Dave & Buster's - Why They're Successful
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- Опубликовано: 14 июл 2024
- There aren't many places quite like Dave & Buster's. This video takes a look at their unique business and attempts to identify the core reasons behind its success.
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The fact that it’s marketed towards adults makes it even cooler to kids. Same idea with mature video games and movies.
Oh damn.
Very true! There’s usually a drop off in appeal for Chuck E Cheese around 11 years old. With this concept, the appeal never really dries out ever.
Nah I hate adults, so I’ll stick with Chuck E. Cheese
We still want that video!!
"YouTubbe- Why They're Hated"
@@jokerpilled2535 please do. adults hate it when shits like you clog up their spaces. at least the chidlfree ones do.
Dave & Busters is one of the two chains in the US that can legally have the newest official versions of Dance Dance Revolution and partially responsible for DDR's current renaissance in the states.
I hope it doesn't turn into a licensing battle though. Round 1 for example has exclusive rights to the A20 gold cabs and I think Dancerush cabs too. Either that or DnB couldn't afford to buy Dancerush cabs from what I've heard.
@@enduser8410 that’s not really how it works, DDR A20 just the only Bemani game that have an official US server and require something like a 1000 unit minimum order for DDR cabs. The white cabs you see in D&B and Round1 are from an order that both companies went in on together and split.
The gold cabs only access the Japanese servers and require another large order that D&B didn’t partake in.
Seconded, I'm a frequent DNB flyer solely for Dance Dance Revolution alone. Props to them for helping to barely keeping this ancient game alive.
@@pkakira88 From what I heard, its minimum 50 DDR cabinets to operate in their stores
Gameworks just closed .....so.....2021 .......
Dave & Busters is legit like Chuck E Cheese but more easy-going, unique lookin' & visually-stimulating to adults, ppl's gaming vibe with the games & et-cetra tbqh.
It’s more high end
@@GanDtech yep
Plus there food is actually good too. And no really creepy animatronics are a plus too
I say it's Chuck E cheese done right
The arcade games from the late 80s early 90s were the bomb!
Dave & Buster's is basically Chuck E. Cheese, but geared more towards adolescents and adults. Except for animatronics, the core concepts of food and arcade games are all there. What also differentiates them from Chuck E. Cheese is that Dave & Buster's features exclusive arcade games that people can only find at their locations.
I've heard that same comparison--it's "Chuck E. Cheese's for adults."
@@hotwax9376 same here! That's how I describe it to people who haven't heard of it.
Love Chuck E. Cheese. Pizza is good, and the kids have a nice time. They’re 5, 2, & 2. D&B was my hangout spot during my college years. It’s only gotten more popular…
and alcohol
Busters and Dave doesn't sound right lol, o and the internet joke that Dave and Busters was founded by Dave Chappelle and Busta Rhymes
I once went to Dave and Busters for a birthday party. The machine broke and started spitting out tickets, and we collected all of them. When the employees found out they took ALL our tickets, even the legitimately obtained ones. 7-year old me was frustrated.
Shoulda hid them
Bro I would've filed a MAJOR complaint.
Yeah we can’t do that. I work there and they are just supposed to leave you alone with them since it broke
Pretty sure they aren't allowed to do that
@@rozomolo6489 Yea, e tickets now, but we would have to get a manager to take tickets. We can very much however reset the card reader to make it stop giving you more tickets
I actually work for D&B as a technician who fixes the games, with management training and know-how which gives me an understanding on how the stores operate. He is not wrong about pretty much everything here. We did drop the "supercharge" option for buying/recharging cards and simplified the tier structure a bit but there isn't any falsehoods here. Also my go to games are Pump It Up, Crusin Blast, And Big Buck. I play the bonus mini games on Big Buck and if those guns are properly calibrated they are the most accurate guns in the building.
"the most accurate guns in the building"
not in Texas
A game tech that is a PIU main? God bless your hard work, the dance game community salutes you
@@caucasiancrustacean1549 I can only play between 8~11 singles so there are plenty of people who are better than me. I have had higher skilled come to my store and tell me that after playing that this machine is the best one in the area. Everyone knows that LX cabinet is my baby. It was down for a couple weeks a month ago cuz we had a failure in the monitor we couldn't diagnose, had to turn away some disappointed players when they asked if I could turn it on.
