Arcade Games | Geekscape

Arcade Review: All Amusement Fun Center

by Matthew MorrellNovember 22, 2016

Dearest reader, this review is unlike any Arcade Review to date: you, the reader, will be given the power to make a positive change in the world. Especially now, you may be feeling a little helpless. Maybe a little isolated? We at Geekscape implore you to venture from your console to Burbank Town Center to the last Mall Arcade in Los Angeles:

The All Amusement Fun Center, Burbank Town Center.

"No, this time we really do mean the 'The last one.'" — “No, this time we really do mean the ‘The last one.'”

We braved the claustrophobia inducing, void of all hope that is the LA Freeway system because we value gaming culture. We value our past. We value our future. We value preserving small businesses that exist to support an environment where gamers like us can do what we do best. That’s why we’re calling on you to act. Here’s what’s at stake…

"Behold, the very last of a dying bread." — “Behold, the very last of a dying bread.”

THE PRESENTATION:

This arcade is not a nostalgia museum. This arcade is not a hybrid bar, or restaurant, or lounge where twenty and thirty somethings reminisce about retro gaming. The All Amusement Fun Center is where gamers are born.

"Yes, exactly, but different." — “Yes, exactly, but different.”

It is the place where kids discover their courage to face off against raptors and T-Rex. They develop their determination to reach new high scores on pinball machines. They increase their reflexes mastering every hairpin turn on Superbikes 2. It’s in Arcades like this where that feeling, that heart pounding love of the game begins.

For some of us growing up that couldn’t shell out hundreds of dollars for a home console, Arcades like AAFC offered those with just a few bucks to spare an equal opportunity for adventure, and fun.

int-arcade — “Pictured: fresh paint, new carpet, days worth of adventures.”

In this spotless, dust free, loved and cared for space you would think that this arcade is brand new. It’s not. Several generations have passed through these doors in the last twenty-three years All Amusement Fun Center has been in Burbank.

This Arcade also has some of the most helpful and friendly staff I’ve ever come in contact with. People like Art, and Vanessa, and Krystal know their regulars on a first name basis. They treat strangers, (like this reviewer) with a genuine smile and make themselves available if you need help.

Then there’s the owner, Jim; a true game master. The man opened up a safe place for families and seasoned gamers alike with his own blood, sweat and tears and kept it alive for two decades and during a recession. He rebuilds Arcade cabinets on site like a boss with his bare hands. Speaking of which…

THE GAMES

All Amusement Fun Center has an impressive variety of games; ticket, sports, fighting, racing, rail-shooter, you name it. They’ve got a little bit of everything. There may not be a Mortal Kombat cabinet, but there’s a perfectly good Marvel V. Capcom 2 and Tekken: nothing parents would have to worry about their kids stumbling upon.

You may even find a rare classic such as Sega’s Confidential Mission. With more than a few dozen machines on the floor, Jim does indeed have a secret stash of machines that he repairs and rotates onto the main floor.

Even more important, they all work. There was a moment where the Tekken machine was down for a second, but the staff promptly got it up and running again. Again, this isn’t some neglected relic slowly rotting away in an abandoned corner of the mall; this place is pristine.

This Arcade also boasts four working change/token machines. We can’t stress enough just how easy it is to enjoy this place. You will find that your gaming experience is enhanced when you’re in tangible space with other gamers who are just as excited to mow down hordes of zombies as you are.

THE EXTRAS

This place is a piece of history. More importantly, All Amusement Fun Center is a place that brings people together and breeds future gamers for generations to come. There is a genuine family atmosphere here. Not the Afternoon Special way either, but a genuine community of all generations and cultures.

"As one sided as this match is, it sucks to play it alone." — “As one sided as this match is, it sucks to play the game alone.”

Two brothers, Lenny and Robert, have been regularly coming to AAFC for years. Lenny, the younger, admitted, “It’s gonna be sad to see this place go.”

Robert had introduced his younger brother to Tekken and that as part of the community, “[AAFC] Brings people together.”

Especially during a time when so many people feel divided, a physical place where people can come together is needed more than ever.

Tragically, as of March 2017, like so many other small American business, they are being shut down. Sure, a mall exists to make money. AAFC does that too, but they also have the added benefit of enriching a community. Cypress Equities, (based in Dallas, Texas), has decided that what the community of Burbank really needs is another Ikea.

So, if you’re a real gamer, that means you’re always up for a challenge. By your very nature, you look at impossible odds, laugh, and willfully engage in battle. That’s what’s needed now. You are needed to make a difference, to help save this place of joy and community.

