Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle
General Chat => Meetings, Exhibition, Events... => Topic started by: DarthNuno on December 02, 2009, 06:30:14 PM
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(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/news/funspot.jpg)
Well, this is a very special Road Trip / Pilgrimage... because this time, it'll happen in USA and not as I use to do in Europe... A premiere for me.
Of course I've already drove cars in US, but not for a such Road Trip... or "Arcade Pilgrimage"
So the starting point will be the heart of New York 8)
Because it's gonna be a huge trip, I wanted to leave as soon as possible, but the car rental agency of hiring opens only at 7 a.m.
Afters the 'papers' to sign... here we are, ready to go ... 7:30 am ... Navigation car system ready... because because of the buildings, it's a pain to localize us... It's gonna be rock'n'roll to drive in the heart of the 'Big Apple' ;D :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt1.jpg)
Arrival time estimated at : 12:39 ...gloups :ghost:
Fortunately for us... because yes... Darth Nunette is with me ( :-* ) ... it's early ... no to much traffic around... but we have to be careful 8) ...I cannot compete with the cab drivers here ;D
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt2.jpg)
It was not easy... but ... a least ... we are now out of New York (after maybe 40 or 50 minutes If I remember well) :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt4.jpg)
Arg! I forgot to take this photograph at the beginning of the trip :twisted: :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt3.jpg)
I'll have to check on the car rental contract in order to calculate the length of this RT ::)
On the road... food everywhere ... even more food than gas station :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt5.jpg)
...driving into ...Connecticut ... Massachusetts...sounds pretty cool huh :-* ...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt7.jpg)
Wow :o... Boston very close ... the native town from the 'Kids Of Boston' ... EXTREME!!! (Nuno Bettencourt ;) ) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt6.jpg)
I'm driving since few hours now... time for a break! Oh, here's our car :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt8.jpg)
Yes... I know ::) not very 'American style' ::) :D
In order to do like most of my road trip, let's go into...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt9.jpg)
...yes... Burger King... :P ... don't blame me ... It's just to compare US Burger King vs UK ones (We don't have BK in Belgium :ghost:) :
Did you notice? Close to the BK, there is a BK 'FUN ROOM', full of arcade games.....and ... ARGH! No picture :?
A great thing inside most of fast food restaurant ... the 'FREE REFILL' ... So like Forest Gump, I can drink as much Dr Pepper as I want ;D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt10.jpg)
...still on the way ... Nashua town? ... I've already read something interesting to see here ::) ... I will check that on the way back ::) 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt11.jpg)
I'm a poor lonesome cowboy
I'm a long long way from home
...approaching the final destination ... Laconia :) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt12.jpg)
I am very excited now :P ... but it is necessary for me to remain careful. The sheriff is not too far ::) ...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt13.jpg)
Well, the road will end soon... water ... coast ... we should arrive in a couple of minutes :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt14.jpg)
...and...
...here we are ...
...It's 1:43PM 8)
... I cannot believe I'm here ... :P :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/new_york_rt15.jpg)
:spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
OK this point, I presume you all know this place : FUNSPOT / Amercia Classic Arcade Museum" ;)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_1.jpg)
Funspot Family Fun Center From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Funspot Family Fun Center (or simply known as Funspot) is a video arcade and self-declared "classic gaming museum" founded in 1952 by Bob Lawton, and located in the village of Weirs Beach in Laconia, New Hampshire, USA. It includes over 500 games, an indoor golf center, a 20-lane ten-pin and candlepin bowling center, cash bingo, mini-golf, a restaurant, and a tavern. Funspot was officially named the "Largest Arcade in the World" by Guinness World Records at the 10th Annual International Classic Video Game and Pinball Tournament, held from May 29 through June 1, 2008.
Integrated within Funspot is the American Classic Arcade Museum, which is the first 501(c) non-profit organization dedicated to restoring and displaying vintage coin-operated amusements. The museum celebrates the origins of the arcade industry with popular games from the past. Asteroids, Pac-Man, Centipede and a Gorgar pinball machine are just a few of the many games in the classic arcade museum. The museum also contains static displays of game history, and the walls feature many posters of vintage arcade games.
Points of interest
* Billy Mitchell played his perfect game of Pac-Man on July 3, 1999 at this location.
* Steve Wiebe set the high score for Donkey Kong in public at this location.
