Star Worlds Arcade in DeKalb, Illinois, established in 1985, has been recognized as one of the last remaining neighborhood arcades from the 1980s. It originally opened on January 11, 1985, in Maple Park, Illinois, with just 18 arcade games. Patrick O'Malley, the founder, started it as a personal collection of games in his parents' garage before moving to a commercial space. The arcade later relocated to DeKalb in 2004 to accommodate more games and visitors.
Interestingly, the name "Star Worlds" came from a chain of arcades that Patrick acquired from Tom Sofranski of Gerault Amusements. The arcade features a mix of classic and modern games, including pinball machines, Dance Dance Revolution, and Mario Kart GP2. They frequently rotate their selection, so there's always something new to try.
Interestingly, the name "Star Worlds" came from a chain of arcades that Patrick acquired from Tom Sofranski of Gerault Amusements. The arcade features a mix of classic and modern games, including pinball machines, Dance Dance Revolution, and Mario Kart GP2. They frequently rotate their selection, so there's always something new to try.
Over the years, Star Worlds has grown into a mix of a classic arcade and a small museum, showcasing collectibles, home video game consoles, and 1980s pop culture memorabilia.
It has also been featured in several documentaries, including Star Worlds: A Pocket Full of Tokens and I'm Heading to the Arcade and Man vs Snake. It’s a true testament to the enduring charm of arcade culture.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Worlds_Arcade