Well here we are once again, going back into my memories to see what really has an impact. Single player
gaming is fun, it's some of the most fun that one can have gaming. But sometimes, you need a little
competition and interaction. Playing with friends is fun, but nothing can compare with the interaction at an
arcade, so going down this list here is NUMBER 3.

3. My Childhood Arcades

I miss Arcades, I miss putting a quarter up on a machine to say you've got next. I miss the clatter of joysticks
and the click of buttons. I even miss getting my ass kicked by a pro at a fighting game. My NES couldn't
compete with the graphics, and it was always fun to see and play the newest game for a few quarters
rather than forty to fifty bucks. Hell, before the online gaming boom arcades were the only places where
you could challenge complete strangers, and show supremacy. The feeling you would get after winning,
you stepped up to challenge somebody, or if someone challenged you, well it's indescribable. One of my
favorite memories is winning a dozen consecutive vs. matches of Marvel Vs. Capcom at Gameworks in
Seattle.


Ahhh 2D Fighters and Trivial Pursuit, the two games my friends refuse to play against me.

I was on vacation, and after beating my best friend Tyler at the game (He refuses to play 2D fighters against
me now), people began to line up to play against me. The last guy in line played me four times trying to end
my stream, I beat him, beat the game, and walked away. I'd take that over a dozen straight wins on X-Box
Live anyday. There are three arcades that stick out in my mind, here they are in order of importance on my
life

Space Station Arcade

This was a true old school Arcade. It had that seedy 1980's style, with duplicate machines so people could
play head to head in games like Pac-Man. The haze of cigarette smoke in the air along with the cigarette
burns on the machines. Pros taking on all comers in Street Fighter 2, going through a dozen different
challengers on their original credit. It's where I first saw Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 2: Championship Edition
and countless others. The upkeep on the games was enough to keep them working, not esthetically pleasing.


As long as it works, you can bet I'll play it.

If it were around today, parents would raise an uproar about children being allowed inside. But it's also the
type of arcade that I wish I had nearby me. I learned from the people there how to do the special moves in
fighting games. Eventually I even was able to have people want to call next on playing against me. Sadly, the
arcade is no more, but the memory still exists.

St. Pete's Beach Amusement Center

Every year for Spring Break my family would go to Treasure Island Florida, just outside Tampa. While the
beach, the pool, and the sun were all fun, I cared about one thing every trip, this arcade. It was pay one
price, they opened at 3 PM, you plunk down ten dollars, and you play until 7. Everything here had either a
credit button, or was set to free play. First off, it's where I first saw the Baddest of Badass cabinets The Six
Player X-men machine. And there were always 5 other people willing to play, after all it was free.


Where else would we learn classic phrases like "Welcome to Die."

It's where I first played an SNK machine, Fatal Fury, and World Heroes were on one machine, and Art of
Fighting was on the other one. I finally got to beat Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Turtles in Time, and The
Simpsons without worry of running out of quarters. Plus they had a great selection of classic games in a
back room that nobody seemed to play. I had free reign to jump Galaga, to Tron, to Ms. Pac-Man, without
worry that somebody would be want to jump in after I died, and without having to deal with assholes hogging
a machine. When I went back to Florida last year, I couldn't wait to visit my old favorite. Like Space Station
though, times have changed, and the building is now vacant.


I shall never forget

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum

Thankfully this place is still around, and I'd recommend it to any arcade fan. The title isn't a misnomer, it truly is
a museum. There's historical pieces, like the Cardiff Giant, A collection of animatronic figures from Chuck-E-
Cheese and Showbiz Pizza Place, a selection of historical fans, and a vast collection of old mechanical
games from the penny arcade era. Yeah, I'll admit it's fairly strange, but it's also really really cool. Museum is
not just a nice word in the name, I truly consider it a museum.


One of the strangest hoaxes ever, the Cardiff Giant.

For me though, every single time it was about the games. This was the cream of the arcade crop, a place
that made you want to return with their selection of arcade games. Anytime a new game came out, Marvin's
had it. I remember waiting in a line of fifteen people for a shot at playing Mortal Kombat 2, and after I lost
getting back in the same line to do it all over again. It's where I discovered my love for Pinball, The Addams
Family and Twilight Zone being my favorites. Any multiplayer game you chose, chances there would be
someone to play with you.


Seriously, something for everybody.

Maybe the best part was the owner Marvin. Every old machine was one he'd refurbished and brought back
into working condition, that tells you something about his passion for games. He'd always be walking around
the arcade, playing his games, and was one of the nicest people in the world. I can remember multiple times
saying to myself, “Shoot, I need another quarter,” if he was by you and heard you say it, he'd give you one
just so you could keep playing. That to me said it all, he doesn't care about making as much money as
possible, he just wants people to go to his arcade and have fun.


Even Eminem likes Marvin, and he hates everybody.

Sadly, the days of the Arcade are becoming numbered, and soon enough they may be gone. Replaced by
“Arcades” which are just ticket games, DDR machines, racing games, and maybe a re released classic.
These three places have make me actively search out arcades, because of the experiences they brought
me. I also like to think I inherited some of Marvin's ideology, as I'm inclined to always help people out, even if I
know it's a thankless gesture.


Seriously, you need to go here.

Down to the final two, thanks again for the feedback, thanks to those who read my look at Twists in games,
and thanks everyone who's read these. I didn't expect the response I have gotten, and am grateful that
people have enjoyed my look into the past. Next time, How Mike Tyson nearly destroyed my freshman year of
college.