* The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters was filmed in portions at this location.
* The high score for BurgerTime, 9,000,000 points, was set here by Brian Wagner.
* Funspot one of only two arcades (the other being Richie Knucklez in New Jersey)[citation needed] to officially display Donkey Kong 2: Return of Jumpman, the hack of Donkey Kong, complete with Nintendo trademark on the game cabinet.
Sounds good huh? :-*
OK, at the entrance... the classic game wall of game :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_3.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_4.jpg)
You cannot miss THE grandmother of the video game :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_5.jpg)
Ok, let's start my furious walk into this place...no logic, just a pure random ride ... like a cat who are entering a new house for the first time...
PS : Once again... sorry for the poor quality picture ( :oops:) ... just let's say it's good old fashion 80's pictures style ::) ;D
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_6.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_7.jpg)
Wow... I don't know how to visit this place... it's so HUGE :o
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_8.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_9.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_10.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_11.jpg)
I'm in heaven here... :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_12.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_13.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_15.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_14.jpg)
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After a nice welcome, we were guided by ...Robert Mruczek :-* (on the right in the following picture):
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_16.jpg)
On the left, it's a Pac Man player coming for Netherlands (I do not remember his name).
Robert is very nice & smart. After chatting with him on various subjects (High Score, King of Kong, TG, ...)... he says us : 'Hold a second, I'll try to found people for you ;)'... After a moment, he returns with the Funspot founder, Bob Lawton :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_17.jpg)
...after that he ask to Gary Vincent, co-founder of the American Classic Arcade Museum, to come and meet us :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_18.jpg)
It was a real pleasure to meet them... very kind & smart :-* :-* :-*
Ok, now it's time for me the enjoy the place... let's take some tokens...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_19.jpg)
I'm really addict about first black & white games :-* WOw... the original 'Sprint' is really fun to play... the car movement is so smooth ... I love it :-* :-* :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_20.jpg)
SUPER BUG :-* I own this game too, but it's not working yet... so I play it here :-* It really gives me the motivation to fix mine... because the game is very fun 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_21.jpg)
Atari TX1... triple screen 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_22.jpg)
(it's funny to play that triple screen racing game, because right now, I'm setting up a triple screen Forza III set up :P)
At this point, I'm too exited to take pictures... I just want to play games ::) ... so I give the camera to my wife and ask her to take random pictures... here's the result :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_23.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_24.jpg)
Death Race ... really fun to play... the sounds are so cool 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_25.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_26.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_27.jpg)
Vector games :-* :-* :-* ...working :-* :-* :-* I'm in heaven!!!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_28.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_29.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_arcade_30.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_3.jpg)
A wonderful Night Driver :-* ... unfortunately not working ... :'(
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_4.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_5.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_6.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_7.jpg)
HD' ... I didn't remember how to 'enter' into this cockpit :P ;D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_8.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_9.jpg)
Wooow... A Space Harrier *deluxe* ... but not working yet :'( :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_10.jpg)
One of my favorite area ... black & white games :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_11.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_12.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_13.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_14.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_15.jpg)
:-* :-* :-*
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Fan of TAITO games ? Here they are :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_16.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_17.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_18.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_19.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_20.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_21.jpg)
An all-famous Track & Field...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_22.jpg)
... and its 'twin sister' GYRUSS :) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_23.jpg)
INDY 4... Just awesome!!! I love it :-* :-* :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_24.jpg)
Williams fans? ::) :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_25.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_26.jpg)
Here and there... 80's items :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_27.jpg)
The 'Pac Man' area... or the battle for an high score :) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_28.jpg)
...awesome... the second player from the right on that picture recognizes me ;) He said he check this forum from time to time for new road trip' :D Not registered here, but its pseudo is something like DKFAN or DK4Ever or something ? Anyway... it's was a nice meet :-*
Wow...still greats games everywhere :o :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_29.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_30.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_31.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_32.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_33.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_34.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_35.jpg)
Never seen a Joust cocktail 'for real' :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_36.jpg)
Hang-On ... welcome back in the 80s :-*
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_37.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_38.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_39.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_40.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_41.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_42.jpg)
I believe it's Donald Hayes playing here :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_43.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_44.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_45.jpg)
:-*
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The ride is not over :P :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_1.jpg)
Mhhh Burger Time :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_2.jpg)
Still more games... just awesome!!!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_3.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_4.jpg)
...a famous "Satan's Hollow" ::) :D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_5.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_6.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_7.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_8.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_9.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_10.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_12.jpg)
Long time ago... I used to play SUBROC on my Colecovision... and ...maybe 25 years later... I can play the real thing :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_11.jpg)
...approaching the Nintendo area? ::)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_13.jpg)
Yes! Here's the famous Donkey Kong cabinet... the same one since the first day at Fun Spot... the one where Steve Wiebe played so much on... and so many great DK players too :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_14.jpg)
...note also the Donkey Kong II :-* Gorgeous isn't it :) A lot of history right here :P
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_15.jpg)
Nintendo cabinets are ones of the best!
