Game Changer at Lanier Islands Resort

Game Changer at Lanier Islands Resort

Reviews Summary

Game Changer receives mixed reviews, with many praising its fun atmosphere, diverse games (especially golf simulators and axe throwing), and surprisingly excellent food. Multiple reviewers highlight the friendly staff and family-friendly environment. However, some criticize the arcade's poor value, malfunctioning equipment, and high prices. Food quality varies—while many rave about dishes like mac n cheese and burgers, others complain about overly salty or subpar meals. Service inconsistencies and technical issues (like Keno machine problems) also draw complaints. Overall, it’s a hit for families and groups seeking entertainment but falls short for those expecting polished operations or adult-focused gaming.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

7750 Pine Cone Dr

Buford, Georgia 30518

Hours

Monday 4-10PM
Tuesday 4-10PM
Wednesday 4-10PM
Thursday 12-10PM
Friday 12-10PM
Saturday 12-10PM
Sunday 12-10PM

Customer Reviews

This new facility is nothing short of amazing! The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable. The food is top-notch, offering a variety of delicious options to satisfy everyone. With multiple game options available, there's something for every type of fan or gamer. The game-time atmosphere is electric, creating the perfect environment for fun and excitement. Highly recommended!

Food , service, and price were excellent . Our server Valerie did an awesome job serving us. Gave good explanations about food and a great suggestion for our meal. We ate the Steak Frites, it was delicious as was the bang bang sauce served with it. We are not gamers, but if you are this would be a great place for you. Definitely a place to go for a great meal.

Food was delicious! Way outside our expectations! Fries were super crispy burgers were really delicious! Flavors were Bistro good! The game room is fantastic there's a bowling alley an escape room virtual golf axe throwing and even a couple of classic cars! Great place to enjoy with the kids! We got them game cards they played games while we waited for our food then we ate! Even the prize room was great! Super enjoyable

We enjoyed an amazing lunch and watching games on a Saturday. Better than sports bar food. It is foodie type stuff, even though at the bar watching all kinds of football games on various TV?s, foodie stuff. Recommend. We were only there to watch some games and refresh on a busy day. Will be back for axe throwing, the various video games, small bowling, the virtual sports bays of golf, football, lacrosse, basketball, zombie Apocalypse. Will be back awesome service and food. Team is awesome.

Well some.good and bad..We have never been to Lake Lanier so this was all new. We also have never been ax throwing. So we got a drink at bar ,the bartender well ummm..We said on rocks and she replied we have ice..okay then..lol...the ax throwing was cool,but the boards was loose,the axe kept going in between and it was definatley not wet enough . Also having someone stand and watch you the entire time is very odd .. we was on a getaway and having a babysitter was a buzz kill. The place in general is nice an

Second time being there and the food and atmosphere is amazing. The fried pickles are done perfectly not salty or soggy. The quesadillas steak and chicken were good. We also had the pasta, chicken pesto sandwiches, pork skins and guacamole and chips. There is also a game room packed with games, an escape room and virtual axe throwing. Would highly recommend.

On a family vacation and stopped here for lunch, all the other restaurants were closed the day after Memorial Day. Weren't expecting much since it was a gaming establishment with a restaurant. What a surprise. The food was excellent, wings, burgers, hot chicken sandwich, fries, all was great. Our waitress was the best. Thanks for the great service and good

Incredible experience for our company Christmas party event. The wait staff was all over it and the food absolutely exceptional. The games are a lot of fun and we especially loved the bowling. We will certainly return to have some more fun!

Played Keno at the Game Changer, WON. When I went to cash in my ticket the machine went down. After they restarted it and the manager came out and hand typed the ticket in he said I only won $14, it should have been $50. We showed him on the ticket and he said there was nothing he could do. Make sure to take time and scan your ticket yourself on your GA lottery app to have proof. HAPPY PLAYING EVERYONE.

We had a great time here over our weekend trip! Our teen forgot his bag around the pool tables. We realized it about a week later, called and to our shock they were found and turned in. We live a couple hours away, when asked to ship, they did! What a helpful and appreciated task that many wouldn't do. Thank you for everything! Food was great, and prizes were better than Dave and Busters for your money/tickets

Had a great experience today! Gaming was fun, as they have any option you could think of! Indoor golf sim, arcade, axe throwing, awesome food and service! Stephanie stood out to me the most with her hospitality. Thanks so much!

