Author: Games for Fun Crew

7 Fun Date Night Ideas (for the Homebody)

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date March 28, 2022

Overview: Here are some fun date night ideas that will let you have fun without leaving the house

A homebody would rather stay home instead of go out, so you need some ideas on how to have a fun date night while staying indoors. Thankfully, we’ve got a list of 10 fun date night ideas that you can enjoy without leaving the comfort of the great indoors!

>> RELATED NEWS: U.S. Restrictions and Curfews

1. Use Netflix to Watch Their Favorite Show/Movie:

We all know Netflix has become the quintessential go-to date night for a homebody. Millennial’s love spending an evening tucked into a couch with good friends, good food, and good flicks. But why is this considered one of the best indoor date night ideas?

Compared to your typical movie theatre, Netflix gives you the option to choose (and watch) many movies and shows in one setting; you get to stay in the comfort of your home so you don’t have to deal with other distractions from the movie theaters like bright phone lights, loud popcorn-chewing, or having to spend money on the (overpriced) snacks! It’s like you get an at-home movie theatre for half the price!

It helps that there’s always something to watch on Netflix, too. If you like True Crime and your date likes Comedy, everyone can be satisfied.

2. Cook Their Favorite Meal Together:

Another awesome indoor date night idea that’s also underrated for the homebody is cooking dinner together. Regardless of how well you cook, planning an evening to prepare, cook, and eat your favorite meal with your date is both romantic and practical!

You can play a YouTube cooking channel or shop for cookbooks and ingredients together based on your favorite type of cuisine.

Not only is this fun and therapeutic, but you and your date get to treat yourselves to delicious food and extra time together without the cost of buying dinner in a restaurant (and without having others around). It’s an intimate setting where both of you can hone in on your Master Chef skills without the pressures of others around.

3. Channel Their Inner Artist:

So maybe movies and dinner aren’t your thing. Well, most of us have heard of paint-and-sip sessions where you paint a picture while sipping your beverage of choice. This is basically a play on that, except it’s for you and your date and it can take place at home.

This isn’t so much about your talents as an artist as it is more about spending time together without having to leave the house.

You could go all out and purchase easels, painting palette, spatulas, and aprons. You and your date could paint something that reminds you of your first date, or you can even have fun and paint goofy versions of each other!

There are hundreds of tutorials available on the internet that will teach you the basics, from how to appropriately hold the paintbrush to the actual painting. The only difference is that you don’t have to leave your home!

You can start by searching for affordable beginner paint sets or simply pick one up from a nearby crafts store. Pour yourself a beverage and enjoy the aesthetic pleasures of life indoors with your date.

>> RELATED READING: Fun “Lockdown” Games to Play Indoors

4. Treat Them to an At-home Spa/Pamper Day:

Kudos to you if you’re someone who can afford to go to the spa every week! However, not everyone’s schedule (or budget) will afford them this type of luxury.

Consider getting a fancy bath with some scented candles around, a glass of wine, and a massage for you and your date. Bath balms, candles, and a relaxing massage should be experienced at least once by everyone.

For the ultimate date night, pair this idea with any of the others on this list.

5. Tackle a Long Overdue Project Together:

Clearly, we’re fans of doing something creative or practical with your date. We all have tasks we tend to ignore and keep aside for a more convenient time — only that better time rarely comes around.

If your date wants to simply spend more time with you, this might be a good opportunity for you two to tackle a long-overdue project. Get that room organized, sort through memorabilia (and share stories with your date so they can learn more about you and vice versa), and bond.

Manual labor might not sound fun, but what seems heavy to do on your own will be nothing but enjoyable time spent with your date.

>> PROJECT IDEA: Repair Your Arcade Game Room Without Breaking the Bank

6. Stargaze:

If you’re an old-school romantic and deep-thinker who enjoys nature, stargazing isn’t an old-fashioned option… it’s the best option.

Depending on where you live, the stars might be more or less visible, but that’s the great thing about telescopes — they help you gaze at the stars even if you’re in the city.

If your date is into nature or science, stargazing might be the perfect date night idea because it’s relaxing, requires minimal equipment or advance planning, and gives you time to bond with one another.

The main thing you have to consider is a comfortable place to lie down, blankets in case it cools down as the evening progresses, and maybe a small basket of snacks.

7. Play Video Games:

Whether you or your date is a gamer or not, playing video games is a great way to kill time while having fun. You don’t have to be a professional twitch streamer to enjoy video games with your date, either!

Take a look at some of our previous articles to get some ideas on what to play! You don’t need a huge gaming set up to enjoy this indoor date night idea — we have mobile-friendly games that you and your date can play together to avoid the cost of gaming consoles and the like.

In Summary:

We hope you liked our selection of fun date night ideas for the homebody who isn’t really into the hustle and bustle of the nightlife scene. If you want to enjoy your time in peace, indoors then follow these tips and let us know your favorite way of spending weekends!

Gaming

5 Fun Childhood Games that are Played Around the World

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date March 24, 2022

Overview: Host a versatile and youthful game night with friends with these different childhood games from around the world !

A great game night needs several things: snacks, good friends, and awesome games that offer a challenging and interactive time.

While classic games like Monopoly and billiards will always have a special place in our hearts, we’re looking for games that have entertained people around the world for decades. (Let’s just say, every culture has its own “Monopoly.”)

We’re not talking about “Squid Game” from South Korea, either. As much of an impact as that childhood has had on my adults, Korean and non-Korean alike, we’re shifting gears and taking a look at less popular games from different cultures that many old-heads might remember from back in the day.

CATCH THE DRAGON’S TAIL (CHINA)

Game Type: Beginner

Group Size: 20+

Equipment: Handkerchief (for each “dragon”); cones for boundaries

Objective: The goal is for the dragon’s head to tag the dragon’s tail. Seems fun, right? They will try to catch the opposing team’s handkerchief. They must do this without breaking the chain of people. Only the leader, or head, of the dragon may catch the handkerchief. When the dragon’s tail is caught, they “catching” team will link up with the other dragon and continue to pursue other dragon’s, while protecting their own tail.

Instructions:

Split into two teams and then have the teams get in a single file line. Larger groups can split into teams of 6 or higher.
Have each team put their arms around the persons waist in front of them. You are going to form a train. (This could also be done by holding hands, connecting arms, placing hands on shoulders, etc.)
1. The player standing at the front of the line is the dragon’s head, while the last one is its tail.
The person in the rear hangs the handkerchief from their back pocket.

