Anyone visited RMC The Cave and/or the Arcade Museum?

Duke · 1 Jan 2023 at 20:25

Hi chaps,

Being a follower of RMC for a few years I was going to visit the cave now its been open a little while (and its not too far away from me) and the new Arcade Museum as well.

Visit the cave in Chalford, Gloucestershire

The Cave is a hands-on exhibition of retro microcomputers, consoles and gaming. It’s located in Chalford, Gloucestershire, and it’s open to the public.

www.rmcretro.com

https://rmcretro.store/visit/

Has anyone been? I only know one other person at work who has been and they said it was good

JoeBoi · 2 Jan 2023 at 07:41

Have only seen the videos, it was a cool project. I do wonder how sustainable it is as a business venture, given how niche retro gaming is. If I had the time, I'd definitely check it out. Hopefully it will still be there when I get round to it

.

GeX · 2 Jan 2023 at 09:31

Yep, am a long time Patreon of RMC and finally got to visit a couple of months back. It was just before the Arcade Archive was fully open, so got to check that out too.

Really enjoyed it, met up with friends there.

Seems sustainable as a business, given the space is the set for the videos too!

Bubo · 2 Jan 2023 at 10:18

Do you have to sign some form saying if you break something you have to pay for it before they let you in? Because I'll tell you I would be terrified letting the average public loose on literally any of the retro kit he has.

GeX · 2 Jan 2023 at 10:31

No, the whole point is you play with stuff! Can’t do that with the worry of breaking it

JoeBoi · 2 Jan 2023 at 10:34

Bubo said:
Do you have to sign some form saying if you break something you have to pay for it before they let you in? Because I'll tell you I would be terrified letting the average public loose on literally any of the retro kit he has.

I'd imagine he has insurance to cover that side of things.

cheesyboy · 4 Jan 2023 at 00:23

I went to Arcade Archive last week: my son got a ticket for me for Xmas

Only a ~20 minute drive for me.

Was pretty great, albeit the games are predominantly 'golden era', which is a little early for my taste (prefer 2nd half of the 80s really). Was still interesting to play, particularly the vector graphic stuff, which I've never tried before (Star Wars is actually great)

They've got Ghosts & Goblins, though, which is a favourite of mine.

I've never been to RMC, though

GeX · 5 Jan 2023 at 12:59

Yeah, I really enjoyed the vector graphics cabs. Amazing how futuristic they feel, and also how bright they are!

Ravenger · 5 Jan 2023 at 21:54

I've been to Arcade Club in Leeds and Bury on a few occasions, and they're great, and also Play Expos are good too with a great selection of arcade cabs and pinball machines.

I have my own Mame cab and now a Star Wars Arcade 1Up cab, so I don't really feel the need to visit those sorts of places as often as I used to. The Star Wars' vector emulation is pretty impressive, as the vectors are really bright and it feels very close to the original machine, despite being an LCD.

Really the only reason I'd go is to play pinball, and on an original Battlezone cab, as that's my second favourite arcade game. I'd find it hard pressed to avoid buying an Arcade 1Up Battlezone cab if they did one.

JoeBoi · 6 Jan 2023 at 14:43

Ravenger said:
I've been to Arcade Club in Leeds and Bury on a few occasions, and they're great, and also Play Expos are good too with a great selection of arcade cabs and pinball machines.

I have my own Mame cab and now a Star Wars Arcade 1Up cab, so I don't really feel the need to visit those sorts of places as often as I used to. The Star Wars' vector emulation is pretty impressive, as the vectors are really bright and it feels very close to the original machine, despite being an LCD.

Really the only reason I'd go is to play pinball, and on an original Battlezone cab, as that's my second favourite arcade game. I'd find it hard pressed to avoid buying an Arcade 1Up Battlezone cab if they did one.

I really want to go to that Bury arcade. I occasionally go Pixel Bunker in MK, much smaller in comparision, but few good Lightgun cabs. Seriously impressed on what Bury has to offer though. One day maybe!

Ravenger · 6 Jan 2023 at 14:51

The Bury Arcade Club is excellent. Definitely the best one I've been to due to the range of cabs.

cheesyboy · 6 Jan 2023 at 14:54

Bury looks fantastic, but a bit of a trek for me.

Worth mentioning History of Video Games in Bristol's Broadmead shopping centre. A good few cabinets there. Originals mostly, as well as some mame ones.

Duke · 10 Jan 2023 at 13:16

I'll keep the Bury one in mind if ever up north

GeX · 13 Jan 2023 at 23:36

I really should go.. it’s only 5 miles up the road for me!

bazzabear · 14 Jan 2023 at 10:08

I've been to the Bury one a couple of times too, and really enjoyed. Spent far, far too long on Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's Offroad Challenge.

Duke · 22 Jul 2023 at 22:35

So I visited RMC and Arcade Archive today, was great. The three hours in the cave flew by, there's a lot to take in initially so definitely need another session up there. The arcade was also good, not as much my thing but still worth a visit. Its quite a sensory overload as you go in but becomes normal after a while. All in all well worth visiting both on the same day (you get a slight discount for doing that)