The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
I can't help but feel for some games, home consoles simply can't emulate the thrills gotten in the arcades. A good example was today, when I went bowling with my PE class. They had, of course, a Dancing Stage Euromix (2?) cabinet thingy at the alley, and naturally, I showed off my home-practiced skills on difficult mode and was the life of the party. Dancing games are all the same. Oh, and I was wearing a bright blue hawaiin shirt. Very fitting.
But the thing is, even though I can play the game for free at home, for as long as I like, I still couldn't resist sticking in a quid and having a quick go on a proper dance 'mat'. The flashing lights, coupled with buttons which don't sag when you step on them, and the booming music, was great. And I had fun playing the game, even if I get bored of my own dance mat and games. It's this kind of spontaneous, total immersion that you simply can't get at home, which I think will keep the arcade from dying out altogether. I just can't resist wasting my money on pointless arcade games.
I say pointless, but in all honesty, I'd rather have 40 goes on various arcade machines in an arcade, than spend £40 on an arcade conversion at home which I won't get the same amount of enjoyment out of. You know what I mean. Arcade machines have come a long way since the joystick/6 button cabinets (don't know what they're called), and as long as machines get more imaginative I think arcades will stay alive. I hear the naysayers singing the arcade's death, but it won't happen.
Though consoles can pretty much match the graphics of arcades now, they can't, however, match the atmosphere, nor the peripherals. I don't see a huge sniper rifle joining Silent Scope 3 for release, nor do I see the perfectly balanced and (IMO) well designed standing-styled Crazy Taxi and 18 wheeler cabinets. All there is to offer on home consoles are bright blue light-guns (no foot pedal, though), and poorly constructed steering wheels.
What am I getting at? Well, really, I just enjoyed my little 'dance' earlier today that I had to say it. But I don't think arcades are going down. Sure, they are nowhere near as popular as they once were, and the big gangs of townies barricading Sega Park are a turnoff, but as long as there are huge plastic replica tank-turrets, and flashing traffic lights, I will, at least, keep going to the arcades.
But the thing is, even though I can play the game for free at home, for as long as I like, I still couldn't resist sticking in a quid and having a quick go on a proper dance 'mat'. The flashing lights, coupled with buttons which don't sag when you step on them, and the booming music, was great. And I had fun playing the game, even if I get bored of my own dance mat and games. It's this kind of spontaneous, total immersion that you simply can't get at home, which I think will keep the arcade from dying out altogether. I just can't resist wasting my money on pointless arcade games.
I say pointless, but in all honesty, I'd rather have 40 goes on various arcade machines in an arcade, than spend £40 on an arcade conversion at home which I won't get the same amount of enjoyment out of. You know what I mean. Arcade machines have come a long way since the joystick/6 button cabinets (don't know what they're called), and as long as machines get more imaginative I think arcades will stay alive. I hear the naysayers singing the arcade's death, but it won't happen.
Though consoles can pretty much match the graphics of arcades now, they can't, however, match the atmosphere, nor the peripherals. I don't see a huge sniper rifle joining Silent Scope 3 for release, nor do I see the perfectly balanced and (IMO) well designed standing-styled Crazy Taxi and 18 wheeler cabinets. All there is to offer on home consoles are bright blue light-guns (no foot pedal, though), and poorly constructed steering wheels.
What am I getting at? Well, really, I just enjoyed my little 'dance' earlier today that I had to say it. But I don't think arcades are going down. Sure, they are nowhere near as popular as they once were, and the big gangs of townies barricading Sega Park are a turnoff, but as long as there are huge plastic replica tank-turrets, and flashing traffic lights, I will, at least, keep going to the arcades.
I know what your saying, nice post. I think its just the thrill of all the big screens, loud sound effects and "Proper" equipment. Like a car shell, well, you know the stuff, seat, wheel, handbrake and everything. And perhaps its how easily you can show off your skills to other people, and you begin to get a crowd. Sense of power, male pride and power :o)
I can't help but feel for some games, home consoles simply can't emulate the thrills gotten in the arcades. A good example was today, when I went bowling with my PE class. They had, of course, a Dancing Stage Euromix (2?) cabinet thingy at the alley, and naturally, I showed off my home-practiced skills on difficult mode and was the life of the party. Dancing games are all the same. Oh, and I was wearing a bright blue hawaiin shirt. Very fitting.
But the thing is, even though I can play the game for free at home, for as long as I like, I still couldn't resist sticking in a quid and having a quick go on a proper dance 'mat'. The flashing lights, coupled with buttons which don't sag when you step on them, and the booming music, was great. And I had fun playing the game, even if I get bored of my own dance mat and games. It's this kind of spontaneous, total immersion that you simply can't get at home, which I think will keep the arcade from dying out altogether. I just can't resist wasting my money on pointless arcade games.
I say pointless, but in all honesty, I'd rather have 40 goes on various arcade machines in an arcade, than spend £40 on an arcade conversion at home which I won't get the same amount of enjoyment out of. You know what I mean. Arcade machines have come a long way since the joystick/6 button cabinets (don't know what they're called), and as long as machines get more imaginative I think arcades will stay alive. I hear the naysayers singing the arcade's death, but it won't happen.
Though consoles can pretty much match the graphics of arcades now, they can't, however, match the atmosphere, nor the peripherals. I don't see a huge sniper rifle joining Silent Scope 3 for release, nor do I see the perfectly balanced and (IMO) well designed standing-styled Crazy Taxi and 18 wheeler cabinets. All there is to offer on home consoles are bright blue light-guns (no foot pedal, though), and poorly constructed steering wheels.
What am I getting at? Well, really, I just enjoyed my little 'dance' earlier today that I had to say it. But I don't think arcades are going down. Sure, they are nowhere near as popular as they once were, and the big gangs of townies barricading Sega Park are a turnoff, but as long as there are huge plastic replica tank-turrets, and flashing traffic lights, I will, at least, keep going to the arcades.
But the thing is, even though I can play the game for free at home, for as long as I like, I still couldn't resist sticking in a quid and having a quick go on a proper dance 'mat'. The flashing lights, coupled with buttons which don't sag when you step on them, and the booming music, was great. And I had fun playing the game, even if I get bored of my own dance mat and games. It's this kind of spontaneous, total immersion that you simply can't get at home, which I think will keep the arcade from dying out altogether. I just can't resist wasting my money on pointless arcade games.
I say pointless, but in all honesty, I'd rather have 40 goes on various arcade machines in an arcade, than spend £40 on an arcade conversion at home which I won't get the same amount of enjoyment out of. You know what I mean. Arcade machines have come a long way since the joystick/6 button cabinets (don't know what they're called), and as long as machines get more imaginative I think arcades will stay alive. I hear the naysayers singing the arcade's death, but it won't happen.
Though consoles can pretty much match the graphics of arcades now, they can't, however, match the atmosphere, nor the peripherals. I don't see a huge sniper rifle joining Silent Scope 3 for release, nor do I see the perfectly balanced and (IMO) well designed standing-styled Crazy Taxi and 18 wheeler cabinets. All there is to offer on home consoles are bright blue light-guns (no foot pedal, though), and poorly constructed steering wheels.
What am I getting at? Well, really, I just enjoyed my little 'dance' earlier today that I had to say it. But I don't think arcades are going down. Sure, they are nowhere near as popular as they once were, and the big gangs of townies barricading Sega Park are a turnoff, but as long as there are huge plastic replica tank-turrets, and flashing traffic lights, I will, at least, keep going to the arcades.