Does Anyone Remember Family Fun World in the Mall?

Once upon a time in Lubbock, arcades were a smoky, hazy mess of older teens and 20-somethings. They used to be considered seedy to say the least. That is, until Family Fun World came to the South Plains Mall.

This was a nice, family-centric arcade that appealed to kids and approved by adults. I have been unable to determine when it opened, but according to a local source it was around as early as 1978.

At one time they even had mini-golf and skee-ball, but I think that was before my time. I only remember the arcade games, or maybe I was too young to remember.

They hosted birthday parties and I went to more than one of them in the 80’s.

I am also not sure when they closed but I want to say it was in the late 80’s or early 90’s when the Mervyn’s (Now Premiere Cinemas) wing was built.

In my early teen years I spent lots of quarters on those games. And what was great was even though they kept modern titles on the floor, they also kept the classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong!

Of course other arcade type places have come and gone, but none will be the same as Family Fun World in the Mall.