Main Event Memphis

Main Event Memphis

Reviews Summary

Main Event offers a mix of fun activities like arcade games, bowling, and laser tag, with many families enjoying their visits, especially for birthdays. However, reviews highlight frequent issues with broken games, slow or rude service, and overpriced food. While some staff members receive praise, others are criticized for poor hospitality. Food quality is inconsistent, with some meals arriving cold or disappointing. The venue is generally clean and lively, but management and maintenance need improvement. Overall, experiences vary widely—great for some, frustrating for others.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
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.*

What to Expect from Retro Games in Arcades

Step into the glow of retro arcade games and expect a nostalgic rush! Classics like Galaga, Donkey Kong, or Mortal Kombat await, housed in vibrant cabinets with joysticks, buttons, or trackballs. You’ll dodge enemies, chase high scores, or battle opponents in fast-paced, pixel-perfect gameplay. Modern restorations include sharp CRT or LED screens and authentic controls, preserving the 80s/90s vibe. Games are easy to learn but tough to master, offering quick sessions or deep challenges. With leaderboards and arcade crowds cheering, retro games deliver timeless fun in 2025.

What to Expect from Virtual Reality in Arcades

Step into virtual reality for a breathtaking adventure! Arcade VR stations boast advanced headsets (like Oculus or HTC Vive), motion controllers, and sometimes full-body tracking or treadmills. You’ll dive into games like Beat Saber or VR shooters, swinging, dodging, or aiming in 360-degree worlds with vivid visuals and immersive sound. Gameplay spans solo quests to multiplayer battles, with intuitive controls for all levels. Arcades offer vibrant, social VR zones, delivering a thrilling, cutting-edge experience in 2025.

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 Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Virtual Reality
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

7219 Appling Farms Pkwy

Memphis, Tennessee 38133

Hours

Monday 11AM-1AM
Tuesday 11AM-12AM
Wednesday 11AM-12AM
Thursday 11AM-12AM
Friday 11AM-1AM
Saturday 11AM-1AM
Sunday 11AM-1AM

Customer Reviews

First time coming here while visiting Memphis. Interesting spot; kinda like Dave and Busters on steroids. They had something called gravity ropes, laser tag, pool tables, an arcade, bowling alley, pizzeria, full bar and another area to eat other snack foods. Great place to bring kids or have an adult date or even to watch the game. TVs are all around the bar and the restaurant area. We ordered a platter for two with cheeseburger sliders and buffalo chicken sliders, Brussels sprouts, cheese bread, fried pic

It's been a while I've been here.No new games, same ones as before. Went there this week for a game. The place is still great and not crowded on weekdays, but the food quality is way down now. Tried the Korean spicy boneless wings and they weren't great, just spices thrown together. The regular fries and sauce were good, but I wouldn't recommend the loaded fries. Mozzarella sticks were plain. Sticking to their regular wings and enjoying the games instead is better! The strawberry mojito didn't blend well,

We visited Main Event for a date night, choosing it over Dave & Buster's, and unfortunately, we left somewhat disappointed. While the pizza was delicious, our experience with the games was less satisfying. Many of the games had issues, with several being broken or flawed. For example, one of the guns on the Jurassic shooting game was broken and wouldn't aim properly, detracting from our enjoyment. Additionally, we noticed that there were still many children around even after 8:30 PM, which wasn't what we ha

We had a group event here with about 75 people. They were very nice and accommodating. The food was good. Games were fun. Staff went above and beyond. We had an issue with a customer that we had to get management involved. Management got security involved quickly and appropriately. They did a very good job at handling the situation. Also the ice cream was a nice surprise.

Loved the food and facility overall but the service was less than average. After paying on a mobile terminal for our food, we never received a receipt. I went to the bar to get one and the bartender told me I had to find a waitress or a manager. How do you task that to a guest? Manager wasn't friendly either. Other than that, the kids had a great time.

Great pizza and service. A really great place to take the kids. Has games, bowling ??, and offers family fun and parties. Would highly recommend for families.

