Trying to Document Old Arcade Locations

[spiroagnew]

Would an old Chuck E. Cheese location count?

There was one at 3345 Harvester Rd, Burlington, ON...it's now Club 54. They had a good selection of pins and vids--this location closed up LONG before the chain became focussed on redemption games.

 

[Black_Knight_2000]

Would an old Chuck E. Cheese location count?

There was one at 3345 Harvester Rd, Burlington, ON...it's now Club 54. They had a good selection of pins and vids--this location closed up LONG before the chain became focussed on redemption games.

There was also one at Jane and Wilson and one at Vic Park and Sheppard. Second one is still there but its unrecognizable.

 

[SteveShady]

Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill, ON
Studio 81, Yonge Street @ Cummer Ave, North York

 

[jbenaiah]

Bayview Village had a place called the Bijou Club or Bijou Arcade. It’s long gone.

 

[mwong168]

Wizards Castle, Fairview Mall, now roughly Sport Chek/theater lobby

I don't recall a Wizard's Castle at Fairview Mall but I do remember there was a Sky Games on the lower level right next to one of the mall entrances. I think this entrance has been closed off and where the current food court area is.

Anyone remember a place called The Sting north of Major Mac on Yonge Street? It's was on the same side as this place

 

[roar]

There was an arcade in Burlington Mall in the 80's, next to movie theatre if I'm not mistaken, don't recall the name.

In Oakville there was an arcade in Trafalgar Village when Trafalgar Village was actually a mall... it used to be at one end of the mall across from the grocery store and then it moved to the other end of the mall next to the Woolco, that would have been 80's and early 90's as I remember playing T2 there. The bowling alley there also had a selection of pin's too if memory recalls.

Also in Oakville, Hopedale Mall had an arcade in it next to the K-Mart, spent way too much time there, this would be mid 80's I'd guess.

The biggest arcade in Oakville really was Arnold's Funland/Kerr St. Billiards. This is where I spent the majority of my youth, it was late 80's I believe, when the location moved around from Kerr St. to a couple of different locations on Speers road before finally opening up in 1992 at 485 Morden Road, not sure when it finally closed but it transformed itself many times before it's final iteration as a sports bar I'd say. I even help Mr. Chung move between the Speers Road locations a couple of times. Found an old article here: https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/2947000-strong-roots-led-arnold-s-to-success/

 

[SteveShady]

I don't recall a Wizard's Castle at Fairview Mall but I do remember there was a Sky Games on the lower level right next to one of the mall entrances. I think this entrance has been closed off and where the current food court area is.

Anyone remember a place called The Sting north of Major Mac on Yonge Street? It's was on the same side as this place

Yes indeed. I do remember the Sting! Growing up in the Hill during the 70's I remember it well...

 

[geoffrey vertlieb]

Hello

This is a list I've been able to compile through old phone books, business registries, coin op flyer mailing lists and memories of Ontario arcades of days gone by. Also included in this list are some from other provinces. Most of these are Wizard's Castle locations. This list only includes closed/significantly changed locations, so there won't be Balm Beach's Georgian Grill or Vancouver's Movieland on this list. If you have anything to add or memories to share please do so.

Ontario


Toronto

Funland Location 1, West side of Yonge at Dundas on the strip

Funland Location 2, East side of Yonge at Dundas on the strip, peep show arcade on the second floor

Funland Location 3, one story underneath Sam the Chinese Food Man on the East side of Yonge between Dundas and Gerrard on the strip

Funland Location 4, West side of Yonge at Wellesley on the strip, one story underneath U Spa

The Pin Ball Spot, underneath Music World on Yonge near Sam the Record Man on the strip

The Q, Bloor/Yonge subway station

Amuse-o matic center, Union Station in hallway to food court

Royal York Hotel Arcade, inside PATH hallway

Vinnies, Adelaide and Duncan, now 500 pixels photo studio

Fun City, North York Center Subway Station

Wizards Castle, Woodbine Center, beside movie theater

Wizards Castle, STC, now Bourbon St. Grill/Carribean Queen

Wizards Castle, Yorkdale Mall, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Fairview Mall, now roughly Sport Chek/theater lobby

Wizards Castle, Dufferin Mall, now McDonalds

Wizards Castle, Cloverdale Mall, exact location unknown

Video Funland, 2645 eglinton plaza, now jewelry store

Video Amusements, in plaza across from Video Funland, exact location unknown

Video Invasion, Parkway Mall, exact location unknown

Video Invasion, 3500 Bathurst, now Savours Fresh Market

Video Invasion third location, location unknown


Mississauga

Arcadia, Square one, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Meadowvale Town Center, exact location unknown

Mickey's, along Dundas in Mississauga, exact location unknown

Unknown, Erin Mills town center, exact location unknown

Unknown, Sherway Gardens, exact location unknown


Brampton

Future World, Shoppers World, exact location unknown

Fun & Games, Shoppers world, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Westdale Mall, exact location unknown