I was a Senior game tech at D&B. You're on point about the guns. Keep the screws tight in the housings and they'll perform last a long long time.
i’m an avid piu player, i salute you
I grew up with Dave & Busters and definitely realized that it has their places for adults and kids.
Rich fucks with too much money love these places. Not for me, thanks.
@@foxtrotosc4r We still want that video!!
"RUclips- Why They're Hated"
@@vincedibona4687 Dave and Busters isn’t that bad. You’re probably just cheap.
@@vincedibona4687 stay broke vince
@@foxtrotosc4r Yes.
I'd like to see a video on Round One. They are very similar, but with a focus on bowling and Japanese claw machines
I came to say this too! I love Round One.
Their games are a fair bit more expensive points per dollar-wise, but the game selections, especially with rhythm games is much better.
We recently got our first Round One in my area not long ago... haven't been there yet though. Concept sounds similar from what I can tell so I'd think it would be a hit.
Round 1 has a lot more emphasis on Japanese games, which is more interesting to a lot of people.
Round 1 is Far Superior. I go there often mostly for the LARGE Fighting Game Section.
Chuck E Cheese: " Aww Dad, can we pleaaaaase??"
D&B: "Come on kids, can we pleaaaaase?"
Kinda sums up what I was thinking.
I really like Dave and Busters, mostly for the games and prizes. I really like the new Minecraft Dungeons Arcade game they added recently, and there’s that one fishing game where you pull down on a lever to spin a wheel, which is always a solid choice when looking to get tickets.
I love this comment
@@GAMINGwitJEFFY I love this reply
@@unknownwill4th549 me too
I also like to spend $45 to play a game that I can get for under $30 that is worth $10.
@@fitz394 Oh shut up arcades are fun to just even be at, I know I'm getting scammed but hell it's just more fun this way
Company Man can narrate anything and it can sound like heaven
*Laughs in United Airlines*
@@kikifisselstein7322 Voices can be trained up to a point.
Being from South Africa and never having known a Dave & Buster's, but loving Arcades, Bars and Restaurants, this is still the number one business idea I want to be able to do one day (with my own twists of course).
While I always knew someone was bound to come up with it, I can't help feel a little jealous, while still feeling oh so inspired.
It's an interesting concept, but in the 1990s each location required a $10 million build out. That would be $30 million today.
@@kevinkent6351 Ouch, inflation be a mofo.
Although I think one big factor now is all of that tech is a lot cheaper now and the market is a lot bigger. Also, I would start smaller and with the indie scene.
Not gonna lie Dave and Busters really does seem like TGI Friday's and Chuck-e-Cheese had a surprisingly mature child
Dave & Busters is the reason why I still go to the mall! Because I still love playing arcade games, especially lots of games don’t have the same experience like with online!
@@JayPlateFaceVideos I used to play pinball games at Tilt which was an old arcade that was dedicated to arcade machines, but that place closed down a decade ago. Dave and Busters was able to diversify and be more of entertainment which mall owners want more of the non-gaming crowd.
Worked at D&B in the mid to late 00s. Dave was largely absent when Wellspring took over, and Buster was very unceremoniously fired… no goodbyes, although he did go to the original store the next day (which was across the parking lot from corporate, causing a little drama lol). I believe Buster cared far more about providing a high quality experience than he did for wringing out the last dime of profit, resulting in some disagreement with Wellspring and the new CEO, and I think that was largely why they fired him… At that time the D&B kitchen was 95% scratch, and the new CEO was making changes to make things more like Friday’s... many of the nicer touches the stores had have long since vanished (ties, door men, pro bartenders… last time I went to D&B my bartender didn’t know what tonic was 😭).
Both founders were well liked by the staff (many had been with the company since day one or earlier in Arkansas), and the company was a ton of fun to work for back then - definitely miss the good times we used to have when D&B were in charge.