Couldn't bowl due to the list so we watched others and drank up a storm... I even paid not only for the people that accompany me but another group that didn't have cash only cash app without tap to pay but blessings to blessings most definitely a spot for absolutely excitement ??????????

They never disappoint. My daughter took her little sister on a date, and she hasn't stopped talking about it yet. They had so much to, and my daughter said her debit card was quite warm to the touch afterward. I assume she didn't know how much I spent on our outings, and it must have been very humbling. Not to mention, she only ate half of what she made her sister order....yes lord.

There employees are very bad mannered. Especially with the kids. When you pay to get in, most of the games are closed and you might on pay a huge portion for the bowling. The employees are very rude to children. One of there employees got mad at my children for nothing. My kids were just waiting to get in the laser tag. That employee tested my patience.

The experience I had here was amazing. I got the unlimited attractions package with a bunch of my friends. We bowled for an hour then we went to go get something to eat. I got a Triple Lava Burger. It had 3 patties topped with American cheese & smothered in creamy cheese with caramelized onions. I got it with some tater tots and a drink. After we finished that we played pool for hours. I absolutely loved my experience here and well definitely be coming back.

Had the best time for my girls 12th birthday! Ant was a great server!

My son is shipping off for basic in a couple day, so as a treat I decided to take him and his brother out for some fun?. Being a Wednesday afternoon I thought it would be a good time. I was wrong! This was our 1st time here. So it was surprising to us that you have to sign up for each event and wait hours to actually play. This cost $51.01 for 2 people at the before noon special. We also ate lunch. The food was ok BUT expensive. $44 for 2 burgers with fries, a personal pepperoni pizza and 1 refillable drink

The reason for the low rate is because I was told I couldn't order any food BUT after asking again about 20 minutes later I was able to order the family pizza deal. Tried to order more since it was a party of 7 only to be told not taking any orders. Was given the Oh we are short staff story. The employee then Proceeds to play on him/he phone. This was on a Tuesday and at 3pm. The employee at the front was very VERY helpful with picking what packages would work for us and also the employee at the prize coun

Speaking from my son?s perspective, he went for a birthday party and had an awesome time. He has been to several places similar to main event, but really enjoyed that they had a laser tag bowling arcade and much more.

This platter was well-worth every penny!! This filled up a party of 6

I would honestly like to say that main event has fallen off tremendously with their food. Me and my family went to main event on Sunday December 4th around 11:20am. For my brothers birthday. When we came wanting to be seated waiting for a host. The head chef came in and stated that there was no sever there at the moment so we had to order our food where they serve pizza. They gave us the menu, after we decided what we wanted we got our buzzers and sat at the booths waiting for our food. I ordered the wing

First time customer that took my child here for his birthday and I wasn't impressed. The games were okay but incredible pizza is better in regards to games/attraction selection. The service was terrible. Waitress forgot an order, took her more than 20 minutes to come back to check on us. I asked for a mojito and it took another 20 minutes to come back just to tell us they didn't have the Mint so I asked for a cup of water and she never came back. We had to find the manager to pay for the tab. The security w

I really had a great time at this place. We wanted to go to Dave&Busters but I really didn't want to spend that kind of money just to kill a few hours. So we found this place and it did not disappoint. It is a very clean and well managed establishment. The restrooms were extremely clean and smelled great too. The food was good and we had very friendly service. The arcade games were not nearly as expensive as I had imagined. They start at $1 A game and go up to about $3. The bowling was awesome. I love the b

Went here for project prom and didn't get there until 12:30. Stayed until 3:30. Sponsors were asked to leave early after paying. Workers took up food and drinks early. Asked kids when they were leaving as if impatient. Some of the options of things to do were fine, however the service was awful. If you're looking for a good event to go to, don't pick here.

I really had a great time with my family. Jackie had a great smile and was so nice. Elliot that worked in prizes was so patient with my kids. I will definitely be back!

Beer too expensive. Bowling was fun. Limited selection of games. Don't like getting frisked to get into an arcade. Security said ?better not have no liquor on you? and gave us weird stares and negative energy. One came out and stared as if he had an issue with me and did the same thing when leaving.

