# PINSPOTTING - SUMMER 2020

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2020-07-27  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2020/07/27/pinspotting-summer-2020

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## Analysis

PinSpotting Summer 2020 feature highlights three gaming destinations in central Illinois founded by John Yates (Vectorman): Route 66 Arcade Museum in Atlanta, IL, and two sister arcades in McLean, IL (Arcadia and Pinball Paradise). The article documents the arcade collections, facility amenities, and Yates' coin-op collecting history spanning 1985 to present, with emphasis on vintage pinball and video game preservation.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] John Yates started collecting coin-op games in 1985, buying his first game console for $99 and now has a stock of over 1500 games — _Direct statement about Yates' collecting history and current inventory size_
- [HIGH] Arcadia opened to the public in fall 2009 after nearly six months of redecorating and modernization — _Explicit opening date and renovation timeline provided_
- [HIGH] Pinball Paradise opened in 2016 in the former McLean State Bank building — _Specific opening year and previous building use stated_
- [HIGH] At least half of the games at both arcades are 25 cents per credit with the remainder being 50 cents per credit — _Firsthand observation by article author_
- [HIGH] Route 66 Arcade Museum is only open during tourist season from April through September, usually 9am to 4pm — _Direct information about museum operating hours_

### Notable Quotes

> "A safe and friendly place much like Andy Griffith's fictional TV town of Mayberry"
> — **John Yates**
> _Describes Yates' characterization of McLean, IL as his adopted hometown with small-town appeal_

> "Where ya'll from?... Welcome to McLean – enjoy your stay!"
> — **McLean, IL resident**
> _Illustrates the welcoming community atmosphere that attracted Yates to establish his gaming destinations_

> "this is a very fun and unique destination that anyone who plays coin-op games will enjoy"
> — **Article author**
> _Summary recommendation for gaming tourists visiting the Illinois arcades_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| John Yates | person | Founder of Route 66 Arcade Museum, Arcadia, and Pinball Paradise; coin-op collector since 1985 known online as Vectorman |
| Route 66 Arcade Museum | organization | Historic arcade museum in Atlanta, IL featuring pinball and video games from 1930s-1990s, seasonal operation April-September |
| Arcadia: America's Playable Arcade Museum | organization | John Yates' flagship arcade in McLean, IL opened 2009, world-class destination with 1500+ game inventory rotated regularly |
| Pinball Paradise | organization | Sister pinball-focused arcade opened 2016 in former McLean State Bank building, adjacent to Arcadia |
| Hotel Arcadia | organization | Gaming-themed Airbnb next to Arcadia opened 2012, features multicades and pinball with free credits for guests |
| Atlanta, IL | organization | Small town on historic Route 66 in Illinois, home of John Yates and Route 66 Arcade Museum |
| McLean, IL | organization | Illinois town where Arcadia and Pinball Paradise are located on town square; adopted hometown of John Yates |
| The Palms Grill Cafe | organization | Atlanta, IL business featuring antique pinball games including Hi-Diver |
| Pinball Paradise | product | Sister arcade venue focused on pinball machines |
| The Addams Family | game | Bally 1992 pinball machine at Arcadia |
| Star Trek: The Next Generation | game | Williams 1993 pinball machine at Arcadia |
| Twilight Zone | game | Bally 1993 pinball machine at Arcadia |
| Theatre of Magic | game | Bally 1995 pinball machine at Pinball Paradise |
| Whitewater | game | Williams 1993 pinball machine featured in Hotel Arcadia Suites |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Arcade venue operation and curation, Vintage pinball machine collection and preservation, Gaming tourism destinations, Coin-op game history and collecting (1930s-1990s era)
- **Secondary:** John Yates' multi-location gaming business ecosystem, Route 66 nostalgia and small-town Americana

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Article presents the three arcades and John Yates' venture in highly favorable light. Author expresses genuine enthusiasm for the destinations ('very fun and unique'), appreciates preservation efforts, and recommends them to fellow gaming enthusiasts. No critical commentary or concerns raised.

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## Transcript

**Date:**
July 2020
**Locations:**114 S.W. Arch Street, Atlanta, IL, USA, 107 S. Hamilton Street, McLean, IL, USA & 260 Center Street, McLean, IL, USA

In this edition of *PinSpotting* we visit three unique gaming destinations in the heartland of America, all founded by a man who, since he was a youth, has been obsessed with coin-op games.

**Route 66 Arcade Museum**
114 S.W. Arch Street, Atlanta, IL 61723, USA
(217) 648-5077

It has been celebrated in song, story, poem, and yes, even a *Route 66* TV show (1960-1964); historic U.S. Route 66 was established in 1926 and ran east-west across the central United States.

[![The stars of the Route 66 TV Series on the cover of TV Guide](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/21-pinspotting-july-2020-693x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/21-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The stars of the Route 66 TV Series on the cover of TV Guide

According to the popular song *Route 66* by John Mayer “*…it winds from Chicago to LA, more than two thousand miles all the way*”. 2448 miles or 3,940 kilometres to be precise.

Tourist attractions designed to get a motorist to take a break from their journey (and spend some cash) along ‘the mother road’ or the ‘main street of America’ are scattered here and there among the small towns that are found along Route 66.

