Just realized that old timer at the flea market was right about mall arcades

This guy at the Traders World flea market in Dayton told me last month that dead mall arcades always have the best condition games because nobody plays them. I laughed it off but then went to the Dayton Mall arcade near the food court and found a fully working Street Fighter II machine for 50 cents a play. The cabinet was spotless and the screen had zero burn-in. Has anyone else noticed older mall arcades having better kept machines than the big chains?

2 comments

2 Comments

anthony_lane559d ago

I used to think the old timers were just gatekeeping or being nostalgic. But I went to the Eastgate Mall arcade in Cincinnati last weekend and it completely changed my mind. Their Mortal Kombat II machine was practically pristine, and the buttons felt like brand new. The place was nearly empty on a Saturday afternoon, so those machines barely get any wear and tear. Meanwhile the big chains like Dave and Busters have screens that are all scratched up from kids banging on them. You end up paying way less for a way better experience at these quiet mall spots. I'm definitely going to check out more dead mall arcades now.

wesley8738d ago

Ngl, I gotta disagree with you there. I hit up a dead mall arcade last month and half the machines were straight up broken or had sticky buttons, so it's really hit or miss.