Let’s face it, sometimes a person just needs to drive way too fast, blast some aliens, and then get jiggy with it - all in the same room. Whether you prefer Pole Position, Dance Dance Revolution, or Ms. Pacman, visits to arcades are one of life’s necessities.
Wunderland at the Avalon (3451 SE Belmont / 503-238-1617) offers modern, hip games rigged to take nickels. There is a $2.50 cover charge but the games only range from 5 to 15 cents. Watch young kids cut a sweaty groove on the Dance Dance Revolutions machines or puzzle at non-English directions on games imported directly from Japan.
For a walk, blast, or flight down memory lane, try Ground Kontrol (511 NW Couch / 503-796-9364). Less arcade than "retrocade", this place is stocked with the best from the golden era of video games. From Ms. Pacman to Mr. Do, Frogger to Donkey Kong, Joust to Gorf, and Missile Command to Centipede this place has it all from the 1980’s – except inflation. The games are still only a quarter.
