arcade

Definition

A venue filled with coin-operated video games and electronic games where players pay quarters or tokens to play for points or prizes. Arcades became cultural centers for gaming, competition, and socialization, peaking in popularity in the 1980s.

Example Usage

We spent Saturday at the arcade trying to beat each other's high scores on Pac-Man and Street Fighter.

Origin

Short for 'arcade game'; the architectural term 'arcade' (a covered passageway with arches) was repurposed for these game halls, though most modern arcades are self-contained rooms rather than passages.

Fun Fact

The golden age of arcades in the 1980s coincided with the release of iconic games like Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, and The Last Starfighter, which spawned a Hollywood film.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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