Arcades In and Around Clacton-on-Sea

 

We recently spent a couple of days in Clacton and enjoyed the traditional seaside fayre – fish n chips, ice cream, paddling in the sea (fortunately we had nice weather!) and of course, arcades!

Jaywick

We stayed in a caravan on Martello Beach holiday park.  The park itself had an arcade featuring F355 Challenge, Ghost Squad, The House of the Dead III and OutRun2.  I was really happy to play some OR2 as they’ve all disappeared from Great Yarmouth.

Walking through the small seaside village of Jaywick we passed by some arcades.

Once again I’m 20 years too late and can only imagine what they were like in their heyday.

We passed these beach huts and my first thought was Mini Cutes.

 

Clacton-on-Sea

 

Clacton pier had a fair selection of modern games, but nothing old.  It’s the first time I’d seen the newly released Mario Kart Arcade GP DX.  This was in quite a few arcades in Clacton.  Also it was cool seeing Gaia Attack 4, Taito’s answer to Point Blank.  I saw this on my last trip to Japan and had no idea it was released over here.

 

Don-chan finally reaches these shores!

The sea defences look like they’ve been inspired by Pac-Man ghosts.

It was nice to play Operation G.H.O.S.T. in the arcade/bowling alley just across the road from the pier, first time I’ve seen this.

 

The amusement arcades along Pier Avenue were also devoid of any classics.

 

Walton-on-the-Naze

Walton Pier had quite a few videogames, mostly modern except for a few Sega classics.  There was an OutRun2SP DLX cabinet, but unfortunately the rear projection screen was in very poor condition.

It was a lovely hot and sunny day and we spent most of our time here paddling and collecting shells along the beach.

St Osyth

I had a couple of credits on OutRun2 Special Tours and Downhill Bikers.  I thought (hoped!) there might be a few classics hidden away in the arcades here, but sadly it wasn’t to be. 

The OutRun2SP DLX cabinets were on Seawick Holiday Park.  These ones were in excellent condition and had received a Sega LCD upgrade.