One of these attractions is the *Route 66 Arcade Museum* located in the prototypical small town of Atlanta, IL.

[![The town of Atlanta, Illinois on Route 66](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/02-pinspotting-july-2020-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/02-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The town of Atlanta, Illinois on Route 66

[![The Route 66 Arcade Museum sign](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/03-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x575.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/03-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The Route 66 Arcade Museum sign

At the Route 66 Arcade Museum it is possible to misspend your youth all over again; one quarter at a time! The Museum is chock full of vintage pinball and video games from the 1930s to the 1990s.

*Batting Practice* (Irving Kaye, 1965)
*Block-A-Shot* (Brunswick, 1976)
*Cover Girl* (Kenney, 1947)
*Cue Ball Wizard* (Gottlieb, 1992)
*Dew-Wa-Ditty* (Williams, 1948)
*The Getaway: High Speed II* (Williams, 1992)
*Jacks to Open* (Gottlieb, 1984)
*Raven* (Gottlieb, 1986)
*Space Mission* (Williams, 1976)
*Star Lite* (Exhibit, 1935)

[![The Route 66 Arcade Museum building](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/01-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/01-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The Route 66 Arcade Museum building

The *Route 66 Arcade Museum* is only open during the tourist season from April through September. The museum is opened and closed by a third party but is usually open from 9am to 4pm in season. Hours are currently impacted by Illinois state COVID-19 regulations for entertainment businesses so please check before your visit.

Local Atlanta, IL businesses have gotten into the spirit of gaming, and places such as *[The Palms Grill Cafe](http://www.thepalmsgrillcafe.com/menu/)* just down the street from the *Route 66 Arcade Museum* have antique pinball games on hand.

[![The Hi-Diver at The Palms Grill Cafe](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/19-pinspotting-july-2020-733x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/19-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The Hi-Diver at The Palms Grill Cafe

**[Arcadia: America’s Playable Arcade Museum](https://www.vintagevideogames.com/arcadia)**
107 S. Hamilton Street, McLean, IL 61754, USA
(309) 287-1725

[**Pinball Paradise**](https://www.vintagevideogames.com/pinball-paradise)
260 Center Street, McLean, IL

These two arcades are sister locations and are both located on the McLean, Illinois town square.

*Arcadia: America’s Playable Arcade Museum* is John (Vectorman) Yates’ flagship location located near Atlanta in the scenic and bucolic town of McLean, IL. Yates’ home town is Atlanta, IL, but he has since adopted McLean, IL which he calls “*A safe and friendly place much like Andy Griffith’s fictional TV town of Mayberry*”.

[![Advertising signs in McLean, Illinois](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/05-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x666.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/05-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Advertising signs in McLean, Illinois

We found McLean to be a welcoming town indeed. It’s a nice place to go for a summer evening stroll. Terri and I were doing just that and a resident stopped his truck and rolled down the window. “*Where ya’ll from?*”, he said. We told him and his reply was “*Welcome to McLean – enjoy your stay!*”, and drove off. Something like that certainly wouldn’t happen even in Chicago’s suburbs.

[![The Town Square bell](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/04-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x676.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/04-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The Town Square bell

*Arcadia* was first opened to the public in the fall of 2009 after nearly half-a-year of redecorating and modernization, including a full update to the climate control that would allow gamers to enjoy the classic video games no matter what the Carl Weathers might be outside.

[![The Carl Weathers outside Arcadia was good today](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/06-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x663.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/06-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The Carl Weathers outside Arcadia was good today

This retro arcade was conceived, designed, decorated, and stocked with the goal of being a world-class destination for the pinball and classic video gaming community. Gamers have come to visit *Arcadia* from every state in the USA and many countries of the world.

[![Some of the pinballs at Arcadia](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/08-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x730.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/08-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Some of the pinballs at Arcadia

*The Addams Family* (Bally, 1992)
*Baseball* (Gottlieb, 1970)
*Cue Ball Wizard* (Gottlieb, 1992)
*Doctor Who* (Bally, 1992)
*The Getaway: High Speed II* (Williams, 1992)
*Gilligan’s Island* (Bally, 1991)
*Hot Shot Basketball* (Midway, 1994)
*Judge Dredd* (Bally, 1993)
*Joust* (Williams, 1983)
*Police Force* (Williams, 1989)
*Revenge from Mars* (Bally, 1999)
*Silverball Mania* (Bally, 1980)
*Slug Fest* (Williams, 1991)
*Star Trek: The Next Generation* (Williams, 1993)
*Super Mario Bros.* (Gottlieb, 1992)
*Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World* (Gottlieb, 1992)
*Target Alpha* (Gottlieb, 1976)
*Twilight Zone* (Bally, 1993)
*Waterworld* (Gottlieb, 1995)

[![Slug Fest by Williams](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/13-pinspotting-july-2020-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/13-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Slug Fest by Williams

*Arcadia* has a collection of video game art on the walls including an impressive collection of lighted video game cabinet glasses which gives a distinct retro feel to the interior.

