Yep I remember specifically at the cade I went to growing up, their Dragon’s Lair machine had a 2nd screen on top of the cap so that the whole crowd could see the action. It was quite a site.

When the small grocery store in my area got Super Mario Brothers there were always 4 or 5 people queue'd up and playing it. That store was a basic grocery story but they did cater to youth with expendable change. Lots of the bulk candies; a few different kinds for 5c, better ones for 10c, good mini candies for 25c... etc

Before or after school, that place always had kids spending some change on something. Once the NES became a household item, that store changed dramatically

I could never get the game going. Something about putting your quarters in at the right moment. Sucked every weekend I went to try play that game and never could.