The cool arcade pix thread

[Flinnster]

Since when were 80's arcades so bright? Or was that just the flash going off on the camera?
I remember tech noir lighting being the order of the day

 

[kingcraftwash]

Some flash to be able to do that, but yes, the default for most arcades was darkness, and uv lights.

This arcade was a bit different since the light used to pour in from the doors. You used have to go to the back, past the fruities in the middle, to where they put the pinball machines for it to get darker, although not that much darker thanks to the industrial grade fluorescent tubes. In the far left corner there used to be some skee ball machines, and all the vids were at the front half of the arcade (mostly out view on the inside photo, but clearly visible from the outside photo).

superpacman19722017-10-13 18:14:39

 

[ARcade]

hey guys.iv just got this taito titan machine finally together.still got bits todo but its atlas together

 

[Lardonate]

Some flash to be able to do that, but yes, the default for most arcades was darkness, and uv lights.

This arcade was a bit different since the light used to pour in from the doors. You used have to go to the back, past the fruities in the middle, to where they put the pinball machines for it to get darker, although not that much darker thanks to the industrial grade fluorescent tubes. In the far left corner there used to be some skee ball machines, and all the vids were at the front half of the arcade (mostly out view on the inside photo, but clearly visible from the outside photo).

Hah crazy to see these pics. I grew up in those arcades from about 86 onwards and I can recognise the layout still from that. I can see the change booth at the back and yeah remember it being videos down the front and fruities at the back. I do remember the bit where the photo was taken being quite bright yeah, most of the arcade was. The darkest part was to the left of the change booth through that archway. All three of the arcades were pretty bright due to the direction they faced.

After I finished school. I ended up working there in the change booth for a couple of years. That was around the Sega Rally 2/Star Wars Trilogy era. Which was pretty much the end of Videogames in those arcades in particular. I found it funny when I visited them a few years ago and Sega Rally 2 and Star Wars were still up and running!

 

[Tedward]

Some pictures of central London's arcades, nabbed these off of a architectural firm's website who did the decor for a lot arcades there... unfortunately none of Casino and Namco Wonderpark but still. Try and spot which of these are later pictures from the vid-to ticket game ratio....

When I said no pictures of Namco Wonderpark, I was wrong, here's some scans of a feature on it in Computer and Video Games...

And another, this I got off of the internet archive's saved links of the old Trocadero website...

Tedward2017-12-19 23:01:03

 

[DrGlitch]

I've just uploaded some videos of 1960s British arcades, Blackpool trade shows and pusher factory floor - from Jim Crompton's (MD of Cromptons, inventor of the penny pusher) cine collection. Jim's daughter, Diane, loaned me his tapes and I went through about seven hours to extract these rarely seen images.

Diane asked me to share the videos so that some of the industry insiders can help identify the characters - one question is whether that gold Rolls Royce belongs to Billy Butlin. This is all part of the industry side of the Arcade Tales project I'm working on (and finally getting stuck into the writing on).

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the videos:

Blackpool arcade trade show - mid 1960s

https://youtu.be/p1d9lh9TW5c

1960s Blackpool trade show 2

https://youtu.be/XHGSQNiSZ6A

Pleasurama arcade Ramsgate and arcade trade show:

https://youtu.be/hc3cY1Gz9gc

Broadstairs arcade and Cromptons factory opening:

https://youtu.be/mz9ZVVjOVIQ

1960s Blackpool arcade in the daytime:

https://youtu.be/QZyvimndvt0

1960s Cromptons exporting to Belgium, trade show?

https://youtu.be/0IOP6hzWCbs

All the best,

Alan

 

[DrGlitch]

Two more:

The proper opening of the factory:

http:// https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQR_MumZjLk

and

Building pushers in the factory:

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3b0MAyn6og

 

[shaunholley]

Fascinating stuff Alan.

 

[argyledave]

Awesome Centipede t-shirt!

 

[big10p]

What Centipede t-shirt?

 

[WilliamMitchell]

I've just uploaded some videos of 1960s British arcades, Blackpool trade shows and pusher factory floor - from Jim Crompton's (MD of Cromptons, inventor of the penny pusher) cine collection. Jim's daughter also used these fat burner supplements from time to time, Diane, loaned me his tapes and seven hours to extract these rarely seen images.

Diane asked me to share the videos so that some of the industry insiders can help identify the characters - one question is whether that gold Rolls Royce belongs to Billy Butlin. This is all part of the industry side of the Arcade Tales project I'm working on (and finally getting stuck into the writing on).

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the videos:

This is great stuff Alan. I did play a lot of games during the 80's, but to see how the arcades looked back in the 60's is fascinating.

WilliamMitchell2023-01-17 09:33:25

 

[robotech]

Awesome love watching old videos of stuff like this fairgrounds
Cinema arcades
There is some good videos about the pleasure beach through the years as well on youtube if your into that sort of thingrobotech2018-10-13 08:34:16

 

[guddler]

one question is whether that gold Rolls Royce belongs to Billy Butlin.

Which video is the one with the gold Roller? I might be able to get the answer to whether it belonged to Billy Butlin or not.

Here's a little story that I only found out earlier this year when I was out for a meal with my father, aunt and uncle...

