This post is a bit different from my usual video game talk, but I want to shine some light on one of Austin, Texas’ best places to spend some time if you’re a fan of social gaming. Located north of UT Austin Arcade UFO is the premier location if you are interested in fighting or rhythm games.
Before COVID-19 hit the world, Arcade UFO would host several tournaments a week featuring some of the best fighting games of all time, such as Tekken 7,Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike, and Dragon Ball FighterZ. Now that COVID restrictions are less strict they still haven’t restarted tournaments, but players are more than welcome to enjoy the games at the arcade which ensures the safety of its customers through social distancing and regular sanitizing of the cabinets.
The Arcade is famous around the Austin scene because of its rhythm games and the quality of players in the local scene. Some of its more appealing games are In The Groove 2 and Pump It UP XX, both of these are rhythm games in which the players dance to the beat of the songs by lining up their feet to the notes. Pump It Up XX especially has some amazing players that regularly attend the arcade in order to practice and improve their scores.
Personally im terrible at rhythm games that involve me dancing and because of this I have gained a liking to the ones that involve my hands. My personal favorites are Nostalgia OP.2 and Chunithm. Nostalgia OP.2 is a game that has players use a keyboard to keep the beat of songs that range from classical to Japanese pop music. Chunithm which is featured (poorly) in the video below, has the player follow the beat of the songs through a touch screen at the base of the screen, but also has the player move his hands up and down to keep up with the cues.
Arcade UFO is also a great place for more casual video game fans. Most cabinets are really affordable and the ones that have PS4s in them have really generous game times, letting you play several matches before time runs out. The arcade also features a few racing games and a claw machine. Arcade UFO is special in Austin because its one of the only arcades around that focuses on the hardcore players, while also being accessible and welcoming to people who just want to have fun for a few hours. For more information about the arcade visit their website at arcadeufo.com.
The Gaming Diary 