What do you want out of your arcade in LA? Fun and
excitement? A place to play and drink? That old-school feeling? I break down
the arcades in the LA area for you.
Let’s go through are barcades first.
The Good
For those who have since grown up, but still want to play, Eighty-Two; 707 E 4th Pl; (213) 626-8200 is
your best bet. The barcade only features machines from the late 80’s and early
90’s. They just got in a six-player version of X-Men, Terminator with the
machine gun attachments and many other old-school titles. A room over from the
arcade games they have a huge collection of movie and TV themed pinball
machines. DJ’s and a bar to wet your whistle make it the perfect hang out to
once again beat someone at Street Fighter II. Lacking its own food service
you’ll have to eat up all the surrounding goodies nearby in the arts district.
*X-Lanes; 333 S.
Alameda St. #300; (213) 229-8910 is walking distance and has bowling, prize games,
pool and some of the latest arcade games.
The Bad
Too many colors, and sketchy arcade cabinets make The One Up; 13625 Ventura Boulevard;(818)
849-5181 put my thumbs down. I might get some slack as those who don’t want to
venture out of the Valley flock to this barcade diner on weekend. The place gets
passes on the food and drinks, try the Captain Crunch Fried Chicken. The arcade
and décor side are in question. Whatever the designer was trying to convey-your
first place is your parent’s basement?!!-doesn’t connect with anyone. Arcade
lovers can’t stand the bastardized versions of older games with the ugly
looking arcade cabinets. They’re free to play, but there’s no question as to
why they’re free. Forget seeing titles you remember or loved.
The Ugly
Hello nightmare of being trapped with a serial killer with a
Chuck E. Cheese fetish. Blipsy
Bar; 369 N Western Ave; (323) 461-7067 has the imagination of taking a
crusty old bar and having some old arcade units in it, one being an amazing
Punch-Out arcade machine. Blipsy’s is so divey it doesn’t have a sign, just
Pac-Man dots on it for you to find. Decorated with stuffed animals and a turned
over Cobra Command Center on the ceiling there’s nothing you want to open your
eyes for inside. It has a few classic machines, nothing to keep you from
leaving.
Good/Bad
For the family or for the office party or just friends, Dave
& Buster's,
6081 Center Drive; (310) 846-9950; 6801 Hollywood Blvd;
323-603-2400 has the latest arcade games. Star Wars Battle Pod lets you re-enact
your favorite scenes from the original trilogy. Race in the latest arcade
version of Mario Kart or save Gotham City in almost every Batmobile that has
ever existed. Prize games, shooters and Pac-Man air hockey are ready to play
with all the newest titles. Games are paid by using credits on a card. It is a
barcade, technically. I’ll never agree that it’s a restaurant, the food has to
be some of the worst the many users of Yelp and I have had. I’m not for
anything fancy, I eat at BK, but at the high prices and bad service, just
forget about eating there.
Good/Ugly
A true arcade, Family Amusement
Corporation;876 N Vermont Ave (323) 660-8180 has so many old titles that
cost quarters and tokens that it immediately brings you back to the era of
arcades. This place fixes and sells machines in back away from you playing.
There are rows, real rows of old titles to play cramped under neon lights and
mirrors. It feels like you’ve stepped back in time, not in gum. It looks old,
like a good arcade with memories should.
Good?
Is the price perfect for Neon Retro Arcade; 28 S
Raymond Ave, Pasadena; no phone?
The model of pay for play is an hourly rate of ten buck/per
hour to play some classic titles in this newly opened arcade. It’s the newest
arcade in the LA area and adjacent to the Pasadena Convention Center. Near many
places to catch a bite, I would say it’s in a perfect location. Old titles are
the only ones inside, retro all the way.