Took almost 30 mins to get a server to order food. (Only ones sitting down) The 2 employees we talked to rolled their eyes (bartender, random lady that came out the kitchen) when we got their attention. I Asked kindly. The lack of care, sticky menus. Not to mention a few broken games and one that was broken almost a month ago when we came. Don't come here. Absolutely trash.

Service was good but couldn't get draft beer because all their taps were ?broken?. I am not a Memphis resident, so do people around here just put up with what appears to be a systemic level of disrepair and incompetence? I've had good experiences at other Main Event locations, but I have never in my entire life encountered a bar where NONE of their drafts were available. (Did not try the food because I am deeply concerned at this point.)

The kids had a blast. They enjoyed the laser tag and the gravity climb. The games were good, but it kept taking my money and didn't work for several games. The staff did replace it back on my card. The best part was picking your prizes and moving on outta there. No long lines at all!!

Don't eat ANYTHING from here I get sick everytime I eat here, so does my little sister and even some of the employees, no one here has a real work ethic because everyone is underpaid. No but seriously do not eat here, only games and bowling is safe.

The price for everything you can do is great for families. But some of the arcade games didnt work. There was no sign they didnt work. They took credits from us and we got a staff member to help us and they didnt care it didnt work. They reburst the credits but didnt put a sign up. The bathrooms were really dirty. We didnt eat here. The employees werent friendly or helpful.

Fun times for kids and adults. Bowling and decent arcade selection. Pizza and sliders are pretty decent for the kids birthday parties. Wish you got more lives when playing pacman and arcade style games.

This place suffers from the typical Memphis lack of upkeep. The bowling pin machine would knock over the pins itself and not reset them. 90% of the games just flat out do not work. The menus are covered in old food and are sticky.

I thought I was going for special they usually have, but it was a different day I guess but it sure is expensive if there are no specials, I counted at least 8 machines broken down and seems like many break down and don't get fixed, staff needs to keep up with cleaning around and all. Bowling is fun and laser tag also but gaming part needs to be worked on, other than that all seems to be good. I would recommend people to go there on the days of the specials because other than that you will spend an easy $5

This place was so amazing and mainly due to such great staff. We showed up during the middle of the day on a week day and we're completely surprised that it was packed full with a bus load of kids. The staff definitely had it handled and we still got to do all the things and have a good lunch. the staff told us the best bang for our buck and what packages to do to get the most out of the experience. Everyone was super nice and I highly recommend going

This was a great experience! We went for the first time last night for my daughter?s 6th birthday. Stephon & Jeremiah were AMAZING! They were so sweet to my baby & her friend. Such great customer service. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Employees were patient and polite. Some issues with using the summer pass and they work to get it all resolved. Everyone we encountered was kind.

Main Event was awesome. I'm mean as far as family fun and entertainment they have everything covered. The food is amazing down to the deserts. They have a nice bowling alley and an arcade side, a pool table side by the bar. Everything was fun the even the grand parents enjoyed themselves. Thanks

We had a great time. We celebrated my daughter's sweet 16th birthday.

If I could give 100 stars I would. As a busy mom who works 6 days a week, our Sundays are fundays and reseved for family bonding. Whether you are venturing for an intimate setting at the bar with a spicy game of billiards or family friendly bonding over a game of laser tag or overcoming a major fear of heights with a minor gravity rope course(yes, 13 ft is very minor...my 6 yr old daughter did it!), this place has it all. Though, the entertainment is not what sold me and hubby, it was the food! The most exp

Laser tag is literally a blast....best activity there! Had so many malfunctions while Bowling on lane 15, it made it more of a hassle than fun. Food was good, long wait though. Over all kinda pricey but fun.

