Gizmodo
Peter Hirschberg has just finished his stunning retro-gaming heaven, a Valhalla for the best arcade video games ever. His Luna City Arcade has 57 fully-restored arcade classics, which span from Asteroids to Zaxxon, plus a whole load of pinballs. Amazingly enough, he does all this on his own dime, for the love of it. This personal museum is open now to the public by invitation only, and the best thing: entrance and quarters are completely free for his guests. Check the video, huge gallery and the interview with Peter after the jump.
Jesús Díaz: Stunning museum, Peter. When was it completed?
Peter Hirschberg: The building was completed just a couple weeks ago. I'm still working on the inside a bit, but it was good enough to have my first Game Day over there. The building is 60'x40', with 12' ceilings. There's a bathroom and a finished upstairs. The outside matches the house, with cedar siding and stonework around the bottom.
The electrical system was a pretty interesting aspect of the building. We had two 400amp breaker panels installed, along with commercial-grade wiring, to handle the load of all the games (our entire house is only 200amps). Between the gameroom and the house, we are using an entire outdoor transformer.
JD: Is there any admission fee or could people just get in and spend quarters on the machines?
PH: Nope, totally free. I insist that people use the quarters I provide. The change machines are set to dispense quarters for free. My rules are "don't use your own money" and "don't take my money home with you."
JD: What's your crown jewel, your fave arcade of them all?
PH: It would be a tie between Discs of Tron, Tail Gunner, Space War and Lunar Lander.
JD: And what's the public's favorite, what machine sees the most traffic?
PH: The favorite game among visitors would probably be Galaga. The only reason I got that game was because people kept harassing me for not having it. I don't really like the game that much. Star Wars is another really big favorite among guests.
JD: Do you think there are any modern games that capture the feeling of the classics?
PH: I like the game Echoes, and Geometry Wars. Back in the heyday of the arcade, Geometry Wars is what we thought arcade games would look like in 20 years. It's the first game since the '80s that I can play and not feel dirty.
JD: What's your favorite home gaming system?
PH: I like the Wii since it has that childlike innocence that I miss in game systems. I don't play it that much. It's pretty much just for the kids. But I do like playing Geometry Wars on it. The control scheme is pretty interesting.
JD: Do you receive donations from any big companies to maintain the machines or is it just you and friends?
PH: I wish! This whole thing was financed entirely on my own nickle. Any big companies out there? This is your chance to sponsor me!
Indeed. Hopefully all those dirty rich EAs and Microsofts of this world could spare some of their own quarters in helping Peter with this amazing effort. In the meantime, if you want to help him, contact him at his page. [Peter Hirschberg]
Comments
I totally want one of those...like the whole place...all of it.
...I have a slight erection.
Is that wrong?
Behold! For Man has created a new Mecca!
Makes me wonder how much his utility bills are. Nice bowling alley carpet he's got there too!
I'd be heading for the Pac-Man machines myself. I wonder if he's got one of the table consoles?
Heaven on Earth
Put some mini golf outside and you have a functional Golfland.
Another thought: can't the machines be rigged to work without coins?
Traditionally you should be suspicious of men who hang out in arcades and offer you free quarters...
This guy seems cool, though. I'd totally check out his van.
Oh man. He has the Star Wars booth...
Do you think this guy would mind adopting me?
Damnit i hate growing up. I love this setup, but fucked if my first thought wasn't honestly, "Geeze, this guys electricity bill must be through the roof!"
...sigh...
Sorry for the double post, just saw this though:
@fsusmithc2: Yes, but that really takes away from the fun of dropping the coin in the slot. Hell, even tokens don't have the same thrill in my mind as a quarter. Then he'd also either need to have them set to freeplay (eh, kinda kills the thrill... thanks MAME!), keep the coin box opened with needing the knowledge of where the coin buttons are (just a pain), or wire in "coin buttons" at the coin shoot... which would be pointless.
I *REALLY* like the idea of the change machines. Hell, i'd love to go to this guys place with a pocket of quarters and not bother with his free play.
OMG love Zaxxon. I have it for atari 400, it's amazing.
@fsusmithc2: That's what I was wondering too. I'm pretty sure most machines have an internal "free play" setting - normally either through the dip switches or the maintenance display.
Personally, that's how I have my lone machine set, but that's because I don't trust my friends to not walk out with my quarters.
It's painful to look at. It's so familiar and yet I haven't been in a place like that in years. It's painful because it makes me realize there hasn't BEEN a place like that in years.
That sit-in Star Wars game is a forgotten rock star of the arcade era.
I loved that game.
It was also one of the best computer games of the 286-era.
Sure there are places like that!
Funspot in the Weirs Beach area of New Hampshire comes to mind. Best arcade I've ever been in...
[www.funspotnh.com]
Ok I have been searching for over 30 seconds now, where is this located exactly?
How long before some fourteen year old punk with feathered hair comes along and grinds his chewing gum into that carpet?
The time/work/money that went into this... mecca (for lack of a better word,) is truly astounding.
He's obviously not poor, but I hope his work somehow returns the favor.
Also, I hope the "public" allowed in are made to understand that they are in a museum with rare artifacts of a bygone era, not just some arcade.
Kudos to you Mr. Hirschberg, may you receive many grants and have many statues erected in your name. Omega Race and Discs of Tron cabinets - jaw dropping sir.
im in Minnesota right now. I'd drive over there to see that!
We have something similar here in Springfield, MO. It's simply called 1984.
[www.1984arcade.com]
<3
sweet jebus!
