80s arcade

If you ever find yourself in Mesa, Arizona, Starfighters Arcade is definitely worth a visit. This vintage arcade houses over 160 rotating pinball machines and classic arcade titles, making it the perfect spot for a retro gaming experience. When you first enter, your eyes may not know where to look as games from a variety of different eras beckon you forward. The early solid state pinball games look quite different from the flashy modern Stern machines, yet both offer an immersive and entertaining experience that is guaranteed to please players of all skill levels. Plus, with an all-day pass, your money buys you access to free play on all the vintage arcade cabinets and pinball machines. And should you be in the mood for a snack or a beverage while playing these vintage favorites, many small treats and refreshing drinks can also be found at Starfighters Arcade. They even host regular tournaments for dedicated competitive gamers. If you’re ever in Mesa looking for some vintage arcade and pinball fun, look no further than Starfighters Arcade!

Name your favorite game and you’ll find it at Funspot – one of the largest collections of late-1970s to mid-1980s arcade games in the world. For over 60 years, the village of Weirs Beach in Laconia, NH has been home to this entertainment mecca of three-stories and 75,000 square feet. Visit the American Classic Arcade Museum with over 250 pre-1987 video games and pinball machines. Funspot also offers bowling, bumper cars, kiddie rides, an 18 hole indoor mini-golf, a zipline adventure park, cash bingo, air hockey, skeeball, over 600 arcade games and pinball machines, a pizzeria, and a tavern with pool, darts and a full bar. 

Rock Fantasy in Middletown, NY is a landmark headshop for metalheads, pinheads, and… well… heads! This record store, smoke shop and pinball arcade is absolutely PACKED with heavy metal and classic rock records, posters, pipes, patchouli and pinball machines – mostly rock-themed. Home of the Orange County Pinball Club and hosts the occasional International Flipper Pinball Association tournament. 

Do those arcades you see in 80’s movies still exist? In Brighton, MI they do! The Arcade is a throwback pinball and classic video games arcade open on weekends to play all day for a small entrance fee. Shooters, racing games, machines from Japan, Star Wars Battle Pod, lots of old Williams, Nintendo and Midway cabinets and every kind of Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat cabinet ever created. Play The Big Lebowski pinball until you can go bowling with Donny in the bowling alley below the playfield or play your favorite themes from the 80's, 90's, and today's most popular machines plus a great collection of Jersey Jacks. The Arcade will also buy, sell, trade and repair machines for your personal collection.

Built in a former movie theater, the Appalachian Pinball Museum in Hendersonville, NC feels grand when you enter this retro arcade experience. Placards on each machine explain its history as you go from playing a shooting gallery game from the 60's to playing a newly released pinball machine. Grab a can of beer and try your hand at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tales from the Crypt or Twilight Zone. Folks under the age of thirteen must be accompanied by an adult, but it’s free to take a gander or $12 to buy a wrist band and play all day. Don’t miss their collection of 80’s push pins. 

Enjoy classic pinball, 80's music and a family friendly atmosphere at Portal Pinball Arcade in Acworth, GA. With more than 60 pinball machines and over 40 classic arcade games in constant rotation, you can play all you want for an hourly rate or pay for an entire day. Newest pinball releases, weekly leagues, tournaments, and craft beer, wine, cider and mead on tap. The bar countertop is amazing!

Free Play Pinball Arcade in Fraser, MI is an excellent, medium-sized classic video and pinball arcade that is family-friendly and serves a little alcohol. Pay one price and play all of the arcade blockbusters from the late 70s and 80s, with the exception of Hercules – the largest pinball machine ever made and one of only about 10 machines still in circulation. That’ll cost you a dollar. Ready for a tournament? Choose from pinball, darts, bubble hockey and foosball.

The 80's are back! The Game Preserve is a true classic arcade in Spring, TX with original arcade games like Star Wars, Robotron, Joust, Centipede, Street Fighter and a hundred more, plus over 25 pinball machines like The Addams Family, Twilight Zone, and Dr Who all on free play. Get a day pass or a monthly membership, and bring your own food and beer since you’ll want to stay a while. Love it here? Check out their original NASA location. 

Super Abari Game Bar in Charlotte, NC is a barcade with a portal to the past for adult “kids.” More than 90 arcade games are arranged around a display of screens playing 80s movies. Drop some quarters into more than 30 pinball machines like Indiana Jones, Halloween, Willy Wonka, Creature from the Black Lagoon and Stranger Things. This modern spot serves craft beers and cocktails and is almost exclusively 21+ with the exception of noon to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Player 1UP in Rock Hill, SC, is a barcade with great food, live music, and arcade video and pinball games, including Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Donkey Kong. A $5 cover charge at the door includes play for all the games. Player 1UP also has weekly pinball tournaments. Do not miss the bacon cheese fries and the cinnamon sugar fries with icing to dip.

