Wilcox Arcade is Coming to Fulton, Kentucky (via Epic Gamers)

The Wilcox Arcade route is growing a little wider — as I prepare to plant my flag in the tiny town of Fulton, Kentucky.

More specifically, I’ve been granted the opportunity to place coin-operated machines at Epic Gamers, a real epicenter of activity within the community. Now, the store can offer not only home console and tabletop games but also those of the arcade variety.

Despite what the name of the store suggests, I won’t kickstart my arsenal there with a video game; instead, I’ll deploy an electronic gumball machine. The reason, in case you’re curious, is because I can’t yet afford the sort of indie gaming experiences that I believe Fulton deserves, leading me to choose something cheaper (and likely more broadly appealing). If money were no object, I’d blow it all on Nidhogg II.

The good news, though, is that true interactivity is on the way, considering bulk vending is merely my way of “planting my flag” at a fledgling spot. It’s also another passion of mine — admittedly one weaker than my passion for actual video games — as outlined in my previous article about the electronic sticker and capsule toy machine coming to Know-a-Guy this month.

Getting back to the main point, Epic Gamers boasts an underlying mantra behind which I can proudly stand: The owners are acutely focused on driving young people, around my age or so, out of their homes and into a bond-forming space. (That’s at least part of the reason I’m so gung-ho about everyone playing arcade games.)

Sure, an electronic gumball machine might specifically drag them to the store, but it will at least indicate my future commitment to filling out the space with entertainment. I’m excited to help give Fulton residents something to do.

In the meantime, definitely scope out what else I have happening in western Kentucky. Switch ‘N’ Shoot is already at Know-a-Guy in Murray, and Galactic Battleground is at Basement Bar Collectibles in Benton. Plus, once the details are finalized, I’ll be pumped to share what’s coming to Paducah — and, best of all, my beloved hometown of Hopkinsville.

Follow Wilcox Arcade on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to keep up with any and all developments regarding my route of coin-operated equipment. There’s no better way to track all the indie arcade games coming to our commonwealth.

Until next time, thank you for visiting the Wilcox Arcade blog, and thank you for playing my arcade games “IRL.” I hope to see you back here real soon.