Insert Coin to Play

[emvee]

While I was walking through our local mall the other day, I spied that our arcade had reopened under new management. Eager to see what had changed, I went inside to scope out the games, and found myself in a myriad of lackluster hits. Perhaps I'm just an old fogey, but it feels like arcades are losing the charm they once had. Then it occured to me that an arcade's success is based on the experiences had within the facility. Flashing lights, loud techno music, six-player brawls through the worlds of our favourite comic book heroes -- where did it all go?

So, I offer this thread. If you could make the perfect arcade experience, what games would you have? Feel free to explain why as well. As for my list:

Galaga: A classic that's been around longer than I have. It's a simple shooter, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't fun. One quarter never lasted long for me, but I didn't mind putting more in.

Gauntlet Legends: Hack and slash at its finest. Grab three friends and pull them to the ends of the earth, fighting a Chimera, Dragon, and even the Grim Reaper himself. Level up and keep your stats for later through an initial/passcode system. Great fun all around.

Virtual On: Simply put, adrenaline rush + mechas + upbeat music + involving controls = legendary game. It just isn't the same without the big screen, loud speakers, and twin-stick controls. Just try to get the same experience on the Sega Saturn. I dare you.

Wangan Midnight: Forget initialD, this is where underground racing shines. Drive along the road, find yourself an opponent, then leave them in your dust! The coolest part of this racer is the presentation. After a few challenges, you're challenged by a team, and the music changes to represent their tenacity, much like a boss fight. If you can find this and play it, do so, and then brace yourself for my overwhelming envy.

TMNT: Turtles in Time: It's Teenage Mutant/Hero Ninja Turtles in a classic beat-em-up for four players -- it's the staple of arcade gaming! Fast, simple action, fun music, colorful visuals, and let's not forget "PIZZA TIME!"

Time Crisis 2: I forget if this was the Time Crisis that allowed cooperative play from two different angles, but that machine was a wonderful experience. Get yourself a friend and blast the crap out of terrorists. Just don't shoot your partner!

Taiko Drum Master: Forget DDR, Taiko Drum Master is truly more engrossing. You don't have to move your legs, allowing you to focus more on your hand-eye coordination with pulsing beats. Also, some of the songs featured are from other great arcade classics, such as The Tower of Druaga and Ridge Racer.

Ridge Racer: It's Ridge Racer! Riiiiiiiidge Raaacerrrr! Seriously though, Ridge Racer is where quality arcade racing began. Pole Position may have beaten it to the punch, but Ridge Racer truly stands out over its ancestor. Fast paced action, quality music (speakers in the seat if you find a cabinet supporting that), and colorful presentation make this a must have.

Air Hockey: It's freaking Air Hockey! No arcade is complete without Air Hockey. When your eyes need a break, and you want something a little more competitive than Soul Calibur, get yourself a soda and order of fries and hit up an Air Hockey table!

So /yc/ .... what would YOU put in an arcade?

[Lord of the Dance]

Ohoho, Galaga was a fun game when I got to play it.
Add that Valkyrie game or whatever it was to the list. It was insane four-player action.
...And maybe Joust or Balloon Fighter. If those were arcade games, haha. I'm too ignorant to figure out what those were originally for.

[Rackinac]

Galaga. My dad used to play it all the time at the arcade when I was little, and now I play it all the time. He's way better, but I'm catching up!

Donkey Kong is another thing I wasted all my money on. Damn those barrels of death- I mean, fun.

Pac-Man. Pac-the-freakin'-Man. He was indeed the man.

Aw man, what's that game with the mouse? You're a mouse and you need to collect all these items. but not let the cats get you! That game was awesome.

I'll have more up later, this is all I can remember at the moment, haha.

[emvee]

Apr 18, 2008 20:09:30 GMT -5 Rackinac said:

Aw man, what's that game with the mouse? You're a mouse and you need to collect all these items. but not let the cats get you! That game was awesome.

Oh gods I forgot all about Mappy Land. I could never do well on that game, haha!

[teh yoshi]

Dance Dance Revolution and Mario Kart GT or whatever it's called. And shove in some more Bemani in there, such as beatmania IIDX.
Because they're really the only games I can be bothered playing at an arcade.

[Brute]

I would love to have Galaga, Marvel vs. Capcom, Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac Man, and last but not least....Contra!! XD

[Blitzzoshi]

Ms. Pac-Man. No questions asked. It gives better value for the coin than most any other arcade game I know, and it's also more varied than Pac-Man since you have multiple maze designs.