The games are great, but the big surprise is the amazing food and drinks! Our Bartender Stephanie was super friendly and made great recommendations. We had the Mediterranean Platter with salmon tonight and it was outstanding. The fresh mushrooms, vegetables, smashed new potatoes, fresh tomatoes and cucumber with mint?.yummy! And the tzatziki sauce was the best I've ever had. Great job Chef Tom!!

We had my son?s 6th Birthday party here last weekend. The place is cute overall, but $600+ is overkill for a little kids party (of 10 kids.). I was charged $100 for a tray of chicken fingers and fries (for 5 kids) and if I walked in as a regular patron I would?ve paid less. I wasn't informed of the price before ordering and honestly didn't expect it to cost $100 for a small tray of chicken fingers and fries. I've spoken to the management a few times now and the only ?credit? I received was for the $50 that

This is like a Chuck E. Cheese site. Lots of games that spit out tickets (virtual) that can be cashed in for prizes. Great for pre-teen kids but not for adults. What it's missing are classic pinball and arcade games that appeal to adults that don't necessarily generate tickets. Also I noticed that the playing time allowed seemed short for the ticket cost. Most games require around ten tickets, which translates to about $2.25 per play, so I would expect more playing time for that cost.

This is a good place to play games while you're at Margaritaville. You have to pay the $20 entry fee to get here. The virtual games are a good deal, $55 for an hour. I really like the selection of virtual games, the shooting was my favorite. The actual arcade games are mainly crane games. There's also a small mini golf area, virtual axe throwing, and a restaurant.

Feels like a hidden gem. Always a great time when bringing our kids here. Facility is very nice. We always have fun upstairs on the sports simulators.

First time here, came for Song Bingo on Wednesdays! We had a great time, the menu was fantastic, and the whole place was FILLED with games! Something for everyone in the family!

We are camping and have eaten here twice this week? The food is absolutely delicious and the service is great? The cheese sticks are the best I have ever eaten and my daughter loves the fries? If you are visiting or camping, you should most definitely check out Game Changer and enjoy some great food and have some fun with your family.

Great food! Love this place. Ashley and Stephanie are perfect behind the bar and chef Tom has a great menu. Here most weekends. Only suggestion would be to have live music for locals on weekends that doesn't close at 10.

I attended a kid birthday party with my kids for the second time here. Both times the food was good, the staff were attentive and nice, & the kids were entertained without having to add extra money on their play cards.

Only place in the south that I've seen duckpin bowling, so five stars for that alone.

I Enjoyed their Caesar Salad Dressing By far is the best Grilled Chicken Very Good Moist Large portion this is my 3rd time having this salad in a 15 day span My Server Ashley has been a pleasure she will greet you with a big smile she has checked on me twice already Chef Tom Hes also Amazing The Manager Jacob I met today He asked if I needed anything Awesome 10/10 Great service The Cheeseburger and Fries, chicken Quesadillas All are delicious Cleanliness 10/10 Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Thank you

I hate giving low reviews but this place is completely unprepared for any guests. The virtual sports didn't work, they didn't have champagne on new years eve, the bar took 15 min to even take an order. It's over priced. I would give a 0 if I could

Jana saved my night! My wife and I were headed to a special night that I had planned for ax throwing at a local spot called ?Axe Masters? and when we arrived the location was closed and they refused a refund?. But when we called Game Changers at Lake Lanier Islands we were supposed immediately received by Jana who heard our story of the ruined anniversary surprise and gave us the opportunity to throw axes together (of course my wife beat me) but thanks to Jana and the amazing team at Game ,Changers Laris La

The games and food here are amazing!! I thoroughly enjoyed the new facility with parking for golf carts. The game variety is perfect for any family or event!

Wings and food made Buffalo Wild Wings look like fine dining, golf simulator is glitchy at best, games are nice though

The food here is surprisingly good. We enjoyed everything we ate. The chef chatted with us for a bit and was nice and our waitress was really good. Game wise the play area and selection is much smaller then something like Dave and Busters, but it was enough to keep our kids busy while my wife and I ate and got drinks (also good).

My kids really enjoyed the arcade they had lots of games the place was clean & the staff was very friendly & helpful. We will most. Definitely be back j

I didn't expect the food to be that great. It was outstanding and there are lots of fun games.

Excellent atmosphere... food was solid.. friendly staff

Chef Tom is kicking out the jams. Best food on the island, not even close. His dragon sauce is killer, Nashville chicken sandwich killed, Georgia caviar has zing, garlic parm fries are phenom. Looking forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu! Don't eat anywhere else until you've exhausted the menu here.

