by Graeme » 28 Jan 2005, 22:17
I used to love those grabbers, although I think they became too difficult from the 1990s onwards. It used to be that you could win virtually every time you aimed well. Now, even if your aim's good, the crane will drop it. The new generation of £1-a-go giant grabbers are certainly ridiculous!
I fear the amusement arcade is in decline, yes. I used to absolutely love going to the arcades when I was on holiday. I'd have £10 spending money for the day; you could get "ten tens" from the machine or the kiosk and, at 10p a go, just £1 would get me 10 goes on one of my favourite arcade games like Double Dragon. In the 1990s, everything became £1 a go, which totally took the fun out of it, even for someone really keen like me.
Furthermore, arcade games used to be so much better than the home versions. Now, home consoles are so powerful, there's no extra thrill of playing the arcade versions. Home games are longer and more complex, and they have the arcade graphics.
You used to be able to go into an arcade and be met by wall after wall lined with arcade cabinets. They'd all have the same controls (just a joystick and three buttons), and the emphasis would be what's contained in the screen (ie. the different games). Now, you don't get that. Every cabinet has to have a novelty, ranging from the innovative (the dancing ones) to the downright tacky (the electric chairs). Arcades aren't for gamers anymore.