The Arcade Hunters visit Richie Knucklez

It may be impossible to visit all of the arcades that are out there but at least thanks to the wonderful world of the internet we can get in-depth videos of the locations that are out there. Thanks to the guys at Arcade-Hunters.com we get a chance to see some great arcades out there and in their latest episode they check out Richie Knucklez in Flemington, NJ. They are a classic arcade that works hard at maintaining their excellent selection of games, all of which you can see in the video review below.

Site: Arcade-Hunters.com

If you build it, they will come and play

When Aaron Auzins sent me this video from the opening of the Galloping Ghost Arcade (they are promising to send more media as well which I have added to our previous GGA post to keep it condensed) I had an idea. The consistent claim that arcades are dead, that no one wants to go out and play them because they have better options at home, etc. can best be combated by visual examples of arcades packed with engaged players.   It’s hard to argue with visual evidence such as this especially if we can get some video from all over the world so if you have a video showing such things, send it in – if not, record some the next time your arcade is packed or you are in a packed arcade. I’ll update this post and point out any updates in the Twitter feed.

Here’s the Galloping Ghost Arcade opening video, just moments after they opened their doors for the first time (8/14/2010)

More later as we get them.

Guest Post: A review of Planet Fun, Inngoldmels, UK by Kieran May

It’s been a while since we had an arcade location review, as well as a guest post but Arcade Heroes reader (and frequent tipster) Kieran May sent us his review of an FEC in the UK known as Planet Fun. He gets into what they offer as well as the customer service aspect and whether that will make or break your experience there. It brings up an excellent subject all location owners should worry about – whether their staff on hand is making the customer feel welcome to be there (which equals repeat visits) or if they feel like they should spend their hard-earned money elsewhere. Hit the post break below for the review.

Former Gameworks managers to save ex-Gameworks spot in Columbus, Ohio

Newsfeed 858 via

Another Gameworks location has been “saved”, this time at the Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. This one will be run by the company which managed Gameworks stores from

The former Gameworks storefront in Columbus, OH

1999 to 2005, known as KDB. The Columbus site will be re-opened on Aug. 5th, with a new focus targeting older audiences, much like Dave and Busters. They also have a Gameworks card buyback program so if you still happen to have a card your money won’t be completely lost. There is little information on what kind of game selection will be present, all they have stated is that it will have “lots of new games.”

In light of this news, that leaves most of the closed Gameworks locations accounted for under new management, laying a blow to those who would use the Gameworks liquidation as a sure sign of the failing arcade industry.

More info here @ Dispatch.com

Zbowl opens it’s doors in Mebane, NC

Back in March we heard news of a new bowling center called ZBowl that was getting ready to open up in Mebane, North Carolina. At the time the location was set to open in a couple of weeks after that post but we didn’t hear anything about such a grand opening, until today. While it is a bowling center first, they also have a substantial arcade area which was put together with the help of Betson Enterprises, which is where we are getting the news from today. The website states that they have 60 games in the arcade and we have one picture from the press release showing some of that area (to the right), where among the redemption games we see a Guitar Hero, Go Ballistic, Galactix, Terminator Salvation and Big Buck Hunter: Open Season.

Click on the images below for a full view (thanks to Betson for the images)

You can visit the ZBowl website here. We wish them the best of luck in their endeavors!

Zbowl opens it's doors in Mebane, NC

Back in March we heard news of a new bowling center called ZBowl that was getting ready to open up in Mebane, North Carolina. At the time the location was set to open in a couple of weeks after that post but we didn’t hear anything about such a grand opening, until today. While it is a bowling center first, they also have a substantial arcade area which was put together with the help of Betson Enterprises, which is where we are getting the news from today. The website states that they have 60 games in the arcade and we have one picture from the press release showing some of that area (to the right), where among the redemption games we see a Guitar Hero, Go Ballistic, Galactix, Terminator Salvation and Big Buck Hunter: Open Season.

Click on the images below for a full view (thanks to Betson for the images)

You can visit the ZBowl website here. We wish them the best of luck in their endeavors!

Disney closing most ESPN Zone Restaurants

Arcade floor at the Las Vegas ESPN Zone

(Thanks to Juan for the tip!)

