![\"Location](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arcadeheroes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/arcade-heroes-location-watch-2.png?resize=599%2C247&ssl=1\")
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Welcome to the latest edition of Location Watch, a regular series here on Arcade Heroes that covers the news of brand new arcade locations which have opened anywhere on the planet. That has the caveat of only being locations that we hear about, but thanks to various readers, and other arcade news sites like RePlay Magazine<\/a> and InterGame Online<\/a>, we do our best at keeping this comprehensive.<\/p>\n Our last Location Watch post came in way back at the end of March; read that here if you missed out on it<\/a>. We usually like to get these out sooner, but openings seemed a little slow in April, and then the first half of this month was dominated by prepping for and covering the two big shows that happened (EVO Japan and AAA). Anyways, onto the new locations:<\/p>\n Zero points for naming originality on this first one, given that it essentially means \u201carcade arcade,\u201d but its always good to see another independent Japanese import location pop up. Also, to be fair, several of the locations mentioned today also won\u2019t win those points. Coming to Washington from the folks at 100 Yen Life, who have supplied convention arcades for some time, this is their first foray into a permanent freeplay admission-based venue. They have quite the cool collection, with a strong focus on rhythm games; we wish them luck!<\/p>\n We don\u2019t normally include relocations up in the main gamut of the post, but this one is a special exception. This venue closed back in November of last year, and has moved into a new, larger location that also allows them to serve food & drink. They have over 80 games<\/a>, and while focused on classics (including EM games from the \u201960s & \u201970s), do bend that rule for pinball as most classic gaming venues do, so you can find newer Stern machines around to enjoy. Here\u2019s their Facebook page.<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m guessing the name for this one was to avoid being \u201cDetroit Arcade\u201d when they aren\u2019t in Michigan, but also speaking of food & drink, here\u2019s a new arcade bar that has opened with \u201d an assortment of classic and modern arcade games, pinball machines, Skee-Ball, billiards and tabletop games like shuffleboard and foosball.\u201d From the photos in the article, I\u2019m not picking out modern games aside from a newer pinball (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and crane machine, but there might be more that they didn\u2019t show. Read more about them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Over on the other side of the country is a type of venue that we don\u2019t report on very often \u2013 a new laser tag arena. I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve ever heard of a laser tag place that doesn\u2019t have an arcade in their waiting area, and while Game On does mention an arcade under their services<\/a>, this photo is the only thing I can find that shows what is included in that.<\/p>\n The third location for this chain just opened their doors in the city of Taunton,<\/a> so if you live nearby, they\u2019ve got classic games and drinks. This business model tends to make more money off of the drinks, but they have a great selection of games that should certainly appeal to people who might be hesitant about the entry fee (including ten rhythm games, which is a little bit of a surprise)<\/p>\n This one is a mall arcade with a strong focus on crane machines, but aside from those and redemption, they do have some videos on hand. Those appear to just be Dead Heat, Transformers: Human Alliance DX, and Winter X Games Snocross. They also have a lot of open space, so assuming that what they start with does well, they can add plenty of games into the room over time. Facebook link.<\/a><\/p>\n In the next state over from where PixelJoy is(although Durland is almost in Wisconsin), GameStar Arcade just opened with what looks to be almost an FEC. They have the most \u201cmodern\u201d mix out of the arcades that we\u2019ve covered up to this point, with a mix of video, redemption, cranes, and even slots (which is always little strange to see in any arcade outside of Vegas, but IL gambling laws have loosened up in recent years). They also have a golf simulator, along with food & drink. Their\u00a0 video mix is mostly Raw Thrills, where they even have a Godzilla Kaiju Wars VR. Visit their website.<\/a><\/p>\n Even though Namco\u2019s arcade operations were sold off a few years back, that hasn\u2019t stopped the desire within the company to operate locations. These have taken a variety of forms as there is no exact pattern that these different official stores seem to follow, although they have usually included some Namco arcade machines. For this new place called Level Up, it\u2019s unusual in that it\u2019s a space at the Angels Stadium in Anaheim, so it\u2019s a bit of an open floor concept. Within that spot, they\u2019ve got a giant Pac-Man statue, a bunch of gashapon, and several Pac-Man games (Pac-Man Battle Royale Chompionship DX, a few Pac-Man\u2019s Pixel Bash cabs, World\u2019s Largest Pac-Man). I\u2019m a little surprised that they don\u2019t have the Pac-Man Street Series, but, that might be due to needing to police that kind of game a bit more (so people don\u2019t walk off with the balls\/pucks\/etc)<\/p>\n Dave & Busters Lands In Freehold, NJ<\/a> \u2013 As well as that video, S1ckH4nds sent a ton of photos in the AH Discord server, since more than any other new D&B opening of late they came packed with new games<\/p>\n D&B Also Opens A Location In Ala Molana, HI<\/a> as well as In Lansing, MI<\/a> \u2013 On the Hawaii location, the link at Replay wasn\u2019t working, so llinking to a story frmo February; on the Lansing location, that was from when Hot Wheels Victory Lap still wasn\u2019t up and running.