Dingy Arcade
What:
Dingy Arcade
Where:
169 Russell St, Melbourne
When:
Open late
How much:
$1 per credit
True Story: When Space Invaders was first launched back in 1978 it created a nationwide shortage of pennies in Japan. People were dropping some much change into the arcade machines that the 100 Yen coin all but disappeared from circulation.
Thirty years later, things aren't so rosy for the arcade industry. In fact, Melbourne's CBD only has one old school arcade left. A place so run down and ghetto it doesn't even have a name - just a street number and a sign on the window warning against drug dealing.
But hey, that's all part of the charm. Arcades are relics of a bygone era; a time when social standing was determined by the High Score Table and 40 cents would buy you three lives. If you want to relive those childhood memories then 169 Russell Street has all the dank and seediness you could ask for. Like something straight out of a William Gibson novel.
It also has the two mainstays of any decent arcade - Street Fighter 3 and Raiden. Oh, and one of those four player racing games that are hilarious to play after several drinks and a jazz cigarette.
Ambience: Indoor
Difficulty: Exertion will pay off
Keywords: video games
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