Videogame Arcades UK
Videogame Arcades are becoming a dying breed, so here is my list for the best Videogame Arcades that I have been to across the UK. If you have your own to suggest, please let me know.
Note: prices and information is listed at the time of entry to the site, and should be used only as refference. Puppyland is not affiliated with any of these businesses.
Index
Timewarp Arcade, Bridgwater
National Videogame Museum, Sheffield
History of Videogames, Bristol
Arcade Club Bury
Timewarp Arcade, Bridgwater
[Click here for Timewarp's Homepage]
Watsons Ln, Bridgwater TA6 5BE, United Kingdom.
Paid Entry, Free-to-play Machines. £8 all-day entry, £5 for under-12's (accompanied by adult)
Range of machines: |
| There is a wide range of older machines available, but no imports |
Number of Machines: |
| There are 60+ machines |
Noise and lights: |
| The lighting is turned down. Volume can get high, though it is not uncomfortable. |
Money's Worth: |
| This is the least expensive arcade on the list, and has many machines to make it worth your time. |
Wheelchair accessibility: |
| You may need assistance to get inside. Alleys between machines are easily maneuverable, but assistance may be required. |
Food Accessability: |
| You will have to eat before or after visiting. However, there are plenty of accessible restaurants around. |
My personal favourite go-to arcade. This location has all kinds of machines, including many unique rideable machines that are hard to find elsewhere. There are many unique machies, and also the standard classics, such as Galaga, and Outrunners. Though, a lot of machines are hosted on standard cabinets, rather than their original shells. They also sell a really tasty watermelon fizzy in the fridge up front, which is definitely worth picking up. This location hosts annual halloween pizza costume parties, amongst other events, which are absolutely worth the trip down, if you live up-country like I do. There is also an affiliate store for retro games and memorabillia in town called Insane Games (4 Fore St, Bridgwater TA6 3NQ) that is worth dropping by if you're already in town.
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National Videogame Museum, Sheffield
[Click here for NVM's Homepage]
Castle House, Angel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S3 8LN, United Kingdom.
Paid Entry, Free-to-play Machines. £12 entry for 3 hours, £10 for under-18's, Students, PIP & DLA, and over 60's.
Range of machines: |
| There are not so many machines, but the ones that are here are select picks. |
Number of Machines: |
| There is a very limited selection of machines. |
Noise and lights: |
| Lights are turned on, and the machines are evenly spaced that the volume is not turned up. |
Money's Worth: |
| Whilst there are plenty of machines, you only get three hours for the price. |
Wheelchair accessibility: |
| There is a ramp to enter the building, and space between all of the machines. |
Food Accessability: |
| You will have to eat before or after visiting. However, there are plenty of accessible restaurants around. |
An awesome spot, with plenty of interesting picks. This arcade is more of an experience than a traditional arcade, and features a selection of console games such as Mario Paint, as well as arcade games. I would recommend this spot more as an experience, than a frequent go-to spot to play - it is especially good for beginners to arcades, before jumping into the deep end. My sole complaint is that there is not enough time allotted to see it all! I'd like to spend more time here. You will certainly need to book a return trip or two to experience it all.
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History of Video Games, Bristol
[Click here for HoVG's Homepage]
The Galleries Shopping Centre, 25 Union St, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3XD, United Kingdom.
Paid entry, Free-to-play Machines. £13 all-day entry, £10 for under-14's or £40 for any group of four.
Range of machines: |
| There are a good range of machines available, including import machines. |
Number of Machines: |
| There are over 100 machines. |
Noise and lights: |
| Lights are dimmed, and the volume does not get so loud. |
Money's Worth: |
| There are all kinds of machines, so it is worth the price. |
Wheelchair accessibility: |
| Alleys between machines are easily maneuverable. |
Food Accessability: |
| You can leave and return at any time. There are dietarily accessible restaurants in the same shopping centre |
HoVG includes import cabinets from Japan, and has a large collection of original cabinets for their games. During our visit, this included Pop'n Music, Donkey Kong Jr, and other such arcade games running on the original cabinets. There is also a boardgaming segment, which includes gems such as Dixit and Labyrinth, for when you need a screen break. Very much enjoyed by us. Plus, admission is given in the form of a paper bracelet so you can leave at any time to grab some food. If you have dietary requirements, the Subway directly above can do gluten-free and milk-free sandwiches.
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Arcade Club Bury
[Click here for Arcade Club Bury's Homepage]
Ela Mill, Cork Street, Bury, Manchester BL9 7BW
Paid entry, Free-to-play Machines. £17 all-day entry, £9 for under 16's, or £43 for a family of two adults, two children.
Konami E-Amusement passes are sold in the shop for £10 each.
Range of machines: |
| There are machines from different decades, including current imports such as MaiMai, Pop'n Music, and Jubeat |
Number of Machines: |
| There are over 300 machines spread over the four floors |
Noise and lights: |
| If you are sensitive to eyestrain and lots of noise, this location is unsuitable. The rhythm games floor is loud enough to induce temporary tinnitus - earplugs are advised |
Money's Worth: |
| Whilst it is very expensive, you have access to 300+ machines all-day. Summer hours for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday usually run from 11am to 11pm. |
Wheelchair accessibility: |
| There is an elevator to get to the higher floors. They have since widened the walkways, so it is easier to navigate with a wheelchair |
Food Accessability: |
| Previously, we had stated that you had to walk to find food. This is no longer the case - the cafe on the fourth floor now sells milk-free, gluten-free pizzas for $pound;4.50 (and that's for the whole pizza!) - the staff will be more than happy to help you out, if you are friendly. |
Arcade Club Bury has the largest collection of free-to-play machines in Europe, it has four floors of machines. It is also by far the most packed arcade, depending on what time you go - we advise visiting on a Thursday or Friday, or later in the afternoon on Saturday!
The first floor contains miscellaneous machines and the shop, but the following floors are themed - the second floor seems to be intended for young children, contains modern games and machines, such as basketball games, switch games, and a selection of machines playing games such as Roblox, and Fortnite. This floor is the hardest to navigate by wheelchairs - it isn't very interesting to adults, but please keep this in mind if you have younger members in your party
The third floor contains rhythm games, including imports from Japan, such as Pop'n Music, Bishi Bashi Channel, and Jubeat - which you can get a Konami e-musement pass for at the shop on the first floor for £10.
The fourth and final floor contains arcade classics such as Golden Axe, Galaga, Q*Bert, and even Flicky.
The food and drinks are affordable. They have a bar on the third floor which serves alcholic beverages and some soft drinks, and a sit-down restaurant cafeteria on the fourth floor which sells pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, and nachos. You can request for the pizzas to be made vegan and gluten-free.
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