Here’s how…

Easy – You can add your name to this petition on Change.org.

Normal – You can email this nice man chris.maguire@cypressequities.com. Let him know that gamers aren’t some seedy sub-sect of society, but people who value a place to play in peace and community: All Amusement Fun Center is that place.

Legendary – Physically drive (Or have someone drive you) to sign the in-store petition. Experience a great arcade first hand.

Burbank Town Center, 201 W Magnolia Blvd # 128, Burbank, CA 91502.

10 AM – 9 PM Monday – Saturday

11 AM – 8 PM Sunday

This is a mission where everyone’s voice actually counts. This is your chance to help preserve gaming culture.

You can make a difference.

Arcade Review: Neon Retro Arcade

by Matthew MorrellJuly 12, 2016

Our journey into the heart of Pasadena hit us hard with the nostalgia hammer where we explored the Neon Retro Arcade.

If anything can be said about this place, Neon Retro is indeed an arcade. It’s not a bar. It’s not lounge. It’s not an urban fusion hipster joint meant to be ironic for millennials who pretend to know what Joust is, but really don’t.

(There is no irony here. At Geekscape, our Joust game is strong.) — There is no irony here. At Geekscape, our Joust game is strong.

Neon Retro is an Arcade. Period. It never tries to be anything more or less than a single story, one room building crammed full of classic cabinets, and a handful of pinball machines.

There’s also a couch in the back sitting in front of a pair of huge flat screens for some console gaming. That’s it. Despite it’s simplicity, a great deal of this place’s charm is tied to the location.

If you brave the ubiquitous traffic on a Saturday night headed for Neon Retro, prepare to do some light time-traveling. If you’re not already a part of it, you’ll notice a retro feel long before you even enter the arcade: having found yourself surrounded by the early 1920’s neo-art-deco buildings. It’s a part of the city that has recaptured that fictional golden age Americana vibe. As you walk over towards 28 South Raymond from any of the nearby parking garages, your mindset should already be well in tune with the past.

Neon Retro’s facade appears like any other store front window. Only the bright neon title suggests that the contents within are of a different era than any of the other shop on the street.

Then you enter.

80’s music is pumping through the air. Familiar theme songs play; Street Fighter II to your left, The Simpsons in front of you, Tetris somewhere in the distance. Before frolicking through the rows of cabinets with all your past favorites, you’ll need to line up for your sticker. What sticker you ask? After only a ten dollar entry fee, the employee will slap (or kindly hand you) a name tag with a time stamp.

For the next hour, you’ll be playing all the games you want for free. FREE.

Or until you get your ass handed to you in Street Fighter and walk away covered in the shame of your failure.

Again, it doesn’t get much more simple than that. There’s games, games, and more games. After an hour, you can either go home or wait in line to buy more time. Be forewarned that if it’s a busy night, there can be a line. The few times this field report checked in on the property however, there wasn’t, but don’t say we didn’t warn you.

We'll let you put together the visual pun yourself, we've already been reprimanded for making it too obvious. — “For the last time, no, End of Line does not start here.”

One of the special touches that this place has can actually be found on its website: the High Score chart. It’s an invitation not just to return to the property, but to consider yourself part of the Neon Retro community: “Here’s my score, come to my place and try to best me.” It draws you in, and invites others to come down to see what you’re made of. OR, you can simply use it to brag about how you’re hot shit. Either way, there’s an overwhelming sense that the management who cares for this arcade, cares about the community they’ve cultivated around gaming.

The space is clean, there’s a restroom on sight, and the front desk has snacks. This place is definitely rated ‘E’ for everyone so bring the kids. If you really forgot to feed yourself, or need a drink, there are more than enough local pubs and coffee shops in the area to satisfy.

If there was any real criticism about the place, it could be argued that it is on the small side. It doesn’t boast the spacious rooms of Eighty Two, or the sheer quantity of games jammed into the hallway of the One Up. However, with a rotating selection of arcade cabinets, and a guarantee of an hour worth of FREE games, this place sits in the Goldilocks Zone of Arcades in the greater LA area.

It’s not too big, nor too small, Neon Retro is just right.

Arcade Review: Eighty Two, LA

by Matthew MorrellJune 14, 2016

In the on going quest to hunt for the ultimate arcade, we stick closer to home with LA’s own Eighty Two Arcade and Bar. Just last week, this reviewer drove a little over 700 miles to Phoenix, which felt like a shorter drive than the one into LA. Was it worth it though? Decidedly, yes.

