Aftershock Retrogames

03/20/2022

Have you been to our new arcade bar location at 1444 E Washington Ave yet? Have you started following our page for daily specials, & other fun announcements? If not, you should! We're still growing & there's lots to come! 🤘👾

It’s a great day to get out of the house and have some fun. We’re open today 11 AM to 10 PM!

12/03/2021

Before & after shots of the control panel for our Ms Pacman project. Looking fresh! Just waiting on some new parts to arrive before she's all done. 🤘👾

12/02/2021

While we are still working hard to open our arcade, we took a little time to hook the Monona Public Library up with a special multi-game for our continuing fundraiser program with them! Many of the core classics are featured including Donkey Kong, Ms Pacman, Galaga, Dig Dug, Frogger, & more! All quarters are donated, so give generously & enjoy a few games next time you're in!

11/14/2021

The front panel of our Ms Pacman had a lot of flaked paint. In order to restore the graphics we had to draw in the line work where the bare wood was exposed, then scrape more flaked paint away, & repeat the process until all of the graphics were accounted for & the surface was stable to accept it's new coat.

11/13/2021

11/04/2021

Alright, gang! It's been awhile! We hope you're all well. We've been very busy behind the scenes, & now it's time for a big announcement! After many years of searching for the right partnership & a great location, we're happy to say that we've found both & we're finally opening our own arcade space again! To everyone who has followed us on our adventures over the years, thank you so much for your support & inspiring us to continue moving forward. We cannot wait to share our games with you in what is certainly the best space we've put together yet! Follow our new page, Aftershock Classic Arcade, for updates! See you soon! 🤘👾

09/27/2021

Thanks to Wisconsin Retrocade for sharing another old article from 2004 featuring our second arcade location on State Street!

'PAC-MAN STILL THE MAN' by Judy Newman from the June 3rd, 2004 State Journal. Photos by Steve Apps. (Page 1 of 2).
Brad Van of Aftershock Retrogames is featured.

08/28/2021

Another vintage article featuring us courtesy of Wisconsin Retrocade! They're digging up stuff we don't even remember now! 😄🤘👾

'GAME OVER -- Pac-Man and other classic games are getting gobbled up by progress' by Katjusa Cisar from the July 3rd, 2008 Capital Times. Photo of Brad Van by Michelle Stocker.
UW Madison Memorial Union, Union South, Modern Specialty, ShowBiz Pizza, Roman Candle Pizzeria at 1920 Parameter Street in Middleton, Ping-Time on State Street, and Aftershock Retrogames are referenced.
Page 1 of 2.

08/12/2021

Thanks to Wisconsin Retrocade for featuring a little bit of our history! We've been at it for so long, all of our retro arcade locations are retro! 😆

But just wait! There's more to come... 🤘👾

Proprietor Brad Van in front of the original location of Aftershock Retrogames at 1311 Northport Drive in Madison.

Excerpt from a 2007 Isthmus article, Brad Van states; “Aftershock Retrogames was the name of my arcade. I opened it to the public in the fall of 2000 on the north side of Madison [1311 Northport Drive]. I spent a couple of years at that location and grew steadily until I had an opportunity to move downtown and partner up with a business called Ping-Time [506 State Street]. After that, I relocated again to a space behind a thrift store [The Attic] on Williamson Street [916 or 918 Williamson Street]. Once they went out of business, I decided to just put everything in storage until the time was right to reopen properly.”

Brad then provided machines for Rossi’s Vintage Arcade at 4503 Monona Drive in Monona.
http://rossispizzamonona.com/arcade.php
After a falling out with the owner of Rossi’s in 2015, Brad Van made the decision to remove his wares from Rossi’s. Rossi’s then partnered with another classic arcade operator, and Brad Van continued to provide machines to other locales in both Madison and Milwaukee.

Photo Source: https://m.facebook.com/237057096409064/photos/a.610904829024287/3897764677004936/?type=3&source=57

Info Sources:
https://isthmus.com/arts/brad-van-introduces-retro-arcade-week/
https://www.tonemadison.com/articles/arcade-drama-on-monona-drive
https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/3lua9v/arcade_games_removed_from_rossis_after_internal/
https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/know-your-madisonian-metalhead-arcade-enthusiast-brad-van-looks-to-new-venture/article_d5e597c5-fabe-5c66-a1fd-2070b10d310f.html

06/04/2021

Not quite as beautiful of a day for... Gameventure 2: Out Running The Storm! The warrior needs gas station food. Badly! Spoiler alert. No arcade machines were drenched in the making of this post. Coming soon to a true classic arcade near you! 🤘👾