Hey fellow Arcaders!

Ross from Poughkeepsie had a question for me about the Dream Machine Arcade at South Hills Mall in that very town (The first arcade I worked in!)

Ross writes- “You wouldn’t happen to have any pics or memorabilia from Dream Machine would ya? I used to go there when I was a kid. Just awesome bro!” 

Well Ross, The Dream Machine Arcade holds a special place in my heart not just as the first arcade I worked in, but the first TRUE mall arcade I had ever been in. 3 floors of arcade goodness!

Yup- dream Machine did it all right- look at those banners!

Dream Machine was established in 1973 in Massachusetts, and quickly expanded into malls all over the northeast. I had 2 near me- Dutchess Mall in Fishkill, NY,  and the one that was at South Hills Mall in Poughkeepsie, NY  (that expanded into two after the Park Place Roller Rink closed in 1983.) South Hills  was the one I worked at. It was a bright, colorful arcade with mirrored ceilings everywhere that made it look even bigger that it was (the best part is you could see yourself playing upside down!) . The higher walls were done in red, white, blue, and yellow line designs, culminating into the cloudburst they used in the logo on the top of the walls, near the mirrored ceiling. The walls the games were on was done in a blue, felt-like material. Silver railings with staircases  were  everywhere, separating the floors, and on the right side was an access ramp to take you to all three levels if you were in a wheelchair.  The top level had a row of 10 to 15  pinball machines and that wrapped around to a huge row of slightly older arcade games. the second level was filled with cocktail tables (awesome for head to head competition! ) The ground floor was littered with the latest games and more recent arcade games. and of course the silver change booth (it was a title of distinction to be a change attendant in that booth!) They always got the latest and the best during the golden age (1979/83).  Some games stayed forever, while some gems got overlooked by patrons and eventually discarded into history. I will eventually do regular reviews on some of those lost gems on this site!

Here’s some pics I was able to find online, but sadly, I never took any myself ( it was forbidden to take pics early on- copyright issues!). So, I am putting a challenge to all the arcaders out there. send  any Dream Machine pic you have  to me here at The Arcade Archives and I will start a Dream Machine Tribute Page here on site for all to enjoy! Ross, thanks for the question, and the chance to dig up pics, and to fondly remember the Dream Machine as the best arcade that I think ever existed!

Welcome to the Archives and KEEP PLAYIN’ LIKE IT’S 1981!

I’m digging the Def Leppard concert shirt! also check out the Krull and the Q*bert with the prototype swearing header!

What? no one whats to play Star Castle?

And if you use 3D Arcade as your MAME frontend, wouldn’t this be a great arcade to run around in?

UPDATE  12/2/12

ShadowOnix emailed and asked-

“Hey, I was curious if you have a simple, plain Dream Machine logo, and was wondering if I would be able to use this in a year book for my high school. My dad used to work there, and if I would be able to try and get it in there, and bring it to him I’m sure he would love it.” well here ya’ go!

With the cloud background

without the cloud background