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_16.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_17.jpg)
Let's now have a ride into the 'laser games' area :-* Of course... Dragon's Lair :-* :-* :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_18.jpg)
M.A.C.H. 3 cockpit... but unfortunately not working :-[
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_19.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_20.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_21.jpg)
Hey... Spy Hunter cockpit :-* In order to give me motivation to fix my SH (upright) still not working :oops:, let's play this one ;)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_22.jpg)
...same idea for S.T.U.N. Runner ::) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_26.jpg)
...and still new more games to see... incredible :o
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_23.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_24.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_25.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_27.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_28.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_29.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_the_ride_30.jpg)
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Few more pictures... :P
More than cabinets, a lot of things to see here... for example on the wall :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_1.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_2.jpg)
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_12.jpg)
Impossible to resist... let's play this Burger Time... once again :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_3.jpg)
... and this INDY 4 :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_8.jpg)
TANK 2 :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_4.jpg)
Back in the days... there was very special cabinets :-* :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_5.jpg)
Not dedicated... but at least in a Sega cabinet (but maybe it was the dedicated WB cabinet after all ::)) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_6.jpg)
Hi Score in progress.... Kill Screen coming up... just in case ::) ;D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_7.jpg)
Cute :) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_9.jpg)
In an other level... more modern games...
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_10.jpg)
...DAytonaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! :-* :-* :-* To bad I'm alone here... I need more players here ;D :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_11.jpg)
And now, take a ride with me inside this video :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot-youtube.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhDkAgTbBsA)
[click on the picture to watch the video]
Argh... It's already time to go... The Road Trip is not over.. and there is a long way to go... I was here for only 2 - 3 hours :oops: Next time I'll take an hotel and stay at least 2 days! Because yes... this is the Arcade Mecca, without any question! A MUST SEE PLACE!!! See you very soon FUN SPOT :-* :-* :-*
A last picture, before to go 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_gameroom_13.jpg)
:spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
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And here's the second part of the day ;) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/news/galaxian3-funworld.jpg) (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1208.0)
Pffff... what a day isn't it ::) ;D
:spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace:
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Heheh, great to see you took my advice :)
I bet you loved every second !
Since I've been there in 2006 they added over 100 cabs ! Can you believe it !?!?!?
I love that place. It's the Mecca of arcade fans !
I think it may very well be this year for a return visit !
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FUNSPOT !!! :-* :-* :spaceace: :spaceace:
Fantastic, I can't wait .....
:pac: :pac:
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Heheh, great to see you took my advice :)
Huuuhh hmmm (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1028.msg9284#msg9284) ;)
I cant wait for the parts to come !
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Uhh, Bruno and I have had more contacts and quite some time before you even registered here Etienne and Funspot definitely came up more than one time :D
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i did put a ;) there my friend 8)
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Added more pictures ;)
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man, they really have EVERYTHING there! this is heaven :-*
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Very nice pics Bruno, I love the sight of all those cabs. can't wait to go there myself, probably somewhere next year.
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Oh my god, this is heaven :-* :-* :-*.
Thanks bruno for these beautiful pictures ;) (Monaco GP cockpit : insert coin or not ?)
A place to go, for sure :spaceace:.
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Oh my god, this is heaven :-* :-* :-*.
Thanks bruno for these beautiful pictures ;) (Monaco GP cockpit : insert coin or not ?)
A place to go, for sure :spaceace:.
I quote, I've seen all toghter good part of the games played in the childhood (sinistar for example was missing but the founder made a great work)
Never knew this place existed,
Next time in NY I'll give a try
Mav
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How about a group trip....?
I'd love that but it would be hard for me.
