2011 News

Our biggest party of the year, the New Year’s Eve Free Play Party will begin at 5pm on Saturday, December 31st and won’t end until we hit 2012!

Enjoy free gaming all night long on over 100 arcade games and pinball machines and level up with a champagne toast at midnight.

Landau Boyz and DJ Ghostdad will provide the soundtrack for your most legendary New Year’s Eve yet!

Doors open at 5pm. 21+ only – please bring valid I.D.! $15 cover – no quarters necessary!

NOTE: Capacity is limited – please do not bring any large bags or backpacks!

WHAT: New Year’s Eve Free Play Party

WHEN: Saturday, December 31st, 5pm-close.

COVER: $15 per person at the door for free gaming all night and a champagne toast at midnight! 21+ only – please be ready with valid I.D. There may be a line at the door once the night gets going – please be patient and we’ll get you in as soon as possible!

- Posted by Art

Pop quiz: Of all the ways we could upgrade Ground Kontrol’s already awesome pile of fun, what’s the one thing you’ve requested more than any other? “Booze, booze, booze!” Well, okay, that’s three things, but we’re excited that the certification, stocking, and training are complete, and we can finally grant your wish:

Ground Kontrol is now officially a full-service bar. If you’re 21 years of age or older, you and your friends can now enjoy mixed drinks and libations in addition to our usual selection of fine beer, wine and cider.

What’ll it be? Whiskey and Whitewater? Rum and Robotron? The possibilities are endless!

- Posted by Anthony

Update 12/9/11: Ernest Cline has arranged to have a DeLorean parked outside for photo opportunities prior to the signing! Live your time-travel fantasies or just look really, really cool next to one of the most iconic vehicles of the ’80s and get photo proof, too!

Ernest Cline, author of Ready Player One, is coming to Ground Kontrol for a reading, signing and Q&A event!

Ready Player One “is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.” (More: http://www.readyplayerone.com/synopsis)

The reading and Q&A will begin at 4pm on Saturday, December 17. All ages are welcome until 5pm (and they will get the first chance to have their books signed!). Those 21 and older are welcome to stick around and have their book signed after 5pm – and enjoy a cold beer at our bar, too!

We hope you can join us for this special event! If you have yet to read Ready Player One, don’t worry – copies will be available for sale thanks to St. Johns Booksellers.

WHAT: Ready Player One author reading, signing and Q&A event with Ernest Cline

WHEN: Saturday, December 17. Reading, Q&A and all-ages signing 4pm-5pm. 21+ signing 5pm-6pm.

COVER: No cover! All ages are welcome until 5pm. After 5pm, attendees must be 21+ with valid I.D.

- Posted by Art

A special live show with Robot Uprise and Neo G Yo!

A hybrid of sci-fi fiction and music, Robot Uprise brings to life the dark-dance music from the comic book “Cognition: The Robot Uprise”. Robot voices, powerful synths, and real lasers make Robot Uprise a geek dream.

Samples: http://cognitioncomic.com/blog/music/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/CognitionComic?blend=9&ob=5

More: http://www.cognitioncomic.com/

Neo G Yo comes to the mic with a desire to share his feelings for balance, party energy and nerd thoughts, while keeping his strongest influences, Slick Rick and Wu-Tang, in his heart. With his main producers Dragon and Winston Lane providing an electro influenced backdrop for his words, Neo brings his own style of Futro (future-retro) to the Earth.

Songs: http://www.myspace.com/neogyo

WHAT: Live show with Robot Uprise and Neo G Yo

WHEN: Sunday, November 27. Starts at 8pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade will be closed for Thanksgiving, Thursday 11/24. We’ll re-open at Noon on Friday 11/25.

Have a great holiday and we will see you Friday!

- Posted by Art

Old-school video game technology is reborn as a musical mechanism at Micropalooza, Portland’s only annual chiptune festival! Held at Ground Kontrol since 2003, Micropalooza 2011 will feature favorite artists from the Pacific Northwestand beyond at both the Jupiter Hotel and Ground  Kontrol Classic Arcade.

Presented by A Jumps B Shoots, Jupiter Hotel and Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, Micropalooza 2011 will debut a new format – an all-ages show in Jupiter Hotel’s covered outdoor patio and a 21+ show in Ground Kontrol’s lounge. Artists Mechlo and the Bad Bits (Portland/Bend), Chipocrite (Philadelphia, PA), Plain Flavored (Portland), Spamtron (Portland), Ovenrake (Puyallup, WA), Operation Mission (Portland) and Andreas (Portland) will pump pixelated pop and deconstructed dance music all day and all night to Portland’s ever-growing number of chiptune fans.

All-ages are welcome at the Jupiter Hotel show (2pm-6pm), and those 21 and older are invited to the Ground Kontrol show (7pm-11pm) as well!

Advance tickets are on sale now for the all-day, all-night event at the Micropalooza website, along with a full schedule and more information on the performers (including sound and video clips): http://micropalooza.groundkontrol.com

WHAT: Micropalooza 2011, a live chiptune festival
WHERE:

All-ages (2pm-6pm) Jupiter Hotel, 800 East Burnside Street.

21+ (7pm-11pm) Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch Street.

WHEN: Sunday, November 20 from 2pm-6pm (Jupiter Hotel) and 7pm-11pm (Ground Kontrol)

COVER: $10 for both shows. Advance tickets on sale at the Micropalooza website.

