[Via Arcade Renaissance]
Many have tried, few have succeeded when it comes to creating websites that keep track of locations where you can find arcade titles. I know I’ve thought of doing it before but I’ve never had the time/resources/etc to do it right. But there is a new website called Arcade Finder that looks like it will finally get this going right by offering an open source system that will list the arcade locations, what games they have on site, their addresses and even a map on how to get there from your location via Google Maps. Since the site is brand new it only has 30 locations at the moment but it’s a nice start and as long as it is continuously updated (which is always a problem with these arcade sites – they get going and then are given up on as they are a one-man show) then it will be an awesome resource to use. They do emphasize that they are for finding classic arcades though so I hope that they would be open to the idea of listing arcades that have new games as well as old ones.
Too bad that it’s just for “classic arcade games”, meaning old shit. How about a finder site for all arcades? I’d much rather play Metal Slug than Q-Bert, but that’s just me.
To be fair Paul, there already is at least one listing for metal slug in their data base with more to come soon I presume… Even though they describe themselves as a source to find classic arcade games, they aren’t discriminatory… Let’s Go Jungle for example already has one listing and it was released in 2006. It’s up to the people in charge of the specific regions to list the games whether they are a ‘classic’ release or something much more recent.
you would have thought that the first thing the industry initiative towards promoting the industry would have been are venue finding for their members!!!
I am so sick of the way we (public and trade outsiders) have to do the business for the trade insiders!
That things not very clearly laid out. I’ve registered and logged in yet I can’t seem to find where you add locations. I think they’re only doing US locations for the moment anyway. A simple wikipedia would probably be a better format. These things need alot of editing. The selection of games at these locations can change very frequently.
In my opinion just list all the arcades in your area. I’m certain that most arcades have something considered “classic”. 😉
Wow, this post just came from out of nowhere for us, so right now this is huge. Thanks so much for the endorsement. To clarify, it’s a database for ALL arcade games, from Computer Space to DDR, Metal Slug (as was mentioned earlier, and one of my favorite games) to Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Our goal was to make it easy for any gamer to find a specific game, no matter where they are in the country, (and hopefully at some point) the world. Thank you all for everything, if you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at : chaz@mythric.com, and I’ll be glad to answer them all. Again thank you all, we hope to have a FAQ up on the front page discussing adding new games and locations, just so you know. Take care.
Charles Gibbs
Co-Founder of Arcade Finder
No problem Charles, thank you for this service! I will be adding my own arcade to it when I get a chance. 🙂 Something like this has been needed for a long time now so I hope to see it take off!
I’ve been using this database for years, unfortunately its only for classic arcade games (up to about the early 90s), but its got a lot of locations listed in it:
http://arcadelocations.classicgaming.gamespy.com/
Great move!
We made a similar website 5 years ago but covering Belgium only (because we wanted to keep our info as most accurate as possible so limiting the territory made it easier to stay current). It’s still updated nowadays and the top 3 contributors receive a gift at the end of each year. So if you live in the area, here’s the shortcut to the location list: http://www.arcadebelgium.be/ab.php?l=en&r=lis&p=list
and to the search engine: http://www.arcadebelgium.be/en/sea/searchen.htm
😉