Last (and first) time I was there, I was there with wife and kid. They enjoyed it a lot and we spend about 3.5 hours there first day and 1 hour next day, but I felt I only had played 10% of the games. I could have stayed there for three days and play all day.....
If I compare your pics with mine from 2006 Bruno, they have added SO many cabs, it's simply unbelievable.
Funspot, amen !
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How about a group trip....?
I'd love that but it would be hard for me.
Why would it be hard for you?
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The ride is not over ;) More pictures added :P
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i can only say one thing ...
FANTASTIC !!! :spaceace:
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F***!!! how many games are there?
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:shock: :shock:
OMG !!! :o :-*
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How about a group trip....?
I'd love that but it would be hard for me.
Why would it be hard for you?
Don't think my wife will let me go alone....if it's the US in 2010, it's for another holiday....
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How about a group trip....?
I'd love that but it would be hard for me.
Why would it be hard for you?
Don't think my wife will let me go alone....if it's the US in 2010, it's for another holiday....
same story here.. :-\ only it will not be the US for 2010 here
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Man, I probably didn't even know a lot of games when I was there in 2006....
Shame about the Berzerk not having the original stick and Satan's Hollow too. And Satan's Hollow stick plastics are readily available and cheap too.
But if you see the sheer number of working cabs there, it is simply amazing that they are able to keep them running at all !!! I bet it's a daytime job for at least one guy...
The D2K apparently has Nintendo's blessing according to their website!
Blue Print I remember seeing there but didn't get to play. Strange game but I thought it was quite fun played it quite a number of times on my Atari home computer back in the day.
Question Bruno: Do you remember seeing a Video Pinball there ? Or an Avalanche ?
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Pffffffffffffffff what a collection, heaven!
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What's really scary is, that isn't all of the games that they have. They have a storage unit with a ton of games and not to mention all of the games they have to put in the back by the golf area because during the summer they have more games out during the tournament and for the rest of the summer. What shocked me the most is that Bruno was actually able to see Gary and get a picture with him! The guy is really elusive and he's always running around the place. It's really hard for him to take a break and have a chat for ten minutes, but if you ever get the chance to speak to him it's amazing. He loves this stuff.
The thing with the joysticks that I've seen is that they take what they can get. They don't have a lot of money to buy the proper parts for the certain games so they'll put a HAPP stick in a game like Berserk. But I've played it with the new joystick and compared to what was in it before, it's about a million times better because the stick refused to shoot diagonally and go up on some parts. The whole thing is really run by Mr. Lawton, Gary and another tech guy. That's it, three people. The rest of the staff just cleans the place and takes the tokens out of the games. They've been getting rid of a lot of pinball machines because it's a lot for them to take care of.
You guys can donate stuff to them, they are a fully working museum and anything you donate to them is tax deductible. So if you got any spare parts lying around from a project, you can send it off to them and they'll put it in. And money of course is good because it keeps the place going. If you go during the winter the place is dead but it picks up on the weekend. The first time my friends and I went to Funspot we went in January and while the kiddies were in school, so it was amazing. The place was empty and the 80's music was blasting so it was like the place was just for us. The other two floors are alright and have a good collection of games from the 80's, 90's and even some of today's games, but it's mostly ticket games for the kiddies to suck money out of their pockets.
My friend and I want to design a T-Shirt for our site and sell it on Cafepress and have all the proceeds go back to the museum. They really deserve it because it's a labor of love for them to keep the place going. I really want to help them meet their target of getting enough money to expand the third floor over the bowling ally. That expansion could fit in over 100 more games, but they don't have the money to do that. So anything to help them get to their goal would be better then doing nothing.
As always, you can check out the videos we did with Gary and from the previous FunSpot tournaments. http://arcadehunters.blip.tv/
If you guys want to plan a trip, try to plan it around the next tournament for 2010. It's always the weekend after Memorial Day here in the States, so figure around the middle of May. But if you want to have the place all to yourselves plan on January-April because while the weather is bad, all the kiddies are in school and they are always open. Just make sure you go to their website and print out the coupons they have. 20 bucks in tokens plus 50 extra tokens?! You can't beat that.
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And now, take a ride with me inside this video :
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot-youtube.jpg) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhDkAgTbBsA)
[click on the picture to watch the video]
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... can't wait to go there myself, probably somewhere next year.
