In 1981, musical duo, Buckner & Garcia, hitched a ride on the video game zeitgeist. It was a time when arcade games were transitioning from niche hobbies to a multi-billion-dollar phenomenon. Buckner & Garcia’s “Pac-Man Fever,” a pop-culture ode to one of the most popular games, sold over 2 and a half million copies. The duo released an album dedicated to the 8-bit juggernaut. Other songs like “Froggy’s Lament” (Frogger), “Hyperspace” (Asteroids), “The Defender” (Defender), and “Ode to a Centipede” (Centipede) didn’t produce the same magic. But the games that inspired the songs provided countless hours of fun for kids (and adults).
Flash forward 45 years.
Brian and Mike Cosner have built something that feels like a time machine made of neon lights and joysticks. River City Arcade has quickly established itself as a premier local hangout, but its origins are far more personal than a simple business venture. It is a story of family, nostalgia, and a father and son working side-by-side to bring the joy of physical play back to their community.
The Foundation of Family
The engine behind River City Arcade is a unique partnership between Brian Cosner and his father, Mike. For Brian, the arcade is not just a collection of machines; it is a testament to his father’s work ethic and support. Mike Cosner, a veteran who served in the United States Air Force and later retired from Verizon, brings a lifetime of experience and discipline to the venture.
“First off, I have to thank my dad, Mike, for all his hard work at the arcade,” Brian says. “I couldn’t do it without him!” This sentiment is the core of the business. While operating a commercial space is demanding, the duo finds deep satisfaction in the shared labor. “We enjoy running the arcade together,” Brian shares, noting that their days are often spent not in front of the screens, but behind them, performing the meticulous repairs required to keep decades-old technology humming.
A Childhood Built on Pixels
The spark for River City Arcade was lit nearly forty years ago. The flickering glow of his father’s Atari colors Brian’s earliest memories. “I remember playing my dad’s Atari when I was probably 4 or 5,” Brian recalls. The foundational classics that defined the era: Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Pole Position, quickly had him hooked while avoiding ghosts, dodging barrels, and setting record times.
The arrival of the Nintendo Entertainment System a couple of years later solidified his love for gaming. “Those were fun times,” he says, reminiscing about the days when a new console felt like a portal to another world. Beyond the living room, the local mall arcade provided a social sanctuary that Brian deeply missed as he grew older. He specifically remembers the magic of playing at the Value City in Danville as a child. That sense of loss—the disappearance of dedicated arcade spaces in Danville—was a primary motivator for opening River City Arcade. He wanted to recreate the “nostalgic appeal we can now share with a new generation.”
Revitalizing Danville’s Social Scene
The vision for River City Arcade was simple but ambitious: to give the community another indoor option for fun in a city that had lost its arcade presence. What started as a modest endeavor with approximately 45 games has ballooned to a lineup of over 60 machines.
The growth isn’t stopping there. Brian and Mike are constantly looking for ways to expand their entertainment options, with a current goal of introducing more activities tailored for the 1–5 age group. “Stay tuned,” Brian hints, suggesting that the arcade’s footprint in Danville is only going to get larger. The core mission remains focused on the community. “We hope they have a great time. That is the entire reason we opened the arcade.”
The Art of the Arcade Machine
Curating a game lineup for a diverse audience is a delicate balancing act. Brian acknowledges it is “hard to make everyone happy,” so he focuses on a broad variety that spans generations. The floor is a carefully managed blend of retro favorites and modern hits. Visitors can transition from 80s icons like Ms. Pac-Man to current cultural sensations like Minecraft and Halo.
However, for Brian, one machine stands above the rest: the Nintendo Playchoice-10. This wasn’t just another addition to the floor; it was the very first arcade game Brian purchased approximately 10 years ago. The machine is a powerhouse of 8-bit history, allowing players to choose from ten different Nintendo games, including Super Mario Bros., Contra, Duck Hunt, and Mike Tyson’s Punch Out. “Every time I play those games it brings me back to those fun times as a kid in the late 80s,” he notes.
He also maintains a deep appreciation for the mechanical complexity of pinball. In a digital world, Brian believes “nothing can duplicate that physical experience.” Even as modern pinball machines incorporate LCD screens and internet connectivity, the visceral feel of the silver ball remains a unique draw for the arcade.
The Thrill of Competition
While high-definition graphics have their place, the most “buzz” at River City Arcade often comes from games that foster direct human interaction. Brian observes that multiplayer games are consistently the most played. Classics like air hockey, Skee-Ball, and basketball are perennial favorites because they tap into the fundamental human desire for good old competition.
“People like to compete,” Brian says, noting that the most popular games are often those where “you play and battle against each other.” Age doesn’t limit this competitive spirit. One of Brian’s favorite sights in the arcade is “grandparents battling the young kids at air hockey.” The pool table, too, serves as a major draw for those who want a break from digital screens. The goal of the arcade is to create a space where “people have so much fun playing together.”
A Haven for Inclusion
Beyond the flashing lights and high scores, River City Arcade is built on a philosophy of warmth and safety. Brian and Mike strive to treat every visitor like family. “We want everyone to have fun. We want to provide a safe and fun environment,” Brian emphasizes. This commitment to the customer experience means ensuring that every guest feels they got their “money’s worth” and that no one ever feels “cheated.”
This dedication to the community takes its most poignant form in the arcade’s work with special-needs families. As a parent of a son with special needs, this cause is deeply personal for Brian. One of his favorite aspects of running the business is hosting private, off-hours events specifically for special-needs children and their families. “We want everyone to be able to be involved and enjoy the games,” he explains. The reward for this effort is found in the arcade’s atmosphere itself.
Building Memories for the Future
When asked about his goal for River City Arcade, Brian doesn’t talk about profit margins or high scores. Instead, he talks about the legacy he hopes the arcade will leave on Danville residents. He wants the arcade to be remembered as a place where families made “amazing memories.”
Whether it’s a birthday party, a private event, or a casual Saturday afternoon, the aim is consistent. “The goal is for you to leave smiling,” Brian says.