Did you ever wonder what the arcade gaming map looked like back in the day? Well, you're about to find out as we step back to the entertainment landscape of the 1980s and 1990s that has set many a precedent that would go on to shape the modern gaming scene on consoles, tablets, computers and smartphones.
It was all about rows and rows of upright arcade cabinets playing all manner of 2D games. The gaming traits of many of the concepts realised here are very prevalent in modern video gaming titles.
The birth and onset of 3D games represented a major paradigm shift. The machines were both unique and outrageous with multiplayer gaming and linked cabinet setups the order of the day.
Consoles and home computers had caught up with arcade technology for processing and graphics but arcades still offered some tricks up its sleeves like multiplayer deluxe large screen motion cabinets and classics from yesteryear updated to attract new and old players alike.
It was all about rows and rows of upright arcade cabinets playing all manner of 2D games. The gaming traits of many of the concepts realised here ware very prevalent in modern video gaming entertainment.
It was all about rows and rows of upright arcade cabinets playing all manner of 2D games. The gaming traits of many of the concepts realised here ware very prevalent in modern video gaming entertainment.
Who am I? An old school games player. I don't play that much at all now but there was a time when I spent my youth and any spare time in between frequenting a vast array of arcades in London during the 1980s, 1990s and part of the 2000s.
This is a collection of reviews, or articles if you like, of some of the locations from back in the day ranging from the smaller arcades on high streets to the larger multi storey amusement centres up the West End. I've done my best to write down as much as I can remember. Some memories are hazy now and that's where you, the reader, come in.
If you too recall visiting any of the locations mentioned and can forward any details or photos in particular then please get in touch via the contact page. I will do my best to update the pages as much as possible whilst juggling the near infinite aspects of life. So, please be patient, and hopefully there will be many more journeys to ponder and share. Stay safe and healthy.
I think it was called Aquarius, Aquarium or something similar and was located somewhere in or near Bromley high street in south London. Visited only once in 1999 or 2000, I recall a rather new Sega Naomi Universal upright cabinet showing off their just released Virtua Tennis game at £1 a play, pretty steep for the era. The floor was also split in two with fruit and gambling machines at the back and video games in the front half but I cannot remember any other titles, can you help?
Mentioned in an online Tekken forum in the early 2000s by someone called 'The Chef', they said it was inside the old shopping centre in Elephant and Castle and that the owner was a big SNK fan who managed to get hold of new games on release including the big fighting games. If you have any further details and pictures, get in touch using the contact form below.
Located near Whitechapel tube station, I found out about this arcade from another player at the Carousel arcade in Green Street, Upton Park, in the late 1980s. I only visited 'The Wizard' once and recall lots and lots of upright cabinets but not the names of actual games. If you know anything else about this old school arcade, then please make use of the contact form.
