(Thanks to J. Wesley Chiok for the tip)
I should have mixed this with the location news from yesterday but it slipped my memory – so better late than never 😉
We have known for a while that the Japanese owned Round1USA was looking to expand their chain of stores here. They have three locations in California and there was news about an IL location opening not long ago. Now they have a new location that has just opened up in Arlington Texas on December 20th.
Similar to other Round1USA locations, they are an FEC which has bowling and some other attractions along with a modernized arcade. What sets their arcade floor apart is the strong focus on Japanese that you rarely find in chain venues with a mix of other Western games. For the Arlington location here is some of what they have on hand (note that all of the fighters appear to be setup “VS style” which are two cabinets linked so each player gets their own screen): Aliens Extermination; Arcana Heart 3; BATMAN (4 units)Beatmania IIDX 22; Dead Heat Riders (4 units); Dirty Drivin'(2 units); Gitadora Overdrive Guitar Freaks and Drum Set versions; Guitar Hero Arcade; House of the Dead 4 Dlx; HUMMER MDX; Initial D8(4 units); Koihime Musou; Mach Storm; Mario Kart GP DX (4 units); Maximum Tune 3DX+ (4 units); Need For Speed Carbon Dlx (2 units) Operation GHOST Dlx; Pac-Man Battle Royale Dlx; Project Diva Arcade Future Tone (2 units); Pump It Up Infinity, Fiesta 2 and Prime 2015 (yes all three); Razing Storm Dlx; Sega and Sonic All-Stars Racing Arcade (2 units); Sega Heat Up Air Hockey; Storm Racer G (2 units); Super Bikes 2 (4 units); Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition; Taiko No Tatsujin 14; Tank! Tank! Tank!; Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom; Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Unlimited (10 units); Time Crisis 4 Dlx; Thrill Drive 3 (4 units); Transformers: Human Alliance Dlx; Winter X Games Snocross (4 units) and more which can include karaoke, photo sticker booths, cranes, basketball, redemption, videmption ,etc. Overall, it is quite the selection of new content to come across.
Here are some pictures posted to the Round 1 USA Facebook Group by Lance Frierson
As mentioned they are open now so if you live in or near the area, give them your support and check them out!
When they gonna add Overtake the elite challenge to a US arcade? I been waiting to play it forever…
I think the challenge there is no one is holding stock of that in the US so all orders are shipping from Hong Kong. Not many ops have played it either to drum up interest. I thought it was a solid game, although it was too easy. Perhaps if that can be adjusted then I think it would be a great game for any arcade to have
omg a new beatmania only 4 hours away,
marry Christmas to me!
they stopped making beatmania for the home versions 🙁
ive been playing almost ten years…and didnt think (unless i went to japan) i would be able to play any new mix!
SOME music arcade games have a hardcore fan base and depending on location, type of game,condition of machine,and random luck, can be very profitable! BUT the key is keeping the machine working (they always take a bashing) building a fan base in your area, organizing events and tournaments…etc
ive prolly pumped over a grand into all the DDR machines over my lifetime, and ive been playing beatmania for 10 years wherever i can find it on the east coast.
during the early 2000’s these DDR machines where overpriced, but a HOT item. there would be lines every night.
maintenance was always an issue, and keeping lights and sensors always working was a pain. the idea of upgrading to new mixes…etc was cool.
ive purchased a para para paradise (its like raving with your hands using infrared sensors. sold it a few years later, i miss it ;'(
going to the arcades and trying all the different music games, getting better scores every week, the other kids who also loved japanese music games were always nice and great for game score competition , the excitement knowing they are upgrading your mix, a taste of the japanese culture, gaming, and music,
those were the days!!!
now im thinking of saving up for a IIDX machine which is going to take YEARS and cost as much as a car :'(
very excited for this new arcade!
anyone in texas can take pics for us?
As a big time Bemani player, I’m really glad to see Round 1 continuing to expand and opening more centers throughout the country. There aren’t nearly enough places with these types of games, and as Jason already kind of said, no other arcade games can build such a dedicated community following for return business.
What I’d LOVE to see is for Round 1 to open a center in the Metro Atlanta (GA) area. We have a great community of rhythm game players, but no real local stomping ground to go play and hang out.
This sounds like an awsome arcade chain they have in the US. it even looks better than namco wonderpark from the looks of all the games on offer, do they have wmmt 4 or 5? Also do the games connect to the japanese servers just like the machines do in Japan?
I have personally been to this arcade about 6 times in the past couple of weeks and I have to say it is one of the best arcades I have ever been to. My friends and I enjoy going there and have already dumped a ton of cash onto our cards.