
Here’s an arcade down main street Renton, called 8-Bit Arcade that is still operating today that we go to when able. Games are still a quarter and there’s ample games, pinball, and even a bar with food and drinks. I’ve spent a lot of quarters throughout the years in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle arcade, as well as later on with gunplay games such as the House of Dead II and T2, so I make sure to keep a few quarters in the car just in case I want to go back in time for a few minutes.
