LAI Games recently released the results of their “Player’s Voice Amusement Industry Survey"—a coronavirus-centered look at the game-playing habits of arcade-goers—conducted at the end of June. I’m actually super-duper late to this news, so…yeah, that’s just how my day’s been.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and input to the Player’s Voice Amusement Industry Survey, which was aimed at understanding consumer thoughts before and after COVID-19. The survey collected responses from o...

Good evening, gamers.

Today’s discussion is a very serious one—but one that I should’ve started a long time ago. I owe the readers, players, and industry representatives who support Wilcox Arcade an explanation as to why I criticize arcades.

This is something I want to handle as delicately as possible—and most certainly without pointing any fingers—so I’m going to speak from my soul in the form of an extended analogy. In my eyes, there’s no better way to communicate why I criticize what I love the...

I recently wrote an article on the value of pretty graphics in arcade games, conceding that gameplay is still a top priority to me. Consider this article a follow-up piece in that I’m once again taking on an ancillary aspect of the gaming experience for the sake of discussion.

For better or worse, storytelling is an oft-overlooked aspect in arcade game design. This is for good reason, too. The fact of the matter is that it’s a tad more difficult to make this approach work in coin-op, at least whe...

Good evening, arcade gamers. I, Dustin Wilcox, am sharing with you today what can best be described as a “human interest” piece—but one I so dearly needed to write.

You see, I’m a huge fan of the Namco-operated “Gameplay” game rooms installed in Walmart Supercenters across the United States. While the machines selection at these locations leans a bit heavily on cranes, they always have at least one video game I can enjoy.

The Murray, Kentucky Walmart lays claim to my favorite Gameplay so far, stoc...

In recent years, the arcade industry has undergone quite a bit of evolution, bringing forth a bevy of exciting new models. One of the most prominent modern models is the freeplay arcade, in which patrons pay an entry fee upfront for all-you-can-play gaming within a certain timeframe.

As absolutely awesome as this model is—as evidenced by my delightful trip to the Galloping Ghost Arcade—a big part of me will always find comfort in the old way of doing things. Yes, it’s true: I enjoy paying per cre...

What’s up, gamers? This post right here is comes straight from my never-ending list of unfinished article ideas. At long last, I sat down and documented every arcade shirt in my collection.

            Since all but one of these shirts were gracious gifts given to me by others, I want to express my gratitude in any way I can. The generosity of others is something I don’t want to take for granted, especially as we enter the “positive era” of Wilcox Arcade....

For as long as I can remember, I haven’t been one to prioritize flashy graphics in video games. To me, the quality of gameplay—as well as some ancillary aspects like breadth of content—should be the primary focus at all times.

That being said, I can’t deny the unrelenting allure high-resolution, polygon-pushing, jaw-dropping, cutting-edge graphics. I can praise gameplay to the highest heavens and back, but even I sure do love pretty arcade games.

That’s why, despite my strong gameplay convictions,...

My parents are not really video game people, especially my mother. (Somehow, some way, I became the arcade guy I am in spite of this fact.) But there was and is one game that my entire family has always been able to enjoy together—and you’re reading it about it.

            For that reason, I’ve always considered Buzz! Junior: Jungle Party the ultimate party game. My family and I have made a point to play it at least a few times a year for somewhere in the neighborhood of a decade, so I couldn’t...

Hello, dear readers of Wilcox Arcade. Have I told you how much you kind folks mean to me? Spoiler alert: Anyone who’s ever read my blog articles, played one of my route games, or even given me the simple pleasure of making their acquaintance means the world to me.

Today’s article is one I’ve meant to write for a long time, but I only just recently found it in me to do so. I want to be very clear with you all as to what you can expect from my blog going forward.

I’ve recently been feeling rather un...

LAI Games launched “The Player’s Voice: Arcade Survey” on June 24 in an effort to hear thoughts directly from players following COVID-19 arcade closures.

“Arcade gamers, it's time to make your voices heard!” said LAI in their announcement tweet. “Take the survey, then share to your friends and family.”

This survey serves as a follow-up to LAI’s “State of the Industry Report”, an operator survey sent out earlier this June. The company’s goal is to identify players’ concerns with public gaming in th...

I received The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius: Jet Fusion for Christmas in 2017. I asked my parents for the game knowing full well that it was never particularly well-received—and that it might end up being a bit of a letdown.

            We all know the stigma surrounded license games. Of course, there are good reasons that the stigma exists, but I’ve always enjoyed expanding my horizons. I like looking for the good in offbeat stuff.

...

Onion Soup Interactive developers Andy and Amy Madin played through the UEDI: Shadow of the Citadel demo and revealed exclusive in-game content in a June 20 stream.

“We kind of started [UEDI: Shadow of the Citdael] just after Nippon {Marathon],” Andy began, “which we were living from Airbnb to Airbnb in Japan.”

“Because we decided it was a really good idea to release a game and then try and relocate to Tokyo at the same time,” Amy added.

The demo began with purple-tinged opening cinematic in which...