Best of 2000: Best Surviving Video Arcade

Wunderland Electric Castle
5871 University Ave,
College Area
(619) 582-5518

Home systems and the Internet have wiped out most public arcades, but the Wunderland chain has several locations where both vintage and current video machines run a nickel per play. Stalwarts like the Simpsons, Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, Tempest, Dragon's Lair, and Frogger are sometimes worn-out looking or housed in generic replacement consoles, but the screens and operating electronics are kept in running condition. Few out-of-order signs remain up for long. Recent arcade favorites like Street Fighter and Aerosmith are coming through, and most locations also have pinball machines such as Twilight Zone, Judge Dredd, Bullwinkle, and the Addams Family.