1984 Arcade: Old-School Video Games for Grown-Ups

Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to be on the guest list for a birthday party held at the 1984 Arcade in Springfield, Missouri. This party was celebrating several birthdays in the month of January. I was one of the older attendees, probably the only one who actually went to high school in the 1980′s. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I really had pre-conceptions that the arcade would be small and kind of rundown. Boy was I wrong! This place rocks! It is very neat, clean, and nicely decorated – simple, yet colorful. They had three areas, with many games I remembered playing as a teen-ager back in the good-old 80′s. They had everything! They even had more than one of several of the more popular games. The cost to play was extremely reasonable at only $5. With the $5 cost, you had unlimited play. The only games that are extra are the pinball machines which run on a quarter. The 1984 Arcade was smoke and alcohol free. They also have a party room which is avaible for private functions. I became addicted to Asteroids, Pac-Man, and Centipede all over again! They had many more than those, including Guantlet, Donkey Kong, P.O.W, Moon Patrol and more! The service was great – friendly but unobtrusive. This arcade is more geared toward older teens and adults. I believe that those under 16 must be accompanied by and adult. Kids under 8 must have one-on-one adult supervision at all times. This place is awesome!