A little Thompson Twins or Flock of Seagulls running in the background and the vibe would be complete. Nice work!
You sir are my hero.
I would also like to visit this place(mecca) and pay homage. Anyone find the address? I don't see it on his page anywhere. Maybe he doesn't want too many visitors?
Awesome he has DEFENDER.
Battlezone, hands down.
Any one know of a site that has a list of these type places? There is a pinball museum in Vegas that is similar too. I would like to make one of these in Milwaukee; anyone want to help?
@xint: Not a bit.
I like that he didn't try to "hip modern" up the decor. that looks like an old school arcade. Only its not dark enough to deal drugs in, which was the secondary function of all the arcades near me growing up.
Gentile midwestern farm on the outside, New Jersey Mall on the inside! Flipin Sweet!
I want to live there forever
I want to know where to get carpet like that for my apartment!
It's like a casino. Without the septuagenarians. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
Ground Kontrol in Portland. Full arcade with... wait for it: BEER! How's that for grown-up love!
[www.groundkontrol.com]
--Bill
Whoa Everyone! Open to the public? I read about this guy's arcade yesterday in the Washington Post and the article was very clear.
LUNA CITY ARCADE IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
It's this guy's private collection!
WaPo Quote:
"By the way, please don't show up on Hirschberg's doorstep with a hankering for some Zaxxon, as this is a private collection and not open to the public. But, if you have a similar longing for the golden age of the arcade, look him up at his Web site, [www.peterhirschberg.com], and drop him a line."
[www.washingtonpost.com]
Seriously, I don't know where the mixup happened, but this is a private collector who I can't believe would just open it up for every person. His game nights are probably for friends...
On the comment about "freeplay" vs. coin mechs, I am sure he still has people use quarters to add to the experience of playing an original arcade game. You didn't play them on "freeplay" in the arcade, why should you now?
On the other hand, he obviously doesn't have any qualms about his counters and "game plays" on the machines...
@Simply_J: FTA:
JD: Is there any admission fee or could people just get in and spend quarters on the machines?
PH: Nope, totally free. I insist that people use the quarters I provide. The change machines are set to dispense quarters for free. My rules are "don't use your own money" and "don't take my money home with you."
Must go now.
The WaPo article says that he that people he INVITES to Luna City are not required to pay.
There's only one way to settle this and that's to email the guy and ask.
If I had enough money, I'd have one of these. It is great that he opens it to the public. Although, I'd have tokens my own face stamped on them.
Geez, I miss the days when arcades used to be all over the place...
@WILDWON FTW! (Sadly I too was thinking that.)
What makes this sooooo sweeeeet is that nowadays anyone can get the ROM of the original classics...but to have them with the original cabinets, controls and in this stunning environment, that's what sets this apart from any old rec room!
@FASTM3DRIVER....I live in the "Shaw" and will be by when you put this together.
@bigbill25:
Agreed. Ground Kontrol roxors!
If you are too poor to own, swing by here and get loaded, drop a few coins in, and on the weekends listen to some strange but entertaining music.
Also say hi to the tall pierced, mohawked and tattooed bartender who goes by Aeden. he will treat ya right.
I forgot to mention...I bet this guy isn't married. If he is, she must be the coolest wife in the world!
Anyone know where this is?!
@citykids:
It's the same carpet found in many bowling centers and I believe Brunswick makes that version.
That's really nice of him to open that up to the public for FREE.
If I spent that much I'd charge hella lot, or just let my friends in.
Most people who use free things don't take very well care of it. I hope that doesn't happen to this guy.
I've been a good person. When I die, can I just go here instead of heaven?
If you're into this, check out Barcade in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (brooklynbarcade.com). Dozens of vintage games including Star Wars, Tapper, Donkey Kong, Dig Dug, Frogger...oh yeah, and it's a kickass bar with micros and cask beer too! Oh, and it's five blocks from my house! Also, it's full of cute, geeky hipster girls! That must make it almost as good as this guys garage, right?
@djchaser:
viva barcade! Cute girls indeed, but usually loaded with the super lame dudes that have infested this neighborhood. Present company excluded, or course..
QED, you are correct about the lame frat dudes who have invaded. I've been going ever since barcade opened 3 years ago. The key is to keep your head down and really kick ass at whatever you're playing. This may be the only place on earth where girls will come to you because you were antisocial in middle school and got shockingly good at pacman!
Get Ready for the new "To Catch A Predator" set. I can see it now... Chris Hanson creeps out from behind Mrs. Pacman and asks, "Do you like what you see?"
@Lorne:
So very true.
Who, What, When, WHERE, Why. Lrn2journalism.
@xXxRHINOxXx: Go read the whole article. He IS married, and she loves the arcade. Best Wife Evar? Oh yah.
Let me quote from the book of Futurama:
Ramen
my brother-in-law has just completed his own custom built building to house his video games and pinballs, it's neat although no where near as big as this beautiful thing. drool
@djchaser: Agreed, Barcade kicks ass. I went there with some friends last time I was visiting Brooklyn, and got too many quarters close to closing time. So, as we're heading into my buddy's apartment, some guy hears all the quarters jingling around in my pockets, and keeps hitting me up for them so he can "get a blowjob." I felt bad for a guy so desparate that he was willing to pay for a blowjob with quarters, so I gave him a handful. I'm glad I didn't get a look at the hooker who takes quarters.
In the background you can just smell the cake and stale pizza and hear the kids singing to the Rock-afire Explosion. Ahh memories!
No sir, they don't make 'em like they used to. :-(