We had a great time playing mini golf, arcade games, getting a drink and eating dinner. Their food is surprisingly good and well priced. I've had their bang bang shrimp wrap with sweet potato tots and it was very good and I've also had their Harvester Bowl, which was delicious. The bowl had so much flavor packed into it, I'm a fan. I'm definitely gonna try more of their bowls and make sure my wife tries the Harvester Bowl.

I had relatively low expectations for the food here and was very pleasantly surprised. We had the Nashville Hot Chicken, the Blue Cheese Smash Burger, and the Parmesan garlic fries, all of which were excellent! Plus, we did the escape room, which was a blast.

There's about to be a ?.. a game changer

Our dinner was very good. I order harvest bowl, so tasty and also healthy, my husband and son have all American burger and both like it. We have fun play bingo and truly enjoy this place. We will definitely come again.

Service was excellent, Scarlett was on point and chef Tim came to our table to check on our dinner which was fantastic

An Unapologetic Ripoff. We went last Sunday. You pay $20 per car to park and the price for credits to play are nuts. The ?family pack? bundle cost more than it would be for a family of 4 to go to six flags. Half of the machines are just different claw machines. You would at least think for all the extra you pay you would get good customer service. Wrong. We go to cash out our tickets and brought up an item marked for 1000. The girl goes to ring it up and she say this is 1500, you don't have enough. We show

We had a great time here! Our bartender (Ashley?) was great! The food was delicious and we even got a few rounds of bowling in! Thank you!

This place rocks!! Had a blast with the family playing games and doing the escape room! It's very clean facility and staff was extremely helpful and friendly. Food was super delicious! Do yourself a favor and check this out for a fun family outing. We are looking forward to going back!!

We absolutely love this place! The chef is incredible! We couldn't believe the service we received from bartenders, servers, restaurant, game place, escape room, upstairs virtual games where so much fun. Great for family fun anytime of the year!

Not only do we (my husband & I) enjoy playing the awesome selection of games, the food here is fantastic! I mean some of the best in the area (all around LL). Their sweet potato tots are crazy delish. We've been here a number of times. Grateful they opened it for us big kids at heart.

This was not our first visit to this resort, but our first time to Game Changer as it was not there last time we stayed. We wanted to check it out, see what was available to do. It has a lot of nice options and a few days of the week they offer free, fun games. We were there on Tuesday night which is Music Bingo. You never know what era or genre they are going to choose. You get two game cards which are Free and the winners get a prize to use there at Game Changer. It was fun but sitting in the area th

Visited Game Changer for the first time this evening and had an absolutely blast?the significant other had a ball with the very fancy golf simulators and we had a great time taking the younger ones in the escape room and axe throwing booths. They've packed a lot of variety into this one space and it seems to be a hidden gem! Food is INCREDIBLE!!! Like some of the best ?bar? food I've ever had. Definitely need to add this place to your date night list!

Fun easy (but not for us! Lol) level escape room reasonably priced, and unexpectedly great homemade dessert!

My kids and I had a great time here. They had lots of games and activities to choose from. My kids won so many tickets and prizes! My daughter even won a giant mushroom squishy out of a claw machine. The Game Changer also had mini golf, axe-throwing, and an on-site restaurant.

I have been to Gamechangers two time. They have a great variety of games, from old fashioned basketball to high end video games. They offer axe throwing, an escape room and mini-golf. They have a full bar and great food. It is a fun outing to do with your whole family, a group from work or a date night. I would highly recommend it!

Good food and games. Dog friendly

The service and food are absolutely amazing. Don't be fooled by eating in the arcade. This is not your typical bar food, it's phenomenal. The picture below is the Harvest Bowl with ancient grains, roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized cauliflower Grill artichoke, avocado, almond pesto, with Harissa. Parmesan, garlic fries are wonderful. Salmon with cream spinach, crispy potatoes and fresh lemon. Salmon is cooked to perfection.

Tried to order carry out. Hostess said go to the bar, bar said see the hostess. Bar took our order but was clearly agitated that we wanted to do take out. An hour and 5 mins later, we got our order. Most of it was wrong and what wasn't was horrible. Unsafe undercooked meat, rubbery fries and to boot the prices are outrageous. Word must be out as there were maybe 15 people there on a Friday night. Will not return.

Let me start off by saying WOW!!! We were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the quality of the food and attention to detail this establishment demonstrated during our visit to Lanier Islands. This is definitely hands down the best place to eat at Lanier Islands surpassing many of the higher end restaurants located on site. Sean, Chef Tom & Ashley demonstrated how an establishment should be operated by providing an extra degree of effort (212 degree). You tube 212 degree effort and you will understa

This place is really nice! Had the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and it was very good! Parmesan garlic fries amazing. Ice cold beer. Friendly bartenders. Lots of games. You need to come here!

