After being unable to hold the Fall 2024 SC3 event due to unfortunate circumstances, we were happy to make it back on the proverbial horse and get back behind the literal joystick by returning to Y2Kade – the incredible private arcade in Cerritos. About 100 attendees arrived for the games, the socializing, and the fun. And more than a few were there for a Smash Bros. tournament. Read all about it in our April 20, 2024 event recap.

We plan to host the next SC3 event at the Claremont "Backyard" location in November, just as 2023's would have been had things worked out. Hopefully nothing will interfere with our plans this time, but as always, vigilantly monitor this site and our Facebook page for future announcements.

– The SC3 Team

After regrettably having to cancel our fall 2023 party due to unforeseen circumstances, SC3 is excited to announce our next event: Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Y2Kade in Cerritos, from 4 p.m. to midnight. SC3 held its first Y2Kade event last year, but if you weren't able to make it, you should know that it's a privately-owned arcade featuring MANY coin-op classics from the '70s onward. This is a place where a Tank machine may be settled between Street Fighter II and a Daytona USA twin cab and somehow none of them look out of place. Most machines are in excellent condition, and there's a few pinball tables too! Sounds like heaven to us.

SC3 will round out the experience with our usual slew of home consoles that cover the first three-plus decades of video gaming history. We also plan to provide drinks and food in the form of (what else?) pizza. If you prefer to get your own food, please note: Y2Kade is in a business district; there are some restaurants in the vicinity but nothing within walking distance.

RSVPs are not required for this event, although we still appreciate your donations. Y2Kade's address is:

17411 Studebaker Rd., Unit B., Cerritos CA 90703

Online map services may show this address as "Lotus Prepared By Claudius," a neighboring business.

Note: we know a lot of you come to SC3 for the raffle, but due to scheduling issues our raffle host is unable to make it this time. Sorry about that. People are still encouraged to bring their trade goods however!

We hope to see you on April 20! Fix your watchful eye to this site and our Facebook page for future announcements.

Although it was an EXTREMELY tough decision and we're really sorry to say it, this tiresome thing called Real Life has interfered with our plans. The Nov. 11, 2023 SC3 event has been cancelled. Circumstances outside of our control have simply made it impossible to hold an event at this time. We apologize for the late notice; we were really hoping it wouldn't come to this but unfortunately it did. Please take our word: we wouldn't have cancelled if there had been another way!

We don't have specific plans for the next SC3 event but there WILL be another one, by Spring 2024 at the latest. As always, watch this site and our Facebook page for future details.

Sorry we won't get to see you Nov. 11th. We hope you are still able to get in some gaming that weekend even without us, and have a great holiday season!

– The SC3 Team

Saturday, April 22, marked the SC3 debut at Y2Kade in Cerritos, a privately-owned arcade jam-packed with over 100 cabinets and pinball machines from the '70s through the '90s, Jim, the Y2Kade owner, has been routinely opening this wonderland to the public and turned to SC3 to help get the word out. So, on what felt like the hottest day of the year so far, we carted truckloads of CRT monitors and vintage consoles to Cerritos for the gaming enjoyment of over 100 attendees. And there were tacos. Read all about it in our April 22 writeup. And be sure to check out Y2Kade's Facebook page to learn when it'll be open next.

We don't have an exact schedule for the next SC3 event but if prior patterns hold, it will likely take place in November, likely at the famous Backyard location in Claremont. As always, watch this site and our Facebook page for future announcements. Until next time, keep gaming!

The next SC3 event is scheduled for April 22, 2023 at Y2Kade in Cerritos, CA. Y2Kade is a privately-owned arcade that must be seen to believed. Featuring dozens of machines from the '70s through the '90s, Y2Kade has something for gamers of all tastes. This is a place where you can finish playing an early black-and-white shooting game, then walk a few feet and take the controls of a '90s fighter. There's even a small number of pinball tables. And most of the games are in fantastic condition – the cabinets, the controls, and the monitors are very well-kept. And if that's not enough for you, the SC3 guys will be there with our usual smorgasboard of home consoles. Don't miss it!

The festivities begin at 4 p.m. and continue until midnight. Please note: there will be no food provided at this event. This one's all about the games. Y2Kade is in a business district; there are some restaurants in the vicinity but nothing within walking distance. RSVPs are not required for this event, although we still appreciate your donations. Y2Kade's address is:

17411 Studebaker Rd., Unit B., Cerritos CA 90703

Online map services may show this address as "Lotus Prepared By Claudius," a neighboring business.

You should be able to park along the nearby streets named "Business Circle."

Note: we know a lot of you come to SC3 for the raffle, but due to scheduling issues our raffle host is unable to make it this time. While there's a still a small chance we'll have a raffle, it's likely there will not be one. Sorry about that.

We hope to see you on April 22! Keep an eye on this site and our Facebook page for future announcements.

COVID shut down SC3 – not to mention the rest of the world – over three years ago. Three years! That's a long time to go without a garage full of arcade games or rows upon rows of glowing CRT monitors showcasing 45 years of videogame history. Thankfully, SC3 has staged its long-awaited return to the fabled Backyard, with over 120 long-missed friends in attendance. Read all about it in our Nov. 12, 2022 event recap. It's good to be back!

The next SC3 event has yet to be scheduled but we're tentatively expecting something in the spring, perhaps at a new location. Keep an eye on this site and our Facebook page for announcements. Until then, keep gaming!

— The SC3 Team

So, uh... it's been a while, hasn't it? SC3 had completed its 20th anniversary party and was looking forward to starting our third decade, but then everything changed. It took a global pandemic to make us do it, but we had to close things down for the last couple years.

Finally, the world seems to be emerging from its long time of lockdown, and it's time for SC3 to turn the power back on. Those arcade cabinets have been dormant long enough!

We are pleased to announce that the long-awaited return to the Backyard will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in Claremont. The party will start at 4 p.m. and continue until midnight. We will be getting back up to speed after our forced closure, but expect the usual highlights – arcade games, console games, trading, and pizza. If you have COVID concerns, please keep in mind that even though most of the event is outside, it typically gets pretty crowded, and the arcade games will be partly enclosed.

If you plan to attend, please fill out the RSVP Form and let us know how many guests you're bringing. We really aren't sure how big of a crowd to expect after two years, so your early RSVP is appreciated, as is your $10 (suggested) donation.

Thanks for your patience everyone. At long last, it's time to bring back the fun!
— The SC3 Team

We didn't make a big deal about it, but the November 9, 2019 SC3 event marked our 20th anniversary. In November 1999, a post on the Usenet group rec.games.video.classic (can you remember those days?) led to the formation of the Southern California Classic Collectors. That early meeting was just a few collectors getting together to swap Atari cartridges and check out the hot new Dreamcast machine. That humble beginning somehow launched dozens of arcade parties, the eating of probably a thousand pizzas, and a retrogaming celebration that's been bringing SoCal gamers together for the better part of two decades. It all happened again on Nov. 9, 2019, and this time we had chocolate marshmallows. Read all about it in our latest event recap.

This anniversary is bittersweet because it marks the departure of SC3 organizer Geoff, who was largely responsible for forming the group back in '99. Geoff, who lives hours away, just needed some time off. He's promised not to be a stranger though, so maybe we'll see him again some future SC3 event. Until then, take care Geoff – and thanks!!

The date of the next SC3 event is yet to be announced. Please keep an eye on this site and our Facebook page for announcements. Until then, keep gaming!
— The SC3 Team