The Arcade the FGC Built | Inside Next Level

“Grew up in Chinatown Fair, matured in Next Level.”

It's time to celebrate another arcade that changed the game. This week, we look at Next Level: Chinatown Fair's spiritual successor and a contemporary hotbed for NYC fighting game talent.

After Chinatown Fair arcade closed in 2011, the ex-manager of the arcade, Henry Cen, knew that the FGC scene needed a new space for the community to keep the competition, the camaraderie, and the vibes alive. In came another humble home for the NYC FGC: Next Level, found in Brooklyn, New York, which quickly became a hotspot for community growth. Whether players wanted to compete in TEKKEN, Street Fighter, Soul Calibur, or anything in between, they had a home at Next Level and built a family together.

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[sfreplaybattlegrounds]

It's such a beautiful thing watching the growth of small FGC communities. Things like this have inspired the FGC here in Nigeria to take more bolder steps in order to grow. Much respect to the NYC community and its players. Hopefully one day we'll meet on the fight screen.

[willn]

I remember growing up in NYC in the 90's. My mom would go food shopping in Chinatown and drop me off at the Chinatown Fair. That place would always be packed. Literally almost every fighting game during that era was in that place. Next time I visit NYC again hopefully I have some time and check out Next Level.

[mikeymike]

I've gone to NLBC twice and been part of the online tournaments. In person everyone was super chill and never judged anyone. Everyone was friendly and was always down to give feedback and help. Smug, Shine, Lionheart, are some names that helped me back in sf4. People just want to have a good time and see each other grow.

[DanNguyen-eytw]

I used to go to the OLD CF. I was just filthy casual back in the day but I lurked and got to see some real insane sets especially in Marvel 2. I wish people today could experience the Old Chinatown Fair. It was the East Coast FGC in a nutshell. Every fighting game you could think of was on deck. It was the first place i got to play Rival Schools in a arcade cabinet. I really missed that place. We would be there until. 1 am and then grab food at The greater Ny Noodle Town to get some sweet and sour spare ribs. Chinatown was popping back in the day.

[Fenneq]

I had the pleasure to visit Next level recently during a business trip to NYC! I am a big fan from germany and it was a pleasure to see idom play live.

[tek]

Chinatown Fair used to be my stomping grounds back in my college days. I was surprised when they closed. They were in a well situated spot, it was always crowded and it was the only arcade left in New York.

[capt_howdy]

lmaooo the EX Quesadilla from out of nowhere @ 3:18

[BIGPLANTEA]

I miss china town fair, so many memories

[jjohnwords]

Even though I enjoyed watching comepetive gaming ... Teamspooky streams is what got me into it properly. I was in the uk staying up late to watch that. The funny thing is...it wasn't just the games...the commentary >>>>____ some of the most hilarious stuff.
Yipes, spooky, sci, Arturo, lee Chung, Chris matrix, Chris xu & aquasilk. They just made it that much better

[CocoMura]

SC6 and the ongoing rivalries put next level on the map for me. I'm a midwest killa' I'm just across the water, and the love is clear.

I'll pull through the arcade sometime. Y'all helped me through quarantine keeping that shit alive. Thank you.

[michaeltenbroeck]

This was an awesome video. Thank you to everyone involved in getting this produced.

[SDSOverfiend]

Although I play every video game. The VIrtua Fighter community help to build up Next Level just as much. Although Auturro showed us a lot of love. Those other communities flaked on support the VF movements. Tuesdays and monthly with our community was lit. So while I give Next Level mad love and kudos. Most of the time if it was’nt Commercial… other communities stuck with what they knew.

[brianthomas]

It’s shame China Town market fair closed, lots of great memories! If you were good at street fighter this was deffinately where the best up north gathered that I ever found. Think your good when you show up, when you went home you were better!

[Schematist]

Crazy how I am from New York and only came here once. I need to start showing up. this is rich in history!

[BenGmanUk]

I wasn't ready for the feels. Damn...

[AnimeMemesz]

Really amazing to think how far next level and sp00ky have grown throughout the years. It really was a labor of love, before anyone knew it was going to even be what it is today.

[FlockofSmeagles]

I'm hoping that with the rise of roll back over the pandemic. That online becomes more of a staple in the tournament scene. I'm stuck out here in the Midwest where our scene is spread out over the entire state. Most of us don't like to travel due to the commute. It would be great to see some games focus more on being able to communicate better through their platform. As well as tournament modes.

[daviboy]

Red Bull Team : Don't forget to blurry peoples faces.
Editor: why ?
Red bull : ...

[KAOTICUPRISE]

Chicken Arcade Forever! Big up to Next Lvl!

[HypnoGenX]

God I wish we had a place like this here in Europe.