by: -RoG-

When we decided to take a day trip up to the top of Big Bear Mountain during our Fourth o' July weekend, I knew there was an arcade up there from having checked out some web sites about the town near Big Bear Lake. What I didn't know is how much of an unsung treasure this place, Super Bear Arcade, really was. This wasn't your average arcade with a few measly games... no, no, no! This was more like a museum that should be recognized as a historical landmark and protected from ever being shut down. It's an arcade where time stands still. An arcade where a quarter still goes a long way and you won't find a single game asking for one or two dollars just to play it. An arcade that reminds us all that you don't need the latest amazing 3D graphics to have a great time playing video games. I've always had a fondness for that warm glow of real quality arcades along with all of the extremely colorful cabinets, so the following is a large photo collection featuring most of what fun you can experience at Super Bear Arcade, along with a few of the great sights from the drive up the mountain.

A mighty majestic mountain landscape if I've ever seen one! These are the kind of rides in the car I live for.

Part of the excitement was wondering if our car would make it to the summit before we ran out of gas.

When we finally reached Big Bear Lake, it was clear they were ready for the Fourth o' July weekend.
(technically we arrived on July 5th, but that was the plan all along)

Here's a photo I snapped of the lake while simultaneously driving the car and talking on the phone.
How's that for dangerous multitasking? We did get to go for a ride on a speedboat with one of our
friends who has a house up there, and it was a damned good time. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos
of us riding on the lake. In all honesty, I consider myself lucky to not have been thrown from the boat as we
sped along the lake, so bringing a camera along probably would've been a bad idea anyway.

This little town by Big Bear Lake has pretty much everything a vacationer needs.
Novelty shops, clothing shops, bars, a movie theater and...

THE HOUSE OF JERKY!
Don't let the sign fool ya, they also had alligator too for those of you wanting to... eat an alligator?

Nothing like a novelty plush "Pee & Poo" set to remind you of just how aristocratic we humans can be.

Big... Hairy... Balls. I almost bought them until I remembered I was born with a set.

If Play-Doh scented cologne doesn't drive the ladies wild, I am officially giving up on humanity.

I really wanted to buy this goat head which I have dubbed "Robo-Goat", but it was just too pricey.

What's that I see beyond the Jack In The Box? No time for hamburgers Dr. Jones, it's Super Bear Arcade time!

And there it be - Super Bear Arcade!

Super Bear couldn't be happier to see you.

This demonic-looking horse from hell, however, you might want to keep your distance from.

Star Wars: Episode I + a creepy statue to ride with? NO.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Ok, yeah, now this guy I could ride with, but I feel like you should get a free snowcone with every ride.

Egads! They still make Pizzarias!? I friggin' LOVED Pizzarias chips when Keebler was still making them.
They really did taste like pizza and the chips almost had a doughy texture when you chewed 'em. These aren't
the Keebler brand, but it's still the exact same stuff. Glad to see they're still in production to some extent.

If this hobo clown wasn't so creepy, it would probably be harder for
me to keep my distance and not eat that cotton candy hair of his.

Coca-Cola sponsored racing? Hey, whatever pays the bills to get the games made.

They have plenty o' good pinball games at Super Bear Arcade, including one of my all-time favorites
The Addams Family pinball machine. If you've never played it, you're really missing out, so track one down!

There are still many more
Super Bear Arcade photos to see!
Click here to continue onward to page 2!