They're full of surprises lately. Just revealed a restored, dedicated Reactor cabinet. They are closing in on 600 games (albeit some of the cabinets have two games and there are multi-slot Neo Geos). Guinness still recognizes FunSpot though for most video games at one location because they have the museum as well as the redemption games. I think GGA is still a ways away from that.

If you follow the Galloping Ghost Arcade FB group, I think even the hardest core arcade preservation enthusiasts would appreciate the story of their development of a dedicated Williams' Splat cabinet. It is an amazing story and they were able to create the cabinet for public play at their arcade.

As I have said before, their arcade has grown and improved by leaps and bounds since John visited there.

Recent additions, original, dedicated Fast Freddie, Q*Bert's Qubes, Bank Panic, and Super Punch Out! cabinets!! They also hosted the GGA BOTA tournament and it was a great experience! Aside from a ROM glitch on Zoo Keeper, all of the games were working great and, you guessed it, were in original cabinets. 

That is all... looking forward to my next visit.

That's a nice machine! Congratulations! I saw that game at a place near where I used to live (had minor issues with the monitor) and I still regret to this day just asking the place if I could buy it. Watching a lot of the tech videos (like John's) and learning from my fellow friends in the hobby, I am feeling more and more comfortable working with them. (Became "de-virginized" in June when I bought my first machine... a Berzerk with the original bat stick. )

Thanks! I got to Level 6 recently... I believe I attained Level 13/14 back in the 80s. (I definitely filled out all of the treasures.) Looking to reclaim that magic as a youth!

Does anyone know of any strong gameplay videos out there on the web for Venture?

I call the game "Elusive Berzerk" as the enemies do a remarkable job at avoiding your arrows. However, I remember using certain techniques as a child that helped me get through the various rooms... especially later in the game when the enemies go batspit crazy! I just started playing the arcade version again and am stuck on a certain room on Level 6. I have had no success so far finding good gameplay videos to help my memory.

Thanks!

On the fast fuel settings, there is only one fuel station you can miss during the entire stage when you are on Level 4 or above!! 

As long as the joystick is stable and centers properly... the last stage should be fairly easy as long as you use the technique the others mentioned in terms of screen positioning.

It was in the T20 Tournament in the Chicago area and a couple of guys got scores over 100K... so I would say anything in excess of that is really good.

First of all, I failed to point out that they also have acquired several prototype cabinets. Second of all, I noticed they used a Zaxxon cabinet (that used to be a Super Zaxxon) to house one of the prototypes. Oh well...

Doc Mack, owner of Galloping Ghost Arcade, has posted an updated video of the arcade. There are a LOT of changes since John visited there awhile ago. In particular, there have been MANY cabinet upgrades including nearly all pre-crash games (1982 and prior) upgraded to original cabinets. (The only pre-crash games not yet in originals are, I believe, Pengo, Crazy Climber, Mr. Do, Space Ace, and Bosconian.)

Also, in a recent audio podcast, he confirms that any conversions in his arcade were already converted before he acquired them... and has a standing offer to anyone looking to restore one of his conversions to an original (e.g., Tempest) to give them an empty cabinet for free and he would put the converted game in a different empty cabinet he has on hand.

Yes, it is still concerning that he is so quantity over quality focused and 10-15% of the games on the floor are shut down/broken at any given point in time, but I think you'll be impressed with some of the improvements that have been made. He definitely hired a stud technician who has been doing a lot of great work... including replacing the joysticks on Robotron that Gregg called out in John's video.

Give it a watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytxeWD-GHG8

I actually like Underground Retrocade in West Dundee, IL better. The owner there is more focused on getting the original classic games and has been adding to the collection recently. He also has expanded to two floors and put more of the mid to late 80s stuff on the 2nd floor. Plus, GGA is very dense... if you are fat and claustrophobic like me, it is a bit of a struggle!

10 / 10... no sweat!  ;)

Latest new additions... original Xybots, Vanguard, and Qix!!

They expanded the place and have an insane number of games on the main floor now, including pinball.

Doc is also VERY ambitious so there are non working games on the floor and it continues to be the case of the "good, bad, and ugly" when it comes to the collection of cabinets.

Should be a great YouTube video when John visits the place! And Doc is an all time nice and wonderful guy as well as the regular gamers who go there and have won "Gamer of the Year", including James White, Matt, Rocco, Matt Walters, and Fred DeHart.

They now have an original laser disc game for Dragon's Lair 2. I know they have an original Time Traveler but it only runs so often out of fear of mechanical failure. Doc says he is going to be cautious about DL2 as well.

They just got an original Jungle King. Awesome!

I accidentally captured the legs of Doc's girlfriend playing Flicky! Oops!