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Super Bear Arcade: The best arcade at the highest altitude

12:29 PM on 07.24.2008, Chad Concelmo 31 comments

Super Bear Arcade: The best arcade at the highest altitude photo
     AMAZING

Friend of Destructoid -RoG- from i-mockery.com went on a recent Fourth of July adventure that should make any gamer jealous. While journeying through Big Bear in the glorious mountains of Southern California, -RoG- discovered a veritable diamond in the low oxygen rough. Nestled between pine trees and a pack of wild wolves was Super Bear Arcade; frankly, one of the greatest arcades I have ever seen.

You can read all about his adventure here. Trust me, it is totally worth it. The post is funny and full of some absolutely incredible photos. With arcades sadly disappearing each and every day, it is hard to believe this place still exists. Even more astounding is the fact that Super Bear Arcade seems to be thriving in such a remote location.

While some pictures of the arcade made me gasp with nostalgic glee (6-player X-Men!), I have to admit that my favorite thing about the post has to be the lengthy montage of photographs depicting the various prizes you can win. By conquering games like skee ball (the better, older versions sans those annoying 100 point targets in the corners), players can trade tickets for things like a hair scrunchie, The Jungle Book on VHS, or -- my personal favorite -- a 1 1/2 qt. slow cooker crock pot. What the heck?!

As –RoG- mentions, Super Bear Arcade really should be considered a historical landmark. Mark my word: I will be making the surprisingly short three hour drive up to the mountains to visit this amazing retro paradise very soon (Dtoid L.A. road trip!). Not only do I feel like it is my duty as a gamer ... I could also use a good crock pot.


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Danmartigan's Avatar
Danmartigan at 07/24/2008 12:34
ahh, the banners on that site are making my ears bleed.
joemoemino's Avatar
joemoemino at 07/24/2008 12:36
The only arcade I know of around where I live is Nickel City, and there is usually quite a few people there, though it is sorta small.
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/24/2008 12:41
Sounds like a good time.. especially 6 player X-Men. How come there aren't ANY good arcades anymore? I mean, I can't think of a single one. I used to know of several in my area....
Aurvantoid's Avatar
Aurvantoid at 07/24/2008 12:43
I used to be able to go to an arcade....*sniff* I miss my Dream Machine days....Not to mention my bowling alley (before it was remodeled 12 years ago) used to have the biggest arcade in town.

Simpsons game, 6 player X-men, like 90 arcade cabinets, 10 pinball machines, that 3D hologram arcade game that played like Dragon Lair, Skeeball, and not to mention two old top-down arcade cabinets with Centipede and Pac-Man.

Man...those were the days. Sadly, all arcades have been removed from my hometown and I haven't seen any arcade cabinets in years. Aww, shit, now im all nostaligic and I am seriously wanting to play some Virtual-On...
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/24/2008 12:46
Man, that sounds like a huge arcade.

The biggest we had was called Aladdin's Castle. It was in the local mall. They opened a Chuck E. Cheese's and Aladdin's closed a few months later. I've never even been inside that Chuck E. Cheese's. I still don't see any reason to go there.

Aladdin's only had maybe 20 arcade games or so, but they had a good selection and it was fun. I even had my 10th or 11th birthday party there. I miss it....
teach4food's Avatar
teach4food at 07/24/2008 12:49
Arcade is great! I always stop by with the kids. Nestled in the back are some of the more vintage games in various states of disrepair. Great pubs down the side streets from the Arcade and a biker bar across the street. They always sub-rent a small section and the store changes from time to time. Collectible card games, skateboards, and my favorite was a gothic emo clothing store. Always an adventure when you enter the Super Bear Arcade. Two truths, the floor is always sticky and at least one game you try to play will not work.
Luigi's Avatar
Luigi at 07/24/2008 12:53
Yep, as soon as I win at the lottery, that arcade is mine. AND YOU CAN'T TOUCH IT !
Drunken Haze's Avatar
Drunken Haze at 07/24/2008 12:53
I dunno about America but in Britain I've not noticed a big decline in arcade numbers. There still seems to be at least 3 in all the gloriously tacky sea side towns. They are particularly successful in seaside resorts that don’t have very nice beaches or weather.

Also, 2p coin pusher > than any of the actual video games
AltDelete's Avatar
AltDelete at 07/24/2008 12:57
Silly Heretic. ^^

Man, what a great find. That Discs of Tron game looks intense.
Alexradl's Avatar
Alexradl at 07/24/2008 13:10
Wow, that looks epic. I wish I had some arcades in my area. :(
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/24/2008 13:14
"Egads! They still make Pizzarias!? I friggin' LOVED Pizzarias chips when Keebler was still making them.
They really did taste like pizza and the chips almost had a doughy texture when you chewed 'em. These aren't
the Keebler brand, but it's still the exact same stuff. Glad to see they're still in production to some extent."