>> SOURCE: Hesston College (Recreation Leadership Games and Activities)

This can be more challenging than it seems, as the participation behind the dragon’s head will stop the head from catching the tail. The leader will have to struggle to reach the dragon’s tail, but once succeeded, the head takes the place of the tail and the participant next in line becomes the head.

Watch this video to get a visual of how the game is played!

LUTA DE GALO/GALLO (BRAZIL):

Game Type: Intermediate

Group Size: 2+

Equipment: Bandana/Rag per child

Luta de Galo is the super fun and challenging Portuguese game for “fight of the roosters.” It’s played between two players, and each player tucks a handkerchief into their back pockets and lets it hang out.

Objective: To grab the handkerchief from the opponent’s pocket.

Instructions (Source):

Each player must cross their right arm across their chest, and hold up left leg.
Players must hop around one-legged and use their free arm to snatch their opponent’s handkerchief.
1. If a child puts their left leg on the ground or unfolds their right arm, they’re out.

Each child participating needs one buddy. Unlike other games, partners are not teammates, but opponents.

Here’s a quick, fun tutorial tagged for your ease.

TINKO TINKO (NIGERIA):

Game Type: Intermediate

Group Size: 2-4

Equipment: —

Tinko Tinko is a simple game that requires no equipment other than people! This game is essentially the hand-clapping game “Slide” where two players clap their hands against each other on a rhythmic sound that the players chant. In the Nigerian version, the words Tinko Tinko are sung repeatedly.

To play Tinko, you and your opponent should be in sync, so you both don’t go against the rhythm.

Objective: Increase the number of hands claps from once to two to three, and so forth and so on while maintaining synchronization. Whoever breaks the rhythm loses.

While simple, this game becomes challenging in the case of one losing track of clap and can be highly competitive! If this sounds like something you’d like to try, watch how two players interact in this video.

KABBADI (INDIA):

Game Type: Advanced

Group Size: 10+, even numbers for teams

Equipment: Open Space; Boundaries

This game is a bit rough compared to the other ones we’ve highlighted in this article because strength (and serious lung power) is needed.

The fun part begins when one member from one group called “the raider” pits against the opposing team members. The raider must try to catch or tag as many opposing players as possible while chanting the phrase kabbadi kabbadi without getting caught.

Objective: The team can join hands and form a barricade to make it harder for the raider to escape. The tagged players will be out if the raider makes it to the boundary without catching their breath. If the raider catches the breath or gets caught by the opposing team, the raider will be out. Once the round is complete, the members of each team shall be decreased.

Here’s a video of one of children playing Kabbadi in India! They’ve used chalk to create the boundaries, but other items such as cones can be used; the boundaries just need to be visible by both teams.

DARUMA-SAN GA KORONDA (JAPAN):

Game Type: Beginner

Group Size: 3+

Equipment: Wall

This game shouldn’t be mistake for the traditional “Daruma Otoshi” where the “Daruma” is taken from the top to the bottom of the stack without knocking the doll off. However, this game is inspired by the doll! Hence the phrase “The daruma doll fell over” which is said by the “it” person. (Source)

Objective:

One person is It. Instead of counting to ten, It says, “Daruma-san ga koronda” since it has 10 syllables. For the other players, the object of the game is to get close to whoever is “it” without him seeing them move.

Instructions:

The It person faces away from the other players with their eyes shut. “It” says “Daruma-san ga koronda” quickly, and then turns around as quickly as possible, opening his eyes. While “it” is saying the phrase, the other players move closer to him. Just before “it” turns around, the players must freeze.

If “it” sees a player moving, that player must hold hands with “it.”
If a player successfully reaches “it” without getting caught, he or she slaps “it” on the back, then everyone except “it” runs away. However, if “it” is holding hands with one or more captured players, the attacker tries to break their hands apart with the side of his hand. Then everyone except “it” runs away.
When “it” shouts “Tomare!”(“Stop!”), everybody must freeze.
If “it” tags one of them by taking no more than three steps, the two switch places.

IN SUMMARY:

While there are many games we would love to list down, the ones we’ve mentioned are easy to follow and can be played regardless of upbringing or culture.

Which game did you like the most, or have you played any of these games before? Which one would be most interested in playing?

Arcade

4 Ways to Create an Awesome Arcade Room for Kids

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date February 18, 2022

Designing a kid-friendly arcade room is a brilliant idea especially these days when going outdoors to socialize is a hit-or-miss.

As we grow older, our interests and needs change. As for kids, they are entertained with drawings, paintings, and other crafts when they are young. As they grow older, they take part in physical activities and games. The need to be creative doesn’t change — it just shifts into a different type of creativity.

The most ideal way to combine the two and help your child’s changing interests is with an all-inclusive arcade game. But some parents might think that creating an arcade room isn’t feasible. And we’re here to tell you that it might be easier and more convenient than you think!

Creating an arcade room for kids is as simple as utilizing a small spare space to act as an entertainment spot. While it’s ideal for this spot to accommodate the entire household (family game night, anyone?) some circumstances might just need it to accommodate a single child.

So how can you keep your child entertained while staying at home? No matter how big or small a space you have, there’s always room for an arcade room. Let’s figure out how you can design a great arcade room for your kids to staying indoor isn’t a bore.

Arcade Room Ideas for Kids:

Considering smart ways to design an fun arcade room? Don’t worry. Based on your budget and preferences, kids arcade rooms can be designed with their current interests.

Ideally, your kid’s arcade room should strike a balance between functionality and comfort.

Themed Decor and Furniture:

FURNITURE: Keep the furniture comfortable, first and foremost if you’ve a dedicated room. Comfort takes priority over all else because this is a room dedicated to fun, first. With people likely spending hours at a time in this room, comfortable yet stylish furniture. It’s even better if you could find some furniture with LED lightning embedded for a floating effect.

You can also consider using multipurpose furniture if you’re dedicating an entire room to gaming and entertainment. You can convert a pool table into a dining table with minimally versatile furniture by changing the mat and serving your kids there.

FINDING INSPIRATION: Although the kid’s arcade room shouldn’t require much furniture, you can make the arcade room a focal point for your kids by shopping off their favorite game posters. If your kid is super passionate about one game, use it as inspiration to design the rest of the kid’s arcade room — be it PacMan, Star Wars, or Dragon’s Lair.

If you don’t want to stuff their room with one single theme, try mixing multiple pieces for versatility! Now your kid will have a gaming haven with all of their favorite games on display in one place.

Game Equipment as Decor:

Use the theme-related equipment as your decor to mount on the walls. Go funky with furniture, from gaming chairs to couches and tables to wall art and decor. Don’t hesitate to embrace your vintage style old-school decor.

