ERVING — The French King Bowling Center’s arcade recently leveled up, having switched gaming companies to update its arsenal and give customers a more modern experience.

Manager Erik Semb said it took Burris Vending two days to install the new games about a month ago and he has been hearing rave reviews ever since.

“Kids and adults love it,” he said. “We’ll do really well in the fall/winter seasons.”

Semb, whose 82-year-old father still owns the business at 55 French King Highway and actively works there, said the bowling alley cut ties with New Hampshire supplier Mohawk Music & Games after about 20 years and signed a three-year contract with Burris Vending in Dalton.

“It was time for new games,” he said. “The birthday-party kids love it now. Just overall, everybody loves it.”

There are no more game tokens or tickets — both are recorded on game cards, like at Dave & Buster’s and other arcade and entertainment chains.

“The cards are so much easier,” Semb said. “You can reactivate the card or buy a new card.”

And the front counter that once held the prizes gamers can win now houses pro shop merchandise, including bowling shoes, towels, socks and sock covers. Prizes are now dispensed from a “Prize Hub” machine in the arcade.

Semb said any customer can call Burris Vending regarding an issue with a play card or a game and have a problem dealt with immediately. The president of the Western New England Candlepin Bowling Association, he found out about Burris Vending from friend Steve Butler, who owns North Star Bowl in Wilmington, Vermont.

The French King Bowling Center had arcade games sprinkled around the building until 2004, when the Sembs closed a bar in a side room and removed some bowling lanes to give the arcade games a designated space.

The new games include Willy Crash, Fruit Ninja FX, Maze Escape and Temple Run. There is also Lane Master, a two-lane video bowling game that uses sensors to translate real ball rolls into the software.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or
413-930-4120.

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