Thinking Caps Replace Joy Sticks At Entros -- An Alternative To Video Arcades

Sure, the popularity of video arcades is exploding, but the continuing success of Entros, Seattle's "intelligent amusement park," proves that a lot of people still prefer interacting with one another to blowing up computer-animated robo-monsters on a screen.

Walk through the creepy-crawly passageway to the main room and you quickly understand the popularity of the 5-year-old game salon. (Plans are under way to expand the Entros concept to other cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago.)

Rooms featuring clever, interactive games - where teamwork is a must - border the lively restaurant/bar area. New games rotate in on a regular basis so frequent visitors won't bore of the selection.

The current crop of games includes the "Blender," a game-show-like attraction complete with chirpy host in which teams pool their wits to answer questions and solve puzzles. Also, look for the "Big Toy Arcade," which taxes physical and mental skills; "Silent Screen," a charade-like game; and "Interface 3.0," a high-tech seek-and-find game.

Teamwork is the key to gaming success at Entros, so it's more fun to go with a group of friends or colleagues (unless, of course, you can't stand working with them).

With some games (the "Cheeseburger Assembly Line," for instance) the let's-all-work-together tasks have a whiff of management-training seminars to them. But once you get over any dorky inhibitions, competitive and creative juices start flowing and the "power of fun" takes over.

Note: Entros is not inexpensive. The entrance fee on weekend nights is $15 per person and dinner can also be a costly affair ($8.95 for a side order of rice pilaf?). There are group discounts, however, as well as special dinner and game-pass packages.

Entros is at 823 Yale Ave. N., Seattle, just southeast of Lake Union (206-624-0057).