- Posted by Art

Those of you following our blog know that Scott McKinnon AKA “Mink Staccato”, local pinball expert and good friend, passed away in the spring of this year. Scott was always looking for ways to raise awareness and interest in his favorite pastime, and went so far as to teach an informal “Pinball 101″ course that introduced newcomers to the game and helped intermediate players hone their techniques.

A few years ago, when Scott worked downtown, he would frequent Ground Kontrol on weekday afternoons. At that time he and I discussed the idea of rounding up another group of students and leading them through a course at Ground Kontrol. The course didn’t come to pass, unfortunately, but while going through some old papers recently, I found the “lesson plan” that he had prepared.

Here, then, are Scott’s “Ten Commandments of Pinball.” Besides being a fitting addition to his legacy, they’re also great advice for anyone who wants to improve their skills and increase their enjoyment of the great game of pinball.

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Anthony

It’s that time of year again when the leaves begin to turn brown, things go bump in the night, and candy bars shrink down to “fun size”… it’s Halloween! And that means it’s time for Ground Kontrol’s first annual Halloween throw-down — Giga-Fright.

Sponsored by Floating World Comics, Voodoo Doughnuts, and Critical Hit Burlesque, expect a night of gruesome gaming, a killer costume contest, Halloween High-Scores, and your chance to spin Ground Kontrol’s Hall-O-Wheel for big prizes and a random Halloween themed video game challenge! Giga-Fright will be held from 7:00pm to 1:00am at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, featuring a devilishly delicious food and drink menu and a multitude of manic prizes, all set to a freaky fun soundtrack from guest DJs Willy Joy (Kid Sister/Trouble & Bass), Epor, and Capcom D!

In addition, Ground Kontrol will be accepting entries for its first ever Console Costume Contest through the night of Giga-Fright. Dress up your favorite console in its Halloween finest and you could walk away with the grand prize – a brand-new Retro Duo combo NES-and-SNES system! All entries will be photographed for Ground Kontrol’s Facebook page, and may even be on display through the Halloween season! Stay tuned for more announcements and surprises here at Ground Kontrol’s website or at Facebook!

For more on the Console Costume Contest, including rules, visit the Facebook event page!

Update: High-quality prints of the original, amazing poster art you see above —  illustrated by Zack Soto — will be available for purchase during Giga-Fright and throughout the Halloween season, or while supplies last!

Update, re: Costumes – Please be sure your mask can be removed before entering the arcade, and keep it off until it’s time to judge the contest! We need to be able to see your friendly faces for safety and security reasons. Thanks for your help!

What: Giga-Fright:  Ground Kontrol’s Halloween Extravaganza
Where: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch St. Portland, OR 97209
When: Friday, October 28th from 7pm- 1 am.
Cover: No cover until 9pm! $2 cover from 9pm-close. 21+ only with valid I.D.

- Posted by Art

Autobots, assemble! Decepticons, attack! It’s time to play the brand-new Transformers pinball from Stern! Ground Kontrol will be hosting 2 copies of the game through Sunday, 10/23 in a limited engagement made possible by our friends at Mountain Coin.

Transformers pinball asks you to choose a side – Autobots or Decepticons – and fight for domination with features like the Megatron Vehicle Form rapid-fire multiball, the Bumblebee captive target Camaro, and the Optimus Prime attack ramp. It’s got plenty of cool touches like figures, vehicles, the “All-Spark” cube and a laser-cut Decepticon ramp!

Fans of the the 80s cartoon-inspired blockbuster movie series will enjoy the fantastic artwork on every side of this table, with special Autobot and Decepticon scenes on opposite sides.

We’ve transformed a corner of our lounge to make room for the games, which are set to 50 cents per play, or 5 games for $2 – the best deal on this game in town!

Remember – we’re featuring the game through Sunday, 10/23 so come down today and try it out! All you need is the touch, the power… and 2 quarters!

Special thanks to Mountain Coin. Contact them for sales and service of arcade games and pinball tables at (503) 234-5491 or visit them on the web at http://www.mountaincoin.com/oregon.html.

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol is proud to present its inaugural ladies’ night, “Ms. GK”! By popular demand, we’ve asked our very own “Diamond Dawn” (of Rock Band Tuesdays fame) to put together an awesome night for the ladies (and everyone else, too!)

In addition to a night of lady-centric gaming, free play on all games, drink & food specials and discounts on lady t-shirts, we’ll have some special features:

• Burgertime and The Machine: Bride of Pin*Bot casual tournaments and corresponding prizes from our sponsors SheBop, Things From Another World, and perhaps more! All skill levels are welcome!
• Geeky craft exchange: Bring something cool you made, and take something home!
• All set to a danceable soundtrack by deejay ReighLee, DJ Ava Delay, and DJ Pippa Possible!

Bring your friends or make some new ones – we’re sure everyone will have a fantastic time during one of our most unique events!

WHAT: Ms. GK – Ladies’ Night Free Play Party

WHEN: Sunday, October 16, 7pm-close.

COVER: $3 for ladies, $8 for gents.  21+ only. RSVP for this event on Facebook!

- Posted by Art

This Wednesday, October 12, “Joust” expert  Lonnie McDonald will visit Ground Kontrol as part of his epic quest to hit a score of 9,999,999 on every single “Joust” machine in American arcades!

