Southend-on-Sea - 2018 Update

Happidrome

The Happidrome has an awesome selection of video games, including some real classics as well as some more modern titles.  The machines are well maintained and in excellent condition, and there is now a dedicated retro arcade section. 

Here is a short walk round video of the retro section.

Metal Hawk – Namco – 1988

Metal Hawk is a top-down, multi-directional shooter and the player has control of the altitude of the helicopter.  The game runs on Namco System 2 hardware. 

It has become almost a rite of passage for some to visit Southend just to play this awesome game.  I’ve only ever seen one other and that was in Mikado game centre, Takadanobaba, Japan.  It’s a real treat to see one of these machines in an arcade in such nice condition.  Here are some more pics of the cab.

Shinobi – Sega -1987

Well it has been many years since I’ve played this in a seaside town arcade!  One of my all time favourites, the game played well and the sound was cranked up nice and loud.  A timeless classic!

Landing High Japan – Taito -1999

Pilot a commercial airliner in this arcade flight simulator, taking off from and landing in London Southend Airport several Japanese airports.  Another extremely rare title and in fantastic condition as well.

Some nice pinball tables.  And another excuse to post a pic of Metal Hawk!

There are also some nice games in the main arcade area.

Daytona 2: Power Edition – Sega AM2 – 1998

Daytona 2 is becoming quite scarce these days and remaining ones still on site are usually beat-up.  However this one is in phenomenal condition! 

Pink fluorescent tubes were originally used inside the topper and look especially awesome!

The game played well and the monitors looked great, really showing off the fantastic Model 3 powered graphics.

The side plastics and art look like new!

Power Edition is an updated version released a few months after Battle on the Edge.  Changes include the following:

-The beginner course dome and natural scenery has been removed and has a closer look and feel to the original  Daytona USA beginner course.  The course layout remains the same.

-The “Challenge” course option is a new addition and combines the three courses.

-The handling physics are slightly revamped.

-The beginner’s car livery is altered.

-The Hornet Classic car, the player car from Daytona USA has been added, albeit with an altered design.

-The AI of your rivals is more aggressive and one corner in the advanced course has been altered to balance out the difficulty.

Some more pics of the arcade.

I also had a wander down the seafront and checked out the other arcades.  Here are some pics.

Go!! Crazy Climber – IGS – 2009

It’s always great to stumble upon a new arcade you’ve never heard of, particularly when it’s a reimagining of an old classic. 

Players must avoid the obstacles, which include staging and King Kong (or is it Donkey Kong!?) and climb to the top of the building.  The climbing action is initiated by spinning the paddle, and there are buttons for left and right movement.  The game is fun and something a bit different, although my Mrs did complain about breaking a nail!

We gonna rock down to…

We also made a trip just down the road from Southend to Canvey Island, a reclaimed island in the Thames estuary.  There is a small theme park, Leisure Island and some amusement arcades along the seafront.

This Daytona USA twin was in nice condition and played really well.

It was very ‘lucky’ to see this in the ‘wild’. (Sorry!)

I enjoyed a couple of credits on this cool Fish Tales pinball machine.

For some reason I had a hankering for fish n chips afterwards.

We really enjoyed Southend.  It’s been almost four years since our last visit, way too long!  Unfortunately I didn’t make it to Astro City arcade, it appears that they now cater mostly for kid’s parties and private functions, and are only open to the general public on Friday nights.  There did seem to be less video games along the seafront this time round, but there are still some decent games and the Happidrome is fantastic.  In addition to the awesome games, the arcade is very family friendly, with one attendant even helping my daughter win prizes on the two pence pushers.