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Another World · Oct 6, 2009

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Strong National Museum of Play

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester N.Y. has extended its video game exhibit until January 3, 2010. The exhibit is a history of video games told through historical write-ups standing side by side with over 90 working arcade machines. The exhibit feels like the arcade of our youths, for those of us old enough to remember arcades during their golden age. A source confirmed to me that the machines have been purchased by the museum and at some point in the future the exhibit will hopefully become a permanent attraction. For more information on the museum, the exhibit, and a list of available games, please see the homepage link below.

Homepage

List of Games (off-site .PDF file)

Discuss

TrolleyDave · Oct 6, 2009

Damn, that would be impressive to visit. That's pretty much the era of games when I was an arcade monkey. I'd rather spend a couple of days there then Las Vegas.

DeMoN · Oct 6, 2009

They better not still charge us quarters to play after the $20 entrance fee.

dinofan01 · Oct 6, 2009

Thats pretty awesome...except its across the country. I would go if I could though.

COMBO BREAKER to 3000 above posters. lol

VashTS · Oct 6, 2009

I'm not too far south, but it would still be like a 5 hour drive, and the worst part is I live in upstate NY! Thats very far north, it says its an hour from buffalo and buffalo is like 3-4 hours away. For the 20 bucks, plus gas money to get there, I'd rather sit home and play MAME...yeah the arcades are awesome but I would not spend that much to play vintage games...now 8 on the break in upper NJ that is worth the trip! google it and you'll see what I mean, its called "8 on the break"

Another World · Oct 6, 2009

@VashTS: what is sweet about it is that they games are all original. so its asteroids with buttons not a joy stick, etc. it is worth it for the experience, at least once. they have a diner in the building and a food court. you could make a day of it. i've done a few things, work related, which had us drive 10hrs total in 1 day. it isn't that bad if you split up the driving. some of the crazy old atari games are like, WTH, and worth the play. plus they have a working time traveler and this crazy driving sim by atari (which goes by a few names, 3d stunt racer being one). the driving game uses a clutch and a key, its super fun, its like driving a real car. you can't get that experience using mame. this is the game: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stunt_Car_Racer but the arcade version is a full on sim.

@DeMoN: they do. the $20 gets you into the museum. it is an interactive museum great for kids but with some fun stuff for adults as well. the video game part is just one exhibit. in a few weeks a "comic book heroes" exhibit opens which looks like it might be pretty fun. you can get $25 in tokens for 1 $20 bill, and they give you $1 just for going. its worth it. at the end of the day, if you bring you own food, its only a $30-45 day. that’s pretty cheap for outside entertainment these days.

-another world

Dueler · Oct 6, 2009

I wish i could go to something like this :\
I wasn't really part of the era but ive definatley heard enough about the atmosphere to know itd be one cool thing to be in the midst in.
Too bad i live in australia, im sure that tops your 5 hour drives

jalaneme · Oct 6, 2009

i wish they would do something like this in central london, we do have a place called trocadero but the arcades there are £1-£2 a play, i want old skool!

FranckKnight · Oct 7, 2009

Anyone else's eyes played tricks on that picture and saw Optimus Prime?

H8TR · Oct 7, 2009

FranckKnight said:
Anyone else's eyes played tricks on that picture and saw Optimus Prime?

m3rox · Oct 7, 2009

We used to have an arcade like that here, about 16 years ago. Now we have 2 arcades, which are both small, and only carry the latest games. Wouldn't be hard to start up my own arcade if I had the money though. I'm always seeing arcade machines on craigslist (everything from galaga to Tekken 4).

Nightstalker · Oct 8, 2009

I've been to the Strong Museum many times in the past. I'm 22 now and not sure if the exhibit would be for adults. The Museum is amazing for kids though, I remember it having a mini Wegmans and a ton of things fun for kids about 12 and under.

Another World · Oct 8, 2009

it isn't a bunch of disney themed arcade games. =P

-another world

incinerator · Oct 8, 2009

I'm in Rochester and have been to this exhibit many times. HIGHLY recommended. Yeah the games still take tokens, but you do get a good deal on them, and most machines only take one token to play (some of the premium games take 2). Besides the few that you get free, there are trivia kiosks where you can answer facts about the machines and their manufacturers and win tokens. It's a ton of fun, and hey, you'll even learn a few things.

Myke · Oct 8, 2009

that's pretty cool! I would totally go but I'm totally in the opposite direction. Thank god for my mame cabinet. I have that whole exhibition in one machine and it's nice =).

bRKcRE · Dec 15, 2009

Dueler said:
I wish i could go to something like this :\
I wasn't really part of the era but ive definatley heard enough about the atmosphere to know itd be one cool thing to be in the midst in.
Too bad i live in australia, im sure that tops your 5 hour drives

too bad you missed the exhibit in melbourne last year man...it was epicly awesome....had a complete history of video games, starting with pong (which they had setup on a 3x3 metre screen) to the latest xbox live stuff too, via old arcade boxes and just about every console ever made too.. all the arcade boxes were free to play too, once you were had paid admission

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