GCW Retro-Cade

I'm still at a loss to really describe GCW, but I wanted to review this place because it definitely deserves some props. This bizarre little arcade is surprisingly a much needed quirky addition to the newly incorporated area of Platte City that just lacks anything inviting about it. Finally a place, besides the smokey Tanners, where you can go to DO something.. not just get something done. Brilliantly located next to a frozen yogurt place and a Mexican restaurant (attracting both families and slightly tipsy adults looking for some nostalgia), we stumbled in after a couple of the latter's house margaritas. I had seen the ads in the paper and been meaning to check it out, but hadn't yet. At first glance, I wasn't sure what to expect. To be honest, it is very under-whelming... but this is definitely a work in progress and they have a ton of space in back for expansion. For only $5 a head, you get an hour of unlimited arcade play on EVERYTHING in the building. If you are a parent, I'm sure you know how quickly a regular arcade will suck a simple fiver from your wallet.. so unlimited gameplay per hour is a genius business model (at least in my book). There are also no obnoxious add-on machines for junk like claw machines or photo booths. This is purely games. We paid and started to look around.. as I mentioned before the place is not overwhelmed with options. I wasn't sure if we would be able to spend the entire hour, but I was so wrong. Most of the machines are multi-game units, so instead of single Pac-Man machine, it is actually a Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Burger Time, etc etc... like 8 games in one, so you already have way more options than it appears. The front room is mainly arcade options like this and the backroom includes a Pop A Shot type basketball game (I want everyone to know that I am 7-1 over my husband!), foosball, an xbox system (including Dance Dance Revolution), a couple computers and an air hockey game is coming this week. After enough basketball to get me seriously sweaty (embarrassing, but hey 7-1, baby), and multiple games of Street Fighter, Centipede, Blades of Steel, a tank game, Donkey Kong, Burger Time, Burger Time and more Burger Time (I seriously love Burger Time), our hour was surprisingly up. Probably the best use of $10 we've had in a long time. In addition to just the games, they offer snacks and drinks, do Birthday parties or special events, provide computer repair and arcade/game console repair and sell computer systems and arcade games. I'm excited to definitely return here. An easy, cheap way to spend a couple hours out of the house in the afternoon that you don't need to drive all the way down to Zona or Legends for. The owner was super friendly to us and took the time to totally explain everything and the machines to us as we were paying. At only $5 a head, I'm not sure how he is making any money, but hey, I'll take it! We will definitely be back! And maybe I need to look into getting my own Burger Time machine :-]