The latest issue of Old School Gamer Magazine is now available! In this edition, I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Lepsch, the owner of Arcade 92. This article offers a condensed version of our discussion from March 2025, but you can find the complete interview with all the questions posed. Be sure to check out the new issue online or have it delivered to your doorstep this month.
ARCADE 92 – THE INTERVIEW
Are you originally from Texas?
I was born in New York and briefly lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which marked my first encounter with video games at eight years old. However, I’ve spent over two-thirds of my life in the Dallas Fort Worth area. While I’m not originally from Texas, I’ve called it home for most of my life.
When did you decide to open an arcade, and why did you choose these two locations?
Believe it or not, I contemplated opening an arcade in 2018. While rummaging through my parents’ attic, I discovered a box of my third-grade drawings, including one that stated I would one day have $1,000 to open a video game store—an idea I had long forgotten.
We chose the McKinney location due to its strong community vibe. Historic downtown hosts numerous events every weekend, making it an ideal choice. It’s also conveniently close to DFW Airport, while the north side of Lakeside offers a music series and holiday events, integrating perfectly into our concept.
Do you own both locations, and which one was opened first?
We launched our McKinney location on November 29, 2019—this date coincided with Pong’s anniversary, which I was keen to honor. Unfortunately, we had to delay the Flower Mound opening by a week due to city inspections, eventually opening on December 4, 2023.
How was the reception when you first opened, and what’s the turnout like now?
The opening in McKinney was fantastic; it was almost like a dream job! I was anxious leading up to the opening, but the weekend turnout was overwhelming. Here in Flower Mound, I felt more confident, and both locations have exceeded my expectations in terms of success. We’ve been thriving for just over a year in Flower Mound, and I’m genuinely enjoying the experience.
How did COVID-19 impact your first location, and how did you cope during the shutdown?
It was a challenging time, as we had only been open for about three months before being forced to close. Fortunately, my experience from running my own business before prepared me somewhat for this scenario. Prior advice I received highlighted the importance of having operational capital, which proved invaluable during the pandemic when many businesses struggled.
What are some of your favorite games at the arcade?
I have two favorites for different reasons. My first exposure to gaming was at a gas station in Tulsa, where I played Super Mario Bros. As a teenager, I frequented arcades, with Mortal Kombat 3 being my all-time favorite—it never gets old! I still enjoy PlayStation strategy games like Civilization and play Marvel Rivals and Fortnite with the kids.
How do you maintain the machines, and how do you manage wear and tear?
Initially, I handled repairs myself, but now we have a team of four technicians under 25. I had to teach myself the ins and outs of fixing machines, which is crucial as older monitors are becoming hard to replace. The decision to swap out non-functioning games can be tough, especially when dealing with CRTs versus modern displays.
What do you do to keep Arcade 92 fresh? Do you rotate the games regularly?
We have a monthly strategy to swap out three games. This is easier now since we operate two locations, allowing us to keep a diverse selection. Currently, we have around 120 games in Flower Mound and about 100 in McKinney, plus more in storage. Frequent rotations help keep the excitement alive.
What’s your favorite handheld gaming system?
I’m a fan of the Atari Lynx, which was a fun, advanced handheld for its time. Despite the competition from Nintendo, it deserves more recognition.
Who is your favorite video game character?
While many might expect Mario, I really appreciate Sonic the Hedgehog, who helped Sega carve out its niche. In the Mortal Kombat universe, my favorites are Sub Zero and Kabal—he’s not as commonly chosen, which gives me an edge in gameplay.
What’s your most popular game in the arcade?
For the modern gaming machines, we can track usage accurately. Pinball machines see constant popularity, often trading places between Star Wars and Stranger Things. For the newer retro games, classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong consistently draw crowds.
Do you see yourself expanding and opening additional arcades?
Possibly! This arcade venture feels like a retirement job for me—something fun to do after my previous career. Starting from my garage and expanding to two locations has been fulfilling, and I remain open to further opportunities, but there’s no rush. If the right situation arises, I might consider expanding even more.
Original article by www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com