Me too :D In fact I plan to go back there again for the next tournament. It could be a nice place for a meeting :P
Monaco GP cockpit : insert coin or not ?
Yes!!! Definitively yes! A fantastic game... I can't skip that opportunity to play it like... back in the days :-*
Last (and first) time I was there, I was there with wife and kid. They enjoyed it a lot and we spend about 3.5 hours there first day and 1 hour next day, but I felt I only had played 10% of the games. I could have stayed there for three days and play all day.....
If I compare your pics with mine from 2006 Bruno, they have added SO many cabs, it's simply unbelievable.
Funspot, amen !
Same for me! When I watch back the pictures, I regret I didn't play some games (DK II for example :oops:)... that is the reason I plan to go there asap ;)
Question Bruno: Do you remember seeing a Video Pinball there ? Or an Avalanche ?
I *think* I remember a video pinball there, but I'm not sure... I'll check the video I've done.
The thing with the joysticks that I've seen is that they take what they can get. They don't have a lot of money to buy the proper parts for the certain games so they'll put a HAPP stick in a game like Berserk. But I've played it with the new joystick and compared to what was in it before, it's about a million times better because the stick refused to shoot diagonally and go up on some parts. The whole thing is really run by Mr. Lawton, Gary and another tech guy. That's it, three people. The rest of the staff just cleans the place and takes the tokens out of the games. They've been getting rid of a lot of pinball machines because it's a lot for them to take care of.
As always, you can check out the videos we did with Gary and from the previous FunSpot tournaments. http://arcadehunters.blip.tv/
If you guys want to plan a trip, try to plan it around the next tournament for 2010. It's always the weekend after Memorial Day here in the States, so figure around the middle of May. But if you want to have the place all to yourselves plan on January-April because while the weather is bad, all the kiddies are in school and they are always open. Just make sure you go to their website and print out the coupons they have. 20 bucks in tokens plus 50 extra tokens?! You can't beat that.
Welcome back Moon Jump :-* Glad to see you coming back here from time to time ;)
You're right! It's awesome to see they plug the games all the the time!!! Even the old ones :shock: OMG! What a nightmare to maintain most of them up & running! Just thing : not 5, 20, 50, even not 100 but HUNDREDS of games to maintain here!!!! During a conversation with Gary, I explain him how sometime I've to replace the original board, almost impossible to repair/maintain alive/or simply missing... by X in one or Namco Classics Collection... or by a computer. He said they have to do it sometime too (The Dragon's Lair is running Daphne for example). This place is just heaven! They really deserve support from fans!
Thanks for the link... there is a ride, far better than mine here : http://arcadehunters.blip.tv/file/2740841/ ;)
Now let's wait the exact date for the next tournament... and let's be ready to plan the trip :P
:spaceace:
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Question Bruno: Do you remember seeing a Video Pinball there ? Or an Avalanche ?
Here's the picture 8) :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/videopinball.jpg)
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Yeah I saw it in the video !
Still....no Avalanche......I wonder if they already have one....
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I don't think I've ever seen an Avalanche machine at FunSpot in the few years I've been going. The only place I ever played the game was in the touring arcade exhibit that goes around to conventions. Video Pinball still works great, tilt and everything. They even had it as a part of last year's tournament and people were racking up some really high scores. I ended up getting a replay this past fall when I played it.
The tournament's a fun time to go, but since King of Kong hit DVD and the movie was also aired on G4TV here in the states, the place has gotten even more crowded in recent years. More and more people keep coming to see the people in the film and I always get asked by somebody, "Are Billy and Steve going to be here this year?". And the answer as always is no.
Thanks for the link... there is a ride, far better than mine here : http://arcadehunters.blip.tv/file/2740841/ ;)
There's a guy named Lee and his wife that came on holiday to the states in the video there. (The ones playing Pong Doubles) My friends and I had just finished playing a game of Congo Bongo and I saw this guy looking at me from across the arcade and he came up to me and said, "Is it you!? It is you! We were watching one of your videos last night before we came up here!" It's cool to see folks from other countries are enjoying the videos I take of the arcades. Most people just want to see play through videos and angry commentary videos, so it's nice to be able to meet some fans who like the stuff we do for a change. Taking videos on the 3rd floor's a pain in the ass. Unless you have a good quality camera, no matter what you do the videos will have this orange tinge to them because of the overhead lighting.