We like this photo from https://www.actionherorobot.com/. Make sure to stop by and admire some crazy funky arcade room ideas there!

No Space to Waste – Using a Game Closet:

While some people have the option to convert a spare room into an arcade room, this is for those who might not have the obvious space, but are willing to make it.

If you have an extra closet, you can convert it into a game “room” and take advantage of any built-in storage to help create a home for all your accessories, including video games. Talk about maximizing space!

If you have a TV and a set of video games also available, consider placing them in the closet to turn it into the proper game closet. Of course, no authentic modern-day game room is really a game room without the addition of LED lights. So go ahead and deck out the closet ceilings and corners of walls with LED light strips — they’re super easy to put up and also act as a brightener for the closet-turned-game room.

Create a “Refuel” Station:

What’s a game room without snacks and drinks? Well, it’s still a game room, but the addition of snacks and drinks kick it up about a thousand notches.

As important as the games are to the game room in and of themselves, a refueling station is an essential part of your kid’s arcade room. Having this sort of dedicated snack area ensures that any energy going into the game is replenished by snacks and hydrating drinks. This means having them at a hand’s distance.

A fueling station includes your child’s favorite snacks, drinks, and additional seating (if possible) for the gamer guests to liven up and enjoy the place.

If you have no space to design a separate fueling station for your kids, get a mini-refrigerator to chill their drinks. You can mount the mini refrigerator on a shelf or tuck it into the corner. Trust us, your kid likely won’t be worried about any “small” space; they’ll likely be more stoked about the mini refrigerator.

In summary:
Keeping your kids entertained and occupied even at home isn’t always an easy thing, but it also isn’t the most difficult thing if you have the right approach and a solid understanding of what makes a game room, well, a game room.

There are loads of tricks and innovative solutions that families have implemented during lockdown to keep their kids filled with enjoyment while staying at home.

Sure, the noise of their games might disrupt you for a while, but you can always install soundproof sheets on the walls.

Other Articles You Might Enjoy:

6 Practical Game Room Ideas for a More Enjoyable Holiday

9 Underrated Ways to Accessorize Your Game Room in 2021

A Simple 5-step Guideline to Creating the Perfect Game Room at Home

The Most Unique Game Room Ideas that You Can Add Into Your Game Room

Tags awesome arcade rooms, kids arcade room

Arcade

5 Tips to Start Your Own Arcade Bar in 2022

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date February 7, 2022

With the world still trying to bounce back from what seems to be a relentless tug-of-war game between at-home mandates and going to the nearest grocery store just to see people, gaming and social interaction are back in trend.

So this might be the perfect opportunity for arcade bars — which have been seriously affected by the pandemic — to get their shine once again. After all, people still love their fun, with or without a pandemic.

The arcade scene has been met with steep modern-day competition due to advancements in technology, fast and stable internet as the norm, and the rise of the casual and hyper-casual gamer. However, people are seeking change.

With the death of Irish and British pubs among other acade-related scenes, gamers might actually be interested in getting back to the old-school gaming trends. This means that an arcade bar could be one of the more successful business endeavors.

Setting Up an Arcade Bar – Location & Licenses:

Let’s assume that you don’t have a bar or premises selected; then, you need to design your arcade bar as the first thing in your business plan — the core of your target market.

You’ll need to check up on physical assets, including gambling license, brewery, suppliers, alcohol license, staff, and to name a few. Once you list this, you’ll have a clear idea about the cost and set up the bar.

As for the bar setup, one of the essential success drivers is location (we’ve all heard the saying, “location! location! location!). The busier the road, the more costly the location. However, setting up your arcade bar in an area of high-demand with your target audience around might be worth the price. That’s how you’ll double your income… by enticing your customer base at your bar.

On the other hand, you can choose to open an arcade bar in a place where there’s scarcity, so your project adds a little spice when it shows up. The psychology behind opening in a scarce place with little to no competition is that people living around will like.y find it exciting, with their curiosity pushing them to explore what the newly opened place has to offer them.

Arcade Bar Market Research:

They say that if you build it, they will come. What nobody tells you is that no one will take an interest if your product isn’t aligned correctly within the target market or if you’ve built the set up in an area with low demand in booze and high rates. If there’s less demand, success will be hard to achieve.

Therefore, it is indispensable to understand who your target research market is and who your competitors are.

Bars were previously a source of alcohol. This isn’t the case anymore. The bar scene has expanded into a social drinking spot where alcohol is a complimentary ingredient alongside socializing. This is due, in part, to younger generations (mid- to late-30s down to early 20s) turning towards the classics (i.e. arcade bars) for a striking blend of classics and modern.

So we have an idea of who’s interested. Now we have to consider:

Drinks being offered
Price points
Bar aesthetic (we’ll get to this later)

One prime way to lure your target customer to your bar is to excite them drink-wise. Most of these factors will require research in order to align to the core socio-economic factors.

Not everyone is a fan of cocktails and not everyone is a fan of beer. Ideally, you’ll want to offer a variety of drinks, but to understand what exactly needs to be offered, you’ll need to conduct market research to understand if there’s a demand for your services and products within the chosen region.

Competitor Analysis:

Now it’s time to get your hands dirty, so to speak. It’s wise to go out and explore “as a customer” what your competitors are offering to get an idea of the “who” and the “how ” of their customer base.

If you’re opening in an area where there is already an arcade bar established, running yours successfully would have a lot to do with observing the customers who are already active in the area — with your competitors.

While most of the research could be desk-based, at some point, you’ll need to go out in the market. For a new startup, follow the crowd, brainstorm your ideas, add creativity to them, and get started in a place where there’s a demand.

Monitoring as a potential buyer will help you know what people don’t like about the services of the existing arcade bar — what annoys them, what pleases them, and what steps shall be taken to provide an enhanced customer service experience.

Theme of Your Arcade Bar:

An interesting factor is deciding which game you want your arcade bar to focus on. Do you consider a niche-focused arcade bar a good and entertaining option? Or would you like your arcade bar to focus on a wide range of games to reflect interest for all age groups? Even better… does your target customer like what you’re presenting?

Imagine wanting toe open a futuristic themed arcade bar when your audience has expressed strict interest in vintage themes?

Often times, your customer will tell you what they want, making the job significantly easier for you. All you have to do is listen! Planning then executing will happen organically if you have a good team behind you.

