It’s Raiden Fighters, Time Crisis and Captain America and The Avengers, for me. That’s right: we’re talking about favorite arcade games.
For a certain generation, video game arcades are the hallmark of an era gone decades ago. Maybe you were a kid who lived through the days when you had to hold a small handful of sweaty coins; maybe you were the parent taking that kid to spend their paycheck in the form of those quarters.
But the arcade is not dead. Here’s where to go to find joysticks and smash combos in Austin and Central Texas.
Cidercade
One of the newcomers to the scene, you can’t fault much of the fun lakeside palace Cidercade. The model is a gamer’s dream: pay $10 for a day pass and play all the games you want. They have lots of classic games, as well as a huge selection of pinball machines. (Deadpool’s is great fun.) Oh, and the name: they serve many types of hard cider. And the pizza isn’t bad either. For the old morons, yes, it was Joe’s Crab Shack.
Arcade UFO
Billing itself as Austin’s first Japanese-style gaming center, Arcade UFO has been around since 2008. It’s a familiar site for University of Texas students wandering around the North Campus area. Arcade UFO specializes in fighting and music games. Get into Marvel vs. Capcom 2, some Sega Tetris, maybe In the Groove 2.
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Pinballz
Oh, you wanted an arcade? Have you ever, in your wildest pixelated dreams, thought you would live in a city with a mini chain of video game palaces in the 21st century? The Pinballz brand is synonymous with arcades in Austin. There are, of course, pinball machines, especially at the original location. Plus, Pinballz enhances recreational play at its two spin-off sites, featuring laser tag, mini bowling, bumper cars and more. This may interest you : Let’s Remember How 2002 Was Awesome For Video Games. All locations serve food. The original is BYOB; the other two serve alcohol.
Addresses: 8940 Research Blvd. (original Pinballz), 15201 S. Interstate 35 in Buda (Pinballz Kingdom), 13729 Research Blvd. (Pinballz Lake Creek)
Texas Gamers Lounge
You are driving on Interstate 35. You see a colorful mural with a picture of Bart Simpson. What is that? It’s the Texas Gamers Lounge, aka TGL. On the same subject : The best video games of June 2022: TMNT, Fire Emblem, and more. They have a diverse approach to gaming offerings, including vintage console and PC games. TGL also regularly organizes DJ evenings.
Website: facebook.com/texasgamersloungeaustin
Blazer Tag Adventure Center
Listen. Listen. This native Austinite is the main evangelist of the city’s laser tag temple. I frequented it growing up, and my friends threw me a surprise 33rd birthday party there. Support a local icon. While laser tag is obviously the star here (as it should be), Blazer Tag’s lobby arcade is nothing to sneeze at.
Address: 1701 W. Ben White Blvd.
Epic Fun
In addition to an arcade, this funplex offers ax throwing, rock climbing walls, bumper cars and many more attractions.
Texas Toy Museum
You’ve seen “Toy Story”, but what about… the story of toys? (Oof.) This museum expresses its love of all things playful with exhibits of action figures, video games and more, along with hands-on experiences. Relevant to our interests here: there’s an arcade, with gameplay included with admission.
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Austin’s
For those up north, Austin’s (formerly Austin’s Park ‘n’ Pizza) is a reliable destination for family fun. Added to the arcade games are indoor roller coasters, go-karts, mini-golf, bowling, virtual reality rides, tower drop, and a laser tag arena. They also have a more adult social club, REVL, and food can be found at the bar and grill or buffet.
Address: 16231 Interstate 35 in Pflugerville
Dave & Buster’s
You know what a Dave & Buster’s is.
Address: 9333 Research Blvd., #A600
Main Event
You also probably know what the Main Event is: a classic family funplex with an arcade, mini-golf, billiards and laser tag.
Website: mainevent.com/locations/texas/austin
The Millennium
The East Austin Youth Center offers classic and newer games, as well as rollerblading and bowling.
Website: millenniumaustin.com/activities/arcade
Gattitown
I fear I must once again lead the humble reader into my own nostalgic dissociation from adult reality. Speaking of childhood haunts like Blazer Tag, there’s never been a better excursion for an Austin schoolboy than Gattitown, home to a Mr. Gatti pizza buffet, party rooms and yes, an arcade. giantess. The Oak Hill location of the early 2000s is no more; the Southpark Meadows outpost lives.
Website: mrgattispizza.com/homepage/locations/gattitown-austin-southparkmeadows
EVO Entertainment
You may know the regional chain of entertainment resorts best for their cinemas. EVO Entertainment is also into gaming, uh, gaming.
Addresses: 3200 Kyle Crossing in Kyle, 1180 Thorpe Lane in San Marcos
