Chuck E Cheese is Classic

Memories of playing Joust and bank shots into the 50 slot of skeeball. Childhood memories of the robot band and the big purple Elvis bear robot in the side room. Dig dug, Defender, Rastan, Operation Wolf, Firefox (from the movie with Clint Eastwood), Burgertime, Galaga and the thousands of other choices to spend our precious tokens. The pizza coming in the room with the long tables, the ball crawl, the hidden area under the stage and more and more cool things that Chuck E Cheese brought to me when those things were like finding $20 to me is now.

All photos from Chuck E Chese in Concord here.

Now later in life this feeling isn’t completely lost, and neither is the huge choices with little money spent. Now this is the option that parents need to remember on a Saturday of Sunday afternoon located in Concord. For the past month this has been the $2 getaway for my 2 year old and a getaway from spending any amount of money to enjoy ‘watching her enjoy”. The games are different are far less important. The 1980s were the highpoint of arcade games in history and Chuck E Cheese was essentially the first modern arcade franchise. The times have changed the appeal of games and the $1 per game pricetag has lessened the appeal. Chuck E Cheese hasnt changed too much but the backbone role of the arcade games in their business model has changed.

You still get a number of games to play, most of which are not the simple chase and shoot games of the 80’s. The games are now generally prop associated action games form dancing to firefighting. Chuck E Cheese now more features items that are free with the goal of their business model relying more on bringing them in for free and selling them food and services.

At the location in Concord you have essentially 75% of the space used in play areas for the kids. The main play area looks like giant hamster world. The secondary and enclosed area for free play is for kids age 3 and under and is a free way for your kids to socialize and play without a dime from your entertainment fund.

If you havn’t been back to see Chuck E, or you havn’t thought to share what was likely so cool for you back int he 80’s and 90’s then get back there with $2 and enjoy the afternoon. If you have kids age 2-4, they can play most the day for free or ride a few 1 token rides. If your kids are a bit older you may part with all of $5 for what they will enjoy immensely. You owe it to pass on what you once thought was “totally awesome”, and they would now find to be “pretty cool” as well.

if you eat a lunch right before leaving you can get out without getting pinched for the somewhat elevated but generally tasty pizza prices. This is how I have been able to budget some extra money for my own eating and reviews.