It's Not Your 'Cade, It's Not My 'Cade -- It's Arcade -- A Gamer's Guide To Local Amusement Centers

Let's face it - we're just a bunch of game-playing fools.

It's no mistake that mega-arcades Wizards of the Coast and GameWorks debuted their products here. Or that old-school game-room throwbacks such as Shorty's and Hi-Score have found a niche in town. Whether it's cutting-edge video games or vintage pinball, in the past year Seattle has become the place for quarter-poppin' gamers.

But before you head out, crack open your piggy bank. While some games can still be played for a quarter, most cost between 50 cents and a buck. And new super high-tech games at GameWorks and Wizards can cost as much as $5 a pop. With that in mind, here's a guide to some of our favorite arcades (all are open daily):

Fun-n-Games, Northgate Mall (north end), Seattle (206-367-0680).

Vibe: After-school special.

Every mall needs an arcade. Where else can high-school kids hang out? The mostly teenage crowd burns its quarters on "Tekkon 3," "Streetfighter 3" and "Cruisin' USA."

Fueling up: (Rules, rules, rules.) No food allowed.

Number of games: 60.

Lights out: 9:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday.

Bonus round: The ticket redemption games are popular. There's also a Fun-n-Games in the Alderwood Mall.

Gametown, 14822 Pacific Highway S., Tukwila (206-241-9108).

Vibe: Friendly, family fun.

There's no smoking allowed at this 16-year-old Tukwila hangout.

Fueling up: Small snack bar.

Number of games: 50.

Lights out: Midnight Sunday-Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Bonus round: Great party rates ($70 an hour; everyone plays free) available before noon or after closing.

GameWorks, 1511 Seventh Ave., Seattle (206-521-0952).

Vibe: High-tech uber-arcade where "few things say `party' quite like machine guns and dinosaurs."

You might want to break out the Dramamine. With all the simulation/stimulation games - snowboarding, jet skiing, helicopter flying - vertigo is just one misstep away.

Fueling up: Full restaurant, bar and Elysian brew pub on second level.

Number of games: 250; new games rotate in on regular basis.

Lights out: 12:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 1:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 p.m. Sunday. Must be 18 or older to enter after 10 p.m.

Bonus round: $10 pass lets you play all games (except the new "Jurassic Park" game) during the last two hours of each day.

Hi-Score, 612 E. Pine St., Seattle (206-860-8839).

Vibe: Shorty's Jr.

This 3-week-old Capitol Hill joint joins the low-tech celebration. "Centipede," "Defender" and "Ms. Pac Man" keep the rapidly growing hipster clientele happy.

Fueling up: Assorted chips pretty much covers it.

Number of games: 20.

Lights out: 10 p.m. Sunday, midnight Monday-Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Bonus round: Superior sound effects on "Asteroids" and the best jukebox of any pinball hall.

Quarters, 206 Main St., Kirkland (425-889-2555).

Vibe: Good, clean family fun.

Classics like "Galaga" and "Asteroids" share space with the new racing and fighting games. Also available: skee ball and other skills games, which award tickets that can be redeemed for prizes.

Fueling up: Not much to choose from. Eat before you get here.

Number of games: 50.

Lights out: 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, midnight Friday-Saturday.

Bonus round: Regular video-game tournaments with great prizes add to the fun.

Seattle Funplex, 1541 15th Ave. W., Seattle (206-285-7842).

Vibe: Amusement park in a box.

This strip-mall establishment at the base of the Magnolia Bridge has all of the new video and pinball games, plus miniature golf, laser tag, amusement rides, a batting cage and, our favorite, bumper cars. How much more fun can you possibly stand?

Fueling up: There's a reason they call it a snack bar.

Number of games: Lots and lots.

Lights out: 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, midnight Friday-Saturday.

Bonus round: $15.95 gets kids unlimited miniature golf, laser tag, bumper cars, mini roller coaster, six batting-cage tokens and one large popcorn. That oughta last 'em a couple of days.

Shorty's Coney Island, 2222 3/4 Second Ave., Seattle (206-441-5449).

Vibe: Retro hip.

Step back in time at this "boardwalk" parlor where the main attractions are old-school, low-tech games just a few blips and bleeps above "Pong."

Fueling up: Beer, wine, pop and hot dogs any way you like 'em (including the popular "Phony Coney" vegi-dog).

Number of games: 22; mostly early '80s-era video games and pinball.

Lights out: 2 a.m. daily.

Bonus round: Don't miss the cozy back-room bar.

Wizards of the Coast Game Center, 4518 University Way N.E., Seattle (206-675-1608).

Vibe: Gamers' paradise.

Game playing is a lifestyle at Wizards. Upstairs is the high-tech arcade in all of its 31st-century splendor. Downstairs there's the NORAD-like War Room and the medieval Game Room (very popular with the "Magic" card-game crowd).

Fueling up: Flight Lounge offers basic sandwiches and soft drinks.

Number of games: 200; plus 32 computer terminals featuring Sony PlayStation and Nintendo games.

Lights out: Midnight daily.

Bonus round: There's no charge to check out board and card games - "Monopoly," "Scrabble," "Uno," etc.

Zones, 2207 Bellevue-Redmond Road, Redmond (425-746-9411).

Vibe: Chuck E. Cheese graduates.

Families enjoy this newly remodeled entertainment center, which in two weeks adds laser tag to its roster of video games, miniature golf and bumper cars.

Fueling up: Cafe serves pizza, hot dogs and other snacks.

Number of games: 100 video and redemption games.

Lights out: 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.

Bonus round: Choose the $4.95 value pack for all the bumper cars and miniature golf you can handle.