Needless to say, having a consistent theme throughout the arcade bar will ensure a strong brand identity so your customers can recognize you as a consistent business — which, from a psychological perspective, will turn them into returning customers. (This is because people who are satisfied with a place, its quality, and its services, are likely to bring their friends back and recommend it to others.)

There’s no accurate answer while deciding on gaming focus for your arcade bar to portray. It’s always down to personal preferences, market research, and the passion of the arcade bar owner.

Arcade Bar Set Up Costs:

Setting up an arcade bar can be quite costly. Special gaming equipment for your arcade bars, such as pinball machines or shuffleboard tables, are high upfront costs but necessary for arcade bar success.

However, as a new business, it’s always a better idea to lower your initial costs as much as you can to invest in the future. And keep in mind that businesses rarely start generating thousand dollars within the initial days of sale.

In Summary:
Arcade bars might become a new standard, as younger generations like to have fresh cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks with their friends while being able to interact socially.

Business plans aren’t only limited to a successful business and how it benefits its people. If you take care of people around your business area, they will take care of your business.

Tags Arcade Bar

Gaming

How to Repair Your Arcade Game Room Without Breaking the Bank

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date January 20, 2022

Arcade game rooms are fun but sometimes need a bit of TLC to avoid losing their charm

Repairing an arcade game room requires several different components to execute, but a big budget isn’t what we’re going for here. But before we get into the tips, we have to preface this by saying that patience will really help you with this repair process.

If you’ve tried everything in your power to repair problem areas in your game room and something just isn’t working, it could be very tiring and frustrating. Have you ever heard of the term “ghost in the machine”? Though it has roots in philosophy, this can be applied to a very literal perspective: a repair that simply doesn’t last.

Be it a game table, a remote control, or blowing into the Diddy Kong game hoping it’ll stop freezing (whatever that means), trying to repair something in your game room could get frustrating. But remember that the purpose of your arcade room is to have fun… not to stress. And repairing your game room could help elevate that feeling of fun.

BEGINNER REMINDER:

Unplug the Unit. Don’t perform any maintenance on any arcade video games without unplugging the units first.

Now, let’s get into this list of advice to get you started on your budget-friendly arcade game room maintenance.

Clean the Console:

Cleaning the console of a unit is a great first step to improving your arcade game room without spending loads of cash. Inspect your arcade games with a thorough clean; you’d be surprised how many problems are fixable with simple cleaning.

Remember how we used to blow into the Diddy Kong game? This piece of advice is a homage to those days. Dust and dirt can get into crevices, creating unexpected gaming issues. To maintain your game, clean the parts on a regular basis.

Below are some basics you could apply that are inexpensive and effective cleaning solutions for your gaming machine:

• Buy and use a contact cleaner solution to clean connectors and other components.
• Use a paintbrush or soft bristle toothbrush to sweep away the dust and debris from boards.
• Use a vacuum to remove dust buildup from cabinet vents and fans. Make sure the fans are operating properly once you’ve cleaned off the dust and change the vents and fans as needed.

We also recommend cleaning the cabinet’s exterior by using a mild general-purpose cleaner – do not use any commercial glass cleaners unless specifically instructed by the game’s manufacturer.

It’s also important to never use paper towels to clean Plexi Glass, as this will scratch the glass. Instead, use a soft rag, such as a microfiber towel to make sure no marks or scratches will be left on the game.

You can read more maintenance tips here.

Fixing a Broken Joystick:

If you have a joystick that gets stuck all the time or is broken, or if some of the buttons aren’t working properly, consider checking the grounded wires which are usually connected to a micro switch, and examine if there’s a loop.

A knot/tangle in the wire could be part of the issue. If the part of wire is broken from the first end, it needs to be replaced. Often times, however, it’s tangled or bent and simply needs to be straightened out. You could use tweezers to fix this.

Sound/audio Issues:

The Rocker:
Some arcade machines have a rocker switch next to the power cord plugs. This switch is hidden which makes it difficult to determine if the rocker has been switched on or off. Before delving into a deep repair project, check to see if the switch is in an off or on position.

Sometimes, we need to get into the machine to diagnose the problem of missing sound and audio. If you’re willing to go to the arcade machine, check to see that the “door switch” (the switch that joins and cuts the power to the machine) is in the closed door position.

No Light in Top Marquee:

Most machines, especially the old ones, can come with a fluorescent backlight built into the marquee. This is one of the most iconic parts of an arcade machine. However, though this addition can help to illuminate the screen, or give it a nice psychedelic style, fluorescent lamps have been obsolete for quite some time as arcade cabinet components for a variety of reasons.

For one: these lamps require a starter and a transformer in order to function properly, and the failure of any of these elements can cause several consequences of varying magnitude.

• If the starter is malfunctioning, the ensuing electrical interference can disrupt of even permanently damage the machine’s PCB.
• If the transformer is failing, it might overheat, smoke, and eventually burst a big hole in your cabinet.
• The lamp itself is also very hot during operation, which can discolor the marquee, crack it, and fall into the screen of the arcade cabinet. A good solution to this predicament is to switch the fluorescent lamp for an LED alternative, which can operate at much cooler temperatures, and will not damage your machine in any way.

Check out PrimeTime Amusements article on maintaining your game room here.

In Summary:

So here we are: we hope we’ve repaired your arcade game room virtually, and your machines are doing what they are best at – playing games. To read more about awesome techniques and tips, click here.

And as one final rule of thumb that we simply can’t stress enough: Don’t fear the manual.

When dealing directly with an arcade gaming unit, your best bet is to pay attention to the game manual. Not many of us enjoy reading instruction manuals, but it’s helpful when your game room seems to be breaking down on you.

Troubleshooting an arcade game machine could seem way less daunting if you have the instructions telling you all the technical parts and how everything fits.

In fact, Pinball repair technician Sarah St. John, 43, got her start in pinball repair as a 16-year-old Pittsfield High School student in 1981 working as a summer technician. My Arcade Repair features this story on their website.

Gaming Uncategorized

8 Fun Online Arcade Games that Everyone is Playing

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date January 5, 2022

Overview: If you’re feeling nostalgic for arcade games, we’ve got the perfect substitutions with online arcade-style games that are fun and free

What gamer doesn’t like simple yet interesting games that bring a challenge to your daily life? Online arcade games are a specific favorite for gamers.

Before the internet was the internet, and mobile was mobile, people actually had to leave their homes for a good game (gasp)! They would rally up at game clubs and pay a small sum (around 10-15 cents) to play games; however, with the digitized world, the tables have turned.