These are actually available in like all the vending machines where I work/live. Weird. They're okay, but they give me wicked heartburn

Also, I want that Rygar cabinet.
slee's Avatar
slee at 07/24/2008 13:18
CHAD WE ARE MISSING OUT !!!!!!! Zephyr and I miss you guys!!!:(
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar
TrailerParkJesus at 07/24/2008 13:27
I never knew there was 6-player X-Men!! I've only seen 4 player. I haven't lived.

And WWF Superstars! Holy crap, I saw that plenty of times in arcades but have never actually played. This makes me super sad.

And Simpsons Arcade, shooting gallery, neon light ticket game, hockey in a big plastic dome?!! FUUUUCK!!!
mockery's Avatar
mockery at 07/24/2008 13:42
Thanks for posting a link to my article guys, much appreciated. And be sure to let me know if you're going up to Big Bear to visit the Super Bear Arcade because... I WANT TO GO AGAIN!

p.s.: the crock pot is mine.
foxhound421's Avatar
foxhound421 at 07/24/2008 13:42
that was incredible! i remember i was on vacation in New Orleans with my parents and there was an arcade right across the street from our hotel. my dad and i walked in and i saw the 6-player X-Men cabinet for the first time. and that's basically where i spent the rest of that vacation.

why they haven't made an online port of that game for XBLA/PSN is a mystery to me.
Shmuppet's Avatar
Shmuppet at 07/24/2008 13:53
I would love to have a big arcade like that near me, but I am always astonished to hear that people haven't seen a real arcade or pinball machine for years (DDR and big, dumb driving/gun games don't count). At the laundromat I went to recently I got the high score on "Carrier Airwing" and played some "Addams Family" pinball (it wasn't in top condition though), and in a 10 minute drive I could get to a bunch of places that have some classic games. Maybe it's just because we are behind the times here in Canada :)
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 07/24/2008 14:01
DISCS OF TRON CABINET. *dies*
galagabug 's Avatar
galagabug at 07/24/2008 14:12
very impressive!

maybe i'll make a pilgrimage over the winter. always wanted to ride big bear.
killias2's Avatar
killias2 at 07/24/2008 14:12
"I would love to have a big arcade like that near me, but I am always astonished to hear that people haven't seen a real arcade or pinball machine for years (DDR and big, dumb driving/gun games don't count). At the laundromat I went to recently I got the high score on "Carrier Airwing" and played some "Addams Family" pinball (it wasn't in top condition though), and in a 10 minute drive I could get to a bunch of places that have some classic games. Maybe it's just because we are behind the times here in Canada :)"

Besides Pac-Man and Galaga, there isn't anything around. Maybe one bowling alley has something. I haven't been there in too long to know. They used to have Time Crisis, but now I have all the Time Crisis games for PS1/2 :P
Def JM's Avatar
Def JM at 07/24/2008 14:19
That would be were I'd spend alot of my time, mainly for the crock pot.
smurfee mcgee's Avatar
smurfee mcgee at 07/24/2008 14:32
That place makes me all fuzzy inside. I may have to move somewhere close to that place!
lol I fucking hate 720. Did you see all those arcades?!?
That place looks like heaven.
Dave Shields's Avatar
Dave Shields at 07/24/2008 14:38
LOL @ Heretic![br][br]While on your "So-Cal-Search-For-Arcades-In-Random-Places," take a boat to Avalon on Cataline Island (off the coast of Long Beach). There used to be two Arcades there, but one has still survived. Skeeball, Xmen, House of the Dead, and Tetris are always there, and you can win prizes! Add bonus: Cougar-ific bar The Blue Parrot is next door. The only two arcades in California are in the mountains and on an island.
welkstar's Avatar
welkstar at 07/24/2008 15:11
AMAZING!
KMCC's Avatar
KMCC at 07/24/2008 16:39
Nice! There really aren't any good arcades around where I live anymore. My friends and I are planning a trip to the northeast Funspot in early September.

Anyone been there before?
nintendoll's Avatar
nintendoll at 07/24/2008 16:40
Addam's Family pinball really is a great machine. I haven't played one in foreeeeever.
The Amazing Shenazin's Avatar
The Amazing Shenazin at 07/25/2008 01:48
NOT trying to be a hater or anything I swear, but it looks a little rundown to me
L0cky's Avatar
L0cky at 07/25/2008 08:19
man i miss the arcades.
this arcade looks awsome
they closed down the last arcade down a few years ago here in my town :-(.
so many good times , so many good memories
bethelash's Avatar
bethelash at 07/25/2008 11:11
I lived in Big Bear for years and I really miss Super Bear! Quick fact: There was not one but TWO arcades in the area from the 80's to the late 90's. One had to shut down about eight years ago. I hope they still have The Simpson's game when I go visit. Be sure to check the Biker Bar across the street Chad!
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