The next tournament will be June 3rd-6th. It's always Thursday to Sunday, so plan accordingly. Theres a lot of nice hotels and you can find some good deals even when your there. My friends and I got a nice place with double beds not even a block away for about 100 US a night. If you want to enter the tournament its about 25 bucks and you can play the tournament games, get a bucket of tokens and a free bottle of Rickie's Hot Sauce. (YUM) My friends and I always plan in advance and take time off of work so we can drive up there for the weekend. Plus when you get sick of being there for a couple of days straight, there's a couple of other arcades and a really good boardwalk with bars, restaurants and shops to spend time in. Plus at night they have a Drive In movie theater and they sometimes have double movie night, so get a car load of people and check it out.
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Nice place to visit! Must be a blast steppin' into "the way back machine"
And that nice little leprechaun .... a woody cute was my first reaction also. Looks like you had the same assosiation ..... love this thread.
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Plus at night they have a Drive In movie theater and they sometimes have double movie night, so get a car load of people and check it out.
Glad to see the Drive In is still there, I was really amazed to see it still alive when I was there ! Winnipesaukee lake was very beautiful too ! But it's funny how everything closes down as soon as the US summer season is over. I think most things then only open in weekends IIRC.
If shipping costs wouldn't be so horrendous, I would gladly go and pick up the Avalanche if they would want it and donate it. But it could very well be they already have it in that large storage you already mentioned.
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(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_28.jpg)
...awesome... the second player from the right on that picture recognizes me ;) He said he check this forum from time to time for new road trip' :D Not registered here, but its pseudo is something like DKFAN or DK4Ever or something ? Anyway... it's was a nice meet :-*
That would be me ;D I don't know why I'm standing in such a goofy position, except maybe I was reaching down to get my camera (which was on the floor next to the chair). It was nice meeting you too, and hopefully I'll see you at the tournament next June!
BTW: That pic of you with Robert Mruczek and the Pac-Man player from the Netherlands is Aart Van Vliet (Level42 probably recognizes that name :) ) Aart has the top scores on Galaxian, Lunar Rescue, and Pac-Man Plus (all 3 on both Arcade and MAME), and the top score for MAME on Ms. Pac-Man.
Also, that pic of the Wonder Boy cab, it's not a dedicated Sega, it's a converted Stern cab (compare its shape to Astro Invader, The End, Moon War, Turtles, etc) 1942 is also in one of these Stern cabs. Just figured you might want to know :)
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Hey Bruno, you stand next to the WORLD CHAMPION GALAXIAN and you don't remember his name ? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I hope Aart will be visiting here some time next year. He can set a new record on my machine if he wants :) :) :)
Besides, CrazyKongFan welcome here !
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Now let's wait the exact date for the next tournament... and let's be ready to plan the trip :P
I'm definitely in ;D
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Mmmm, 490 Euro Amsterdam-Boston with a stop at Iceland.....mmmmm........
DAMN I want to go !
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(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/pictures/USA_rt/funspot_museum_28.jpg)
...awesome... the second player from the right on that picture recognizes me ;) He said he check this forum from time to time for new road trip' :D Not registered here, but its pseudo is something like DKFAN or DK4Ever or something ? Anyway... it's was a nice meet :-*
That would be me ;D I don't know why I'm standing in such a goofy position, except maybe I was reaching down to get my camera (which was on the floor next to the chair). It was nice meeting you too, and hopefully I'll see you at the tournament next June!
BTW: That pic of you with Robert Mruczek and the Pac-Man player from the Netherlands is Aart Van Vliet (Level42 probably recognizes that name :) ) Aart has the top scores on Galaxian, Lunar Rescue, and Pac-Man Plus (all 3 on both Arcade and MAME), and the top score for MAME on Ms. Pac-Man.
Also, that pic of the Wonder Boy cab, it's not a dedicated Sega, it's a converted Stern cab (compare its shape to Astro Invader, The End, Moon War, Turtles, etc) 1942 is also in one of these Stern cabs. Just figured you might want to know :)
Hello CrazyKongFan and ... 'officially' welcome to this side of the Earth :D :-*
I've just found back a picture of you ... and me ;) This time, I'm the 'goofy' man (eyes closed) ::) ;D ...but it's nice to be together on the same picture, so :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/addifun.jpg)
It was nice to meet you so far from my home place (Belgium) ;D
Thanks for the additional informations regarding Aart, Robert presented him to me as a great 'Pac Man' champion... I didn't know regarding the Galaxian HI score, because as far as I know, it was Gary Whelan who was the Galaxian champion... Retro Gamer UK magazine used to mention him very often because he's from UK I guess, but they didn't mention a new Galaxian record.