With mobile phones being the center of everything, developers have produced many super fun, addictive, and delightful games like Angry Bird, Candy Crush, and Doodle Jump. Aside from these super popular games, there’s much more to choose from. Let’s find out some of the best arcade games to play online.

1. Jetpack Joyride:

With over 750 million users worldwide, this name is familiar within the community of online or mobile gamers.

This game has tons of customizations to choose from — everything from your looks to giant mechanics and crazy vehicles.

Another interesting highlight of this online arcade game is that it can be downloaded both on Android and iOS! (Android users, we’ve got you covered.)

Games Features:

One-touch controls
Endess running quests
Excited and constant updates
Battles against your contemporaries

2. Alto’s Odyssey:

Alto’s Odyssey is an undeniable choice for people who like to enjoy and play free games online.

Adorned with simple mechanics but attractive graphics that are both stylistically and aesthetically appealing, the purpose of the game is for players to ski down a hill while jumping to avoid obstacles.

Players can collect items and have the chance to trade them for customization options. The game contains dark and pretty graphics that are soothing to the eyes and create an engaging gaming atmosphere. Besides, it offers 180 goals with intuitive tools.

Alto’s Odyssey is a free online game with in-purchase options that can be bought if interested. This game is also ideal for younger children who are interested in online games.

Game Features:

Easy to learn
Serene background music; no loud music
Downloads both on iOS and Android

3. Fishing Casino:

Fishing Casino is considered one of the best online arcade games. You can enjoy multiplayer levels in breathtaking movements while being offered huge rewards at the end.

Unlike what the rumor says and the name suggests, Fishing Casino doesn’t offer real money gambling… so no Jackpot wins here!

Game Features:
Daily rewards
Coins to exchange for customization options
It can be downloaded both on Android and iOS

4. CSR Racing:

CSR Racing gives an interesting and playful insight for those who like racing. With interesting elements, brilliant graphics, and beautifully depicted details to each car, this game comes with various customization features.

CSR Racing 2 is a super easy, fun, and easy quick game. Click here to download the game.

Game Features:

Real-time challenges
Customizable options
Top Rated free drag racing game
Played both on iOS and Android

5. Sonic Dash:

Calling all ’90s kids! If you’re searching for an online arcade game to mimic your childhood fun, Sonic Dash is ideal.

Watch Sonic the Hedgehog jumps, runs, and spin his way in a 3D environment that’s full of obstacles.

And one of the best things about the Sonic Dash mobile game is that multiple players can play from the same computer if they have plugged in their remotes.

This means you can enjoy your game while sitting with your best friend, keeping him either as your enemy or partner.

Game Features:

Stunning Graphics
Aesthetic 3D Environment
Amazing and interesting scenarios
Endless runner levels
Downloads both on iOS and Android

6. Smash Hit:

Smash Hit is a mobile arcade-style game that takes you to surreal dimensions. The goal? To smash everything that confronts you. Sounds fun enough to us!

Smash Hit takes you to a dreamy world where you as the player is tasked with breaking glass objects that stand in your way.

With award-winning destruction physics right on your mobile device, this game requires your full concentration, focus, and concise timing to smash the targets on your path.

Game Features:

Free from third-party ads
Soft, harmonious audio effects
Cloud storage with multiple devices
Downloads on both iOS and Android

7. Subway Surfers:

Young kids are more prone to play this online arcade game, so that’s already a plus if you have children interested in online gaming. And with over one billion downloads and installations, we know this game is a hit.

As the player, you have to be attentive and run as fast as possible while dodging the trains that constantly appear, and do so at increasingly faster speeds than the level before.

Players are given rewards in between running: money sacks, hover-boards, and more. And with the recent update, you can now challenge your friends via social media platforms, including Facebook! You can also compare leaderboard points with each other for more excitement and challenge.

Game Features:

Colorful and HD Graphics
Intriguing audio effects
Fast-paced hover board surfing
Downloads on both iOS and Android

8. Angry Bird:

Is this a no-brainer? (Probably.) This online mobile arcade-style game is probably one of the most popular games (if someone claims they haven’t heard of this, we could assume they’ve been living under a rock).

Angry birds is a cute game with fun-filled slingshot adventures that’s enjoyed by both youngsters and adults.

There are multiple modes from which you can select to play solo or with your friends.

Game Features:

Hundreds of levels with monthly updates
Multi-stage levels
Compete and compare leaderboards
Downloads both on iOS & Android

IN SUMMARY

One interesting thing about arcade-style games that makes players enjoy them more than other types of games is the increasing challenge in levels.

The games we highlighted aren’t just interesting for the sake of interest, but they’re all also great for the brain… but that’s another blog for another time. And another perk is that most of these online arcade games are equally interesting for adults and kids, so parents looking for kid-friendly games might appreciate our list even more (did somebody say family game night?).

Happy gaming, gamers (and non-gamers)! If there’s an online arcade-style game that’s caught your interest, let us know!

Fun Gaming

6 Practical Game Room Ideas for a More Enjoyable Holiday

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date December 22, 2021

With Christmas approaching, make sure your game room is set up for the holidays as much as possible with these awesome holiday game room ideas

It’s the holiday season, you have a spare room, and you’re not sure what to do with it. Don’t worry; we got you covered here. We’re helping you create a holiday-themed game room to get into the holiday spirit.

These days, gaming isn’t confined to children, toddlers, or “geeks” — we all need an outlet for our daily stress and, we have to admit, Christmas could be a very stressful time. Whether your game room is a winter wonderland theme, or you want to deck it out in all things red and green, we know the options are limitless.

Here are 10 awesome game room ideas to get yourself in “the spirit” this holiday season.

1. Include Extra Seating for Family Visits

Before determining what theme you want for your room, you have to take into account the square footage of the space. It can be a large room or just a nook in the living space where you can set up a small gaming area.Yes, even a tiny corner of your bedroom would work.

When wanting to add game room furniture, make sure that the space isn’t too big or too small. Although this room is meant to cater to the whims of you (and possibly family members during Christmas) you have to think about the layouts in order to accommodate appropriate decor like trees and seating.

If your space is small and can’t fit a large entertainment center with speakers and game consoles, consider going for a minimalist yet modest design plan.

One fun holiday-themed idea that’s super easy for a game room is to get a computer desk with a gaming chair, some funky LED lights, and maybe some bean bags and furry white throw blankets and pillow to mimic snow. Get yourself rounded shelving to mimic igloos and store all your video games.

2. Soundproofing for Your Personal Space for Karaoke

Your game room can be a pretty noisy zone, and most gamers enjoy the game with full immersion (a.k.a. loudness). So playing games on low volume isn’t realistic. However, soundproofing your game room leading into the holiday season (did somebody say karaoke?) is an inspiring solution to this problem.

