By Miguel Padilla
Strobing lights. A chorus of electronic sounds. A space where all your favorite childhood memories come to life. The family arcade has been an American staple for almost a century now, dominating the public consciousness with the hum of electronic ambience and digitized mascot characters. The arcade venue began with the advent of pinball in the 1930’s – as the great depression era left many pining for more affordable forms of entertainment. Nearly a century later, families and thrill seekers alike continue to seek these hallowed spaces for a good time. Here in San Bernardino, the arcade scene continues to grow as generations of gamers, casual players, and high score breakers stay dedicated to the modern arcade experience.
The arcade, once a stomping ground for truant and gamer obsessed adolescents – has grown up alongside those who've once exchanged dollar bills for quarters. The memory of friends chatting street-side as we made our way out to the arcade for a round of Dance Dance Revolution, or the exceedingly rare family trip to John's Incredible Pizza, where we'd run amuk with pizza in our mouths and a bucket of arcade tokens gripped tight. Those are but a few of the fond memories held by those who grew up in San Bernardino. A new generation continues to fall in love with the thrill of the shared gaming experience, as smiles and mementos of an industry built up on the thralls of mechanical and digital delight hold steadfast.
Fashioned after the golden age of commercial arcade games in the 70’s, the arcades we see today are a byproduct of an evolutionary market change that saw the rise and fall of many competitors within the industry over the years. The stagnation of the arcade in the late 90’s and early 00’s, along with the small-scale revival of many “retro” arcade businesses following a tug of nostalgia, have invariably led us to where we are today.
Generally two types of arcades may be found today, all coexisting in an imperfect balance as the arcade industry has turned into full-blown business ventures for some. FEC's, or licensed family entertainment centers – such as Dave and Busters, Round 1, or Boomers, cater to a more casual carnival style approach. These locations are often host to many other attractions such as laser tag, go-karts, or karaoke, and entice families with a variety of activities to choose from. On the other side of the spectrum, "Retro" arcades generally forsake the redemption style in favor of arcade and pinball games made before 2000. Many wishing to rekindle the magic of the 80’s style arcade, these venues carry a vastly different draw for arcade goers. Many of which now carry pool tables, snacks, and at-home console gaming areas to compete with FEC's. These smaller businesses also often feel the financial strain of their larger and less lucrative counterparts, as they are not tethered behind multi-million dollar corporations. Some have unfortunately buckled under the stress of the 2020 pandemic, as did the late James Games in Upland.
Local smaller arcades are still going strong however, standing the test of time by embracing their past. Many of these local retro arcades now operate on admission-based systems that allows entrees to pay by the hour. A few arcades matching this description have opened in recent years, all offering a different selection of games for everyone wishing to enjoy a pleasant evening of gaming. Here are a few newer local spots which I’d highly recommend checking out:
RIVERSIDE GAME LAB: ARCADE AND BAR (opened 2019) – Over 60+ classic arcade games, 21 pinball games, and a couple of virtual reality games conveniently located in the downtown Riverside area.
RETROVOLT ARCADE – CALIMESA (opened 2017) Over 50+ retro arcade games and 15 pinball games. Includes the original 1983 release of Mario Bros, and the rare Japanese rhythm game, Pop'n Music.
REVIVAL ARCADE – SAN BERNARDINO (opened 2019) - Over 50+ retro arcade games and 15+ pinball games with an excellent selection of 80’s releases.
EXTRAORDINAIRE ARCADE – SAN BERNARDINO (opened 2022) - Over 50+ arcade games with a home console gaming area with Xbox and Nintendo Switch titles to choose from. A great place for parents to bring their kids.
The arcade no longer needs to stay buried in the past, as there are options in the immediate area that allow for us to relive the glory of gaming's once-popular social space. Liven up the evening by bringing a friend, a loved one, or family to one of our many local arcades. Pacman, Mario, and every gaming hero in-between are always there to welcome you and your loved ones to an evening of button mashing and light-hearted competitions amongst friends.
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