Monday, July 7, 2008

Game Over for Funland, famous Toronto Video Arcade Landmark

This is really a sad story, for me it's the final epitaph for arcade video gaming.

http://www.thestar.com/article/453843

There actually used to be three thriving arcades in that one block just north of Dundas and Yonge. Funland was the main hangout, and then FUN FUN FUN across the street, and little ways north of that The Pinball Spot which required you to bravely navigate a darkened stairwell to get to this basement arcade and its great selection of classic games and pinball.

If I really thought about it, I could probably fill a page with memories of Funland, but the one that sticks out most in my mind is actually mentioned in the article. I remember walking down one day and seeing a HUGE throng of people around a game, so big of a crowd that you couldn't actually get into the place without pushing through, and you couldn't get near to the game to see the screen. Thankfully management had installed a second monitor on top of the cabinet so you could see what was being played... the original laser game Dragon's Lair. I also remember being incensed that it cost a whole 50 cents to play! Seems like a bargain now.

Good old Funland. We'll have to head over to drop a last few quarters in there before they close at the end of the month.
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