A simple paneling and rubber lining on the doors or windows will be a great help in keeping your gaming confined to the room. You can have glass doors to your holiday gaming room if you are privileged enough. If correctly installed, not only do they
Soundproof your space but also create a marvelous game station experience.

3. Make it Inviting, Make it Warm

Your game room setup can be of any variety to reflect your style and preferences like the rest of your house. But what matters the most when trying to get into the holiday spirit is to choose an appropriate and warm theme.

We mentioned throw blankets and pillows previously, but warm lights (yes, Christmas lights) are a perfect addition to the game room! I personally have Christmas lights hanging around my space year-round because it’s beautiful lighting that automatically creates a warm atmosphere.

Take a look at how this room uses Christmas lights for a warm, inviting atmosphere! Hang them from the ceiling to create draped overhead lighting or line them across your ceiling, floors, or even wrap them around your platform bed for a glowy floating affect!

4. Don’t Ignore Your Gaming Chair

You wouldn’t want to decorate your game room without getting yourself a comfortable chair, right? Gaming chairs are a blessing that provides lumbar support to your back, so you shall play games for long hours without getting your back hurt.

Check out some super comfy and affordable game chairs here.

5. Wide Monitor or Projector

Here’s the thing: Everyone loves a good Christmas movie. Watching Macaulay Culkin sing “White Christmas” in Home Alone with your friends is always a good time. Now try doing that on a PC… quite the challenge. So investing in a wide monitor or projector is your best bet for a homemade theater. And one of the many benefits of installing a projector in your game room is that you’re able to expand the size of the screen.

Now all you need to do is make sure it’s connected to some speakers. Throw a mountain of white, red, and green blankets and pillows on the floor and invite everyone over! And thanks to the soundproofing you did from point two earlier, “White Christmas” will be contained in your holiday fort.

6. Bring the Forest Indoors… Gamer Style

Now comes the fun part. Your room is equipped with everything you thought of — fur throw blankets, red and green pillows, beautiful Christmas lights dangling from the ceiling. But one of the most popular symbols of Christmas is the tree. And what better way to create that holiday spirit than with a Christmas tree.

We put trees in our homes all the time — so why not do the same for your game room. We already talked about how the layout and size of your space will affect the furniture and other decor pieces you include. This is true with finding the right tree, too.

The great thing is there are so many different trees on the market. There are smaller sized Christmas trees with lights that are perfect for placing on a desk or table for those smaller spaces.

If you have some space to spare, you could also consider a normal-sized tree with game-themed tree decorations to integrate your love for games and Christmas!

In Summary:

At the end of the day, your game room is based on your style and budget. If you don’t have a limited budget, the sky is the limit. Still, you can set an appealing room within your budget range even during the holidays.

Tags game room

Gaming

7 Trending Mobile Games for this Holiday season

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date December 16, 2021

Holidays are filled with abundant joy but we’re taking it up a notch this Christmas by taking a look at some of the most popular mobile games (some holiday-specific)

We gathered 7 fun and super popular mobile games this holiday that are bound to keep everyone entertained this season. Some are holiday-themed (ho ho ho!) while some are just awesome year-round!

One of the main reasons people love the end of the year is because of how the holidays bring families together (it could be the cozy weather, the upbeat music, or the delicious and heart-warming food).

We especially love holiday games that involve families of all ages and that require little preparation. So this season, we’re taking a look at some mobile games that are super entertaining and also provide an extra fun way to share in the holiday festivities without leaving your bed.

Here are some of our top picks for the best mobile phone games for the holidays.

1. Christmas Cookie

We can’t talk about Christmas and the holidays without mentioning cookies. So what better way to start off this holiday list than with this Candy Crush mobile game descendant that focuses on both Christmas and cookies? If you’ve already mastered the Candy Crush Saga, you should know what to expect here.

Christmas cookie is a Christmas-themed mobile game where players swipe and tap to line up matching cookies for points. With over 700 levels and fun challenges along the way, there’s enough fun in the Christmas Cookie match game to keep you occupied until the new year!

Play this match game to get yourself in the spirit (and activate your sweet tooth). Read more about this holiday-themed mobile game on the article called, “7 Fun Christmas Mobile Games to Play on Android and iPhone” here.

2. Alto’s Odyssey

Not everything can be Christmas during the Christmas season. This isn’t a Christmas-themed mobile game, but it can still provide entertainment when the family has filled up on too much eggnog, karaoke has come out, and you’ve hit a point where you just reallu want to get through the holidays in quiet. You can join Alto and his friends on an endless sand-boarding journey to search for treasures!

Featuring the best graphics and simple mechanics, Alto and the players ski down hills and avoid obstacles by jumping. While doing so, players collect items that can later be traded and customized, making this an exciting mobile game.

The simple and vibrant colors create a fun atmosphere and, what’s better, this game is completely free with ad limitations so support optimal gaming mode this holiday with minimal interruption.

3. Delicious — Emily’s Christmas Carol

Undeniably, one of the most enjoyable parts about Christmas is the food. But don’t worry, if you stuff yourself with too much turkey and stuffing then you can always find some belly-calming relaxation in the digital world with Emily’s Christmas Carol!
Guide Emily through 61 levels accompanied by 31 challenges. The goal is to serve all customers that enter the restaurant before the day ends. The happier the customer, the higher the score!
Emily’s customers will make order requests and it’s your job to serve them, whip things up, and collect payment. If you’re prompt and responsive, your customers will be satisfied and you’ll gain points. If not, well, like the real world (especially during the holidays) you’ll have displeased clients.
With delightful music and a charming background, this restaurant management mobile game is a joy to play during Christmas. Play it here!

4. Video Call Santa

If your family doesn’t visit Santa at the mall or you don’t ask for presents, don’t worry. The next best thing for you is the free Dual Verse’s Video Call Santa app. The app simulates a pre-recorded video call with Santa for you or your kid.

This is more of a holiday-themed mobile app rather than an interactive game with a goal, but the fun is still there (c’mon… you get to video chat with Santa)!

What’s even better is that you can customize a few things in the setting and keep it password protected. Another great feature is that you can also have Santa say your child’s name for a small fee.

Download the app here.

5. Unruly Heroes

For those people out there who are just looking for something to keep you entertained, this is a level-based game that pays slight homage to Christmas with its frozen landscape setting and… and ice goddess?