Nestled within the Arts District and Little Tokyo, covered in vivid and brilliant graffiti is a corner building. Graffiti-eyes covering the exterior of the building peer out at you, daring you to take a closer look. Challenge accepted.

"Creepiest staring contest, ever." — “Creepiest staring contest, ever.”

Arriving early enough, you’ll be spared waiting in line which tends to form after eight. There’s no cover fee. Plenty of security. Immediately entering the building, you’ll notice that you’re right back outside again. The design of Eighty Two makes the most of its space to give a refreshing non-claustrophobic feel to the arcade and bar scene.

Once in the serene open courtyard complete with wooden benches, tables, and plenty of greenery you may choose to head into the right wing. There you’ll find at least a dozen pinball machines ranging from classic to modern. Restrooms are also here in case you need them.

After you’ve sunk a few quarters hitting the flippers and bumpers, cross through the courtyard again and into the left wing. Take a moment to notice that nearly all of your classic cabinets are present, of which Street Fighter II Championship Edition is front and center.

If you’re gonna test your strength at Street Fighter II, bring your A-game. You’ll find that at any given time your game may be projected on the wall over the bar. A Pretty cool feature that emphasizes what Eighty Two is really about; showcasing the games. At times you may mistake the sleek minimalist design and overall cleanliness of the arcade for an interactive art installation.

It’s clear that there is a very intentional choice in design that serves not just to encourage ease of flow for the crowd between the rooms, but show off the love the owners have for the golden age of the arcade era.

"Speaking of showing off #Humblebrag — “Speaking of showing off… #HumbleBrag.”

Once you walk through the collection of Arcade favorites, you may notice that the room opens up like a ‘V’ with the bar and space near the DJ station to either sit back or dance. It’s hard not to do the later when the rotating guest DJ’s know what the hell is up. Seriously good atmosphere.

If you wander over to the bar, you’ll find a slew of custom cocktails. Among the popular drinks of the night was the Princess Peach. There’s plenty of brew on tap as well, along with bottles and cans if you want to keep it simple. Hungry? There’s a separate outside area behind the courtyard where the food truck, or BBQ pit will be set up after 7:00 PM-ish.

Overall, it’s an impressive space. A spacious space. It was refreshing to be among a lively crowd and never get the sensation of being too crowded. Among the best features of Eighty Two, it has to be the openness that the combination of in-and-outdoors does to maintain a comfortable and entertaining environment: you forget that you’re in a bar or an arcade. It’s just another night at your friend’s home who has all the games you love, the music to mash buttons to, and drinks to keep you refreshed in between rounds of clobbering Magneto or blasting Space Invaders.

Other than the obligatory hassle of wading through Southern California traffic, the journey is certainly worth the reward to visit an unquestionably cool arcade.

Arcade Review: Cobra Arcade and Bar

by Matthew MorrellJune 5, 2016

American Arcades are Reborn!

If anyone’s ever had that moment while being harassed by some troll online in the comfort in their own home and said to themselves, “Where the hell are all the adults who play video games?”

Cobra Arcade and Bar in downtown Phoenix, Arizona is that place.

To verify this claim, this field reporter spent his Saturday trekking over 700 miles into hell’s front porch, Phoenix, Arizona. Temperatures reached a soul crushing 114 degrees. Expectations for whether or not this little pub was worth it began to climb.

Located just a stone’s throw away from the Phoenix Convention Center, this bar immediately exceeded those expectations. It is exactly what you’ve been looking for: a haven for gamers who grew up in the classic arcade era. Of course, if you’re at least over twenty-one they’ll let you in regardless of your recollection of the eighties and nineties. That being said, the nostalgia factor is strong in this most beautiful of bars.

She's not looking down on you, she's wondering, "What took you so damn long to come home?" — She’s not looking down on you, she’s wondering, “What took you so damn long to come home?”

Beautiful is by no means an over exaggeration (Nor was this field reporter paid to be this flowery). Even before you enter, a gorgeous black and white mural, wooden patio deck, and the delicious scent of the food-truck-of-the-week welcomes you in. Your senses aren’t lying, you’re home now.

Inside, situated underneath what looks like the engines of the Rebel Blockade Runner from Star Wars, you’ll find bartenders frantically running orders. Two huge flat-screens will play whatever happens to suit the night best; Heavy Metal, Planet of the Apes ‘68… you name it. Crammed in the corner is a live DJ spinning a perfect mix of eclectic, and kinetic tracks to mash buttons to.

