The Death of the Western Arcade (And machines that are cool enough that you should play them if encountered in the wild)

[SpellSword]

Consoles and computers offer a deeper experience than the bite sized one found in an arcade's quarter eaters. This no doubt played a role in the downfall of these entertainment centers. However, their eastern counterparts seemed to continue with much more staying power. I posit that the decline wasn't caused by the quality of the games alone, instead the experience offered by the establishment itself was lacking.

Towards the end of the Arcade era, such shops were dark, dank holes in the wall. The machines were often in poor condition and the staff surly and unwelcoming, perhaps due to their failing venture. I'd been to several arcades as they were winding down, and the environment of the venue itself was always what would make sure that even if you did spend a few dollars in an interesting game, you'd never return willingly to challange it again.

For the most part, I don't miss the arcade. The PC and consoles both had a vast selection of games, and ports of popular arcade games were often available... although rarely with the same level of graphical quality as the original source material. Still, there were a few that if you encounter them today would be worth your time to check out. Even though many of them can be played today via a port or on an emulator, some included gimmicks in their cabinets that makes the original hardware still the best option.

Here's a few to keep your eyes out for:

► Spy Hunter

An easy game to come by in bundled collections for PC and console. However, if you get lucky enough to find an arcade machine that has not only the steering wheel but also the attached chair, I'd recommend taking it for a spin.

The controls consist of a steering wheel in the form of a futuristic aircraft-style yoke with several special-purpose buttons, a two-position stick shift (offering "low" and "high" gears), and a pedal used for acceleration.

Spy Hunter Controls.webp

It's already a good game, but that really is the best way to play it.

► Virtual-On

You may be able to simulate the controls of this cabinet with a twin stick gamepad, but nothing matches the feeling of the actual double joystick setup.



As far as I know, at least everytime I saw one in the wild, this machine is deployed in a set of two that are linked. So if you sit down with a friend, you can have a versus match where each of you has your own screen.

The combat system is a little deeper than it appears at first. Once you've got it down, this is a pretty great game.

On a side note: There was a PC release, and a good one at that. But unfortunately it had an odd check in it that messes up running it on a lot of hardware. Not a glitch while the game is running, instead it just won't boot as it "doesn't detect a Pentium with MMX technology". So unless you've got the original Pentium hardware sitting around, your best bet is either to emulate it or play it inside Yakuza Kiwami 2... I'm not sure that version supports multiplayer though.

► Dance Dance Revolution

The ports of this included a plastic mat. Did the job, but you really need the metal pads with back brace to get the most out of it. Fun if you can find a machine with the full setup, provided it is one with actually good music:


Make use of that bar on the back!

What memorable arcade machines have you guys encountered?

[Oyster Sauce]

I just like the candy claw machines that go until you win something

[Val the Moofia Boss]

Brian Niemeier has talked about this extensively. The arcade itself was not the main issue. The issue was the demise of the mall, which is an extension of the decline of America. The mallgoing phenomena existed because of the demographics and culture of America. It was safe for teens to go out from home and go walk around with their friends and hang out at the arcades. As more and more hooligans have been imported into America, and as the white middle class has diminished, the malls became increasingly unsafe prone to vandalism and muggings. So fewer kids went there, and security guards were brought in which shooed off loitering teens and also increased the expenses of the shops at the mall, forcing many out.

[SpellSword]

I just like the candy claw machines that go until you win something

The ones that guarantee a prize can be pretty fun.

► The grim truth about the rest...

Kind of the precursor to the loot box...

[SpellSword]

► Silent Scope

This one is kind of neat. How it works is there is the standard big screen, but the gimmick is that the rifle shaped controller also has a small screen inside the scope that is zoomed in on wherever you aim.



There is a draw back though, the rifle is attached directly to the machine and you can't pick it up like the handheld lightguns of something like The House of the Dead. (It's basically just a large rifle shaped joystick.)

There were a few console ports of this one, but without the double screen trick it really isn't the same.

► Mega Man: The Power Battle

It's a Mega Man themed arcade game but with no stages, just a boss rush. The cabinet doesn't have any special controls but its worth a mention because it is rather fair about its difficulty and is easy to one credit clear. Fun played single player or coop.



If you spot it and only have one coin, this is a good time.

I've only encountered this cabinet once in the wild, but the good news is that ports of it (And its sequel) have been included in several console collections that aren't that hard to get hold of.

► Police 911

I 'think' this is the one I played... but it may have been something different using the same motion control system. The cabinet shape looks right.



This lightgun game has a really cool trick, the cabinet tracks your physical position. So not only do you need to aim with the gun, but also actually dodge with your own body. The game will track even if you get really low to the ground allowing for some interesting moves if you really get into it.

The feeling of the view point shifting with you is very unique, and playing it can be quite a work out.

There was a console release on the PS2, that actually did have a setup to play with a lightgun and full motion control using a camera... but this home conversion sadly didn't get released over here.

[rusty_shackleford]

I liked the coop shooting ones

[SpellSword]

► Janken Game Acchi Muite Hoi!

janken
Here's a Japanese exclusive with an interesting controller. The joystick has two buttons arranged on the side of it so that depending on which you've got depressed, your hand will mirror 'Rock' (All buttons pressed) 'scissors' (Lower button pressed) or paper (No buttons pressed). A clever solution.

Janken Game Acchi Muite Hoi! (1).webp

It's a pretty simple game. The player and animated character play rock paper scissors followed by the winner selecting a direction and the loser trying to select any other direction at the same moment. The presentation and the control method is unique enough that I figure its worth highlighting.

Janken Game Acchi Muite Hoi! (2).webp

Although the cabinets are long gone and I don't think there's ever been a re-release of this one, KYDB made a documentary that gives a good run down of 'Janken Game Acchi Muite Hoi!' if your interested in seeing everything the game had to offer:
She Got Very Popular Lately

► Marble Madness

Marble Madness arcade 2 player 60fps
The game is deceptively simple in concept. Just get your marble to the goal without falling off the track or being destroyed by a hazard. Despite the game's short length, actually pulling off clearing all the courses is quite tricky.
Marble Madness Arcade Game Cabinet #retrogaming #retro #games #gaming #marble #marblemadness
The cabinet featured a large trackball for each player to control their marbles rotation. The tightrope nature of some of the level design may appear to favor slower careful movement, however a timer ticking down keeps everyone frantically scrabbling.

Marble Madness Cabinet.webp

It's pretty fun in multiplayer and the simple controls make it easy to pick up and play without instructions.

This one has been re-released and ported several times over the years. It's also easy to come by in Midway and Atari compilation packs.

I liked the coop shooting ones

► The House of the Dead 2

[Arcade]The House of the Dead 2 1080p Complete Playthrough
A well known lightgun rail shooter that is filled with multpile paths and oddly toned dialogue. The game starts out pretty fair as long as you can land head shots, but quickly ramps up the difficulty.

The House of the Dead 2 Cabinet.webp

I was lucky enough to encounter it in the lobby of a local movie theater. It was a quarter hungry machine, but quite fun to play with a friend.

► And the voice acting always made me smile.

The House Of The Dead 2: The Voice Acting

Luke Correia has a video covering the voice acting. Interestingly it isn't a botched english dub...

► the voice audio is actually the the same version used in the original japanese release.

Why Was The Voice Acting in The House of The Dead 2 So Bad?

There have been several ports and even a remake of this one. However, if you can't play it with an actual lightgun I'd skip it.