Blood and Shadows

An arcade often refers to an entertainment establishment or an area within an amusement park that houses different coin-operated machines and video games. It is a popular hangout for many teenagers and young adults alike. However, there are still a number of adults who still enjoy a game or two when visiting arcades. The different types of arcade games include video games, pinball machines, shooting galleries, ball toss games, crane machines, dance and music games, and simulated games, among many others. Most, if not all, arcade games are coin, token or magnetic card operated, and you can get a prize immediately or collect tickets or points for redemption of various items depending on the number of tickets or points.

Arcade and video games' origins can be traced back in early 20th century and grew in popularity in the 1970s with machines built mostly by Japanese companies such as Atari. However, coin operated games can actually be traced back as early as 350 BC during the time of Alexander the Great. According to one story, there was a man who presented Alexander the Great a game that once you placed a coin in it, the players would be able to bring balls up and down to disappear in several holes as controlled by the players. The winner could get twice what was given as a bet. Another coin operated machine used as a game of chance and to win some money was a slot machine invented by a jester in 1108. It was described similarly to the slot machines we know today - put in a coin, operate the level and get a chance to double your money.

Subsequently, other coin operated games were invented and introduced to the public with intention of providing entertainment and multiple chances of winning more than they betted. The rise in producing different kinds and types of coin operated machines for entertainment started around the late 1800s but reached its highest peak, including other arcade and video games, in early 2000. However, from 2004 until pretty much today, there was a decline in arcade games with the rise in popularity of portable video game gadgets such as Play Station and PSP, Xbox, Wii, PCs, and even mobile phones, among many others.

Nevertheless, arcades in different parts of the country still have considerable following especially as part of amusement parks and inside shopping malls. Young kids and teenagers can still be seen hanging out in arcades to meet friends and to compete with others who have the same interest on playing arcade and video games. Nowadays, the most popular arcade and video games include Sega's Extreme Hunting 2 Tournament (video kit), JVL's Retro (countertop), Raw Thrills-Betson's Fast & Furious (video dedicated), Raw Thrills-Betson's Fast & Furious Super Bikes (video simulators), Stern Pinball's Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean (pinball game), Skee-Ball's Skee-Ball Too! (alley bowlers), Skee-Ball's Super Shot (sports games), Rainbow's Rainbow (cranes & rotaries), Betson's Sponge Bob Jellyfish (children's games), ICE's Deal or No Deal (novelty games), Family Fun Co.'s Football Fortune (coin drop), Benchmark's Wheel Deal (coin drop), Andamiro's Hammer (bopping/stomping games), and LAI Games' Stacker (prize vendors), among many others.