I worked for Dave and Busters as a senior game technician for a few years. It is without a doubt the most fun job I've had. I met Buster several years ago at Dave's memorial service. He was a genuinely nice man! Rumor has it that Dave wasn't as kind.
I've actually worked with D&B a couple of years ago as a game technician for about a year or so and it was right before they went to all digital tickets. I think the worst part was coming in super early in the morning and refilling all of the tickets in all of the machines and making sure all the prize machines had enough prizes in them. I was also responsible for the bowling alley, that was a trip.
The Power Card also commits a person to spending a required amount of money to play, much different than the traditional arcade style. No more putting in $1 bills for some quarters, now you're spending well above $10 just to play. That adds to the value of how much that Power Card holds. Still, I'd like to see you cover Round 1. It's the same concept as D&B, but created in Japan, and has been slowing expanding across the US. I prefer the Round 1, simply because they always have TWO of the latest Dance Dance Revolution cabs in their arcades.
They also have Initial D Arcade Stage!
And they also have Pump It Up, Dance Rush Stardom, Dance Evolution, and MaiMai. Unlike D&B where it’s usually a white DDRA cab, or an LX PIU XX cab.
We still want that video!!
"YouTubbe- Why They're Hated"
@@sorimasn And Beatmania IIDX, Sound Voltex, GuitarFreaks, DrumMania, Chunithm, Groove Coaster.
Basically the only places in the US where you can more Bemani stuff officially other than DDR.
Many adults who grew up with arcades would love a place where they can have that experience, but with other adults from their era. They’re freed from the responsibility of having children around and can basically be kids again themselves.
We still want that video!!
"RUclips- Why They're Hated"
One of the most epic moments of my life was one I was able to purchase with 19,000 accumulated points a Dave and Busters guitar. Truly awesome
Excellent 🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿
I remember switching from Chuck E Cheese to Dave N Buster’s. I thought I was so cool 💀
@@miley_________________2577 why man
Shut up
Smart Move
@@OFFPLAYSRBX yes
@@Nigellus94 yep
One of the few places really keeping arcade games alive in the U.S., though ever since my area got a Round1 arcade, I hardly ever consider going to D&B. The varied selection of games and activities at Round1 appeal to me way more, with their wide array of crane games, more traditional arcade cabinets for things like fighting games and the extra activities like karaoke and a full bowling alley.
and you know
Having an actual rhythm game lineup that isn't just DRR/Pump it Up.
I remember years ago that there was a Brony meet up at a Dave & Buster’s to watch the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic season four Premier and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s a place where people who want to get drunk but don’t want to pay for a sitter can take their kids to crawl on games while mom and dad tie one on.
They should really market it that way.
I love D&B’s but when it comes to arcades, I prefer Round 1, with my go to game being DanceDanceRevolution in either arcades.
Round 1 has a ton of Japanese arcade machines which I think gives it a unique edge over D&B’s
Same here. I went to Dave & Busters years ago, and I wasn't impressed with their game selection. Maybe things have changed since then. Round 1 appeals to me more because of their rhythm game selection and other Japanese games you can't really find anywhere else in the U.S.
Round1 tops D&B in the huge selection of Japanese ufo catchers and rhythm games, but it’s more expensive (and the prize selection sucks). 25$ goes real far at D&B with coupons but even the member cards at R1 can’t compete.
@Karinge r1 went up to 8 chips
@@Dj.D25 It hasn't changed, rhythm game-wise and it never will.
Given the types of people I've seen come and go through the rhythm games section and casually spectating their gameplay, the one thing that I've personally surmised as to why rhythm games never really caught on is that they're not afraid to to tell you when you're bad at playing it, either by kicking you out of the song early for failing too hard or giving you a very unflattering rank if one is allowed to play though it fully.
Have seen dozens of walk-offs midplay because they probably didn't like how bad the game probably made them feel about their performance.
I remember it was only for adults,they even had bouncers at the doors, no kids could come in , in the early 90s
I actually never knew it even existed until recent years. Just stumbled across it on vacation with someone we were with being familiar, and urging us to go. I still remember how jaw-dropped I was to see an actual Mario Kart arcade I had only known existed in vague talk across the internet. Played that round after round for a good while. Arcades and beer is just one of those things I'd dream to have, and yet never knew anybody ever put it out there. Locally, the idea is basically "arcades are dead, or you're on some tourist trap beach". Would love to come across one again.