<\/p>\n Elev8 Fun Opens 3rd Location In Jensen Beach, FL<\/a> \u2013 This one was announced quite a while ago<\/p>\n Infinity Fun Opens In Watertown, SD<\/a><\/p>\n Surge Entertainment Opens Location #6 In Metairie, LA<\/a><\/p>\n Velocity Esports Files For Bankruptcy After Closing Schaumburg Location<\/a><\/p>\n Gemu Arcade Opens In Detroit, MI<\/a> \u2013 Interactive playground and a \u201cclawcade\u201d where it doesn\u2019t sound like they have video games, but are focused exclusively on cranes for their game room<\/p>\n Bowlero Queens Officially Rebrands As Lucky Strike Queens<\/a><\/p>\n Sega Prize Zone locations have been popping up at Superbowl UK locations across the country for a while now, but not all of them can claim to be opening in a place with previous Sega heritage like this. As per Ted, Wolverhampton once had one of the original Sega World arcades that opened during the 90s, at another, now non-existent bowling alley<\/a> in the city. That place apparently had such delights as the R360 and eight player Daytona, so you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking this new one\u2019s more redemption-heavy lineup isn\u2019t as impressive (there aren\u2019t even really any shooters at this one, unless you count Men In Black<\/em>). Still, from the looks of this video<\/a> there are at least some shiny new Apex Rebels<\/em> cabinets right out front.<\/p>\n This one suddenly launched just days after the previous Location Watch was published at the end of March, so apologies for the lateness of it. Burgeoning freeplay arcade chains continue to pop up, as the UK\u2019s Continue Arcades have a second location<\/a> after only starting out in Plymouth last year (you may remember the mention they got<\/a>). Taunton keeps them locked to the South West of England, but not as far down the coast. In terms of the games it\u2019s generally another mix of newer experiences, bizarrely enough including another Lethal Lawns<\/em> by LAI like one of the locations mentioned last time did\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n Ahead of reopening the legendary Circus Vandoort venue this Summer<\/a>, Gamestate are pushing ahead with expansion, launching their largest location yet in Berlin, Germany<\/a> and a smaller one as their first in Denmark, Scandinavia.<\/a> That latter one also marks the start of their collaborations with Center Parcs, a big franchise of holiday villages in Europe. As such, only patrons of those can access it, but those that do can find the likes of Super Bikes 3<\/em>, Bigfoot Crush<\/em>, and Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games 2020<\/em>, as well as assorted redemption. Plus, surprisingly enough, a Legends of Valhalla<\/em> from American Pinball:<\/p>\n Courtesy of longtime AH reader Kieran M. in our Facebook group, he shared this recently-opened new arcade found on the Mediterranean island country of Cyprus, where he has been holidaying of late. This one quietly launched this past month with little to no online fanfare, so there is only his word to go off of, but it sounds like it still hasn\u2019t got all its games just yet. That would account for there being not too many, and those that are there being only older, late 2000s examples (albeit good ones \u2013 Sega Rally 3<\/em>, Deadstorm Pirates<\/em>, and Harley Davidson King of the Road<\/em>). Check out the brief video tour here<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Light Opens New Huddersfield, UK Location With Another Sega Amusements-Furnished Arcade<\/a> \u2013 This one seems to have all the shooting games that Sega Prize Zone didn\u2019t (e.g. HOTD Scarlet Dawn<\/em>, Let\u2019s Go Island<\/em>), as well as Apex again<\/p>\n Bandai Namco Amusement Europe Launches Arcade Allies Blogposts With The Pavilion, Bromley<\/a><\/p>\n Genda Opens First Two Europe Mini Locations In London<\/a> \u2013 Teased for a long time, and the first appearance of the GiGO brand out West, but only cranes\u2026<\/p>\n We normally don\u2019t cover closures here, but this one is a little bit frustrating to see, because it got an amount of media exposure that successful arcade operators could only dream of seeing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t say this to kick the owner while he\u2019s down, but it\u2019s rather frustrating for those of us who have made an arcade venue work for years and years to get entirely overshadowed by someone who couldn\u2019t even make it six months<\/a>. I get it in the sense that we as humans glom onto negative news while ignoring most good news, but still, I guarantee that no one else that we cover in this post is going to get a quarter of the coverage that this closing arcade in the UK has received this past week. If they did, then you could bet that public sentiment on the existence of arcades in general would change rather quickly.<\/p>\n It almost makes me want to pull the old furniture store \u201cgoing out of business\u201d trick to just garner enough attention to boost sales.