Why 9,999,999? Well, “Joust” has an interesting bug that resets the score counter once 10 million points are reached. The score counter rolls over to 0 and you can keep playing, but the high score table won’t show anything higher than 9,999,999. Breaking 10 million effectively makes you the champion of that machine!

Lonnie will begin playing “Joust” at GK at 6pm this Wednesday. He’ll continue playing through the night until he hits his 10 million goal! This isn’t your typical high score attempt, either: While Lonnie will be recording his game for potential Twin Galaxies submission, he welcomes fans of the game to come up and chat with him while he plays!

So, come down to Ground Kontrol Wednesday night and witness a true “Joust” expert in action! If you can’t make it to GK, follow Lonnie’s quest online at the Lonnie McDonald “Joust” Tracker and read an interview with him on Examiner.com.

- Posted by Art

You’ve tried a soft-baked Super Pretzel, some fully-loaded Killer Nachos, and a classic chocolate-and-cherry Sundae for dessert. But have you tried the Cowabunga Nachos, our pizza-fied take on dippable triangles of awesome? How about the D.K. Dessert Dog, a sweet-and-savory combo of banana, bacon, PB & honey? Whether you missed these food specials the first time around or have been craving them since, you’ll love our updated food menu!

Our classic menu has been expanded to include popular food specials, new spins on old favorites, and more toppings! Plus, nearly every item on our menu can be made vegan, and most items can be made gluten-free!

Our full menu is served from 5pm until late most evenings and we’re working to make it available later every night. From Noon-5pm, we will serve tasty snacks from our limited menu to keep you going!

Get powered up with GK’s food menu tonight – no secret paths or cheat codes necessary!

View our new menu in PDF form or in JPEG after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Art

On Labor Day, Monday September 5, Keith Apicary will bring his Apicarnage Tour to Ground Kontrol for 2 shows! Keith Apicary is the host of “Talking Classics”, an ongoing chronicle of Keith’s favorite video games. In addition to episodes dedicated to arcade classics like the PlayChoice-10 to the fan favorite console, Sega Dreamcast, Keith has produced absurdly catchy music videos like “Four Bright Buttons and Two Joysticks”, aka the “Neo-Geo Song”!

Come see Keith live at Ground Kontrol for two classic shows – an all-ages matinee at 4pm with Plain Flavored, and a 21+ show at 8pm with Mechlo! The cover is just $3 for each show at the door.

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol is proud to sponsor the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)’s videogame-themed exhibit, Game On 2.0!

We’re also participating in a couple of videogame-related events taking place during the exhibit:

July 27th: Ground Kontrol contributed four classic NES consoles and Power Pad controllers to the “Nintendo Olympics” competition at OMSI’s “Jocks and Geniuses” event.

September 27th: Ground Kontrol will install a mini-arcade featuring pinball, classic videogames, and draft beer in the OmniMAX lobby for OMSI After Dark. Doors open at 7PM.

Meanwhile, we’re giving away free passes to the Game On 2.0 exhibit at selected Ground Kontrol events. Watch Facebook, Twitter and our calendar for details!

More about Game On 2.0 after the break!

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Anthony

You are about to enter another dimension: A dimension of space. A dimension of time. A dimension of mind-blowingly awesome pinball. That’s right, the legendary Twilight Zone pinball machine now exists in your dimension at Ground Kontrol!

Williams’ Twilight Zone is rightly regarded as one of the greatest pinball games of all time. Loaded with features and sought after by collectors, it’s difficult to find in good condition. After years of searching, we discovered a machine that had been kept in the previous owners’ homes and played only occasionally since the day it was purchased over 17 years ago. It’s as close to playing a brand-new game as you can get, and now you can find it here!

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Anthony

This summer’s temperatures, and  increased attendance after our remodel, conspired to warm things up quite a bit in the arcade. To keep things cool, we’re installing a Big Ass Fan! (yes, that’s its real name.) The “Isis” is quiet, energy-efficient, and moves more air than dozens of conventional fans. It’ll go a long way towards keeping you and our games comfortable for the rest of the summer.

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol customers, surround your castles, place your cannons, and get plenty of quarters:  Rampart has landed! A totally unique arcade experience, Rampart combines puzzle and strategy elements with plenty of frantic firing in an experience that may be best described as Tetris meets Sim City meets Missile Command!

Set in the medieval age, Rampart first tasks players with building and maintaining their fortress. Then, it’s time to ready… aim… fire! Hold back an enemy armada of ships in single-player mode or blow apart enemy fortresses in multiplayer with up to 2 friends!

We were fortunate to find this rare game in excellent shape with custom LED-lit trackballs. It’s playing fantastic and we hope it will become one of the most popular competitive games at GK. Practice up: we’ll be announcing a Rampart tournament very soon!

So, take a step 500 years into the past and experience the original “tower defense” game – Rampart!

- Posted by Art

Free Play fans (AKA everyone), take note! Third Thursday Free Play Nights are now moving to the 2nd Thursday each month.

The first Round Two: 2nd Thursday Free Play Party starts Thursday, July 14 at 5:00pm!  We’ll also be featuring the 2nd Pac-Man Battle Royale Rumble the same evening – check this post for details.

As usual, the cover is $5 at the door and this is a 21+ event! Last Wednesday Free Play parties will continue unchanged.

WHAT: Round Two: 2nd Thursday Free Play Party

WHEN: Thursday, July 14 and the 2nd Thursday of each month following. Doors at 5:00pm, the party goes all night!

