Played in a great arcade at the weekend

[Geoff D]

Forgive the thread, but I haven't had a decent arcade experience in such a loooong time that it was most welcome; I've bored my workmates to death talkig about it & now it's all your turn. I had a couple of hours to spare in central London, so made my way up to Game Focus to have a look around, then went to grab a coffee & spotted an arcade round the corner; went in & spent many pence on Streetfighter Zero 3 against the Mrs, Espgaluda, Metal Slug (4 I think it was - didn't get very far) & so on. The other half commented on how Espgaluda was 'like that Ikaruga game' - forget the facts; I give her loads of points for being able to name another shooter. There was an Initial D machine upstairs as well, but I didn't play that, & all of this was played out to the theme from Bubble Bobble that a chap was playing - how cool is that?

I'm sure you Londoners are aware of the place - the name escapes me, but I'll definitely be heading back there next time I'm in the capital.

[eastyy]

Have not been to a arcade in years.

Last one i went to i think was in great yarmouth to feed my killer instinct 2 addiction

[endo]

That's Casino. Did you have a go on Mushihime in there? They've got Progear too, and Battle Coliseum and loads of other good stuff.

[importaku]

Is that the arcade with para para paradise & a few other dancing games??

[endo]

Nah- it's not got any dancing gams as far as I know. Downstairs there definitely aren't any, and upstairs, apart from the Initial D cab and couple of others, it's all fruit machines.

[gossi the dog]

Is that the one around Tottenham Court Road? Fairly small. Two floors. Top floor has a few recent arcade games (last time I went which was about a year ago they had Virtua Cop 3, Initial D and Battle Gear 3 at ?0.50 per credit), a few fruit machines and best of all pinball tables! Basement is full of retro stuff at about ?0.30 per credit. If that's the one I used to pop in there quite often last year whilst I was down in London with job interviews. Excellent small arcade.

[NekoFever]

Sounds good. What was the best arcade around here has now been taken over by gambling machines and a Pick & Mix area (seriously), and I think the newest game in there is Tekken 4. They had a test machine of F-Zero AX a couple of years ago which was great, but nothing since then.

Going to Japan is what really spoiled me on English arcades. Every single one has countless Street Fighters, shooters, SNK games, Virtua Fighters, etc, and they're all a reasonable price.

[son_of_bael]

Yeah, I've been there a couple of times. It looks like a dump from the outside, and I think it's next door to "Chicken Shack" or some other wonderful fast food joint, but there are some cool games inside. I remember playing Metal Slug 3 there last year sometime.

[Robster]

errm.....how far is it from heathrow?

I have a five hour stop over there soon

[razu]

Does anyone know how long they stay open for? I'm going to London soon for a conference and would prefer to play arcade games rather than mingle with conference people in the evening.

[Street Turk]

Last game at Casino is 1030 according to the page stuck on the window.

Used to be better as you got better challengers...now those top players play in Trocadero.

It would be a 2 hr return journey from Heathrow...so pleanty of time.

You would have to take the Picadilly Line to Leicester Square and then change for the Northern Line to Goodge St. And away you go!!

[Ben-K]

Used to be better as you got better challengers...now those top players play in Trocadero.

Is the arcade in the Trocadero still there? I heard rumours that it'd been demolished.

It's one of the things that's stopped me making my annual London arcade pilgramige. I'd hate to turn up and be stuck with nothing but Casino and Namco Station.....can anyone fill me in on wether it's still worth the trip?

[mid]

It would be a 2 hr return journey from Heathrow...so pleanty of time.

However, if you've only got 5 hours total, I'd be more inclined to hang around duty free, where there is a perfectly nice Special Tours machine, and save yourself the bother.

[endo]

Is the arcade in the Trocadero still there? I heard rumours that it'd been demolished.

It's one of the things that's stopped me making my annual London arcade pilgramige. I'd hate to turn up and be stuck with nothing but Casino and Namco Station.....can anyone fill me in on wether it's still worth the trip?

Yeh, it's still there. There was talk last year that it was going to be bought by a developer and turned into flats or something, but apparently that's all off now.

Was in there a few weeks ago thinking I might try and flex my 3S skills. Saw some Chinese lad absolutely taking the piss with Yun and changed my mind. This bloke was seriously amazing and his parry skills were Jedi-like.

[Ben-K]

Yeh, it's still there. There was talk last year that it was going to be bought by a developer and turned into flats or something, but apparently that's all off now.

Cool, I shall pick a nice spring weekend when there's a good gig on and sample our fair capital's gaming delights.