You begin in a frozen landscape where a goddess abruptly approaches to inform you that the westward journey you undertake is fated to be one of the most significant conflicts you must overcome if you wish to save the world.

Jump, escape, and fight your way through the demanding environment in a matter of a few minutes. You’re offered the help of four characters with superpowers to traverse the challenging landscape.

The game wastes less time with set up, so if you’re impatient this might be for you. Not to mention, this game humorously undercuts the magnitude of the situation with its dialogue. You have to check it our for yourself, though!

6. Assassin Creed Valhalla

This one’s for you, non-Christmas folks. With Netflix even more popular now as it was five years ago, and historical themed series gaining more traction, more people are becoming aware of Greek mythologies and gods. Assassin Creed Valhalla has a primary focus on bringing back and recreating Dark England.

Tracing back to history, we find our ancestors fighting for things we have taken for granted. The purpose of this game is for the player to explore a vibrant and stunning world that’s set against a harsh and brutal England during the Dark Ages.

To win a seat among the gods in Valhalla, you have to expand your settlements, raid your enemies, and increase your political influence. Yeah, no Christmas here. Just good ole’ assassinations to get you into January!

7. PUBG Mobile

PUBG Mobile is the most popular mobile game of all time and gains even more popularity during the holidays. It rose to popularity as a mobile game among people of all age groups in over 100 countries.

The PC version of PUBG launches and introduces a new royal concept where players land on an unknown island, fighting to be on the top. The area shrinks gradually to force the players to be in closer proximity to one another, of course increasing the tension.

This isn’t holiday-themed, but it’s popularity surpasses the holidays, as people play this year-round.

In Summary:

It’s been said that playing video mobile games can be beneficial for your brain. The mobile games mentioned in this list can make your holiday memorable and joyful and might actually help you sharpen your memory! How valid is this statement? Researchers are finding that video games might help in training your mind to filter out the noises, predict future tasks, and help in gaining intense anticipation. So, basically, we won’t know how true this is for us until we try, right? So pick a game and let’s play!

Tags Mobile Games

Shuffleboard

Rocks? Brooms? Here’s a simple guide to ice shuffleboard (and Olympic curling)

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date November 24, 2021

There’s regular shuffleboard, and then there’s ice shuffleboard. Before we build our winter sport repertoire, let’s learn a bit more about the unique sport of curling and how it relates to ice shuffleboard

Many Californians have no problem layering up in coats or beneath blankets when its the middle of Autumn and 70 degrees outside, so we figure we could use this seasonal weather change as an opportunity to take a look at some winter games such as shuffleboard on ice. After all, fall in California is basically freezing to us.

Though shuffleboard on ice is often interchanged with curling, this isn’t accurate because both aren’t the exact same. Shuffleboard is one of the games played on ice that could fall into the category of curling. The other two games are bowling and chess.

We’ve written about traditional shuffleboard before after realizing the game simply isn’t talked about often. Interestingly, the same holds true when it comes to its relative, ice shuffleboard, even though it makes somewhat of an appearance in the Olympics thanks to the sport Curling.

What You Should Know About Curling

Curling is one of the more unusual sports of the Winter Olympics, often drawing comparisons to shuffleboard, but played on ice. According to the Dummies website:

• Curling is a cross between shuffleboard on ice and bowling.
• Many people think that the idea of watching a shuffleboard tournament is a bit of a snore, but curling is strangely compelling (we give credit to the ice).
• Once you start watching a game of curling, it’s hard to pull yourself away before the match is over.

Curling is named after the unique turning that occurs at the end of the stone’s path on the ice. According to an article posted on Business Insider:

• In curling, a 42-pound stone is pushed down a sheet of ice, while two players sweep the surface in front of the stone.
• The goal is to get the stone closest to the target, called a ‘house.’
• Sweeping warms up the ice and reduces friction, which makes the rock curl less and therefore move straighter.

In this article, Sporcle described Curling as the Olympic Sport that’s played “with a “broom”, a “stone” and a sheet of ice.” It might not be as exciting as speed skating or watching a runner pass up another on that last stretch of a 400 meter dash, but it is arguably the most fascinating (and confusing) Olympic Sport in the games.

Players slide large stones made of smooth granite across a sheet of ice to a target that is comprised of four circles, called the “house.” The curling stone, or rock, is made of dense polished granite from Scotland. In the Olympics, each rock weighs 44 lbs. Both teams get eight stones. There’s a person throwing the stone and teammates who sweep. The sweepers decrease the resistance that the stone will meet, allowing it to travel further. They also decrease the “curl” of the stone.

The bottom of the stone is hollow so that only the outside ring, called the running band, is in contact with the ice. This minimizes the friction and allows the stone to slide further.

Ice Shuffleboard Vs. Curling — Similarities And Differences

The distinctions between ice shuffleboard and general curling often go overlooked, resulting in people using the two terms interchangeably. Though this isn’t necessarily wrong, it also isn’t necessarily accurate. We should think of curling as the sibling of ice shuffleboard, but not a twin. Curling shares similarities with shuffleboard but possesses its own unique jargon.

Teams/Players:
• Shuffleboard is played by two players (called a single) or four players (called a doubles game).
• Curling is played when two teams consisting of four players go head-to-head.

Equipment:
• Shuffleboard:
• Curling: Each player is given two 44-pound granite stones to throw.

Objective:
• Shuffleboard: Players push the discs towards the target to score, remove the opponent’s discs from the scored move/push, or both.
• Curling: Teams take turns sliding the stones down the ice towards the target. The goal is to slide the stones across the pebbled ice surface (“the sheet”) and place it closer to the button (the center of the target) than the opposing team. Each of the four players will alternately slide heavy and polished granite stones, which are also called rocks, across the ice curling sheet.

Rules:
• Shuffleboard: Shots should always be done in straight line and forward motion of cue and the disc.
• Curling: With the use of the cue, players push the discs towards the opposite end of the court in which there is a scoring diagram situated. Teammates known as sweepers apply pressure to the ice with brooms, which determines where the rock eventually comes to rest by slightly melting the ice.

Scoring System:
• Shuffleboard: The scoring diagram has different areas – one for 10 points, two for 8 points, two for 7 points, and one for 10-off area.
• Curling: One curling game can have around 8 or 10 ends. The team with the most points in the match wins.

Penalties:
• Shuffleboard: If part of the discs reached the 10-off area and/or touched the front or back line, there will be penalties.

Related article(s): Shuffleboard the Sport; Curling the Sport

So, What’s With The Brooms?