Alliston

Nottawasaga Inn Resort, arcade cut in half with removal of hotel owned games, only rented games remain


Barrie

Wizards Castle, Kozlov Mall, in food court behind escalators. Food court now abandoned

Mall run machine area, Kozlov Mall outside Zellers lower level food court entrance. Food court now abandoned

Little Joes Pinball, Bayfield Mall, now Treetops Playground

Mall run machine row, bayfield mall near Miracle Food Mart

Tilt (not affiliated with American chain) Georgian Mall, now Ardene

Happy Man Arcade, downtown Barrie, now Made in Mexico

Unknown, 360 bayfield street, now mucho burrito


Elmvale

Elmvale Flea Market Arcade, arcade area now bathrooms


Wasaga Beach

Wasaga Waterworld Arcade, waterpark abandoned and later demolished

Georgian Inn Arcade, North side of Main St. at Beach Dr. on Main St. pedestrian mall, lost in 2004 fire.

Playland Arcade, south side of Main St. at Beach Dr. on Main St. pedestrian mall, lost in 2004 fire. Served as entrance to Playland Amusement Park

The Dardenella game row, along walls inside The Dardenella dance hall/roller rink, dance hall now walled off

Wasaga Dairy Arcade, Mosley St., arcade portion now closed off


Balm Beach

Wanda's Beach Hut, now abandoned, some games sold to neighbouring Georgian Grill Arcade


Collingwood

Just Push Play (original name unknown), originally arcade/pool hall, became admission price free play arcade in 2010's after sitting empty for years, building now abandoned again


Lion's Head

Unknown restaraunt/arcade, games removed in early 2010's


Grand Bend

Holiday Plaza, now abandoned


Waterloo

Wizards World, Conestoga Mall, exact location unknown

Front Row McGinnis, Waterloo, exact location unknown

Flynn's Arcade, Waterloo, exact location unknown


London

Smuggler's Alley, torn down in 1999

Ace Arcade, just down the street from Smuggler's Alley, now abandoned


Welland

Wizards Castle, Seaway Mall, exact location unknown


Fort Erie

Crystal Beach Arcade, Crystal Beach Amusement Park. Amusement park now housing development


Niagara

Circus World, Victoria Ave. beside the Vittoria hotel, now parking lot

House of Frankenstein arcade, now expanded gift shop

Ripley's arcade, now Ripley's Wax Hand Factory

Castle Dracula arcade, now expanded gift shop

Circus World, Clifton Hill, now MovieLand Wax Museum

Arbys arcade, now expanded Guinness Museum gift shop

Maple Leaf Village Arcade, Maple Leaf Village Amusement Park/Mall now Casino Niagara

Skylon Tower Arcade, in amusement park in base of Skylon
Tower, arcade significantly downsized after removal of rides

Jungle Miniature Golf's Arcade, Lundy's Lane, now abandoned

Typhoon Lagoon Arcade, in waterpark gift shop, Lundy's Lane, waterpark now outdoor mall


St. Catherines

Prudhomme's Landing Arcade, QEW, waterpark abandoned in early 2010's, buildings demolished in 2016


Hamilton

Bingham's Waterpark Arcade, QEW, arcade portion now closed off



Edmonton

Wizards Castle, WEM, now Newplay

Circuit Circus, WEM, now Newplay

Wizards Castle, Millwoods Town Center, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Heritage Mall, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Kingsway Mall, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, HUB mall, exact location unknown

Video Gym, Southgate Mall, exact location unknown

Capilano Mall, Circus Circus, exact location unknown


Calgary

Ganges, Northmount drive, beside drive in

Easy St., Sunridge Mall, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Sunridge mall, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Market Mall, exact location unknown

Huggy Bear arcade, Market Mall, exact location unknown

Laser Illusions, Marlborough Mall, exact location unknown

Cosmic Corral, North Hill mall, now TD

Laser Illusions, Southcenter, behind escalators

Wizards Castle, Chinook Center, now Starbucks

Easy St., Chinook Center, exact location unknown

Laser Illusions, Calgary Eaton Center, exact location unknown

Wizards Castle, Circle park Mall, exact location unknown

Gravity Zone arcade, underneath Lydias

Command HQ, location unknown

Game World, location unknown


Saskatoon

Wizards Castle, Lawson Heights Mall, across from RBC


Vancouver

Wizards Castle, Richmond Square Mall, exact location unknown

Ladner Arcade, location unknown

Lord Nelson's Arcade, Lansdowne Mall, exact location unknown

Stargate 5, Richmond Center, exact location Unknown

If you have any other locations to add or memories to share please do so!

My family owned the Fun & Games chain. 50 arcades. I can give complete location details.

 

[geoffrey vertlieb]

My family owned the Fun & Games chain. 50 arcades across Ontario. I can share all the locations, which began opening in the mid seventies with the first being located in Eastgate Square, Stoney Creek.

 

[Chris Bardon]

My family owned the Fun & Games chain. 50 arcades across Ontario. I can share all the locations, which began opening in the mid seventies with the first being located in Eastgate Square, Stoney Creek.

