No Limits Arcades focuses on classic fun
By Julie Mullen FOR THE COURIER-NEWS February 20, 2012 9:40AM
Matt Urquhart, formerly of Algonquin, plays a one of a kind prototype of a game called "Big Buck", Wednesday, at No Limit Arcade in Algonquin. | Dave Shields~For Suntimes Media.
If you go
No Limit Arcades
2718 W. Algonquin Rd.
Algonquin, IL
(847) 515-3644
Owners: Mark Battaglia and Kevin Slota
Hours: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday; 2 p.m. to midnight, Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday. Closed Mondays, except on school holidays.
On the Web: www.nolimitarcades.com
Article Extras
Updated: March 22, 2012 8:01AM
ALGONQUIN — As a member of a band that backed up musical greats of the time like Ted Nugent and Survivor, Mark Battaglia had one wild decade in the 1980s.
And the Huntley resident doesn’t want to see that era forgotten.
He recently opened No Limit Arcades on the west side of Algonquin, a virtual blast from the past for adults and loads of fun for their kids.
The huge arcade, formerly a flooring store, features games like Pac-Man, Tron, Space Invaders, and Frogger.
Unlike the chain arcade, Gameworks, Battaglia said all of his game cabinets are vintage and his pinball machines are original Bally/Williams.
“To the true pinball players, that really means something,” said Battaglia, who buys and sells the arcade games as part of the business.
One of the walls of the 4,000 square-foot facility is lined with photos of Battaglia and various celebrities he’s met along the way as a noted bass guitarist.
However, his brushes with greatness haven’t all been in the past.
Marking his first month in business, Battaglia had WGN funnyman Mike Toomey on location at his business recently with Anna Belaval for an “Around Town” segment.
The pair, frequently seen on WGN-TV Morning News, broadcasted live from the arcade in an ‘80’s style spoof.
“Business has definitely picked up since that segment ran,” Battaglia said. “I have had a lot of people coming in, and the phone has been ringing off the hook.”
Flat rate
Admission to No Limit Arcades is a flat rate of $20 per person, or $15 for students and veterans. One child age 12 or under is admitted free with each paying adult.
The 60 machines on premises — which also include newer arcade games — are all set to free play, with no coins or tokens required.
A $99 monthly membership is also offered for the more frequent gamers.
Battaglia’s interest in arcade machines came from his own love of playing the games.
“I had them in my basement for fun, but decided to sell some on eBay and it really took off,” he said. “I started buying them up in packages.”
At first, Battaglia was going to open a retail store selling arcade machines.
“Then, it dawned on me, that’s a lot of overhead sitting in a store, and it’d be a shame if I couldn’t make money on them while they are there,” he said.
Battaglia is still connected to the music industry — his first love as a member of the bands No Limit and Skin Deep.
Besides working as an electrician, he developed a popular guitar accessory sold at chain music stores called the Scratch Pad, which protects the back of a guitar from rubbing against a belt buckle.
“The ‘80s was my heyday. I jammed with Night Ranger, Dennis DeYoung, REO, The Romantics, and Survivor,” he said. “It was the time of my life, so I’m keeping a little of that and doing something new.”
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