COVER: Just $5 at the door for free play on all 100+ arcade games & pinball tables! Ground Kontrol is 21+ only after 5pm, please bring valid I.D.

- Posted by Art

Could you eat your best friend? Enter the Pac-Man Battle Royale Rumble and find out!

No, we’re not dropping you on a remote island with tracking collars and implements of destruction – this Battle Royale will pit Pac-Man against Pac-Man at our 4-player Pac-Man Battle Royale cabinet in a free tournament, and the mayhem won’t end until the last circular combatant is consumed!

To enter, make it to Ground Kontrol between 5-7pm on Thursday, July 14. We’ll be hosting a Free Play Night, so there will be a $5 cover at the door (and all of your games will be free!). Sign up at the Pac-Man BR cabinet, where we will have a clipboard and registration sheet. At 8pm, the first game will begin. Players will be scored based on Pac-Men consumed and Pac-Deaths, adding an additional layer of strategy to the game.  The top 3 winners will receive Ground Kontrol gift certificates, good for anything we sell!

This tournament is sponsored by Best Bout Gaming, who are dedicated to promoting the strategic gaming scene in the Pacific NW.

WHAT: Pac-Man Battle Royale Rumble

WHEN: Thursday, July 14. Sign up between 5-7pm, first game starts at 8pm.

COVER: $5 cover at the door for Free Play Night, no additional cover or fee to enter the tournament. 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

What’s so funny about video games? Well, quite a lot, if you ask tonight’s performers! Some of Pacific NW’s funniest people (and alleged video game fans) will be featured during Ground Kontrol’s first-ever live comedy show!

Join us in the lounge tonight directly after the Video Game Quiz Show for sets from:

Mike Drucker (McSweeney’s, The Onion)

Ian Karmel (“Portlandia”, 2010 Portland Amateur Comedy Competition winner)

Jimmy Newstetter (Bridgetown Comedy Festival)

Whitney Streed (Hangover Helper Brunch Showcase, PDX Comedy Blog)

Ron Funches (Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot)

WHAT: “No Pun Intendo” – Comedy & Video Games

WHEN: Thursday, June 30.  Starts at 10pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

The weekend of Saturday, June 11 – Sunday, June 12, you and up to 4 friends are invited to “Test Your Geek” in the first-ever Geek Olympathon!

The Portland Geek Council of Commerce & Culture (PGC3) has joined forces with Portland’s geekiest businesses, organizations and individuals for a truly epic 2-day event challenging you and your friends to compete in geeky contests and win fantastic prizes including the grand prize: A trip for 2 to San Diego Comic-Con, provided by Things From Another World!

Sunday, June 12 from Noon – 5pm, Ground Kontrol will be hosting the Great Controller Untangle & Console Gaming Contest (whew!). Participants will be tasked with untangling the correct controller from a mess of miscellaneous gaming controllers, then plugging it into a system and playing the first level of a popular old-school console game.

It’s totally free to register your team and participate. For more details, visit the Team Registration page on the Olympathon website. To view the rest of the event details (including 2 huge parties, of course), visit the Olympathon events page.

Read the full press release after the break!

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Art

UPDATE 6/7: Corrected the email address – please make sure you add PDXGameOn@gmail.com to your friends list, and send all inquiries to PDXGameOn@gmail.com as well! Sorry for any inconvenience.

On Wednesday, June 22 we’re hosting a special party with Google Places! Keep reading to learn how you can participate.

Want to win a night of free games with food, drink and prizes provided by Google Places?

Here’s how you play:

1. Log into Google Places or Create a New Account at: http://www.google.com/hotpot
2. Add us as a friend: PDXGameOn@gmail.com. This lets us see your reviews as well as where you fall on the reviews leaderboard.
3. Sign up and start reviewing your favorite businesses.
4. The first 100 people who have at least 50 reviews of businesses on Places by 5pm PST on June 19th will get an invitation to our Game On! party for a free night of arcade games, with food and drink on Google Places. It’s that simple!

The more reviews you do, the more stuff you get. Here’s the breakdown:

• 50+ reviews will grant you unlimited game play, appetizers, and 1 drink on Google.
• 100+ reviews will grant you unlimited game play, appetizers, up to 2 drinks on Google and a t-shirt.
• 200+ reviews will grant you unlimited game play, appetizers, up to 2 drinks on Google, a t-shirt, and a $15 gift certificate to Ground Kontrol (for future use).

PLUS: anyone who reviews at least 100 businesses qualifies as a Google Power User, making you eligible to be invited to other awesome activities and prizes! Sound good? Then go to Google Places and start reviewing! Got any questions? Send ‘em to PDXGameOn@gmail.com.

Stay connected with Google Portland: Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Offers | Newsletter

- Posted by Art

Come check out the amazing art of local studio Supergenius at Ground Kontrol during First Thursday! The art will be up throughout the month of June but the artists will be in attendance tonight.

A message from the artists:

Supergenius is a local studio of digital artists and animators dedicated to pushing the bounds of quality and creativity in video games and interactive media.

We have several teams specializing in all visual facets of game development from 2D to 3D and everything in between. This includes concepts, illustration and previsualization, environment design and creation, character design, creation and rigging, visual FX, UI design, character animation, cut scene and trailer production and whatever game developers need to make their games look and play as fantastic as possible.

We have worked with many developers on many different licenses including Tales of Monkey Island, Super Hero Squad, Sam and Max, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Deadliest Warrior and many more. When not working on games for clients we have internal passion projects we focus on.