<\/p>\n I did a video sort of covering this<\/a>, but I would add the following free advice to anyone looking to operate a freeplay arcade, to avoid the problems of a quick closure: Don\u2019t start such an arcade with anything less than 40 games (this place only had 18); offer some other attractions such as food or sports games or a PC LAN or something else to help keep people around; consider some new equipment that you can still charge per game for (most freeplay venues that have pinball or skeeball still charge for those games \u2013 ); be willing to adjust your business model if things are really not working out.\u00a0 I am sorry to see anyone have to close, but this could be avoided through better business practices and<\/em> people clicking more on stories about openings rather than closings. Doomy headlines have a lot to answer for\u2026<\/p>\n Taito have been dabbling with arcade bars under the Exbar name in Japan for a little while now, and they have just done a big opening of a new one in Akihabara, where they already have a few locations. Located adjacent to the Taito Station in Akihabara Station, it is apparently their third Exbar joint, following Shinjuku\u2019s and Canal City Hakata\u2019s. This tweet from one of the main Taito developers still hanging in there<\/a> shows they are a little light on games, focusing more on the bar and goods shop, but do have a Ice Cold Beer<\/em> and Super Mario Bros Mushroom World<\/em> pinball, among other draws like Sega Japan\u2019s Dartslive units.<\/p>\n Whilst their new small European locations may be disappointing, GiGO are opening more expansive locations in Asia still, such as this renewed one in Tokyo<\/a> or their latest to grace Vietnam. The press release on it<\/a> shows a focus on much more than cranes, including the nice Taiko and Wacky Gators kiddie rides out front, but also Maimai DX and Pump It Up for the rhythm gamers in a neon-adorned corner.<\/p>\n Legendary Fighting Game Arcade Nakano TRF Closes, But Will<\/strong> Reopen Soon \u2013 Good news, especially seeing as they only recently got some exA units in for testing their new games<\/p>\n Dave & Busters Sets Sights On The Philippines<\/a> \u2013 With as many TimeZones as there are over there now, it may be difficult to crack that market, but best of luck to D&Bs\u2026<\/p>\n FunXtreme Opens In Kolkata, India<\/a><\/p>\n REBOUND Lands In Bangalore, India<\/a><\/p>\n Masti Zone Opens A Big Location In Noida, India<\/a><\/p>\n Pirates Cove FEC To Open In Havre De Grace, MD This July<\/a><\/p>\n Field Day Coming To Huntsman, AL<\/a><\/p>\n Astro Fun World Opening In Battle Creek, MI This Summer<\/a><\/p>\n A Main Event Will Open In Taylor, MI This August<\/a><\/p>\n Score Entertainment Is Converting More Sears Locations Into FECs In Texas<\/a><\/p>\n Another Main Event Will Open In Mesquite, TX, But No Date Given<\/a> \u2013 This is a little interesting given that it was Mesquite that tried to ban Aladdin\u2019s Castle back in 1982 or so, and the issue made it all the way to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n Cats Alley Opening This June In Decatur, TX<\/a><\/p>\n Round1USA Comes To Houston, TX<\/a><\/p>\n Bowl Central #3 For Reading, UK<\/a><\/p>\n Alan-1 Has Begun Prepping The Hangar To Become A Public Arcade In Tooele, UT \u2013 Not sure when it will be ready as the building and the collection needs a bit of work, but they have told me that they are actively working on it, having come up with a game list (what they will keep and what they won\u2019t). You can see what the collection currently looks like, here<\/a>.<\/p>\nNorth America<\/h2>\n
Gamecenter Arcade (Kent, WA)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arcadeheroes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gamecenter.png?resize=600%2C401&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/h3>\nAnastasia Island\u2019s Arcade Museum (St. Augustine, FL)<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe Arcade On Detroit (Lakewood, OH)<\/h3>\n
Game On (Eureka, CA)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arcadeheroes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/CnP_31052025_110942.png?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nFreeplay Bar Arcade #3 (Taunton, MA)<\/h3>\n
PixelJoy (Coralville, IA)<\/h3>\n
GameStar Arcade (Durland, IL)<\/h3>\n
Level Up by Bandai Namco (Anaheim, CA)<\/h3>\n
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FEC Openings & Updates<\/h3>\n
Europe<\/h2>\n
Sega Prize Zone (Wolverhampton, England)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arcadeheroes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/sega-wolverhampton.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nContinue Arcades #2 (Taunton, England)<\/h3>\n
Gamestate (Berlin, Germany & Nordburg, Denmark)<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nPlaytopia Arcade (Paphos, Cyprus)<\/h3>\n
FEC Openings & Updates<\/h3>\n
Freeplay Gaming Arcade Closes In Portland, UK<\/h3>\n
Asia\/Middle East\/Oceania<\/h2>\n
Exbar Tokyo Plus (Akihabara, Japan)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arcadeheroes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/exbar-plus-akiba.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGiGO (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam & Tokyo, Japan)<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/arcadeheroes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/gigo-vietnam.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFEC Openings & Updates<\/h3>\n
Are any of these new arcades near you? Then be sure to go out and visit them! Doors can\u2019t stay open on the basis of likes and hashtags.<\/h3>\n
Coming Soon<\/h3>\n
Like this:<\/h3>\n