Ellie Ocel/The Broadside

The walls are illuminated by the red and orange glow of vintage games. The sound of pinball machines and video games serve as the soundtrack to those rediscovering a love for all their old favorite games. This is Vector Volcano, a downtown arcade on Oregon Avenue.

Founded almost seven years ago, Vector Volcano has a large collection of arcade games, from Pinball to Pac-Man to Centipede. 

Brett Pulliam, owner of Vector Volcano, said he has been collecting arcade games since 1996. Back then, he would find games at arcade auctions or from friends. Now, he has added eBay and Craigslist to his sources. 

When Pulliam moved to Bend in 2014, there was not an arcade in the area. So, he decided to put his collection to good use and open Vector Volcano. 

Pulliam is passionate about keeping each game original in the arcade. People notice the originality, and can see the difference between remakes or fakes and Vector Volcano’s games. 

Chad Slavin, server at Vector Volcano, has worked there for about five years. His favorite game is Jurassic Park, a pinball machine. 

“It’s 80% skill and 20% luck,” said Slavin. The game’s objective is to complete the map by getting the ball to certain targets, such as the T-Rex’s mouth. 

Slavin explained that Jurassic Park and similar pinball machines are like a story with different chapters to work through. The easiest way to work through the chapters is to learn the rules. 

“If you learn the rules, the game is easier,” said Slavin. The rules help people learn what to aim for within the pinball machine in order to progress the story and work through the map. 

Admission to Vector Volcano costs six dollars, with unlimited play for all games except pinball, which requires quarters to play. More information can be found at this link.