We are all artists of one type or another and are grateful to be able to do what we love for a living. We consider Supergenius to be one part production studio, one part university, one part think tank and one part sandbox where learning, teaching and experimenting are equally as important as producing art for our clients. We strongly believe in maintaining a positive atmosphere where everyone helps and pushes each other to be better artists and better people in general.

This is a small collection of what we produce as individuals on the rare occasions we are not working. Since Ground Kontrol does not allow live animals, volatile chemicals or radiation in their establishment we are limited to showing off our “appropriate” and “non-lethal” visual work. We sincerely hope it does not bore you to death, only that it drive you to drinking, which they will happily accommodate with their fine selection of local and imported libations.

Thank you and enjoy the show.

WHAT: Supergenius “We Corrupt Children” First Thursday Art Opening

WHEN: Thursday, June 2, 7pm-10pm.

COVER: No cover, 21+.

- Posted by Art

Can you roll a critical hit every time? Can you untangle a ball of console controllers in seconds flat? Or do you just want to beat Spock at UNO? Tonight, you need to be at Ground Kontrol!

In mid-June, the Portland Geek Council of Commerce & Culture presents The Geek Olympathon, a weekend-long series of geeky contests and events! However, tonight, we’re previewing a few of these events to give you a chance to get a taste of what’s to come (a few hints: fun, victory, tragedy, and beer!)

We will be running small contests in Ground Kontrol’s lounge between 7 and 9pm on Thursday May 26th. You can compete in as many or as few contests as you’d like, but if you want a shot at being the night’s ultimate winner, you’ll want to take part in every event. Prize packs featuring items from PGC3 members will be given to the top winners in each event and the overall top winner will also be part of a very special ceremony during the Olympathon.

Bring some friends to Ground Kontrol and start building your Olympathon team by competing in tonight’s events! Who knows what secret powers you hold?

Find an outline of events and more info after the break!

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Art

Bright lights! Brainiacs! Question after question! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show is not just another pub quiz, it’s a full-on big screen game show – complete with lightning rounds, buzzers and fabulous prizes!

Join your charismatic co-hosts Brandon Anderson and Daniel Grubbs as they present a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 9PM every last Thursday.

In May it’s a console clash of the titans! Hosted by special guests Matt Hunter, Steve Haske, and Rich Lau from the A Jumps B Shoots podcast, this month’s episode covers the hosts’ Greatest Consoles Ever - aka the SNES vs. PS2 Edition! Can Kratos kill Chrono? Might Mega Man maim Max Payne? Be here to watch the carnage firsthand!

How do you play? A 9pm, we kick off a round of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 5 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 3 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in the final “Jeopardy!” style round!

Game play challenges randomly hidden during the final round offer teammates a chance to tag in and help earn points!

Not only is it fun to play, it’s a blast to watch, too. So whether or not you know the difference between a Koopa and a Goomba, come on down!

WHAT: The Video Game Quiz Show - Greatest Consoles Ever / SNES vs. PS2 Edition, hosted by A Jumps B Shoots!

WHEN: Thursday, May 26. Starts at 9pm.

COVER: It’s totally free to participate or watch! This is a 21+ event.

- Posted by Art

As many of you well know, twice a month Ground Kontrol throws a free play party – our entire lineup of pinball and classic video games is set to free play, and a small cover at the door gets you into the all-night gaming marathon! Our next free play party, scheduled for Thursday May 19th, will also feature a special Pac-Man Battle Royale tournament!

On Thursday, May 19th, The “Pac-Man Battle Royale Rumble” will challenge Pac-Fans to compete for a special prize package of Pac-Man BR goodies like coasters, beads and t-shirts, along with a Ground Kontrol gift certificate!

To play, come down to Ground Kontrol and sign up by 7:00pm. There will be a clipboard on the Pac-Man BR machine and we’ll accept up to 12 players max.  Update: We removed the player cap, so come one, come all! Groups of 4 will compete, with the ultimate winner from each group remaining in the game until he or she is defeated. Each player will get a small Pac-Man gift for participating, and the last Pac-Man standing will get a collection of  swag provided by NAMCO America along with a $10 GK gift certificate!

WHAT: Pac-Man Battle Royale Rumble, a fun Pac-Man BR contest during Third Thursday’s Free Play Party

WHEN: Thursday, May 19th. Sign up at Pac-Man BR between 5-7pm. First game starts at 7pm.

WHERE: Ground  Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch St.

COVER/COST: It’s just $5 to enter Ground Kontrol during the Third Thursday Free Play Party, and all games are set to free play. There’s no extra cost to compete in the Pac-Man Battle Royale Rumble! This is a 21+ event.

- Posted by Art

Oh, by the way – did you know that Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade has the hottest new classic arcade game – Pac-Man Battle Royale? This exciting new game had been on our arcade floor since we reopened in mid-February, but in the excitement of moving back into our fancy remodeled digs, we totally forgot to publicize it.  :O

As you may know, Ground Kontrol specializes in preserving classic games of all eras.  That means we typically don’t buy games until they’ve earned “classic” status.   Pac-Man Battle Royale is the first game we’ve seen in a long time that we feel is an instant classic.  And so, it’s the first brand new game we’ve purchased in our 12 year history.  In fact, we were so excited to play Pac-Man Battle Royale that we bought the first one to arrive at the local game distributor!

