Arcade reveiw | 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 DOUBLE HEADER: Coin Haus / Coin-Op

by Matthew MorrellOctober 19, 2016

Experiencing the regrowth of arcade culture first hand in San Diego is awe inspiring, especially considering that places like Coin Haus and Coin-Op Northpark have sprouted up as recent as 2013. Both of these arcades may be two sides of the same coin, but they are still distinctly different houses of play. What is clear is that they both deserve to be experienced…

"And if you haven't been, then you need to get out to these arcades." — “And if you haven’t been, then you need to get out to these arcades.”

COIN HAUS

Walking up main street La Mesa, you’ll hang a left at the top of the street onto Allison Avenue. You’ll go past a series of cute shops, wooden arches tangled in vines. You’ll hear the sounds of what could be just another artsy bar. It isn’t until you see the spray painted letters above the building that you know you’re in for something good.

"Ready Player One? Like you even have to ask." — “Ready Player One? Like you even have to ask.”

Now you’re inside, and possibly confused. Tables to the right (one with a Light Bright even), a giant orange shipping crate in front of you, and a few cabinet games to the left of you. Obviously, you go left to the games. But, you stop as someone from behind calls out, “You’ll need a wristband.”

As innovative as Coin Haus undoubtedly is, it does employ a potentially dangerous way of paying for drink and game. Simply wave your key fob attached to your wrist band, wait for the green light, and you’re set. There’s one little hitch. The wrist band doesn’t tell you how much you’ve spent. That’s not necessarily a problem if you’re even a little good at math, but there’s another minor problem in that being-good-at-math thing…

Self pour.

That giant shipping crate in the center of the arcade? Yeah, it’s filled end to end with a ludicrously large selection of brew on tap. On both sides. These aren’t your run of the mill big name brands either. Local brews, imports, fine wine, even coffee beer. If you’re not acting like the responsible adult you should be, you may totally forgot why you came here in the first place…

int-coin-haus-1 — “Here’s a hint: look behind you.”

The GAMES!

Yeah, Coin Haus has games too. Lining the back wall, a well curated collection of games from the eighties to today awaits. Activated by the same wrist band no less. Despite Joust being out of order when this reviewer was present, all the other games seemed to be in perfect order. In fact the whole place was in pristine order. Coin Haus in a sense is a micro brewery if it were owned and operated by the Mario Brothers.

There is no shame in saying Coin Haus is first and foremost one of the most innovative bars built around an arcade motif. They don’t do snacks. They don’t do specialty entrees.

They do beer, and they do it exceptionally well.

Personally, neither my wallet or liver were able to sample each and every beer, wine, (and coffee beer?) but with a self pour, and easy to use wrist band for beer and video games that is certainly an option for you.

Drink responsibly, play video games liberally, and go check out Coin Haus.

"This is the most polite way to say don't be a drunk asshole we've ever seen, so please take heed." — “This is the most polite way to say don’t be a drunk asshole we’ve ever seen, so please take heed.”

Coin-Op North Park

As one who has been through the cement hellscape that is Los Angeles, finding a prime parking spot on 30th street a stone’s throw away from Coin-Op in North Park was a pleasant surprise. Walking across Lincoln Ave toward University, there are many a cocktail lounge to stop by. But, there’s only one Coin-Op… sort of.

Before you enter, you’ll need to flash your ID. Tough luck if you’re under twenty one. This is a cocktail bar after all. Still once inside, you feel like you’ve walked into your best friend’s garage. You know the one; the friend that had the same console as you, but with all the games you didn’t have, and the snacks, and the drinks…

"Can you spot spot the Hulk serving you beer in this picture?" — “Can you spot the Hulk serving you beer in this picture?”

Coin-Op feels a lot like your best friend’s garage when you two were playing TMNT and one of you said, “Maybe we should invite So-So over?”

Then the other one of you said, “Let’s invite EVERYONE over!”

"Sure even these guys. But, if this turns into a Mario Party, may Arceus have mercy on your soul." — “Sure even these guys. But, if this turns into a Mario Party, may Arceus have mercy on your soul.”

The only wall not covered in video games is the one with the bar. We’re assuming the kitchen doesn’t have any arcade cabinets hidden back there either, but we’ll never know for sure. We only found the one change machine in the back. No key FOBs, no custom printed tokens, just quarters. There’s also a backyard with games if you need fresh air and some peace.

"Pictured: the saddest game of Jenga ever." — “Pictured: the saddest game of Jenga ever.”

In contrast with Coin Haus, Coin-Op Northpark feels and looks like a really cool party that ballooned uncontrollably into a block party. So what if that block party is crammed into a space a little bigger than a three car garage? It has everything you need. Did we not mention the games?

Or the drinks?

coin-op-drinks — “Book ’em Danno. Quoting the television show? No, I was ordering the drink.”

Now we live in a time that is truly an embarrassment of riches in geek culture. Both Houses of Coin are but two of many arcades in San Diego; all of which Geekscape will eventually visit. Even greater still, Coin-Op North Park is but one of the soon to be Coin-Op Franchise. With one already in Sacramento, and another Coin-Op soon to be opened in San Francisco, arcade culture shows no signs of slowing down. It’s spreading.

This December, when Coin-Op opens its sister property in San Fran, you better believe Geekscape will be there to cover it.

Until then, get out there, and get your game on.

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.