Neat, so does that include the one at Shopper's World in Brampton? That was down the street from my middle school, and I remember it was a little unique because there were two arcades in the mall (Fun & Games and Future World if I remember correctly). Seemed a little odd, but not going to complain I suppose. They had different games though, so it was all good.

 

[geoffrey vertlieb]

Neat, so does that include the one at Shopper's World in Brampton? That was down the street from my middle school, and I remember it was a little unique because there were two arcades in the mall (Fun & Games and Future World if I remember correctly). Seemed a little odd, but not going to complain I suppose. They had different games though, so it was all good.

Yes Shopper’s World had one, Bramalea had one as did Sherway Gardens.

 

[Lamonsoff]

Just found this thread and had to sign up to comment.

Used to spend my time at Fun & Games at Shopper World in the early 80s before the water slide went in, while Mom would shop at Safeway. Remember Tron kicking my butt as well as the hologram game. I’m sure I must have played Centipede there too.

I went to school in Guelph and my friends and I would go the continence store on Edinburgh Rd. at lunch while attending the middle school on College Ave just east of Centennial High School. This appears to now have seen better days.

When we weren’t in class we went to the Crystal Palace downtown. Not sure what happened after the fire.

 

[Rosco]

There was an arcade in Burlington Mall in the 80's, next to movie theatre if I'm not mistaken, don't recall the name.

In Oakville there was an arcade in Trafalgar Village when Trafalgar Village was actually a mall... it used to be at one end of the mall across from the grocery store and then it moved to the other end of the mall next to the Woolco, that would have been 80's and early 90's as I remember playing T2 there. The bowling alley there also had a selection of pin's too if memory recalls.

Also in Oakville, Hopedale Mall had an arcade in it next to the K-Mart, spent way too much time there, this would be mid 80's I'd guess.

The biggest arcade in Oakville really was Arnold's Funland/Kerr St. Billiards. This is where I spent the majority of my youth, it was late 80's I believe, when the location moved around from Kerr St. to a couple of different locations on Speers road before finally opening up in 1992 at 485 Morden Road, not sure when it finally closed but it transformed itself many times before it's final iteration as a sports bar I'd say. I even help Mr. Chung move between the Speers Road locations a couple of times. Found an old article here: https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/2947000-strong-roots-led-arnold-s-to-success/

Don't forget about GJ's on Lakeshore rd and Kerr in oakville early 80's

 

[FastEd]

Anyone remember an arcade called John’s near Victoria Park and O’Connor? Man I loved that place. I remember playing Black Knight for the first time, so cool, with the upper playfield.

 

[pinballjah]

Spent most of my youth at a pool hall at Lawrence Plaza (Bathurst/Lawrence). Had lots of arcades and pins.

 

[orangewhip]

My family owned the Fun & Games chain. 50 arcades across Ontario. I can share all the locations, which began opening in the mid seventies with the first being located in Eastgate Square, Stoney Creek.

Did they also own Fun & Games in BC? If so, I'd love to know more about them!

Cheers!

 

[orangewhip]

Sorry, a little late to this thread. Found it doing some of my own research.

I've been researching and collecting historical arcades and locations in BC for a few years now. Gathering a list and have started to put them onto a custom Google Map.

I know its been a bit since your original post, but Movieland is now gone in Vancouver.

 

[gunner007]

Yup zappers downtown kitchener, burned down and moved down the street, burned down again I think then moved down the street again then closed for good.

second location was called zappers II. Bringing back memories. Long before video there were a couple of others I can't remember the names though. 1 beside feidlers deli, then one down a bit further across from that really rough bar, Another behind a bar in an alley off Ontario street. Those were all 1970s, when kids could go out and not be coddled on their own but also safe.

 

[lemmings418]

Just finding this thread as well.

There were two arcades in downtown Hamilton across from Gore Park. The Casino and Crystal Palace.

https://www.facebook.com/139877272766926/photos/a.139890506098936/1205716832849626

Also, every mall had an arcade too. Center Mall. Limeridge Mall. Jackson Square. And Eastgate Square.

I used to frequent the arcade at Eastgate which was near Collegiate's Sports and the food court. Dog-legged room with vids on one wall and down the center and pins on the other wall.

Also, every convivence store store and pizza joint had a game or two.

The stores near my high school in the mid eighties has gems like Arkanoid, Double Dragon and Twin Cobra.

My interest in pinball was started by the High Speed pinball at Oodles O' Noodles. That is when pinball for me made the leap from just aimlessly bashing a ball to trying to accomplish certain goals and being drawn in by the story.

Wish I had a nice High Speed in the collection.

 

[necro_nemesis]

The one in Yorkdale Mall was immediately to the left of the entrance to Dominion grocery store. There was another one downstairs of the North York Sheridan Mall at Jane and Wilson next to the theatre. Late 70's there was a pinball parlor on south side of Weston Rd. east of Lawrence.