[![The wall of video game marquees](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/07-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/07-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The wall of video game marquees

Yates started collecting coin-op games in 1985, buying his first game console for $99 and now brings titles in regularly from his stock of over 1500 games. Yates says that he has rotated many different games through *Arcadia* since opening in 2009.

[![Some of Arcadia's video games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/10-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x655.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/10-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Some of Arcadia’s video games

[![More upright videos](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/11-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x712.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/11-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

More upright videos

[![Some of the driving games](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/12-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x701.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/12-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Some of the driving games

There is a new free-to-use party room inside *Arcadia* which is available for up to 28 guests. Contact John at the phone number above for information and booking.

*Arcadia* has a comfortable lounge area for those wishing a break from the gaming action. The lounge is located near the front entrance and has a retro-styled Wurlitzer jukebox with ’60s & ’70s songs.

[![Arcadia's lounge area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/09-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x717.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/09-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Arcadia’s lounge area

Neither arcade offers food or beverage service at this time but Yates hopes to offer sandwiches and soft drinks for his visitors in the not-too-distant future.

Yates opened a sister arcade, *Pinball Paradise*, in 2016 which is located in the former McLean State Bank building adjacent to *Arcadia*.

[![Pinball Paradise on Center Street](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/14-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x723.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/14-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Pinball Paradise on Center Street

*Pinball Paradise* is focused on pinball with a half-dozen or so video and other games on hand.

[![Some of the pinballs at Pinball Paradise](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/15-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x768.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/15-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Some of the pinballs at Pinball Paradise

![More pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/16-pinspotting-july-2020-1024x687.jpg)

More pinballs

*The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends* (Data East, 1993)
*The Bally Game Show* (Bally, 1990)
*Baseball* (Gottlieb, 1970)
*Black Knight 2000* (Williams, 1989)
*Capt. Fantastic* (Bally, 1975)
*Demolition Man* (Williams, 1994)
*Dr. Dude* (Bally, 1990)
*The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot* (Williams, 1991)
*Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein* (Sega, 1995)
*Mystery Castle* (Alvin G, 1993)
*No Fear: Dangerous Sports* (Williams, 1995)
*Pool Sharks* (Bally, 1990)
*Red & Ted’s Road Show* (Williams, 1994)
*Revenge from Mars* (Bally, 1999)
*The Shadow* (Bally, 1994)
*Sky-Line* (Gottlieb, 1965)
*Soccer* (Williams, 1964)
*South Park* (Sega, 1999)
*Super Mario Bros.* (Gottlieb, 1992)
*Space Mission* (Williams, 1976)
*Star Race* (Gottlieb, 1980)
*Super Score* (Gottlieb, 1967)
*Theatre of Magic* (Bally, 1995)
*Top Card* (Gottlieb, 1974)
*Voltan Escapes Cosmic Doom* (Bally, 1978)
*Video Pinball* (Atari, 1978)
*Whirlwind* (Williams, 1990)
*Whitewater* (Williams, 1993)
*X’s and O’s* (Bally, 1984)

[![The oldest game in the collection, a Williams Soccer](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/17-pinspotting-july-2020-747x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/17-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

The oldest game in the collection, a Williams Soccer

*Pinball Paradise* also boasts a “*rare Italian-made foosball table*” that should be of interest to table soccer players.

I found that all of *Arcadia’s* and *Pinball Paradise’s* games are in good to excellent condition and both locations have change machines accepting up to $20 bills. At least half of the games are 25 cents per credit with the remainder being 50 cents per credit. Some of the games offer discounts for purchase of 2-3 or more games at a time.

[![Another rare title, Bally's X's & O's](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/18-pinspotting-july-2020-676x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/learn/pinspotting/july-2020/18-pinspotting-july-2020.jpg)

Another rare title, Bally’s X’s & O’s

Yates opened a gaming-themed Airbnb immediately next door to *Arcadia* in 2012. The *[Hotel Arcadia](https://www.vintagevideogames.com/hotel-arcadia-suites)* has several full-sized multicades as well as pinball with a certain number of credits free-of-charge for the guests. The apartment can accommodate up to six people with a bed, sleeper sofa and a ‘kids loft’ accessed by a spiral staircase for either the youngsters or the
very young at heart. More details are available in their [Airbnb listing](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/5308078).

The traveling gamer is also offered guest accommodations at *[Hotel Arcadia Suites](https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/20859348)* (3 bedrooms, 4 beds, 1.5 baths, 2 multicades and a *Whitewater* pinball) and *[Vectorman’s Luxury Arcade Palace](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25865896)* (3 bedrooms, 5 beds, 3.5 baths, with two dozen games including two pinballs). Check their website for more details and booking information.

*Arcadia’s* website shows some of the games in Yates’ collection are available for sale and [there is a list](https://www.vintagevideogames.com/inventory-reduction) that he is taking offers for. Please check with them if you need more information on anything that appears on the ‘For Sale’ or ‘Taking Offers’ lists.

Overall we felt that this is a very fun and unique destination that anyone who plays coin-op games will enjoy. Why not plan to spend a day or two to immerse yourself in this ultimate world of gaming?

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 41ab06c3-45d7-48d3-8f4f-4d9df9b61749*