What retro arcade games are teaching these GenZers about modern business — and fun

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Corvid Academy, a small private school in Kapolei, is doing something that’s way out of the ordinary.

It just opened an arcade that is stacked with old games that will zap you into the past.

“We’re trying to bring back some of that 1990s, 2000s glow that you had in the arcade that was much more community-based than it is now,”said Noah Borgia, the school’s project administrator.

Corvid students cleverly named the arcade the Arcademy.

It’s the latest addition to the school’s project-based curriculum, which aimed at teaching high schoolers skills they’ll need in the real world.

“Arcademy was something that just kind of happened. For many years I’ve been frustrated with real world experiences for kids,” headmaster Linda Sofa said.

Before the arcade opened, the youth had to write a business plan.

In exchange for course credit and under adult supervision, they pretty much run the place, handling customer service, inventory, pricing, and balancing of the books.

“We’re involved in it,” Borgia said. “We oversee it but they are setting their own schedule. They are setting their own time. It’s just cool to see them take the reins.”

For starters, Arcademy is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Plus, every other Sunday when the school hosts a community craft fair. You can also reserve it for large group events like birthday parties.

“It’s $10 for first-time guests. So for $10 you get a wrist band and unlimited games and unlimited play on everything. You don’t have to worry about bringing quarters or tokens or anything like that. You get a wrist band, you are in the building, go enjoy yourself,” Borgia said.

Proceeds from the arcade go toward purchasing equipment for Corvid Academy’s eSports program.

“Those computers cost a lot of money so we want to put money aside for that. I also would love to create some kind of scholarship fund,” Sofa said.

Borgia is an avid arcade game collector. Most of the machines in the Arcademy belong to him. It’s like a museum of old arcade favorites. Some date back decades, but there are newer ones, too.

“We may not have it all,” Borgia said. “But we do have a wall or a section that’s dedicated to whatever you’re into.” So — time to get your game on.

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