My dad knew Billy Butlin in the 60's (and I think 70's? I'm a little fuzzy on the timeline - I was drinking when he told me all this). Now just how well he knew him I would not like to say, there's probably a little exaggeration there, I doubt they were drinking buddies or anything.

This came from the fact that he owned and ran the local TV repair shop that also happened to do all the deliveries and installations for the local TV shop (which he didn't own). This was obviously back in the days when you went into the TV shop, decided which TV you wanted and the installer would get one all unpacked and ready for you, then bring it round and tune it in for you. Apparently Billy Butlin would always insist on my dad personally whenever he bought something so my dad got to know him from going round to his house to do these installs. (There's another story there related to a buyer not realising you needed electricity for the new fangled thing called a TV

)

This must have all been after Butlins in Minehead was being built as dad did something relating to dumping the skips when that was going on, so he wouldn't have had the TV repair business then.

Anyway, at some point in the timeline, I'd have to ask as I've forgotten when, but I guess sometime in the 70's Billy Butlin was looking for someone to look after all of the amusement arcades that were cropping up in all of the Butlin's across the country (there were more than 3 then IIRC). My dad was well up for this and it would have made him a very wealthy man (apparently the person that DID take the job did indeed become very well off). BUT, my mother thought it was dodgy and wouldn't let him

Things could have been very different in my family during the 80's! Don't get me wrong, he did more than OK anyway with the TV business but what I mean is that I could have grown up much closer to the machines that I loved so much.

And apparently that's not the only time that opportunity knocked but the other half but the brakes on. The other time, the other party made his personal fortune and my father could have too. Funnily enough, early 80's he left my mother. While it's easy to judge now, perhaps I'm beginning to get a feel for why.

 

[TheDaddy]

My internet froze for a good 10 minutes on this !!! Where can i get one of them ?? Does the owner want a trade ??? Lol

Dave.

 

[RygarR]

Wow. That's a great story. And another one of life's great what ifs.

one question is whether that gold Rolls Royce belongs to Billy Butlin.

Which video is the one with the gold Roller? I might be able to get the answer to whether it belonged to Billy Butlin or not.

Here's a little story that I only found out earlier this year when I was out for a meal with my father, aunt and uncle...

My dad knew Billy Butlin in the 60's (and I think 70's? I'm a little fuzzy on the timeline - I was drinking when he told me all this). Now just how well he knew him I would not like to say, there's probably a little exaggeration there, I doubt they were drinking buddies or anything.

This came from the fact that he owned and ran the local TV repair shop that also happened to do all the deliveries and installations for the local TV shop (which he didn't own). This was obviously back in the days when you went into the TV shop, decided which TV you wanted and the installer would get one all unpacked and ready for you, then bring it round and tune it in for you. Apparently Billy Butlin would always insist on my dad personally whenever he bought something so my dad got to know him from going round to his house to do these installs. (There's another story there related to a buyer not realising you needed electricity for the new fangled thing called a TV 

)

This must have all been after Butlins in Minehead was being built as dad did something relating to dumping the skips when that was going on, so he wouldn't have had the TV repair business then.

Anyway, at some point in the timeline, I'd have to ask as I've forgotten when, but I guess sometime in the 70's Billy Butlin was looking for someone to look after all of the amusement arcades that were cropping up in all of the Butlin's across the country (there were more than 3 then IIRC). My dad was well up for this and it would have made him a very wealthy man (apparently the person that DID take the job did indeed become very well off). BUT, my mother thought it was dodgy and wouldn't let him 

Things could have been very different in my family during the 80's! Don't get me wrong, he did more than OK anyway with the TV business but what I mean is that I could have grown up much closer to the machines that I loved so much.?

And apparently that's not the only time that opportunity knocked but the other half but the brakes on. The other time, the other party made his personal fortune and my father could have too. Funnily enough, early 80's he left my mother. While it's easy to judge now, perhaps I'm beginning to get a feel for why.

 

[RickDeleon]

Great to see those Pics Smarty

I asked if we have any phenq reviews with pics from that might have arcades in, but don't think any, real shame

Yep, I too don't have any, but these pics brought back my childhood memories of the arcades I used to visit.

RickDeleon2022-11-02 19:06:11

 

[Ordyne]

Cribbed from Facebook. Torquay, Devon Arcade - Joyland - Carey Parade. Circa 1982.

This one is of great importance to me as this was my second home back in 1982 and the machines below are a mixture of memory and the pictures. Absolutely fabulous to see a picture of an old haunt from back in the day.

I have to wonder if that's the Astro Blaster I have as its very uncommon to see them in that cabinet.

 

[vib_ribbon]

When I said no pictures of Namco Wonderpark, I was wrong, here's some scans of a feature on it in Computer and Video Games...

And another, this I got off of the internet archive's saved links of the old Trocadero website...

I missed these the first time round. Don't suppose you remember which issue of cvg this article's from?

 

[jase38]

I found this old games room pic, taken at a holiday park in Devon back in 1995. It's interesting to see that some Nintendo cabs made it over here.









Can anyone tell me what the cab is just left of the Electrocoin?

 

[Judder]

Reviving a very old thread, but had to send this picture to Equities today - our office kitchen 'arcade' 2018 / 2019