Video game arcades in Taipei

Life Technology
1

Hi all,

I like to go out and play some video games. I know a few video game arcades, 2 in Hsimenting, 1 in Shilin and a few small ones in Danshui. Is that all in Taipei? Are there anymore (bigger) video game arcades in/around Taipei?

Thanks for your help
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2

There is a Dave and Buster’s, high-end video arcade, restaurant, and bar, in the NanKan/Taoyuan area at the Tai Mall, but I am not sure of the quality anymore. When I lived here in 1999, it had just opened and was awesome, as good as the one in Washington DC or Providence, RI; my wife and I spent quite a bit a time there. We have gone back once since we returned last year, but a major portion of it was being remodeled and about half of the “Million Dollar Midway” was gone. We haven’t returned since because we were disappointed. Remodeling should be done, so maybe I will check it out again.

3

As I understand it, games arcades were made illegal many years ago in Taipei City (and maybe Taipei County) due to associated gambling, and the fact that they were gang hangouts. Then later, a few places like Tomulong in Ximending got special licences or something.

Some movie theatres (older ones) and their associated arcades have a few games. I remember the one on Linsen S Rd having a game I really like.

Brian

4

I used to go to a small arcade in an alley off of Chunghsiao E. rd. between tunghwa s. rd and guangfu s. rd. It’s in a north alley about one or two alleys west of the California Fitness. That was about 2 years ago so I don’t know if it’s still there.

Mark

5

You’ve found all the ones I know of… When Chen was Taipei Mayor, he outlawed all video game arcades and cracked down hard to gain votes with the middle-aged female voters. I’m not sure if they have been made legal again, but I haven’t heard of any crackdowns.

6

Thanks for your answers guys!

Few weeks ago I was at the Tai Mall’s one, it’s still OK, but too far to go for me. When I’m in Taiwan I live near the Sungshan domestic airport. And I want to play a few times Outrun2 or Daytona2 after work, therefore a drive to Tai Mall is too far. So I’ll still have to go to Hsimenting for that.