Are Arcade Games a thing of the Past?

Growing up, arcade games were a huge part of life. You couldn’t walk passed an arcade gallery and it not be filled with people. There were also lines for the games at the skating rink or several people crowded around one machine waiting their turn. I have noticed lately however that such is not the case anymore.

Not a Soul

I took my girls for a night of old school skating at the local rink tonight. As with most rinks, this one had its section of arcade games. I was surprised to find that not a single soul was at the arcade games. For the entire two hours we were at the rink, not a single soul used the arcade games. This led me to think back on places I had been and what I had seen.

Party or No Party

Other places that were always hot spots growing up were the mall and other arcades. These arcades were always full of kids whose parents were shopping or chilling out. I’ve come to notice that if there is not a birthday party going on, these zones of one time happenin’ fun are also seriously devoid of a good many people. The time I really see people in arcades is if there is a birthday party going on and naturally if there are little kids roaming the place all over.

What is the cause?

Is it due to consoles that arcades have become a bygone era? Or is it due to the fact parents do not like to leave their kids without a line of sight? I’m interested in what you think.