1984 Branson Arcade is an 80s-themed arcade with video games, pinball machines, foosball, and air hockey. The pinball collection has a variety of games from the 1980s. The $10 admission fee allows you to play video arcade games, but pinball requires quarters. 

Robot City Games and Arcade in Binghamton, NY is a video game store with a very cute 80’s arcade attached. In the video game store, you’ll find consoles, accessories and perhaps every title of game ever published for sale. In the arcade, a two-tone neon paint job gives the space an 80’s vibe and the Kangaroo and Burger Time run on tokens. With over 20 pinball machines and 125 arcade games, Robot City may just be the biggest arcade in the state. 

8 Bit Arcade Bar in Renton, WA, is an awesome 80's vintage throwback arcade with iconic classic arcade games like Ms. Pacman, Galaga, Frogger, and Donkey Kong, as well as modern machines like Minecraft and Luigi’s Haunted Mansion, plus a rotating collection of pinball games. They also serve pizza, milkshakes, and cans of beer. 

Pinky's Revenge is a retro arcade that has a full-service bar and snacks. The game collection range from the biggest titles in history to eclectic one-off titles. 

Level One Bar + Arcade in Columbus, OH is an 80’s themed bar where arcade games are free if you’re drinking and pinball is only 50 cents. Level One is small and locally owned and serves up local craft beers and cocktails. Pinball includes games like Medieval Madness, Iron Maiden, Deadpool, Tales from the Crypt, and Banzai Run and are all well maintained. Bring a date or join a league!

Pizza and pinball in an 80’s style arcade. What more do you need? Youngsters and the young at heart will love this winning combination at Georgetown Pizza and Arcade in Seattle, WA. The pizza’s are big enough to satisfy the whole family and they also sell by the slice, plus beer, ciders, and wine. The pinball collection includes older games, such as Xenon and Eight Ball, to recent games, like Game of Thrones, Aerosmith, and Iron Maiden. Georgetown Pizza and Arcade holds weekly tournaments on Thursdays and Sundays. They are family-friendly until 8 pm. 

Vortex arcade is the place to visit if you are looking for old school games and pinball machines. they have nostalgic decor and a very family friendly atomosphere. Games are all set to Free play and it is only $10 at the door. You and your family can play for hours. They also offer 8-week retro video game leauge. 

Timeline Arcade is the place to step back in time with over 300+ video arcade games and pinball machines. The overall selection of pinball machines includes both old and new games. They have retro decor and also have a pool table. They do allow BYOB after 7 pm. Timeline Arcade is $10 per hour and $5 for each additional hour. They do have a $25 all-day pass. Children are welcome but must have a parent present in the facility. 

I/O Arcade Bar is Madison, WI’s place for drinkers with a gaming problem. Located in a refurbished warehouse, this arcade bar bills itself as a place for “nerds of all kinds” with an 80's vibe reminiscent of Aladdin's Castle at the mall. I/O has a large selection of video and pinball games, including Deadpool and Godzilla Premium, all run on quarters, or choose from a library of board games. I/O is a 21+ venue but hosts all-ages hours every Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm.

Rat your bangs and don your best stonewash jeans and slouch socks – the 80’s are back in Marysville, WA at Crave 80’s arcade bar. Is there an exact replica of your mom’s living room back when Reagan was president? Check. Boom box on the wall? Check. Is the menu in a Trapper Keeper? Indeed it is. See? It isn’t too late to go back! Come grab a beer and play all your favorite arcade games and pinball machines from the 80’s. Watch the calendar for trivia, karaoke, deejays, leagues and tournaments. Be sure to try the world famous stuffed puffins: hot doughnuts filled with ice cream, with a side of whipped cream and sprinkles. Tell your mom you’ll be out past curfew tonight! 

YESTERcades is a fun, family-friendly arcade. The games range from pinball, skee ball, video arcade games, air hockey, and pool. There is also a room for Nintendo, SNES, and Playstation. The decor includes many nostalgic movie posters. YESTERcades has unlimited play for only $9.25 per hour or $25 for a daily pass. 

Mission control is a barcade bringing the '80s back with style, video arcade games, and pinball machines. Their video game collection includes Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. For pinball machines, they have classic games, including Jurassic Park and Attack from Mars. Mission Control does have pinball tournaments. It is located on the 2nd floor of the McFadden Public Market and usually has a DJ playing awesome music. Children are allowed during the day but 21+ at 9 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Upstate Pinball and Arcade museum is a fun retro arcade experience with a diverse collection of pinball machines and video arcade games. Pinball machines range from the 1970s to today's games and retro consoles and classic arcades from the golden age of the arcades (1977-1987). You also can read about the history of the many pieces they have in the museum. They are open Wednesday - Saturday. It is $10 for all-day admission, no quarters are needed.