If you are fond of the ESPN Zone sports-bar/restaurants/arcade locations then you won’t appreciate this news. The owners of the locations, Disney, has decided to close down five of the seven locations across the US, citing the “current economic climate” posing a “long-term business challenge” to operating those particular sites.

As I have not visited an ESPN Zone myself I can’t say how they operate differently from businesses like Dave and Busters and how much effort they put into their arcade section over the bar. For those that are familiar, I am curious to know what their game selection was like as well as how they stayed on top of maintaining the machines (I guess it would also be prudent to ask about the bar/restaurant – was it any good or anything special?).I am just curious as while the economy may still suck in general, I think that it is good to know whether that is the only factor at play here or if there is something more. We’ll have to wait and see as to whether the locations might be picked up by other owners who feel that they can make the idea work under a different style of management.

[Via NY1.com] [ESPN Zone official site]

Dave and Busters Ownership Changes hands in $570 million deal; new D&B opens in Roseville, CA

Via

One of the more recognized business chains to feature coin-op games is changing hands, as the Oak Hill Capital Partners has announced that they will buy the company for $570 millionUSD. From the press release it sounds like this is happening as a way to help the company expand further in North America and beyond, in fact they just opened a new location in Roseville California today, bringing the total number of D&B locations to 57 in the US.

In lieu of the Gameworks closure recently, D&B is a perfect example of how an arcade-type location can not just survive but grow even during harsh economic climates.

UPDATE: The Roseville grand opening was a success with a report already out there that crowds gathered at the new location. Management estimated that more than 200 people were already there in the morning and that the overall reaction from customers was positive. While I haven’t seen a list posted of all the game content that they have there, we know they have two Blazing Angels and two Artic Thunders (pictured), a Big Buck Hunter or Safari, DDR, Guitar Hero, Space Invaders and Centipede. [Via Rosevillept.com]

[Press release here]

Taito opens new flagship arcade in Yokohama Japan

Via

Taito has a new six story arcade to check out if you happen to be in Yokohama Japan, and they were happy to start it off with a bang. Company executives showed up and made some speeches, they had a celebrity, Maomi Yuuki on hand ; Taito announced a new line of plush products to be carried in their cranes and they even had the new Gaia Attack 4 machine

In-game shot from Gaia Attack 4

on display. You might recall from AOU that GA4 is a four-player light-gun game from Taito/Gamewax which features CGI content overlaid onto real-world footage. While the game isn’t set to release until July, the demo version they have setup here includes footage from this Game Station location.

If you look at the Game Watch article about this though, they don’t have many details revolving around the exact games you can play there as apparently the plush line featuring characters Gaspard and Lisa is a pretty big deal. I imagine that some of Taito’s latest arcade releases are there, including Music Gun Gun, elevator Action Death Parade, Cyber Diver and others. They do list what content each floor has however with the basement housing crane and music games, the first floor more cranes, the second floor gun and card games, the third & fourth floors feature medal games with the 4th focusing on Pachinko, the fifth floor mahjong games and the sixth floor sticker picture machines. This brings a total of 300 machines tot he operation, which should help stave off boredom for even the most picky players. The store uses LED lighting to keep electricity costs down and the first and sixth floors employ a fragrance deployment system to enhance the environment of that particular floor.

You can visit the official website for this location here.

[Details via Game Watch]

Gameworks in Indianapolis saved by Tilt

Via

If you were bummed out by the recent news of Sega closing several Gameworks locations and you live near the one that was in Indianapolis then you’re in luck – the owners of the national arcade chain Tilt has bought out the location there. While they plan on rebranding the location under the Tilt name, it will stay as a Gameworks where players will still be able to use their old Gameworks cards. Tilt will also be fifty new games to the location next month although it isn’t specified as to whether those will be video or redemption games. I know that Tilt carries both so we’ll have to wait and see. From the linked article it sounds like the mall there isn’t doing too great, they state that the Gameworks and a movie theater are the only major tenants on the fourth floor there but with the right marketing and game content I am sure that they can turn it around.

[More @ Indystar.com]