We knew you would ask this. The stones don’t just slide across the ice of their own free will or the player’s power. The surface is dotted with frozen water droplets called “pebbles” that cause them to slow down and veer off course. The brooms are the solution to this problem.

Using a lot of energy, all of their skill, and a high level of technicality, athletes create friction with the brooms and rid the surface of the pebbles. The better they are at “sweeping” the ice, the better the stone will move down the field on target.

In Summary: Curling Is Like Shuffleboard, But Bigger… And On Ice

At its core, curling is a simple concept. It’s like shuffleboard, but bigger, and on ice. Curling and shuffleboard have a lot in common as they both involve lagging a heavy weight down a long lane, aiming for the farthest foul zone. In curling, the weight is called a rock, as it is literally a heavily polished piece of granite, and the game is played with two teams of four.

If you’re searching for the best shuffleboard table, check out our inventory here.

Tags Shuffleboard

Gaming

The “striker’s” guide: McDermott & other high-quality cue sticks on the market

Post author By Games for Fun Crew
Post date November 16, 2021

We love McDermott, but pool and billiards players who are just looking for simple, high-quality cue sticks use some options outside of well-known brands (but we’ll still provide insight on some of the most popular options for comparisons sake)

Whether you’re a fan of the McDermott brand or not, it’s important that pool players understand everything that goes into what determines that a cue stick is high quality or not. Though we personally enjoy McDermott cue sticks for a variety of reasons, we’ve also learned that there are options outside of popular name brands. And, simply put, not everyone is interested in super well-known brands.

So we want to talk about what makes the McDermott brand so popular in the first place, but we also want to take a strike at some other brands on the market that are also offering high-quality cue sticks and other pool products at affordable prices (some of which you can find browsing through our online shop).

First: How Much Does A Pool Stick Cost:

According to Billiard Factory, pool sticks range in price from under $50 to more than $1000. Pool cues are also offered with scruffers and repair kits as well, and pool table owners are also encouraged to complement their table with matching cue sticks that are wooden and traditional or sleek and modern.

Second: What makes a cue stick “good” (Why McDermott Is More Pricey):

Self-proclaimed “geek” and contributor to Pool Cue Guide Mike says that a key to a good quality pool cue is “having low deflection.” So if you want to play well and strike the ball well, you need to choose the pool cues with low deflection. But finding the best sticks could be a challenging task.

The reason is, like many other products, there is a broad selection to choose from. How do you know which one is good or not? Billiard champions like Efren Reyes, Shane Van Boening, and Ron Dooley always use the best pool cues that must be fantastic in both durability and performance like low deflection. But this isn’t an article for billiard champions — this is an article for someone who just wants to know what good pool cues are on the market, and how they can find them. Which brings us to the next point.

The Reason McDermott Is Pricier:

Like any higher-quality product, McDermott pool cue sticks are on the pricier because of how it’s made. Without holding back, Billiard Beast reminds us that McDermott has been voted the best brand of pool cues according to Ranker.com.

But it’s now just about being voted as a top-quality brand. Below are some of the core reasons McDermott is held at such high standards:

Quality construction
Exotic woods & materials
Intricate inlays
Limitless customization options
Lifetime warranty

Designing and producing a cue stick is no simple matter. In this video posted by McDermott’s official YouTube channel, we see a 16-minute behind the scenes look at what goes into making a McDermott cue stick, from making the tri-core butt section to final touches such as customer personalization, hand staining or painting, and weight bolt adjustments.

McDermott has a long history of innovation and top-notch quality. When that’s coupled with their unique styles and superior attention to detail, it’s not really hard to see why dozens of professional players use McDermott cues (not to mention the dozens more of major tournaments that have been won using McDermott cues).

Usually when the professionals are using a product, you know it likely brings a lot to the table. After all, professionals are as credible as it gets when it comes to industry-specific products worth purchasing.

McDermott’s official website even highlights their cues’ high-performance shafts are some of the most recognized products in the billiard industry.

Players C-960: A Good Cue Stick Based On Affordability, Durability, & Non-hype

Entry-level might have a certain type of connotation, but entry-level cue sticks aren’t always a bad thing. What this means is that these cue sticks should be accessible or easy to find, won’t break the bank, and should have a decent amount of durability.

So we did some research to see what the general pool-playing public was using to play pool, and we came across this article published by Poets Billiard. What we found is that the Players C-960 is an excellent option if you’re just starting out or if you have a very limited budget (or both). SPOILER ALERT: The cue stick we’re about to review isn’t the most durable, but it will get the job done while saving you money.

Pros:

Inexpensive
Durable tip
Decent control

Cons:

Overall subpar durability

The Players C-960 delivers decent control – according to some reviews that boast, it’s “excellent balance and overall weight” partly due to the durable tip. This cue stick also doesn’t have any spin potential that would otherwise be unwanted for less skilled players.

As for the aesthetic, one Amazon reviewer writes:

“Although I’ve seen better looking bird’s eye maple on more expensive cues, this is still very nice wood, and the eye-catching red stain is very visually pleasing. The finish on both [the] butt and shaft is flawless, and the shaft slides through my bridge as smoothly as glass. The ferrule and tip fit perfectly.”

With this affordable cue stick, players also receive a decent Irish linen wrap for a slip-free grip in the purchase in addition to lifetime warranty coverage (if this isn’t nice for a pool cue of this price, we don’t know what is).

Of course, we can’t expect the consistency in this cue stick to be a match to what the pricier cues have to offer, but that’s why it’s ideal for people who are just starting out; you probably won’t give too much attention to the little vibrations in your pool cue.

Where To Buy Cue Sticks

Besides Amazon, there are many great places for you to purchase a cue stick. For your convenience, we’ve curated a short list of great suppliers with locations included so you can browse your options and make a decision!

Games For Fun – San Bernardino, California
Billiard Factory – Houston, TX
Ozone Billiards – Kennesaw, GA
Pool Dawg – Lafayette, CO
Game Room Guys – Comstock Park, MI

How To Make A Cue Stick:

And for those who would rather DIY the whole cue stick process, this one’s for you! Because, as crazy of a challenge as that sounds to us, we know there are those of you out there who would really do it.

We came across an awesome video on YouTube where a pool cue maker by the names of James Wright shows how to make a pool cue with just hand tools. He uses:

Red oak (about 1.5 inches wide)
Wood glue
Squeeze clamps (or screws as a quicker alternative)
Scrub plane
Spokeshave
Card scraper
Smoothing plane
Optional: Sandpaper

The video is less than 15 minutes and provides a step-by-step tutorial on how to literally create your pool cue from a piece of wood.

Tags cue sticks