If you’ve never played Pac-Man Battle Royale, you’re in for a treat.  Namco has done a superb job of updating their classic Pac-Man franchise as a 4-player multigame.  Not only can you compete against your friends in eating  pac-dots and ghosts, but eating a power-pill supersizes your Pac-Man and allows you to eat your fellow Pac-Men, too!  The maze is constantly shifting shapes, and reversals of fortune happen swiftly and often.  You may feel compelled to yell with surprise or excitement – that’s ok, that’s part of the fun of playing Pac-Man Battle Royale!

- Posted by The CEO

Congrats to Mike Mahaffey!

- Posted by The CEO

Update 4/16/11: Pre-registration is now CLOSED. Slots remain for day-of signups tomorrow morning. You may still sign up Sunday morning from 10-10:45 am at Ground Kontrol. The registration fee is $20 and cash is the only accepted form of payment. Remember, all players must be 21+ with valid I.D.

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING PINBRAWL:

• Ground Kontrol will be 21+ all day Sunday, April 17, from open until close. We will resume our normal all-ages hours of Noon – 5pm on Monday, April 18th at Noon.
• Only Portland Pinbrawl tournament players will be allowed in Ground Kontrol from open until 4pm. At 4pm, we’ll start letting specators in to watch the tournament, depending on capacity!

On Sunday, April 17th, 2011, the finest pinball players in the Pacific Northwest will gather in historic Old Town for Portland Pinbrawl 2011, Ground Kontrol’s third annual pinball tournament! Join your fellow Portland ‘ballers to battle the best of the Northwest for the grand prize: a Williams “Rollergames” pinball machine. Ground Kontrol’s recent remodel also adds a new feature to Portland Pinbrawl: a food menu for hungry brawlers!

Year after year, Portland Pinbrawl has drawn nearly 130 players to compete in what is becoming one of the most popular pinball tournaments in the country. Players from across the United States and Canada have traveled to join Portland’s finest players for an all-day (and sometimes all-night) silver ball showdown.

Competition signup fee is $20 per person; spectators get in for free. Doors open at 10:00am, Sunday April 17th. Ground Kontrol’s beer & wine serving hours will be extended to span the entire day, so admission is limited to 21 and over with valid ID for competitors and spectators alike. We plan to allow spectators in beginning at 4pm, depending on capacity. This tournament is brought to you by Aaron Nelson, Eric Hill, Fred Franken and Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade.

For more details – go to the Portland Pinbrawl page!

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol’s owners and staff were extremely saddened to hear that Scott McKinnon, also known as Mink Staccato, passed away on Sunday, March 27th, 2011. We knew Scott because of his passion for pinball, and we all enjoyed talking to him about the game and whatever else whenever he would stop by over the years. Scott was a fixture at Ground Kontrol many afternoons and evenings, and was even featured in a Portland Mercury article on pinball published in 2006.

Scott’s high-score initials “MNK” still grace pinball tables at Ground Kontrol, and Scott even hit the Grand Champion score on Attack From Mars on October 11, 2010 (his birthday) with an astounding 43,023,948,120 points!

To  pay tribute to a friend and a dedicated player, Ground Kontrol will be hosting a friendly tournament in Scott’s honor on Friday, April 15th, two days before Portland Pinbrawl 2011. The tournament will benefit Human Solutions, a non-profit organization that Scott volunteered for as a poker dealer during fundraising events and donated to as well.

Players can sign up starting at 5:00pm and we will begin playing at 6:00pm.  There will be a sign-up sheet on top of the upstairs changer. To enter, we are asking for a suggested donation of $5-10, although players are welcome to give more. (If you’d just like to donate but don’t want to play, that’s OK, too – just let Art or Anthony know.)

100% of the money raised from this tournament will go to Human Solutions to aid homeless and low-income families and individuals.  The tournament will be held on a random selection of the games on which Scott still holds a high score: Attack From Mars, The Simpsons Pinball Party, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The top winner of the tournament will receive a Ground Kontrol gift certificate valued at $25.

We hope you’ll help us remember a Portland pinball pro and raise some money for a good cause, too. We’ll see you Friday! Also, if you or a business or organization would like to donate a prize to this tournament, please contact us right away at kontact@groundkontrol.com. We appreciate the support.

Our deepest condolences go to Scott’s family, friends and loved ones. Those of you that knew Scott and wish to connect with his family and friends can visit the Scott McKinnon Memorial group on Facebook.

WHAT: Mink Staccato Memorial Tournament; a friendly pinball tournament paying tribute to Scott McKinnon and fundraising for Human Solutions

WHEN: Friday, April 15th. Sign up between 5:00pm and 5:45pm. Games begin at 6:00pm.

ENTRY: Suggested donation of $5-10 to enter, although whatever you can give will be happily accepted. This is a 21+ event.

- Posted by Art

Good news, hungry gamers: Test out our new grilled sandwiches (regular or vegan grilled cheese or PB&J) for $3 each tonight through Monday! We’ve got lots of addons and potato salad (vegan friendly) for $1, too. Give our kitchen manager Kyle your feedback and help shape our menu!

We plan to officially launch our expanded menu Tuesday evening. Thanks to everyone that’s been enjoying our new food menu, we have been very happy with the response!

- Posted by Art

The hosts of local gaming podcast A Jumps B Shoots were kind enough to  invite Ground Kontrol manager Art Santana (who is not talking about himself in third person at all) to be a guest on their show. Topics of discussion were “the former and current state of the American arcade, pinball in all its glory, some of our favorite cabinets, and some fond memories of times past”.