Dave & Buster’s holds a special place in my heart for being the first arcade I legitimately wanted to go back to that didn’t just have 2 good games. Personally, I like playing the Injustice Arcade machine and the various card-based coin pushers. My only real issue is that according to an email that was sent to me, they were open on Christmas, depriving their employees of time to spend with their family.
Funny story: A friend of mine opened a whole box of Pokemon trying for the Fat Pikachu Rainbow, didnt get it. I won a pack at Dave and Buster's with points and Pulled the Fat Pikachu. Crazy stuff.
Cool story.
@@PeterGriffin11 Ty, he was happy to get a Fat Pikachu from me
Ah D&B. It now holds a special place in my heart. It was the last time I was in a restaurant bar pre COVID. Now I go there and it’s people panicking for any little thing. 🤦🏻♂️
The fact that my D&B Power Card doesn't work at any similar establishment, say TGI Friday's, is brilliant too. Believe me, I've tried.
Just like everyone else, Dave & Busters is definitively the adult version of Chuck E Cheese. Meanwhile Round1 to me is the unicorn of arcade franchises!
Definitely gotta speak against the "steakhouse" part. Their food is mediocre at best, and definitely seems overpriced. The entertainment is fun, but I'd prefer to eat before or after being there rather than at their restaurant
My wife like to go there for her birthday, but we eat out before hand. The food was bad the last time we ate there.
I chuckled when he mentioned steakhouse. I didn't even know they had steak and I prob wouldn't order It there anyways
Yeah they're definitely not known for their food.
My work used to do their annual holiday party at D&B. The food was served buffet-style, so I always got a small sampling of everything. Most of what they had to offer was decent, a few options were actually pretty good, and of course there were a few duds. If I were ordering off the menu, I definitely wouldn't go for the steak, but most things are at least on par with other national sports-bar chains (Chili's, Applebee's, Red Robin, etc.), so I suspect their steaks are probably comparable to those places as well. If you are looking for a quality steak, you're probably not going to want to go to a chain restaurant for it, or at least go to one that actually specializes in steaks like Outback.
@@daltigoth3970 agreed. If I'm going out for a steak or other fine dining, I'm not going to Dave and Busters
A great place for everyone! Really glad they survived the pandemic!
I went to a D&Bs in St Louis in '02 or '03 at the insistance of a friend. I found everything to be rediculously overpriced and felt they employed a similar operation policy like a casino-few clocks, using a plastic card for cash, exits tough to find, flashy loud noises. Played a few video games, had a burger and two beers. $80. You could still smoke inside back in those days so on my way out the door, I swiped a D&B ashtray. Had it for years and always referred to it as my $80 ashtray.
I worked at D&B for a summer and really enjoyed my time there. Awesome co-workers awesome managers and awesome atmosphere. Never felt like work too much but a way to connect with people and get out of the house during the pandemic
Decided to go there for my 20th birthday this year, and I’d honestly say it was pretty fun experience.
Happy late birthday!
I wish he talked about the It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia episode about DnBs.
I grew up with Discovery Zone, Chuck E. Cheese and Funscape, so seeing an adult version of that, like Dave and Busters or the main Event makes me happy.
Dave and Busters makes for a fun family outing or a night out with friends. You can take the kids during the afternoon or on a weekend and you won’t get bored like you would at a Chuck E Cheese or go for a fun night out. The fact it has more for all ages is definitely a factor in its popularity. My favorite is actually the trivia game because I can crush it and get a lot of tickets.
I haven’t been to Dave and Buster’s in like 2 years,but it’s still one of my favorite places to go.
I love Dave and Busters, me and my friends have hosted so many parties in the one in NYC all of them have been a huge hit, people who have never played games, who are reserved, so many broke out of their shell and had so much fun ,it is a magical place for adults. And the food is amazing too, all in all a great place. If you come to NYC please visit it, you will have a really great time.
