Arcades revert back to a different time. When I think about the arcade I think of passion and creativity. Freedom from today’s overbearing corporate influences on the industry. Back when the arcades had some of the most powerful games on the market, something consoles struggled to compare to. When video game players bonded together with only a few dollars in quarters. Before a home console’s selling point was connecting with people all over the world for long nights of multiplayer action or a mobile phone could play the very games arcades made famous. A recent trip to an arcade made me realize its cultural and historical significance that’s almost lost but is fighting to not be forgotten.
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(From the article) "Midway Games claimed its 1993 NBA Jam was the first arcade game to earn more than $1 billion in quarters."
I'd thought Street Fighter 2 would easily top that as successful as it was back then.
The author is right though; the real arcade experience back in the 80's/90's was far greater than just going online today playing with someone. Back when going to the movies, Wal Mart, the Mall, even Pizza Hut was exciting because there was some arcade game you "had" to play while waiting.
If I had the money I'd start my own arcade to remind people where multiplayer took off outside Atari/Nintendo/Sega; and how big of an influence arcades played for future gamer generations.