Listen to the show at the A Jumps B Shoots website or iTunes. Fair warning: This podcast is rated M for Mature!

- Posted by Art

Come down to Ground Kontrol before the Video Game Quiz Show on Sunday March 13 for a special game event. Incredible Ape will be on hand to demonstrate their new Xbox 360 indie game and invite you to play it live!

Unleash an aural assault with Incredible Ape’s new cooperative voice-controlled shoot-em-up, PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew! Armed with a pair of microphones, you and a friend will spit hot fire to annihilate the relentless geometric onslaught and save humanity from extinction.

To get an idea of the hilarious fun you’re in for, check out some video on Incredible Ape’s website.

The game will be available from play in our lounge starting at 7pm. There’s no charge to play and we hope you’ll stick around for the Video Game Quiz Show “Games We (Heart)” edition, which will take place immediately afterward at 9pm!

WHAT: Incredible Ape Game Event featuring PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew

WHEN: Sunday, March 13th, 7pm – 9pm.

WHERE: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade – in the lounge

MORE: No cover! Must be 21+ or older.

- Posted by Art

Those of you who attended our Grand Re-Opening Party (thank you, by the way – pics and video coming soon) on Thursday know that our food service was slightly delayed. We had to reschedule our kitchen and back-of-bar inspection for today (Friday 2/18) morning before we could sell food.

Well, our inspection went without a hitch and we are happy to announce our menu will be ready to serve on Sunday, February 20th. Tonight, our new kitchen manager Kyle will be serving samples of several soon-to-be-favorites: Nachos with special spiced cheese, chips & house made salsa or house made hummus, and ice cream sundaes!

Food samples will likely go out a little after 7pm. Please let Kyle (and us) know what you think!

- Posted by Art

Forget the strain of hauling tons of vintage video games and pinball tables from one location to another. For us, the hardest part of moving an arcade is closing it while we’re working!

In order to move back to our newly remodeled home and make sure all of the pixels are in place, Ground Kontrol will be closed the following days:

• Monday February 14
• Tuesday February 15
• Wednesday February 16
• Thursday February 17 – Closed Noon – 5pm (Doors open for our Grand Re-Opening at 5pm!)

We apologize for any inconvenience, but trust us… the wait will be worth it!

- Posted by Art

When comics and video games clash, everyone wins! However, when the best Marvel vs. Capcom 3 players meet for Ground Kontrol’s first MVC3 tournament, the outcome is anyone’s guess!

Enter “Secret Wars”, a Marvel vs. Capcom 3 tournament presented by Best Bout. Heroes of all ages are invited to compete in a singles tournament for cash and other prizes for a small registration fee.  Spectators are welcome to simply witness mindblowing matches like Hulk vs. Haggar, Thor vs. Arthur, Iron Man vs. Nathan Spencer and more!

Sign-ups start at 11am, and the fighting starts at Noon. Participants pay $12 to enter ($7 of which goes to the winners) and the tournament is free to spectate. Space is limited, so please do not bring any large backpacks or bags. No outside food will be permitted.

UPDATE: Bring your Xbox 360-compatible fight stick if possible! Additional sticks will be available for use at the tournament.

WHAT: Marvel vs Capcom 3 Tournament Singles Tournament

WHEN: Saturday Febuary 19th, 2011.  Registration begins at 11am, tournament begins at Noon.

COST: $7+$5 entry fee ($7 to pot, $5 venue fee). No cost to spectate!

FORMAT: Standard Double Elimination Format. The grand finals will be best 3 out of 5. All other matches will be best 2 out of 3 games.

- Posted by Art

Bright lights! Brainiacs! Question after question! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show is not just another pub quiz, it’s a full-on big screen game show – complete with lightning rounds, buzzers and fabulous prizes!

Join your charismatic co-hosts Brandon Anderson and Daniel Grubbs as they present a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 9PM tonight. (Note: Video Game Quiz Show usually occurs on Last Thursday.)

This month the hosts show their love to games we hold dear! Show up at the door with flowers for Ganon or a box of chocolates for the Battletoads. Let Samus know how much you appreciate her with a poem and work out Dr. Wiley’s tension with a sensual massage. Or, just come on down and prove how deep your video game knowledge runs!

How do you play? A 9pm, we kick off a round of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 5 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 3 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in the final “Jeopardy” style round!

Game play challenges randomly hidden during the final round offer teammates a chance to tag in and help earn points!

Not only is it fun to play, it’s a blast to watch, too. So whether or not you know the difference between a Koopa and a Goomba, come on down!

WHAT: Video Game Quiz Show: Games We ♥ Edition

WHEN: Thursday, February 17. Starts at 9pm.

OTHER INFO: $3 cover at the door for Free Play, but no additional cover or charge necessary to participate in or watch the Video Game Quiz Show! 21+ only – please bring valid I.D.

- Posted by Art

Let’s party! After years of planning and months of work, Ground Kontrol is finally ready to unveil Ground Kontrol 3.0 – the best arcade & lounge you’ve ever seen.

Many upgrades await you, including a new food menu, new games, new tables & seating, new bathrooms and a sleek new look inspired by vintage video game art and the TRON film series.

