There’s something about an arcade which is hard to describe to someone who’s never been inside one. Video games can be found almost anywhere these days. Even most phones are able to play surprisingly advanced games. But at the same time these games all lack that certain magic which can be found in an arcade. An arcade is a complex symphony of sounds which reverberate through the game’s cabinets. Digitized sound samples join with the machine’s music tracks to create an ambiance that’s almost magical. It’s little wonder that people who grew up with the arcade experience want to replicate it within their own home.
Finding the Perfect Fit for an Arcade Machine
There’s one big problem with setting up a home arcade though. Most homes have a very limited amount of space. As such, it’s important that the arcade machines be carefully selected for individual taste. That said, there’s a few things to consider which will ensure that the home arcade experience will live up to one’s memories. The first thing to consider is nostalgia. People interested in setting up a home arcade will usually have some strong emotional connections to the experience. And it’s usually a given that a few games will have been absolute obsession when growing up. It’s usually a good idea to carefully consider the listings for machines and see if any spark long forgotten memories. Often times if one really looks at images of an arcade machine the sights and sounds will come flooding back to the surface. Hearing a small sound sample of a beloved arcade game is similar to the experience of hearing a great song from the past. It brings back all the good feelings that one had when first hearing those notes.
One should also remember that arcades are a social environment. Part of the fun of playing arcade games is matching the scores of other people and teaming up with friends for multi-player games. The previous advice about going through lists and images of old games goes for one’s friends as well. It’s always a good idea to see if close friends also have any great memories of a particular machine. If everyone loved a multi-player game than it should be given a bit of extra consideration. A lot of this comes down to replay ability. A home arcade is going to have a far more limited selection than the real thing. As such, one should be sure that any machine will be used for a very long time. One way to accomplish this is by finding games that friends also enjoy. The experience of playing with a different person can almost be like playing the game all over again for the very first time.
The solo playing experience shouldn’t be neglected though. When considering long term use one should also look for arcade machines which allow the player to really hone his skill. Some arcade games are, in their own ways, almost as complex as chess. Games that really reward players for spending time learning their tricks and quirks can be especially good purchases due to how much longevity they’ll have. If all of these points are taken under consideration than a home arcade will become an immensely rewarding hobby.
[Read also: How Playing Games Makes You Smarter]
[Image via: Google Images]