The arcade portion of this establishment is not worth the cost. The value of the dollar is miniscule here. We had a free $10 game card ticket and used it up in about 5 minutes. $10 is 40CR, with most machines costing at least 10CR with a select few being less than 10CR. There are A LOT of claw games, direct prize games and ticket generation games. Very few actual arcade games. Air hockey lasted about 3 minutes with half of that time being used to determine the machine didn't work correctly. It didn't refund

Stayed at RV resort and was 5 minutes from the newly opened ?Game Changer? restaurant and arcade, golf simulator etc?to start with its Friday night with two servers? Which our server hustled and did well. My problem was we ordered Two American burgers and fries, both were horribly ?SALTY? we did not go past two bites. The fries were not much better. The server refunded one burger which we added to her tip, wasn't her fault. Then we went to golf simulator upstairs and the simulator that was available was not

Family had a blast here! Games were great, food was surprisingly fantastic and wonderful people working there. We will definitely be back.

Honestly, originally I was going to leave a 1 star review and I'll explain why I didn't. When we arrived at Game Changer I noticed a green jeep with a male and female off-roading in the land across from the location which is a no-no. Then I watched the young man pull into the parking lot and park his jeep in the handicap parking spot even thought there was open parking and he did not have a tap or plate. I let it go. When we arrived inside we wanted to sit upstairs so our kids could play the VR and have di

This place is so fun. Right now it's the best kept secret. The food is perfect the drinks are stout and the games are funnnnn!

Very clean and well-kept game room, there are games for various ages kids and adults games to including an ax-throwing target. I had a great TIME and I'm 65 years old.

Great place food was great people friendly

Ok for small children but most of the simulators don't work

Excellent service. Food is great for the price

Honestly, biggest let down ever? no one was there , had to hunt for staff and all they did was complain about management and how they don't do anything. Food was good but the rest was awful. We even went back a second time for ice cream at 8:30 but the staff said they were slow so the kitchen was closed. Seriously , 4 of the staff refused to serve ice cream because they were slow ??? Worst experience ever!!!!

Good idea but VERY small business hours and it has a barrier called the front gate of the islands. Pay to get there, pay to enjoy it. Fun space, but expensive just to go. Probably should be open until 10 on weekdays, 9 on Sundays, and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Possibly compensation for the gate in some way.

Went with some friends that live locally. Had a couple drinks and enjoyed the facility! Lots of kid and adult fun to be had here.

Fun for large or small groups. Putt putt golf, virtual reality golf and target shooting, corn hole, axe throwing, ski ball, earn points and redeem for fun prizes. Nice staff and servers. Yummy guacamole.

Kids had a great time. Food was awesome also. Very nice hosts.

Everyone I take here says BEST mac n cheese EVER! We Love chix/shrimp add ins. And fries were GREAT!

Don't let the "D&B" feel fool you. The food here is amazing.

Pretty good food ....exciting bingo games. The arcade, virtual reality games were great. Staff members exceptional.

Great video games, great food and great family fun for all ages! Thanks for making our visits to this place special we really appreciate it!

The kids had fun. Very courteous!

The food and service were good. Axe throwing and the Escape Room were fun, but...it was seriously overpriced. All in all, it was a good time

Had a lot of fun. Wish there was more of selection for prizes.

Great entertainment for the entire family.

Game Changer offers Keno, but no one there knows how to use the machine. We put $120 into the Keno machine and not even the manager knew how it worked. Terrible customer service.

Cool place to hang out for a drink dinner and apps with entertainment.

Food is awesome. Drinks good too. Oh yeah they also have games.

every expensive game almost $2 each round but staff friendly and place clean

Good family fun. No cash plays. Escape room is fun!

Chucke cheese is better than this place as far as the games go. Very new and just opened.

Not quite what I expected. It was a wide open space rather than divided and defined spaces. This is really a great place for kids to hang out.

Beautiful place for kids... Beautiful destination to relax with family

Website says 2pm open time. Some guy who answered the phone at landshark said ?yeah they should be open?. Called abs no one answers. Get there and sign says 5 pm to open. What a joke.

Lots of things to do for all ages. Lots of special events for the family

W food, W drinks, W games, and Extremely W service

I came here without knowing where it is, and I was surprised that the food was so delicious. I will study where I am and come back.

Stephanie is awesome!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.