Ray's Game Center (San Diego/La Jolla)

Deadbolt · 06-28-2006, 02:06 AM

Ray's Game Center
8657 Villa La Jolla Dr #121
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 546-8209

Percussion Freaks 9th Mix ($1/3 songs)
Dance Dance Revolution: Extreme ($1/3 songs)
In the Groove 2 ($1/3 songs)

I just went there today after orientation from UCSD; it was small and very well-hidden in the La Jolla Village Square, but eventually, I found it.

The PF and DDR was in decent->good shape but I wasn't able to test out the ITG (non-dedi) machine since JJ was playing on it.

Who here frequents here? Starting in the Fall, I'm fairly sure I will be coming here a lot since I will never be in the mood to drive up to AI.

ANGRY ABOUT ENGLISH · 06-28-2006, 04:13 AM

I swear I'll get up there one of these days. I only hear about the place from every Drummania player in town who's better than me (ie, every Drummania player in town.) Can't say I'm a regular, though, I've been to Nickel City more often than I have Ray's. (Nickel City very nice for a selection of Bemani games, though... not the latest versions, by any means, but a nice selection.)

Deadbolt · 06-28-2006, 09:04 PM

What Bemani (and I guess non-Bemani) games are there in Nickel City? I'll have my car when in UCSD, so I'll be visiting a lot of the local arcades there.

What I don't like about the PF 9th, though, is the lack of songs. The only somewhat difficult songs there were CiB, MB, and Tamayura. It was difficult using the sticks provided by the machine, so I regret not taking my own pair from home :{

ANGRY ABOUT ENGLISH · 06-29-2006, 03:34 AM

Actually have plans to hit Ray's tomorrow with a buddy, all willing, so we'll see how that goes. (Mail's in my profile if anyone wants to try a meetup. PM might be caught, I'd try the Gmail, though.)

Nickel City had, as of about two months ago:
* Drummania... 4th? (Some mid-series mix.)
* Guitar Freaks 2nd
* DancemaniaX 2nd J-Append
* bmIII 6th Append
* A really well-kept ITG2 made from an Extreme
* a variety of games, mixing old and more than a couple new ones (as well as the obligatory ticket games).

Deadbolt · 06-29-2006, 03:53 AM

How much is admission for Nickel City? I just read on itgfreak that it was $.40/3 songs, which isn't too bad if the fee to get in is less than $5.

ANGRY ABOUT ENGLISH · 06-29-2006, 11:40 AM

$2 for a stamp that'll let you go in and out of the place all day. (Helpful if you want to break for lunch or something.) At the very least, I'd say head there once just to see if you'd want to head back. It's definitely cheap enough, a $5 lasted me an entire Saturday once.

edit: Went to Ray's, played some DM 9th and ITG2. The ITG's pretty good condition, only screwup on it was my own (not looking at the buttons and hitting "select" instead of "right" fucked up my first song). Owner's a nice guy, just make sure you leave drinks in a bag or something, though, he doesn't want 'em inside (although this whole thing is about as big as some mall shops all around, so just putting a bottle by the door or something would work most of the time.)

iiidx3rdstyle · 06-30-2006, 04:04 PM

Maybe I'll head to Ray's today.

Deadbolt · 07-02-2006, 02:19 PM

Ray's is smaller than most mall shops, in my experience; it can really be seen as more of a mall nook than anything :{

I wish it was bigger.

iiidx3rdstyle · 07-03-2006, 03:07 PM

During the old school days when DDR's popularity was still blossoming, Ray held 2 tournaments (DDR Drags 1 and 2) there on his DDR 4th Mix Plus. During those days, Deseret Books wasn't there so basically, he had all that space of what Deseret Books took up so it was in fact much larger and bigger than AI.

ANGRY ABOUT ENGLISH · 07-03-2006, 03:33 PM

Oh yes... should I be assuming the old guy there who reluctantly changed my pennies into quarters was Ray? I just wondered, so if he isn't, I don't make an ass of myself.

Deadbolt · 07-03-2006, 04:38 PM

If it was some guy who looked like an old muppet character, then yes--it was Ray.

iiidx3rdstyle · 07-03-2006, 06:14 PM

Ok going again today. In fact, leaving right now.

Deadbolt · 07-25-2006, 02:13 AM

Does anyone know the pad's condition for ITG2?

I just got into ITG (Doing 11s and some 12s) and want to know whether to go to Ray's or some other Dedicab in San Diego.

Phil ver0 · 07-25-2006, 02:40 AM

I'm still waiting for the place to get some fighting games.........that's current.

ANGRY ABOUT ENGLISH · 07-25-2006, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deadbolt

Does anyone know the pad's condition for ITG2?

Let's put it this way: I had no pad fucks, nor did a (much better) player I was with. If they're not well-kept, they don't take too much damage.