12 replies to this topic

[khards]

Dose anyone know where there any arcades which only have oldish machines on a reasnable percentage payout. I am not really interested in playing mechanical slot machines, but early clasics like the ones emulated here and also some 5/10p project coin low tecs, ace machines e.t.c.
I seem to spend more time looking for good machines than playing them these days, I might find that in one seaside location there are 5 machines in 3 arcades that are worth playing, then I find that these are usually removed after 6 months!

It would be nice to see some old videos too like 'super hang on'

[stevedude2]

Hi khards

I agree with you mate, the games of yesteryear are the best.

I went to Hunstanton at Easter time and one of the arcades had a load of retro video games. Pac-Man was there, and possibly Out Run, After Burner and Space Harrier, plus some others. They had some oldish fruits, Cops n Robbers, Pink Panther, Only Fools and Horses, and some JPM Lite-a-Nudges Mk 2.

Round my way there is an Open the Box 5p, original Line Up, some old JPM Eachway Shuffles Mk I, 5p Andy Capp and a Cops n Robbers and Frankenstein. There's also a 5p Dr. Who rebuild, and loads of £4 token Electrocoins.

In Porthcawl funfair is a Hagar, Hypr Viper and Viva Las Vegas. There was a Fairground and a Crown Jester, but not any more.

That's about it.

[khards]

Sounds like yuou have some wicked machines in your area, you have to have a good look around my area (Margate, Ramsgate in kent) to find any machines any where near as good as these classics. I am in Bristol soon, I might have a drive to Porthcawl and have a look around.
It would be great if there was a 'retro arcade museum', but I dont know whether there is the demand for such a thing. I would certainly go if there was such a place.

[dtrmad2004]

khards. have you tried the westcliffe cafe in ramsgate used to be the monkey house, they have some great clasics in there but not been in there for a while so you would have to check.

Andy

[khards]

Not sure where that is because I have just moved here from Plymouth, but I will find it and check it out. The royal on margate sea front still has a few good machines, but most of there stock is crap!

I sure would like to re open that closed down Gold Mine arcade and fill it with some good retro equipment, I dont think that I would get enough intrest to make it worth while and the rent is 30k per year!

[dtrmad2004]

westcliffe is is near the old ferry terminal. and gold mine has been shut for a while now, Margate used to have a nice selection of arcade but a couple of them have been turned into pubs or got shut/burnt down.

Andy

[khards]

I will check it out, dream has got a couple of ok machines, but have recently scrapped 'Nudge Nudge Wink Wink' and cloud 999

[dtrmad2004]

also there cains amusements near the lido in margate. lol spent loads in there as its only about 2 mins walk from me. not exactly retro but worth checking out

Andy

[frankie4fingers]

... Margate used to have a nice selection of arcade but a couple of them have been turned into pubs or got shut/burnt down.

Andy

Ah good ol' Nobles

[dtrmad2004]

Ah good ol' Nobles

yeah i liked that one nicely laid out and spacious, shame.

Andy

[DodgyDave]

Hi, my first post, yeah I know damn Newbies, anyway I found this thread, and thought I'd add my find.
Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire.
I've got a static caravan up there, and everytime I stay, I visit the old arcade on the corner by the seafront.It's got loads of classic machines, fruity's, vids, and even old mechanical games and pushers.
For fans of the old Barcrest MPU3's etc you'll love this place, although they didn't have LineUp or Nudges Unlimited, shame!.There's also stuff like Eachway Nudger.
On the Vids front it's rather small, but there is a Pole Position and Star Wars (original vector) cockpits.The original Penny Falls, target games, M1 road test, this place is a real trip down memory lane.
I keep asking the owner if he'll sell me something, and each time he refuses!! I'll keep asking as around 8-9 years ago I went to Clacton for the day, just to see what it was like now, and visited SunSpot Amusements, they had loads of machines with for sale signs, and I got an original LineUp machine for £25, it's a shame I never realised it'd be worth so much years later, as after 2 years the missus said it had to go, and without thinking I scrapped it!.Nevermind it still lives on, I sent the top glass to Pandy? a few years ago.
I see someone mentioned Hunstanton, I use to go there a lot in my teens, as my dad had a caravan at Heacham Beach, I must go and visit soon!

OK, I'll stop now!

[sharpy2005]

Hi Dodgydave, a warm welcome to FME

For anyone around the South Wales area, visiting Barry Island might prove to be a trip down memory lane too. Most of the arcades are stocked with new stuff now, a few machines here or there in a couple of arcades are old one. But, if you go down to the seafront, look for the arcade covered over with a huge shelter, this used to contain very old stuff from the 80's! Original penny falls, some arcade games, very old fruit machines. The arcade doesnt open much, just during the main summer months I think, and I'll be honest, I don't know if it still has old machines or has been completely restocked. My bet is that it still has much old stuff! Can anyone confirm?

[kensplace2]

Opening and running a arcade, with machines of my choice would be a dream come true for me. Sod profit margins, it would make enough money to make a living, and thats what really matters at the end of the day. Plus it would be very enjoyable and great fun.

The americans have a place like this already, its a musuem of old coin-op arcade machines (no fruities though), and it makes a lot of money, but then again its ran by some serious names in the industry (like the original inventors of atari machines etc)