Even on the busiest of nights (Saturday post Arizona Comic-Con), everyone is greeted, served, and given the time of day by friendly staff. Their in house cocktails are second to none (try an Invader). Or if you want a plain brew, they’ve got plenty to choose from along with a rotating list of ciders and beers. Take your pick from a respectable wine list too. Or, if you just really need the caffeine, Cobra’s got you covered.

What Cobra real boils down to however is that it’s far beyond a bar that just happens to have arcade games. It is without question equal parts bar as it is arcade. Among the handful of people this writer spoke with, the only criticism that could be given was a lack of racing games, and only one shooter to speak of (None other than the OG CarnEvile). But, that’s hardly a factor if you’re busy sinking quarters into TMNT: Turtles in Time, The Simpsons, or an intense two on two game of NBA Freaking Jam.

They even had Space Harrier. You heard me. Space. Harrier.

Well worth the loss of many a quarter #humblebrag

Seriously, feast your eyes upon the official list here and tell me, are you not entertained?

What was even better than the astounding selection of games, was once again, Cobra cares about their cabinets and the gamers who use them. From open to close while present, this report found NONE of the games Out of Order. None of them. Street Fighter II had a weird joystick issue going on at one point. Within mere moments, an In-House Tech had surgically opened the cabinet, healed it back to good, and players were kicking ass until last call. When the token machine ran out of tokens, a heartbeat had passed before it was refilled again.

So if you’re asking yourself, is it worth to escape the comfort of the ole’ homestead console or PC and venture outside? Deep down in your heart of hearts, you’re craving a friendly environment, delicious drinks, and an expertly curated collection of game cabinets. Cobra Arcade and Bar is the second home you’ve be searching for.

Cash in a sick day or two.

Go there now.

Matthew B. Morrell

Geekscape Games Reviews: ‘Blues and Bullets’ – Episode 2!

by jake108April 18, 2016

Blues and Bullets is a title that is unique to the current video game marketplace. With all these simulation games, all of the FPS’ at our disposal, it’s easy for any indie game to get lost in the frenzy. Blues and Bullets deserves a play through, and at the very least, your attention. What A Crowd of Monsters has accomplished is a stunning piece of art filled with mystery, emotion, and suspense. If you’re just catching on to this title now, feel free to read my review of Blues and Bullets Episode 1. Otherwise, let’s jump in!

Episode two picks up where the first episode left off. Like other games told episodically, A Crowd of Monsters provides gamers with a “Previously on” segment that recaps everything you did in the first episode. I personally found it helpful to revisit your choices from episode one, something you can do in the main menu. While the first episode set the foundation for Blues and Bullets, episode two dives in head first into developing the game’s main cast of characters. This is done by weaving in flashbacks from Elliot Ness’ point-of-view. Here, we are able to see just what kind of man Elliot Ness was before he lost his friends to Al Capone. What I like most here is that A Crowd of Monsters puts games into the shoes of an Elliot Ness who’s in the middle of an extra-marital affair. What’s unique about this is that players aren’t able to avoid Ness’ mistakes altogether, but instead are tasked with where to go from there.

This episode also delves into Ness’ band of “Untouchables” and what exactly happened to them. By the first episode, we had an inkling that something didn’t go down right, and Elliot had only himself to blame. With Shaking the Hive, gamers can get the full backstory as to what happened, and where Elliot Ness was when it happened. Juxtaposed with Ness’ flashbacks is the game’s main story arc. Let’s not forget that the reason why Ness came out of retirement was to investigate a string of child abductions, including Al Capone’s own granddaughter.

As we found out in episode one, a cult located within the city is responsible for the abductions. What’s unknown is what exactly they want with the children. However, the cult seemingly dates back decades before Ness takes on the case. In fact, the cult’s history may blend with Ness’ own history, something he’s slowly starting to figure out.

Shaking the Hive has more action than the first episode. This may come as a relief for players who were craving more gunplay. While the action is somewhat linear and “on-the-rails”, it fits the game’s scheme and world. This, coupled with witty banter between Ness and Capone make for an exciting sequence. Episode two also returns a chapter in which you can play detective and piece together a clues to achieve the answers you’re looking for. While it does feel like A Crowd of Monsters is trying to achieve a sort of formula for these episodes, I must stress that it is a welcomed formula and at no time did I feel terribly bored or jaded to what was going on.

Overall, episode 2 does well with representing the classic noir theme. If you’re into Telltale games and episodic storytelling, definitely take a chance on Blues and Bullets. You will not be disappointed.

Blues and Bullets episodes 1 & 2 are available now on Xbox One, PC. Episode 1 is available now on the Playstation 4 and episode 2 will be available later this month.