I ordered chicken strips with my school I waited 1 hour and 45 minuets and never got it and had to leave horrible place

Me and my aunt went around 5pm. We paid for wrist bands to play unlimited billiards, bowling, Lazer tag, and other various activities. I got the app and got free credits to play at the arcade. They had a bar and regular drinks there with free refills. The drinks were a great price, the soft drinks were $3.50 and I got two cups and unlimited refills. The wrist bands to play unlimited were just $20 a person all night until midnight (they were actually open past then and would gladly let you stay). Also the at

It was fun it's over ran with teenagers but I still had fun it's strange having a bar with kids all around it I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the 50 to 100 teenagers hanging out in the parking lot trying to get you to let them come in with you because you must be accompanied by a adult I gave it 4 stars because the security is deep inside and outside the front door and they do not play there 20 deep with guns and bullet proof vest so I felt safe with my teenage kids there still fell like th

Had an overall good time with the husband. It was cool to be back in the 90s again. Some games were fun (DDR & Typhoon), but there are several shooting games with the guns were not functional (Big Buck Player 1 trigger can lock backwards as there was no trigger guard) or not calibrated correctly (Ghostbusters) leaving it unplayable. I got lunch with during our visit. I ended up with mild food poisoning. Losing a lot of water the day after. We did a few rounds of bowling. The shoes provided were kinda falli

I hosted my son?s 9th birthday party on yesterday at this venue, and I must say it was way more than I bargained for. There were hiccups during the check in process. No guidance or direction was provided regarding the check in location once you arrived at venue. When I did identify the location inside of the venue, the attendants were very unprofessional. There was definitely communication issues which need to be resolved going forth. This is the reason why I didn't give them 5 stars. Now in regards to the

I traveled from Las Vegas, and was looking for some fun things to do in Memphis. Overall, main event was a great place. Arcade games were fun and there was a good variety of games. We didn't bowl but the establishment itself was extremely clean and we had a great time. The only reason why I gave three stars was because of our service. We sat at the bar and Charisma was TERRIBLE. She's the only reason for the three star review. And probably the reason we would not go back. Every other server/host that walke

We took my 9 year old here for her birthday Wednesday and we had a blast!!! The staff was great.. very helpful and professional. Liliana (not sure if that's correct) but she took my daughter through the ropes course and made it the best experience for her.. she continued to check on us throughout the evening even when we were bowling! We will be back for sure !! Thanks again!

Enjoyed it before the Friday night crowd got there, then people were coming by the bus loads, so we left. But I had a great experience and will definitely return in the future.

Kids had fun, but I will say staff didn't stay on ball, how can you play pool with 8 to 10 kids on one pool table, bumping into you,hitting your pool stick when your trying to make a shot... There was no enforcement of rules.... Looked like staff was hidding in kitchen or back room ... When you need staff out on the floor... Noone at front doors making sure kids have an adult... If you know that you allow kids to be unsupervised then get more staff to supervise... While we were playing pool waiters were wal

Amazing place , was an absolute blast for the whole family!! Will definitely be going back again.

I went for a birthday party, and the lanes kept shutting down. They moved us to other lanes, and it did the same thing. They finally brought out the food and still had to wait 45 minutes for plates and cups. At this point, the food was cold, and everyone was over it. Management never came out to respond ?? to the issues we were having. Never again!!!!

Great games, great bowling. The only complaint we have is ordering our food, it was a 20 minute wait just to place our order because there was only one person to take it plus take the orders of alcohol drinks. Same person for both. Other then that great place for kids and reasonably priced. We will be back! Plus when we did get our food it was worth the price.

OMG I love this area super big huge lots of variety games to play also there is bowling which is nice fora arcade didn't try the food tho?? but overall the service was excellent atmosphere is very good not crowed

Hey I think my girlfriend left a kakashi keychain up there. We were with the dominos group that came around 2:30pm to about 6. It's grey, has 2 keys , an AirPod case and a coin purse. We tried calling the store for hours but nobody answered.

Ordered my pizzas but Had to take them to my own table maybe I should have waited to be seated

Had an hour wait. That's no problem, well just play games , so we try on multiple machines to get a card, first one just don't work, next one only takes cash, third one has no cards, finally we get 2 cards which is another $100. Tried asking 2 people for help which I was told to stand in line again to get the cards. Crappy service!

