First off, is to convince John McNamara that he should bring in anyone but Bob Stanley and take out Bill Buckner in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series.
Up until recently, a close second on that list would be to go back and time with wad of money, and buy all the old classic arcade games when they were fresh and new, and make them available to folks in the present day.
Thankfully, that's already been done for me (the arcade games not the time machine).
I just got home from a trip up to Laconia, New Hampshire, which this time of year, is like a grumpy old bear trying to shrug off the effects of hibernation. The ice on Lake Winnpesaukee has lost its grip on the shore, but is fighting valiantly to hold on in the water.. all the tourist traps are closed waiting for the usual influx of tourists starting in May, and they're two full months away from Bike Week, where thousands of motorcyclists flock to the town for nine days of biker bacchanalia.
So, what caused this pilgrimage to this tiny town?
The largest arcade in the world, of course.
Funspot has been a landmark in Laconia since it opened (As Tarlson's Miniature Golf and Arcade) in 1952. Of course, an arcade in 1952 was very different than one in the 70's and 80's, and even more different than today.. they started with a 9 hole indoor mini golf course, and it spread outside with a full 18 hole mini golf course in 1964, then opened a pool room, and even a slot car track, but in 1978, it started hosting the latest craze of the day.. Arcade Games.
That's something it does to this day, and boy, does it ever.
Funspot is the home of the American Classic Arcade Museum (ACAM), which features over 300 newer and classic arcade games, some of which were part of the arcade for years, and some of which were donated. You name it, they probably have it. Do you think I'm being overblown? Check it out for yourself. It goes back to the original arcade games, Computer Space, and Pong (and the lesser known Atari Basketball and Pong Doubles), to newer games, like the ticket-dispensing Deal Or No Deal arcade cabinet, and the Mortal Kombat series. It even has old style skeeball and other ball rolling game.
(Just a couple of the photos I took while I was at the arcade)
Never mind that place down in Florida, if you have a love of arcades, THIS is the happiest place on Earth.
I have to admit, I spent a lot of tokens on the games there, and yes, they still have their indoor mini golf course ($3 for a round, compared to 35 cents for a round back in 1952.. cheap at the price).. but one of their store items says it all... this is Classic Video Game Heaven. Each year, they host the International Video Games Tournament (This year's tournament, held from May 30th through June 2nd, will be the 15th annual tournament). Funspot was the location for a lot of pivotal events for the movie "The King of Kong".
I admit leaving a $20 in the donations box on my way out (it takes a good deal of money to keep these games repaired and serviceable). If you can make the trip, do so. If you can't, then I suggest you go to the ACAM website and making a tax-free donation.
Their store has an item that states Funspot and the ACAM is "Classic Video Game Heaven". I agree. And heaven is a place on Earth.
No comments:
Post a Comment