I went once this year with a friend. It was so loud and crowded that I refuse to ever go into one ever again.
I’ve noticed the past two times we were there the game prices slowly went up as the night grew on.
I'm shocked at how good the food is - been there for company outing's, birthday parties, just hanging out, etc. Before I ate there, I figured their food was just their "side-gig" thing and that their focus was the entertainment area - so I thought the food would be gross like Applebee's. The first Dave & Buster's food I ever had were these cheeseburger sliders - we had ordered ~50 of them for our department outing. It was quite literally one of the best burger I've ever had.
I love Dave and Busters. Food and games are amazing. Excited to go since they opened a new location near me.
One of the most consistent channels on RUclips
I went to a place like this in Long Island called Jillian’s for a birthday once and it eventually became a Dave & Busters. Then Dave & Busters started popping up across NYC.
The arcade franchise I'm used to is called playdium, it might be just a Canadian thing. Two years ago for new years I spent it with friends at playdium because they where open till 12:30. We played all night and at the end around 11:50, they gathered all the people there in the bar and did a count down. Gave the adults some drinks and kids some juice. Even had lights and sounds go off when it hit the count down. Probably my favorite new years eve celebration.
Chuckie Cheese Arcade (Minus The Pizza) + Steakhouse quality food like Outback + a full sized sports bar = Dave & Busters
Also = expensive and overpriced 😅
It's a fun place for adults to game, and one of my favorite things was their hosting of the World Cup back in 2014. We got to enjoy huge watching parties for the USMNT at 8am with bfast buffets. Probably one of the best memories I have of going there.
I worked at one and it was huge. Of course the usual games, bar and restaurant, but we also have a 10 lane bowling alley, billiards hall with 9 very nice tables and a full dance club with it's own small bar, DJ booth and dance floor. There is a small Hibachi grill. It is a place to take a date and do several things under one roof. Dave & Busters at Concord Mills in Concord, NC is the place to go. In the mall itself, has a solid 1 mile walking path, 18 screen theater and a ton of cool shops. D&B is the best, I loved playing Derby Owners Club.
I enjoy your research and all the effort you make in these videos. Please do Harbor Freight in a future episode
I live in Canada, about 2 hours outside Toronto, which is where the nearest Dave & Busters is. I think the model works best when it is more of a destination and not in every city. With that being said, my late brother in law loved it there so I'm a bit of a sucker for it and willl take my nephews occasionally (who also love it, specifically a well calibrated shooting game)
#3 on the list is a perfect example of why connections or chance encounters can be so critical to your life. I remember going to Dave & Buster’s quite frequently as a kid. Unfortunately I haven’t been back there in years due to bigger responsibilities. It’d be nice to go there again one day!
The first time I ever heard of D&B when they came into my area, I thought this is great! Finally--a Chuck E Cheese for ADULTS! What a concept. Hey, adults like to have fun, too! Give them a game room with ADULT food and beverages! And no ball cage or crawl thru tunnels, because we couldn't fit through them, anyway! Its one of those places I always had in the back of my mind to go to, but I just never fell through with---maybe I need to request it for my birthday?
my sentiments exactly. when I first went there it was just because we were in the area at the time
My wife decided to treat my son and I (along with her family) to Dave and Busters in Massachusetts for our shared birthday. We had reservations and everything. The service was so bad thay after waiting way too long to not get our food we left. Her family drove home disgusted and we went to the near by hibachi place. They saved the night with their great service. Years later they still email her about taking down her Yelp review. It was the worst restaurant experience I've ever had. Dirty tables, incompetent staff and rude employees. I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy.
I mean. Thats your experience. Not my problem. Lol d&b is the best
I love Dave and Busters. I’ve only been there 3 times, but everytime I have more and more fun, especially as I get older. Nothing better than having a beer and playing some arcade games.
In Canada we have a similar chain called the Rec Room but they also have seperate music venues inside aswell which is super cool
Personally, I always go for the nostalgia games like House of the Dead/Time Crisis. Those were my favorite games growing up in the 90s/2000s. Unfortunately, they tend to be a bit borked, or they have the NEWEST one and it's just not as fun as the first few.