Once again, being inside FunSpot was an experience... You can feel in the air all the records established here... A lot of gamers who are playing... in a competitive way, no casual gamer here! Like the 80's ::) :P
I want to go back there, probably in few months for the next tournament, even If I'm not looking for a record ::) :P
So... see you soon over there ... and hope to see others friends on this board too ::) ;) Meeting??? :-*
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Thanks for the other photo...I was wondering if you still had it. I remember Darth Nunette taking it :)
Also, if you do make it to Funspot next June, there's another classic arcade down the street right by Weirs Beach called Half Moon Arcade that has quite a few classics (although not maintained as well as Funspots games). They're only open in the summer during the tourist season though, so they weren't open when you were there in November. Speaking of Gary Whelan, he's made the last 2 June Tournaments too. Got to talk to him last year, as he played Galaxian quite a bit and I was playing Tron right next to him.
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Also, if you do make it to Funspot next June...
Does the next tournament date has already been set yet? I've just check on the funspot website and there's no mention about it. I would like to plan the trip as soon as possible, but I have to be sure about the date of course ;)
ps : second part of that day now available here :arrow:
(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/news/galaxian3-funworld.jpg) (https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=1208.0)
8)
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Instead of making a new thread, figured I'd just bump this one up. They recently announced the dates for the next annual tournament, it'll be June 3rd to the 6th. Much later in the year then previous events. I wanted to see what some of you guys were doing this summer as well. I wanted to have a gathering up at FunSpot over the summer break and since we end up going there in the summer anyway, why not invite some other folks along for the ride. It won't be during Cali Extreme or whenever they decide to announce the final dates for the PAPA Pinball tournament.
I'd like to hold a mini tournament and try to raise some money for the museum, so if you guys think this is a good idea, post here.
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Thanks for the notification. I may be there, not sure yet...
Do the dates are official yet?
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Thanks for the notification. I may be there, not sure yet...
Do the dates are official yet?
The dates for FunSpot are locked in. It's always the weekend after Memorial Day here in the states. We've already gotten hotel rooms for the weekend. We usually take Friday off, so we're there Friday night to Sunday morning. I'd love to stay for the final day where they give out the awards, but driving back to New York takes a good while and it seems even further away when you've got work in the morning.
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The problem is that we in Europe have no clue when memorial day is in the US ;D
It's too early for me in the summer. I'm bound to my son's school holidays.... so if there would be a Funspot meeting later in the summer I actually might be able to make it....
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Did someone go this year? If so, you know what to do ..... ;)
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Why I didn't shoot a video like that ::) ;D :arrow:
Really random Funspot Arcade Tournament Video - Funspot 12! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxMPOxhlgVY&feature=fvsr) ;D
More Funspot video right here : http://www.funspotnh.com/tv.htm :P
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Why I didn't shoot a video like that ::) ;D :arrow:
Really random Funspot Arcade Tournament Video - Funspot 12! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxMPOxhlgVY&feature=fvsr) ;D
I love John'sArcade videos :-* :-*
Hey guys ... we are in the Funspotttt ... hey guys we are in the basementttt ... let's go around the cornerrrr .... fantastic :spaceace: :spaceace: ;D :D
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Aaahhhhhhhhh, just a few more months...........
I swear to god, I will make a video that I will be kissing the floor of Funspot when I get back there !!!!
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I swear to god, I will make a video that I will be kissing the floor of Funspot when I get back there !!!!
I'll remind you that when you'll be back... no escape ;D ;)
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Great video, thanks for sharing.
There is a chance, little though, that I will go there this year as well. Yesterday we decided to cancel our holiday to Japan and as an alternative I'm warming up the better half of us to go to the States. Could be East side of it.
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Aaahhhhhhhhh, just a few more months...........
I swear to god, I will make a video that I will be kissing the floor of Funspot when I get back there !!!!
So? ::) ;)
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Patience my friends...patience...
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Patience my friends...patience...
AAAAAAAAAARH! Upload it to YouTube so we can have a laugh! :spaceace: :spaceace: :spaceace: