15 replies to this topic

[matrix2021]

Hi all,

I haven't visited Blackpool for a good 11/12 years and just wondered if anyone local/been recently know of any arcades that have older machines in the vein of Andy Capp, Hyper Viper, Winner Takes it All etc? Coastal resorts around here have none of the sort, but with the plethora amusements in Blackpool I wondered if any housed any of these oldies?

Thanks in advance

[aaamusements]

A member called Money Monster on either here or the MPU Mecca had a Blackpool arcade, don't know if it's still going though, or indeed if he would have any older machines these days...

[killcrazy]

Sadly it was pretty dire the last time I went (August 2012)...

 

Even Coral Island had zippo older machines left.  

[gemini17]

I only live 8 mile out of Blackpool-but trust me disappointment on the slot front is an understatement!

There are only 3 arcades I know of that have some retro slots-they are the arcade on the front of the pleasure beach.Happy Days(next to the Wax works) and a small arcade in the back street,which is located across from Happy Days(the first street from the sea front)

To name a few(to what I recall!) There is a Big Breki,Cash Explosion,Homers Meltdown and a Revolution! There are more,including some Epoch machines-I will venture in again to the arcades mentioned,and update my list. But if you travelling a distance-don't bother wasting petrol or travel fare!!

 

Blackpool has been dangled the Casino carrot yet again!! So big changes may be made some time in the future!!

In the meantime what it real needs is a bull dozer to knock the whole of the sea front down from Coral Island to the south pier and start again!! 

It is very sad,as a much loved place as it was, it no longer is and I would not visit Blackpool,if I didn't live so close. I am though always glad to get back home when I visit!!

 

Jay

[matrix2021]

Cheers for the replies. I'm not travelling specifically for the arcades, a few mates have dared to celebrate their birthdays there, so we are slumming it for a long weekend, so was hoping to see some machines that I remember when I was a nipper.

I remember when I braved Rhyl two years ago, I was with family and we walked past an arcade which had all the oldies in, including Pyramid and Labyrinth! Unfortunately I couldn't get away to have a bash but was nice to see some still kicking about.

I can't remember if it was here or over at fruitforums, but I remember a user who either had a massive home collection or an actual arcade that had some little beauty's, I think there was a video somewhere - can anyone remember who I'm on about?

[aaamusements]

Seems to have popped I to my head that "Money Monster" runs an FEC/arcade called Harbour Lights Amusements, in which case it's in Fleetwood rather than Blackpool itself.

I can't remember if it was here or over at fruitforums, but I remember a user who either had a massive home collection or an actual arcade that had some little beauty's, I think there was a video somewhere - can anyone remember who I'm on about?

I can think of a few but I would hesitate to post about them, for legal reasons...

[thegambler]

This is the one just of the front near central pier (It's at 10 Dale street)... (also does a decent prize bingo and has a burger/hotdog stand within, although they do their tea and coffee  in polystyrene cups...  ). It's seems it's had the same machines since I first went in there 15 years ago    

The winter times where 12 - 5  Saturday and Sunday... will check when it changes when I go into town....

 

Coral Island still has a few, but mostly newish stuff....  but allegedly has highest payouts in blackpool (not sure if this is true though lol )

 

Will have a look about at weekend for you and see what I can find...

 

 

[cardie]

Dont go, anything that had classic stuff is gone, theres the odd MPU4 Nudge Nudge Wnk Wink in Coral, everything else is brand new!

 

Most other arcades are just full on Barcrest 2000-2003ish stuff like the big cheese, then everything else is a party time!

 

 

 

Source (I live in blackpool and was in town today)

[banditboy2006]

 Yes this is true,the 30p low tech games are 88-90% but when you take in to account they have all the latest software in there machines you may as well play an 80% game on fairer software imo. Tip if your going avoid there dodgy upgraded software electrocoins they are rancid now.

 

and nobles rechipped are vile % are high but they are bent to hell take a look at there reflex video cabs

[thegambler]

Had a quick look in town today and the best seemed to be Higgit's las vegas on Dale street (near central pier, second street back from the prom, opposite the side of happy daze), 21 or so older machines, open from noon till at least 4pm, depending on how busy it gets and how bored the owner gets (his words lol) 7 days a week for the summer season.

the facebook page is as follows: (scroll down his page for pics of the machines... pre 15th January mostly)

 

 https://www.facebook...sArcade?fref=ts

 

Along the front north of central pier as follows : happy dayz had about 4, funland had about 11 (including a very good tuppeny nudger according to my niece), and star attraction about 12-14 (inc 2 tuppeny nudgers)

 

slots of fun (half way along between south and central pier) used to have a few but it was closed when I went past.

 

Higgit's is still my favourite in blackpool (I don't play any more as such, only when I have a couple of quid and a few hours to lose) and the bloke has a real passion for the older fruties so give it a try but don't clean him out... i love the fruit explosion machine, can play it for a couple of hours for a couple of quid 

 

hope this is of help

[matrix2021]

Cheers for the info gambler!  I'm not familiar with Blackpool but I'll be sure to have a mooch about, so cheers for the directions.  Looking at the pics on the facebook page, they're the type of machines I remember as a kid, any Andy Capp's by any chance?  Also, is there a few of these arcades down the side streets away from the front?

 

Cheers

[thegambler]

There used to be a couple down waterloo road, down by south pier but I don't go down there much (a bit of a dodgy area lol)... will have a look later if I get a chance.

[gemini17]

There used to be a couple down waterloo road, down by south pier but I don't go down there much (a bit of a dodgy area lol)... will have a look later if I get a chance.

Most of the South end of town is closed until Easter,mainly due to the money grabbing cow that owns the Pleasure Beach,who only opens at weeknds and latest till 4pm at a push! And the wonderful Blackpool Council investing £0 cash into the area!

The only arcades that exist in the town centre are Warwicks arcades-The majority of the slots are a mix of the modern crap we see everyday now,other than Party time£25,which most of the arcades have and a couple of them have The Italian Job set at £8 jackpot.

At the very end of Waterloo Road(before you hit the sea front) is Whitesides Amusements,they have a good mix of 5p/10p slots but they are mainly from the past decade,and few pre 2000,if any.

Midweek on the sea front only Coral Island and Star Attraction arcades are open. The North and Central pier open at times,dependent on weather.

All the other arcades open at the weekend,but at staggered times.

Blackpool is a dead place now.

The retro arcades that once thrived here are long gone.The only arcade I know of that houses all retro slots is Mr P's amusements which I believe is in Kent.

I have never been,but have heard from people who have visited,and have seen footage on Youtube-And it looks a cracking arcade. Just a shame am so far away

 

Jay

[DnM]

I know you're heading to blackpool for the birthday weekend but for anyone else reading I'd recommend travelling that bit further up the coast to morecambe, there's around 6 small arcades and 1 big one, all have retro slots. I visited this one last year that was a bit of a dive but was a goldmine for retro slots... http://reelreports.c...ic.php?f=5&t=43

There was another a few doors down which was packed full of machines from the early 90s.

[aaamusements]

This is not particularly relevant, but I saw the biggest bride-to-be in the world in Blackpool. Never mind L-plates, she should have had a "Wide Load" sign from off a truck.

 

I can only imagine that on their wedding night, Bridezilla probably consumed her new husband as a light snack, having already hoovered down the entire buffet table in a single sweep.