What the hell is borked??
@@aaronroberts6787 messed up/brokey.
I wish a Dave and Busters would open up in Morgantown WV. We don't have anymore arcades here, they all closed down due to COVID. We also have 2 malls that a D&Bs could easily open up in.
The nearest D&B is over an hour away!
No arcades in a big college town? That’s weird.
@@ezioaltairac Last one closed down last year.......
@@Windrake101 that’s unfortunate. Hope some alum buys one of the old ones and restores it.
West Virginia is the most boring place I've ever been to, need to step its game up.
Remember going to Dave and Busters when I was little. Was always a fun time.
I was just there for half off games and I love this channel 😊
haven't been to a D&B's in 20 years, lol.
to describe that they're still around as "impressive" would be a colossal understatement, lol.
Same, probably 10-15 years that I used to go regularly.
The closest thing is Round 1. In terms of Arcade, Round 1 wrecks them. D&B wins in food and bar. Round 1 has bowling though. Both have the same games, unless you're into japanese games, then you'll prefer Round 1.
I never heard of it, but after a quick Google Search I see that they have some of the Arcade Games that I'll play at a Con.
@@AKUNJIG Round 1 is a japanese chain so they are the closest we have to a japanese arcade in the west. They take better care of their machines, but I'm pretty sure D&B makes more money as it is already established here and has name recognition. The pandemic has not been good for either of them, but I'm guessing that D&B has more than enough money to have survived. Idk how Round 1 is doing.
@@fav843 Well we have two in the Atlanta Area. So I might see them sometime.
As always! Thank you for the videos!
Dave and Busters is so successful in Pittsburgh that other chains like Latitude 40/360, Main Event, Scene75 and smaller independent places like Zone 28 (used to be called Funfest) can thrive as well. P.S. I have worked in the entertainment business since 2010.
Apex Entertainment is not in Pittsburgh yet but they are great too (I attended the location in Virginia Beach VA).
Please do one on my current employer... Round 1 bowling and amusement. Currently 47 US stores and several across japan. Would love to know how it actually differs from a traditional arcade/entertainment venue
Yes. I didn’t even know they were in the US. I thought they’re only in Japan all this time.
Man, I would love to go to one some day. Great success story!
I'd love to go to one someday too!
Same.
another gem, thanks company man
Thanks for the video.
Still haven't been to one, even though there's one in my state, but it's about 100 miles away. Would like to go there someday when things open up again.
I want to see a video about "Bigger than you know: Valve Software".
I love Dave and Busters, and arcades in general, but the card system so many use now is 100 percent a huge scam, pretty much for exactly the reasons mentioned at the end of this video. The only reason to obfuscate the amount spending is to try and get you to spend more. At least in the case of DnB they are getting new huge games, some smaller more local arcades are doing things like this and running tech from 20 years ago that barely works.
My aunt was a manager at the DNB in Atlanta. So let’s just say I had many advantages when it came to my first visit and everyone after. Going to DnB was the highlight of every visit to atlanta. Top tier food and the games were always on point. I even learned how to play pool there.
7:12 Wow I had no idea that “Time Out” Arcades were related to Dave and Busters. I used to go to the one at Post Oak Mall in College Station, TX for years! That place was incredible.
I feel like you’ve been rapid firing these videos out lately which is great! Whenever you post a new one, I always call my girlfriend in the room and we watch them!
Really appreciate the support. Glad you two like them!
Rip Buster
I've been to Dave & Buster's for a friend's birthday party, and I can say it's an amazing place.
I used to work at that exact Winner’s Circle in the video. I haven’t worked there in nearly 6 years but I recognize that anywhere.
Calling it a "steakhouse" is far too generous. Been to D&B many times since the 1990s and the experience has been consistent: food quality & service okay (not great) and on par with Applebees.
Most of the time patrons at other tables appear to be families with teen/pre-teen children who turn the kiddos loose in the arcade while soaking up booze. Like mommy & daddy's Big Night Out® for the month.
D&B feels like Applebees or Chilis with an arcade attached. Not really a place I want to spend my time or money but there's certainly a market for it if their success is any indication.
