As a gamer, arcades were a huge part of my life. In Nottingham, there was probably about 5 different arcades dotted all over the city. Cascade was the largest and probably one of the most popular arcades in the area before the Namco Centre popped up years later towards the end of the arcade area. Cascade usually had the latest arcade game hits but sometimes the smaller arcades would pull a surprise out of the hat. For instance, cascade never had Double Dragon, for that, you had to go to an arcade on St James St which I can't remember the name of. Anyway...
When I used to go to the seaside, I didn't care about the sea and sand, I just wanted to go to the arcades! You see they had loads of arcades and every time I visited, I would see games that the arcades in Nottingham didn't have. On one such trip, I can remember seeing Kung Fu Master and Paperboy months before they appeared in Arcades in Nottingham. I loved the sound of arcades and I loved discovering new games. Going to the seaside these days and visiting an arcade, doesn't seem to have that many arcade games. When they do, its usually the larger arcade machines or games that print those tickets where you have to collect 10,000 of them to get a shitty prize like a pen or something.
So imagine my surprise and excitement when I found out abut the Arcade Club in Bury.
I originally went last year, at the time, It was 3 floors of arcade and gaming heaven although 1 floor was for over 18s but the price reflected that. I took my daughters last year and we loved it but I wasn't free to play on everything as I couldn't go on the over 18 floors and I had to keep an eye for my girls to ensure they were safe and having fun.
One of my friends holds an old school gaming day around his house every few months and invited me around. I told him and some of his friends about the Arcade Club and said I would organise a trip up there.
So this Saturday, we ventured up there and all I can say is that if you love computer games, you have to go. Things had changed since I last went. For a start, all the floors are open to anyone of any age. We spent over 7 hours there and could have stayed much longer if we didn't have responsibilities.
During my time there, I manage to play on Space Harrier, Kung Fu Master, Gryzor (Contra), Commando, Ikari Warriors, Track and Field, Hyper Sports, Pitstop, Star Wars, Crazy Taxi, Hard Driving, Operation Thunderbolt, Chase HQ, Sega Rally, Gradius (Nemesis), Salamander, R-Type, DariusBurst, Phoenix, Moon Cresta, Virtual Tennis, Tekken 3, Soul Calibre 2, Street Fighter 2 Turbo and Alpha, Asteroids, Defender, Championship Sprint, Galaga 88, Mr Do, Mortal Kombat 2, Rave Racer, Slap Fight, Super Bashi Bashi, WWF Wrestlefest and Paperboy.
I manage to complete Time Crisis 1 and 2, played through umpteen levels on Point Blank 1 and 2. Me and my mate had a right laugh playing an obscure racing game called Initial D Infinity based on a manga series I think. He doesn't normally like driving games but even with manual shift, it was really easy to play and load of fun.
I also love pinball machines but don't get a chance to play them. Luckily the Arcade Club had me covered as this place has got about 20 great machines. The Adams Family pinball machine is one of my favourites because it has this thing called the power which changes the direction of the ball. It was being repaired when I got there. I spoke with the engineer who had to solder a couple of wires that had come off the flipper connection, so it was working 10 minutes later. Although it broke down again a few hours later I hate to report. I also played on the Twilight Zone, Super Mario Pinball, Metallica, Terminator, Party Zone and a very interesting pinball called Revenge from Mars which uses a hologram in the background. Never seen that before in a pinball game and it was loads of fun shooting the aliens spaceships.
But it's not just arcade and pinball games, they've got a loads of PC's setup playing games like Diablo, Minecraft, Fortnight as well as tons of consoles both current playing generation and retro machines as well. Super Smash brothers on a huge projector screen or Bomberman on a large 60 inch TV with comfy couches. So much stuff that I've never seen before and stuff from Japan which you won't be able to play unless you go to Japan. This place has something for everyone and I can't recommend the place enough. The price is only £16 for Adults and £8 for children and they do a family ticket for £40. You can spend as long or as little as you want in their as you get a wristband, so you can come, go and comeback again on the same day. And don't worry, it's not one of those places where they get you in and then have a make the drinks and snacks expensive either. I didn't have anything other than a packet of crisps and a can which was £1.40 and they have a bar too. Shame I was driving but next time we go, I won't be driving.
And we are already talking about doing it again in a couple of months already. Our friend took his 11 year old son who is a gamer and we had to prise him away. If you live close to Bury, you have to go but even if you don't it worth a visit for a day out. There is also one open up in Leeds which we might try next as it's a bit closer and there is one opening in Blackpool in the near future.
Hybrid Rules
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