Another arcade bites the dust.

When I first moved here, there were 3 arcades (or more accurately, places with video games -- Bemani to be specific) in a 15 mile radius. There was this game store, Famcom Games, about a block down the street. Lanwerx, this Internet/PC gaming place that had a DDR and a PIU. Finally, Illusionz, which has a whole slew of Bemani. I'm not going to mention the Student Union at the University of Washington campus, since I never go there because it has such shitty hours.

Famcom went away late last year. Good riddence. That place was a fucking dump, and not a fun place to go to. It should have been so cool. They had a bunch of arcade games, including a DDRMAX2. Lots of used games and consoles. All kinds of cool collectibles. But, the place was like a teenager's bedroom. It smelled, there were cigarette butts on the ground, seedy characters always hanging around, and its hours -- basically, they were "from when the owner gets there to when he leaves." It was not a cool place to go to, and they ripped me off when I wanted my Gamecube modded. Not to mention, I met *the* inventor of that Gamecube switch mod (sarcasm). Sure, I believe you invented that.

Lanwerx wasn't great either. But, it was a clean place, had good hours, and friendly staff. When they expanded to add a Kicks (a local Japostuffshop) it was actually a place to buy import games and accessories. A real rarity here, which is ironic given the massive Asian population. They had a Pump It Up, and a DDRMAX2. Just about my ideal place to go. Plus, it was really close. I could even take the bus there from work and get some gaming in. Then they got rid of their Pump It Up. Then their DDRMAX2 fell into some severe disrepair. I basically stopped going. Apparently, there was some push by the owner to add some more Bemani. Perhaps an IIDX. I called it for the shitty pipe dream it was. I mean, I just lose count of all the places I've ever heard of that are going to expand their music game selection by adding an IIDX machine or something like that and it just never materializes.

Anyway, last weekend, we drove by there, and it had shut down. That's one less place to play any Bemani.

Now all that's left is Illusionz. It's a good arcade, don't get me wrong. They have two DDR Extremes, a Disney's Rave, 4th Mix Plus (solo!), an ITG, a Guitar Freaks 6, Drummania 5 (in very poor condition), DanceManiax 2nd Mix, a Pop'n Music 5th Mix, and a ParaParaParadise 2nd Mix. But, it's not very convenient, it's overrun by bastard children with equally bastard parents, and sometimes can just be a hassle to go to. Plus, they seem to be clearing out more and more games. Just a year ago, they had a Keyboardmania 3rd Mix (it broke and disappeared), a ParaParaDancing, a Samba de Amigo, and a Pop'n Music 3rd Mix. All gone. Along with a bunch of other games.

I just hope that Illusionz isn't the next in line to close down. I really don't want to have to go to Tacoma or UW just to play some Bemani..