Arcade Review: Button Mash, LA
Arcade Review: Button Mash LA
For great reward, there must be great risk. This is the case for making the journey to Button Mash Arcade & Asian Fusion Restaurant, off Sunset Boulevard. If we haven’t made it universally clear before, being buried alive in an airtight metal coffin is typically always preferable than driving through traffic in LA.
However, loyal readers, in this particular instance the reward is great. We at Geekscape.net have driven across country, and braved many a freeway ventures, but at last dearest readers we have found Geek Valhalla, and it just so happens to be off Sunset Boulevard…
THE PRESENTATION
Like most buildings in downtown LA, you tend to miss them while you focus on not crashing into the idiot texting in front of you. However, if your F-Zero reflexes are quick enough to spot an ordinary green building while driving down Sunset, you just might be able to enter the Button Mash parking lot. The lot is small, cramped, and more than likely full. Don’t be discouraged. Find a meter somewhere and walk. We can’t stress this enough, your patience shall be rewarded.
Upon entering the building, you may experience a brief sensory overload. Calm yourself. That’s just the PTSD from driving in LA contrasting with the bright and inviting atmosphere. There are a number of other clashes too. You are assuredly entering an arcade. You’re also entering a fully functional Asian fusion restaurant. You’re entering a bar. And, tucked away in the back is a rather unique merch shop. More on that later.
Suffice to say, there’s a lot going on with the decor. It definitely has a lived in, and distinctly 80’s vibe. It’s not trying to be the coolest bar or restaurant on the block. What it is trying (and succeeding) to be is your childhood living room. A kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and sounds arranged intentionally to get your brain to tell you, “You’re home.”
But we’re not interior decorators, so let’s get to the real reason you came here…
THE GAMES
Yes, there are games a plenty. Taking up nearly every square inch of floor space in the long room to the right of the bar are arcade cabinets from across nearly thirty years of gaming. Sega, Capcom, Nintendo, Atari, Namco, a collection so vast they can’t all be crammed in the space Button Mash has dedicated to showcase their games. So instead, the cabinets are swapped out for you to have a unique experience almost every time you come back. Believe us, you will come back. We haven’t even got to the pinball machines yet.
It certainly doesn’t have the quantity of other arcades, but Button Mash has absolutely set a high bar for quality. They’ve even taken to printing their own custom tokens. One token for games. Two for pinball. Don’t have cash? No problem. Just add five or ten dollars to your tab at the bar, lunch, or dinner bill and enjoy. Again, even if they did manage to squeeze more games into their spacious and clean game room there’s still plenty to keep you occupied for the better part of an afternoon, late night, and possibly early morning.
This is a space built for gamers of all ages. It’s also a space built to let the adults have their own chance to wind down after nine. If you’re over twenty one and plan on staying late, be sure to have ID with you.
In the unlikely event that you do happen to play through everything that’s on the floor (at the time) and work up an appetite, Button Mash has you covered.
THE EXTRAS
It may be unfair to classify the full kitchen as an extra, but in our hunt for great arcades the games come first. That being said, your appetite will be satisfied, your thirst quenched, and your need for classic Wrestle Mania matches appeased. The food is delicious, eclectic, and not to hard on the wallet. Also, keeping with Button Mash unique design aesthetic, the checks are delivered inside paperback horror and Sci-Fi novels.
So how to commemorate your journey to this godsend of an arcade? How about some unique retro video game art? Or some video game vinyl produced exclusively in house? I’m not saying this arcade has everything you need, but there is certainly something in the PWN Shop you’ll be dying to have. Among the varied list of gamer merchandise was a vinyl copy of the Journey soundtrack, next to a rack of Bullet Bill plushies. So, friendly warning, if you’re a die hard gamer and don’t have a frugal friend with you, there’s a high probability you will go broke.
THE VERDICT
The only day you should not be at this arcade is when they’re closed on Mondays. If you’re reading this today (Tuesday) and you’re not currently on your way to Button Mash, what are you doing with your life? School? Working? Yeah, well, I guess you have to get cash to play all those sweet video games somehow.
Other than the dire parking situation, which can be easily overcome by arriving before they open, this place is a near perfect nerd trifecta; great games, good food, and unique merch. Arriving early will also mostly guarantee you get enough game time. This place gets crowded quick and rightfully so. All in all, if you want to make it through the work week, or need something to look forward to come Friday, look no further than Button Mash Arcade.
