6 replies to this topic

[Noah Fentz]

Gameworks, Tampa Closes

David Pannozzo
(AKA panootz)

     Recently, I went on a trip to a place called Ybor city in Tampa Florida to go to a Gameworks arcade, and the place was closed for good. All the machines were gone, and the only thing I saw was the sign. I was pretty upset. I was looking forward to going there, and, of course, I wasted gas getting there. It's about a two hour ride for me to go there.

     I remember a time when arcades pretty much ruled the world. I would go inside an arcade, and it would be pretty dark. I would see all the video games lined up on an angle with lights flashing and sounds coming from all the machines. It really felt good going into them and playing the machines for about an hour or so, and I didn't want to go home. I also miss the 80's music playing in the background for atmosphere. Let's just say the 80's were good times for arcades and are truly missed.

     Today, in the 2000's, we really don't have arcades anymore because the home consoles took over. Don't get me wrong, I love my Wii, X-box 360, and Playstation 3, but I really miss going into a decent size arcade and playing a game like Dragon's Lair and having people watch you and say, "Wow, he is really good!", or playing Street Fighter 2 against another player. Online is great, but not the same as someone standing next to you and showing him who's boss. I miss those days and other kids will never get a chance to experience the feelings we had. I lived in the arcades, and in the early 90's, I worked in a Dream Machine arcade fixing video games and wiping down the playfields on the two pinball machines we had, Fire! and High Speed.

     In conclusion, I have to say that we will all miss these places called Arcades, but most of us will always have fond memories of being in them and having a great time playing our favorite video game or pinball machine. Maybe someday when the economy gets better, we might see a few arcades. You never know if one might pop up some place. In the meantime, we at least have Emulation and Home Consoles to enjoy our favorite past time, and new games with amazing graphics.

[jsgtrman]

Hi guys,

it looks like this was posted by Noah FOR David. Not sure where David lives (if in FL or not...), but anytime ANY of you are in FL, contact the FL arcade collectors forum at www.pinballflorida.com or directly to the forums at http://www.villagebb.../board,2.0.html

Most of the guys here will be happy to meet new people and show off their gamerooms for fellow enthusiasts. Also, we have a pin on location locator for pins we know of in FL, you can view that here (you need to be logged into google first):

http://maps.google.c...3c38be8cc46d23e

LMK if you ever need any help trying to find games to play!

Jeff Scott
jsgtrman

[yuppicide]

If you are ever up in New Jersey there's a place called Silverball Museum. They have a few hundred pinballs from the 30's (??) up to the 2000's. Most of the machines are from the 50's - 70's. Most of the machines were on when I went and worked perfectly. They've got a website.

I was in Ybor City in 2005 or 2006, but only passed by very quickly. My friends band was on tour and we did a show at a record store, partied, and went on our way.

[faralos]

To be more exact the silverball museum arcade is located at 1000 Ocean Ave. (on the boardwalk across from the Stone Pony) Asbury Park, NJ. their website is: www.silverballmuseum.com their phone number is:732-774-4994
I haven't gone yet, but I got their cardfrom the Allentown Pinball Expo

[yuppicide]

I'm at work right now so I can't really post a lot or gather up details such as website.. I did talk more about my visit here:

http://www.atariage....verball-museum/

I'll definitely be back soon!

[ViriiGuy]

If I were a rich man, I would open up a Pinball arcade in Gatlinburg TN.
There are quite a few pins around here still to play and even a few full time arcades. But I miss the old Pinball Shops we used to have... Usually dark smokey rooms, whirring with the sounds of the balls, bells, bumpers and whistles going off.. Some hair band playing in the background.... Ahh those were the days...

[hanumaan2111]

     I remember a time when arcades pretty much ruled the world. I would go inside an arcade, and it would be pretty dark. I would see all the video games lined up on an angle with lights flashing and sounds coming from all the machines. It really felt good going into them and playing the machines for about an hour or so, and I didn't want to go home. I also miss the 80's music playing in the background for atmosphere. Let's just say the 80's were good times for arcades and are truly missed.

pikashow apk

ppsspp gold apk

 

Edited by hanumaan2111, 26 April 2023 - 01:28 PM.