What Happened to Arcades?
A look into what happened to one of America's favorite pastimes.
Loud music. Bright screens. Flashing lights. Pinging sounds, scattered boings and beeps, gun shot sound effects. Buttons clicking like crazy. Coins clattering. People everywhere, mostly kids and teens. Arcades first came about in the late 1930s with the creation of pinball machines, which have somehow stuck around and can still be found today. As time went by, more and more games were created and placed together in designated areas, originally designed with archways and thus called an “arcade.”
However, despite their huge influence, especially in the 70s and 80s, the popularity of arcades began to dip in the mid-90s. Why, you ask? The answer is simple: home consoles. Dun dun duuuuunnn!
The Creation of the Console
Kids who went to the arcade all the time (so basically every kid) loved their video games so much that they started to wish they could take them home with them. Just the sort of thing developers hear and immediately think, “Hey, that’s something I can use to make a ton of money.” So, developers started working on a “home console” to grant their consumers’ wishes (and gain a huge profit along the way).
And they did it. Kind of. They lacked the technology in the 80s needed to make an accurate representation of the arcade games, so it was a bit iffy at first, BUT when the 90s came around… They finally had the tools to exactly replicate the arcade version and turn it into a console version.
Sooo, good news for the developers and kids. Bad news for the arcades (not to mention the parents of those kids).
The Decline of Arcades
As consoles became increasingly available and could be found in more and more houses, less and less kids and teens went to arcades. Because of this, the arcades lost their profitability and began to close — the game machines were no longer paying for themselves due to the lack of players.
In a desperate attempt to keep up with the rising monopoly of home consoles, arcades began buying and installing games like motion simulator rides, games that consoles couldn’t replicate… yet.
The downside of these machines was the high price tag they came with, which meant it took that much longer to pay them off. Mom and Pop shops couldn’t afford them, nor the space they took up.
The craze for these moving games didn’t last too long though. HOWEVER, on the upside, the original, retro arcade games, like...
Pac-Man
Donkey Kong
Galaga
Sonic
Tetris
Space Invaders
Street Fighter
and so, sooo many more
...have failed to decline in popularity, even though it has now been over 40 years since these games were first released (early 80s, for those of you doing the math at home).
“Many adults today have fond memories of afternoons wasted sliding quarters into those bulky arcade games.” - Rheana Murray, writer for ABC News
And it was totally worth it. May have been the primary source for missing quarters, but it was also the primary source for so many happy, fun-filled childhood memories.
Arcades Today
These days, arcades are a rarity. Of course, there are arcade chains like Dave & Buster’s and Round One across America, but these aren’t the same as authentic arcades. Most arcades these days, including Dave & Buster’s, have begun incorporating bars and social drinking alongside the gaming.
We’ll have to wait and see how long this new trend lasts for the arcade universe, but I have high hopes. From my personal experience and judgment, gaming, eating, and drinking could all go together pretty well, especially with the teenage demographic these days. You’ve got all the necessities in the same place: food and entertainment. What more could you ask for?
The point is, arcades haven’t died out completely. They’re still around, just not nearly as much as they were in the glory days of the 80s and 90s.
“Arcades were once on every street corner, but now you’re lucky if you can even find one of these relics of the past.” - Emma Roth, writer for whatnerd.com
This was a great read! I loved how you used a different font here, it reminded me closely of text on an old school game display :) I personally connect to this article, as it reminds me of how I'd love to go to the local arcades growing up. They're all still standing to my knowledge, but have expanded drastically more towards an all-around fun idea, with bowling, amusement park rides, etc. Sometimes I do just want to go back to a classic arcade and play some simple games, and this post reminded me of those times.
I love your take on arcades and how they have been in decline. My parents recently opened a business and have two arcade games in it, Excite Bike and Pinball. I had no idea the kind of fun those could be! I'm glad arcades aren't completely gone and long wait for my opportunity to enjoy a trip to Dave & Busters.