Post by gliptitude on Dec 9, 2013 14:51:34 GMT -5
Well I've taken another Thanksgiving trip to LA this year. I didn't make arcade hunting as much of a priority this time, but I did try another place:
BLIPSY'S BARCADE
Which looks like it is the updated version of the former Ms. T's Barcade.
It was a pretty cool setting for an arcade, except for the DJ playing VERY loud music. My friend and I were among 7 or 8 people there, including the bartender and the DJ, so the music seemed way over done. Plus one of the speakers was right in between two of the games that interested me the most, (Asteroids and Stellar Wars).
Satisfyingly sketchy place, seemed appropriate. I didn't feel on the spot, in spite of being among a small number of people in a small space. Bought a drink because I wanted to, not because I felt obligated.
They have just enough games to fill the space and it is a good number and nice selection. I think about 13 arcades (one cocktail and one cockpit) and 4 pinballs. The selection is not a robust overview or a collection of the best, but all of the games are classics.
A lot of the games are pretty janky, but most are at least partially (or momentarily) playable. The Reverse button on Defender didn't work, and looks like it hasn't for a long time (this button was way more worn than the others). Spy Hunter (cockpit) took my friend's quarters and never gave a game. Cool oversize pin ball Stellar Wars worked for a couple games before one of the paddles got stuck. Double Dragon seemed to suffer unusual graphic slowdowns.
Another highlight was Gun Fight, 1975 2-player only game. Probably pretty rare to see a game as old as this in such a setting, and this machine was actually among the most reliable (functional) in the collection.
I think I'd be fine with the quality and scale of this place if the selection was rotating occasionally. But it looks like that is not the case. So as is, I would go there again, but probably only 2 or 3 more times in my life. I definitely wouldn't go there just to drink.
xxxxxxxxx
Update on the previously mentioned LA area resource, Penny Arcadia: A few months ago I had tried to correspond again with the guy who had previously instructed me to make an appointment months in advance. .. I did not receive ANY response from him this time, so I kind of gave up on that. Perhaps he was expecting me to have made a donation to KLOV/Arcade Museum in the meantime?
Maybe jasonbar can weigh in? .. Did you ever pursue a visit in Pasadena?
BLIPSY'S BARCADE
Which looks like it is the updated version of the former Ms. T's Barcade.
It was a pretty cool setting for an arcade, except for the DJ playing VERY loud music. My friend and I were among 7 or 8 people there, including the bartender and the DJ, so the music seemed way over done. Plus one of the speakers was right in between two of the games that interested me the most, (Asteroids and Stellar Wars).
Satisfyingly sketchy place, seemed appropriate. I didn't feel on the spot, in spite of being among a small number of people in a small space. Bought a drink because I wanted to, not because I felt obligated.
They have just enough games to fill the space and it is a good number and nice selection. I think about 13 arcades (one cocktail and one cockpit) and 4 pinballs. The selection is not a robust overview or a collection of the best, but all of the games are classics.
A lot of the games are pretty janky, but most are at least partially (or momentarily) playable. The Reverse button on Defender didn't work, and looks like it hasn't for a long time (this button was way more worn than the others). Spy Hunter (cockpit) took my friend's quarters and never gave a game. Cool oversize pin ball Stellar Wars worked for a couple games before one of the paddles got stuck. Double Dragon seemed to suffer unusual graphic slowdowns.
Another highlight was Gun Fight, 1975 2-player only game. Probably pretty rare to see a game as old as this in such a setting, and this machine was actually among the most reliable (functional) in the collection.
I think I'd be fine with the quality and scale of this place if the selection was rotating occasionally. But it looks like that is not the case. So as is, I would go there again, but probably only 2 or 3 more times in my life. I definitely wouldn't go there just to drink.
xxxxxxxxx
Update on the previously mentioned LA area resource, Penny Arcadia: A few months ago I had tried to correspond again with the guy who had previously instructed me to make an appointment months in advance. .. I did not receive ANY response from him this time, so I kind of gave up on that. Perhaps he was expecting me to have made a donation to KLOV/Arcade Museum in the meantime?
Maybe jasonbar can weigh in? .. Did you ever pursue a visit in Pasadena?
