Important as it is, Sega World London is just one part of the Trocadero's arcade legacy- the other belongs to Funland. This thread tells its story.

Initially, arcade machines had been in the Troc ever since reopening in 1984, but in no proper constant capacity. Giving the centre a much needed boost, a finalised arcade opened in the left area of the building at the beginning of 1990- known as Funland.

Ran by Family Leisure, an up and coming amusements operations, company, they took to providing a wholly video gaming experience to their customers. A bumper car track was installed, and no gambling machines could be found, making an early example of a Family Entertainment Centre.

The venue was immediately a massive success. Thus, a second floor expansion and new entrance followed in 1991, known as Laser Bowl. This included mini 'Bowlingo' bowling lanes, and one of the UK's first ticket redemption areas.

As well as this, numerous Virtuality units appeared, both in the arcade and a new basement outlet. Still fondly remembered, the machines would become fixtures in the arcade for the rest of the decade.

Over the next few years, Funland kept a status as one of the best UK arcades, hosting tournaments and frequently obtaining the latest machines. Notable games housed there in this era included a pair of Sega R-360's and Ridge Racer Full Scale, amongst many others.

These reviews of multiple games on show at Funland, in the pages of the April 1994 issue of Computer & Video Games, just go to show how big of a deal it was for arcade gamers-

At first, Sega World's 1996 opening posed a problem. In comparison to its 6 floors, the centre seemed paltry, and exclusive games like Virtua Fighter 3 didn't help. However, with Sega falling out of favour, and an effort still being made, Funland went from strength to strength.

By 2000, Sega were out of the Trocadero. The opportunity came for Family Leisure to take control of the space, and provide an arcade on a large scale that could work well. Things were hopeful from the outset, after a successful revamp containing a new bowling alley and bar.

Boosting the place was the rhythm game mania that had taken hold of arcades across the globe, most especially the freestyle scenes for dance games like Pump It Up, Ez2Dancer and Dance Dance Revolution. Funland fully revelled in it, becoming a hotspot for the country's scene.

However, other arcade scenes were going stagnant. Fighting games diminished, and consoles now outdid the hardware of their machine equivalents. Additionally, management of the floors was becoming too much for Family Leisure, a notable increase in crime being too big to ignore.

This made management come to a tough decision- downsize. By October 2002, the top 5 floors were closed off entirely, with barriers put up in front of their visible balconies, and blocking access off from the 2nd escalator.

Funland's local regulars and steady tourist trade were still there, but as public view of the Troc worsened, and the lucrativeness of arcades decreased, it became less and less relevant. Maintenence happened more infrequently, and older games weren't replaced as often.

In 2005, the first nail in Funland's coffin was hammered. Acquiring the Trocadero building, Criterion Capital planned to convert significant parts of it into a hotel. This did not gel well with the remaining areas that were still open, and decay began to set in.

Sections of the main atrium were rented out to what were essentially just market stalls, giving it an odd feel. Neon lights dimmed, and no point was any decor refurbished, with much from the 90's remaining. Funland's surrounding world was declining fast.

But, although the dance and fighting games scenes died down, some players stayed, and new releases still came into the venue when their presence was at an all time low in most other arcades. Street Fighter IV, Tekken 6, Pump It Up NX and Ez2Dancer Super China, all appeared there.

Right up to 2011, Funland held on to a lot of its regular visitors, with no amount of running down deterring them- support continued, after all. Yet, nothing could save the venue from its demise, and on July 4th, it closed its doors for the final time. RIP Funland, 1990-2011.

Just why had it closed down? There were numerous reasons, some going on for years by that point, but the most relevant one was the ongoing aminosity between Funland's management and Criterion. The latter's plan had been to force them out since 2005, and it had worked.

The aftermath was an outpouring out of sadness for most- regular visitors or not, the arcade meant a lot to many people. Other arcades in London just weren't the same.

Needless to say, without Funland, the Trocadero felt completely empty immediately- these pictures say it all.

Most machines from Funland were sold or moved to other arcades, including the basement of Family Leisure's own Las Vegas Arcade in Soho, where the dance games scene's players shifted to, for the most part.

The Trocadero itself didn't last much longer, finally shutting up for refurbishment as a hotel in 2014. Plans for said hotel have stalled since, and Funland's floors still sit mostly unused, besides a few restaurants, a Crystal Maze experience, and several tacky souvenir stores.

To some, Funland may have just looked like a poor replacement post Sega World- but it was so much more to so many people, over its 20 years of service. An arcade like it may never be seen again, certainly in London.

end thread