I have fond memories of Dave & Buster's though I haven't gone in many years now. They first opened up in my area in the early 2000's where a friend and I would go weekly until we both had Power Player Gold cards which gave additional discounts on games. To this day I still have a few prizes which I won through gaming tickets. My go to game was Safari Reel because I got good at landing on the jackpots. After awhile we stopped going to D&B but the location still operates in the entertainment district as of 2021.
Good history on them as I have never been to one so learning about them from your videos is helpful.
When you come to Dave and Busters you spend your real money but you leave with Dave and Busters money, thus giving you incentive to come back. Now I think that's brilliant.
The good old scrip technique
Thus creating the self-sustaining economy
How does this work? I thought you were on top of this??
@@AxeIRad Kinda like Menards, I think (rebate system changed to only return store-credit.)
I'm not a huge gamer, but whenever I'd go with my friends, we'd always take our tickets and give them to little kids we'd see walking around with their cups of tickets. Sure it's fun to win free stuff, but I'd rather see some kid get all excited by handing them a handful of tickets. :)
Love D&B have a lot of great memories from there, from eating to gaming and pool tables and bowling galore!! The D&B i went to was in a cool little shopping center with a movie theather and warhammer store all in one plus there was an indoor putt putt place too. Loved going to the Marq E as a kid
My favorites are the connect four hoops (great concept) and the axe throwing game.
Dave & Busters . . .
Chuck E. Cheese for adults.
Where is the video?
"RUclips - Why they're hated"
In Colorado & I think Utah we have something similar called Boondocks. It’s always nice to switch it up between these 2 places
My wife and I were so excited when Dave & Busters opened up near us. It gives us an easy fun date option on the weekend whenever we don't have anything else planned. The main problem was they got so crowded during peak hours that it was difficult to get playing time. We'd have to plan our trips for early Sunday in order to avoid a crowd. They aren't so crowded since the pandemic though, so we've started going back more often. I think it's great because although it's marketed towards adults, it is something the entire family can go to and enjoy, and there aren't many places that are fun for both parents and kids of all ages. My favorite game is Mario Kart, especially when playing with friends. Really enjoy the Jurassic Park shooter too.
I personally find them to be too expensive, and as a retro gamer, there's not enough stuff in there for me to play. The ticket redemption was the last thing I would play in arcades. Absolutely hate the chip system. Round One does this as well, but at least they get a few legitimate arcade titles in. Unfortunately, it also means that round of Marvel vs Capcom 2 is likely $1.50.
Basically a chain barcade. They don’t have classic games like pac man in their original form for the old timers, but updated versions that look better and cost more. They use the space buck system so you never know how much you’re actually spending. Their games are the newest and exclusive. The Namco and Sega 4d horror games (house of the dead) are reason enough to go. Arcades have been dead for years, it’s good to see there’s somebody keeping them alive, even if it’s an overpriced chain. I’ve never eaten food there, but I’m sure it’s average and overpriced.
My High School did our After-Prom at a Dave & Busters! It was awesome 😎!
I still go there especially on Wednesdays, I even noticed one of the D&B's used in this video is my home location! Its a fun place for sure
EPSN Zone was so much better than Dave & Busters. All the "fun" games, none of the gambling games like coin pushers.
I've been in a Dave & Buster's a couple of times. They're ok, but WAY overpriced for what you get. The food is fine, but everything is over $20. There are fancy games, but they're like $2 to play a 1 minute game. It's hard to spend any time in there without spending at least $50, and you can easily do that in a hour.
If you want food, go to a restaurant. If you want games, go to an arcade...
I remembered that you'd covered this and came back to it after seeing reports of Buster unfortunately committing suicide. Wanted to rewatch for the portion of how they initially came together and how they both ultimately left around 2006-2007. I'm glad they kept their original names, even after selling and eventually leaving the company.
One of my friends had their bachelorette party at the Gaithersburg, MD location. It was a hour away from our homes, but there were none open in Virginia at the time. 😊
The go-to game at my local D&B for my friends and I is the Pac-Man Battle Royale machine, so much fun