What better way to experience the new GK than free play? Our regular Third Thursday free play party will be extra fun this month thanks to a special cover – entry to Ground Kontrol 3.0′s launch party will only cost 3.0 dollars!

Thanks to all of our loyal customers and fans for supporting us through the extremely difficult process of  closing our doors at 511 NW Couch St. for nearly 3 months and moving our arcade twice* to accommodate the work needed to make Ground Kontrol 3.0 a reality. Thanks especially to those of you that supported Ground Kontrol in 2010′s “Save The Arcades” contest sponsored by Stride!

But enough talk… Seriously, let’s party! We’ll see you Thursday the 17th! Doors open at 5pm, and remember your I.D. – this is a 21+ event.

*OK, technically we had to move our games and equipment three times. Our backs won’t let us forget that!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol 3.0 Grand Re-Opening Party

WHEN: Thursday, February 17th, 2011. Doors at 5pm.

WHERE: Ground Kontrol “3.0″, 511 NW Couch St.

OTHER INFO: $3 cover. 21+ only – please bring valid I.D. No large bags or backpacks, please!

- Posted by Art

Own a one-of-a-kind masterpiece painted on an old-school NES game! In November 2010, we hung an extremely cool art display in our arcade – 40 NES cartridges hand-painted by 40 different artists in celebration of the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos. The Autumn Society, a worldwide collective of artists, helped organize the display and put the call out for submissions. When it was time to move to our temporary location, we had to pack them up. Now we’ve brought the display back in virtual form – and you can purchase the art online, too!

Check out our virtual 8-Bit Calavera display-slash-store to view the submissions and purchase one today!

To check out more from The Autumn Society, visit their blog.

- Posted by Art

Bright lights! Brainiacs! Question after question! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show is not just another pub quiz, it’s a full-on big screen game show – complete with lightning rounds, buzzers and fabulous prizes!

Join your charismatic co-hosts Brandon Anderson and Daniel Grubbs as they present a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 9PM every last Thursday.

This month, the show’s not only taking place in our temporary location, but it also has a special team of guest hosts that have been kind enough to bring you a fresh batch of trivia for the new year!

From the team that brought you “The Book of Mudora,” “Tanooki,” and “GAME PLAY CHALLENGE” comes a new spin on a budding GK classic: Le Quiz Show du Video – Summer Semester Guest Host Edition!

Alex Massa and Ryan Reid star as Summer Semester! Who knows what they will have in store for our contestants as well as our hosts turned prey!

How do you play? A 9pm, we kick off a round of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 5 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 3 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in the final “Jeopardy” style round!

Game play challenges randomly hidden during the final round offer teammates a chance to tag in and help earn points!

Not only is it fun to play, it’s a blast to watch, too. So whether or not you know the difference between a Koopa and a Goomba, come on down!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show – Summer Semester Edition!

WHEN:  Thursday, November 27, 9pm sharp!

COVER: It’s free to play or watch the Quiz Show! 21+ only.

MORE: Teams of 5 can compete in the first 2 pub quiz rounds – bring your friends!

- Posted by Art

UPDATE: The 2v2 tournament has now become a 3v3 tournament! Read on for more info!

It’s time once again to show Ryu & Ken what you’re made of! Ground Kontrol and Best Bout present Slugfest VIII – another in our series of Super Street Fighter IV tournaments!

This month introduces a new challenge: The 3v3 tournament! Three friends (or temporary allies) can join forces for a Team Battle tournament – it’s sorta like a relay race, but with less running and more punching!

If you prefer to go solo, we’re also featuring the singles tournament that has drawn dozens of players month after month!

The 3v3 tournament has a $21 entry fee (per team of 3) and the singles tournament has a $7 entry fee (per person). You’re also welcome to sign up for both tournaments – the registration fee of $5 will cover you for both tournaments (entry fee is charged separately.) As always, cash and Ground Kontrol gift certificates will be awarded to the top players.

Sign-up for the 3v3 tournament begins at 10am, and the 3v3 tournament starts at 11am. Sign-up for the singles tournament begins at 12:30pm, and the singles tournament starts at 1:00pm. All ages are welcome to compete, but remember, Ground Kontrol is 21+ after 5pm, so don’t be late!

That’s not all – if you’re 21+, stay for the Slugfest After Party! Enjoy complimentary casual play of Super Street Fighter IV and more special events (including, perhaps, a Bomberman tourney?) from 5-8pm. (Happy hour is 5-7pm, too, so how about a cold drink for that flaming uppercut scar?)

WHAT: Slugfest VIII – Super Street Fighter IV Tournament

WHEN: Saturday, January 22. 3v3 sign-ups begin at 9:00am, 3v3 tourney starts at 11:00am. Singles sign-ups begin at 12:30pm, 2v2 tourney starts at 1:00pm

WHERE: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade’s “Warp Zone” at 10 NW 5th Ave (between Couch & Burnside)

COVER: 3v3 tournament is $21 per team. Singles tournament is $7 per person. Registration fee of $5 is charged once per person. Play in both tournaments for one registration fee (entry fee is charged separately.)

OTHER INFO: Tournament is all-ages. Those 21+ are invited to stay for the Slugfest After Party from 5-8pm. RSVP on Facebook!

- Posted by Art

We’ve create a mini-site tracking our progress as we remodel the original location, and will post updates as often as possible. Be sure to bookmark remodel.groundkontrol.com, and check back often to watch Ground Kontrol 3.0 take shape!

- Posted by Anthony