We took our 5 year old and she loved it. We had a great time too. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

We took our son here for his birthday and this place was so much fun. It was clean and felt safe. We did not eat here though since the food was very expensive. We got 3 drinks and it cost us $12.00.

A time was had per usual and the food was good 10/10 highly recommend

Main Event can be a hit or a miss. Most of the arcade games are broken and the credits to play are high. They are also not clean sometimes. I like to go only because they are the only place with a decent amount of games.

We had an awesome time. Hailey and Joey were amazing. Everything was excellent until it was time to go & I discovered that someone stole my shoes. We checked lost & found a few times before heading out the door. Whomever took them must have needed them so may God bless their hearts.

Did bowling and arcade games all fun, but the arcade games could do better with maintenance. Some didn't work properly or work at all, food was good, and some staff were nice and some not so much.

Great time with friends and family. All four kids (3yrs - 8yrs) had so much fun. We bought them all wrist bands. They played video games, zipped lined, and bowled.

Don't waste your money here. Most the games didn't work and the lines were too long to get points refunded. Food took over 2 hours to get. The place was poorly managed and dirty. Not a family friendly place.

Birthday for William 8yr old, "SAYS BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!" 1st birthday after passing of his Mom in July 2021! Great place for all ages at the "MAIN EVENT!"

Celebrated my birthday for the 2nd year in a row it was awesome!!! Love ?? there!! Good Food but the drinks were a bit blend like watered down like!! All in all it was good fun!!

My visit was excellent, we bought pizza in the labella?s area and this black young brother ?Kev? that had a great spirit was so outstanding as our cashier, he most definitely need to be more recognized, the overall experience was amazing 10/10

What a fun place. Unfortunately the bartender wasn't very friendly. We went for a work party and opened a tab and this lady (the bartender) brought me a check to sign when I went back to order another beer. Never did i once ask to close out. Keep in mind we spend over $400 on drinks. Thats $80 tip at 20% which we tip on company card. I just felt rushed and it was rude to assume on the bartenders end..maybe yall need new management. I'd hate to see another successful company come to memphis and get ruined by

The staff was really friendly and helpful. It was tons of funthe only thing negative about my experience was some of their basketball games or not working correctly and do not keep the score. But other than that everything else is awesome

The family kitchen restaurant has no servers available. Waited 20min for drink and another 30 min for food.

Clean family friendly fun. Games are a bit pricey and include the typical gambling sort of games, but also a giant PAC man and some skill based games. The bowling lanes are high tech compared to the ones back home and were awesome. Also the food was fairly good.

I hated it yeah the games are cool but do not go to La Bella?s Pizza because they are slow and bad service someone paid 117 on something really cheap. Don't go it's horrible

MOST THE GAMES BROKEN. MY SON WON A PRIZE AND NEVER RECEIVED IT. THE FOOD MENU WAS NOT CORRECT TOLD ME THEY DID NOT DO IT ANY MORE. VERY NASTY! NEVER WILL RETURN HERE!

My kids had an amazing time. I love the bowling ??! The gravity ropes weren't working today, but I hope they are the next time we come!

The ambiance was awesome! They have fun games and AMAZING food. The wings and fries were great and the snickerdoodle shake was so yummy! We had so much fun!

This place was lots of fun! It was my daughter's birthday, she really enjoyed herself!

We had a fabulous time! We did a little bit of everything. Bowling, lazer tag, ropes course, and games! The food was yummy and reasonably priced. Staff was all super friendly and helpful!

A place where the family can all have a fun all day. All the staff ate super nice.

My brother's 15th birthday was a blast. The staff went out of their way to take great care of my family and I. Food was awesome. Games were fun. They have lazer tag, rope climbing, bowling, arcade games. Its great! Only downside is that It can be a little pricey.

Nice place to hangout with friends, many games, food. Good customer service, and cleanliness. Bowling experience was great! Bowling lane is charged per hour for up to 5 members, if you go before 5 pm it's cheaper than after 5 pm. They have good collection of games. Food and drinks are also served in the bowling arena. They have Laser tag arena. Indoor zip lining is not available at this location:( Parking available on premise.

If you need a good experience with your friends while bowling this is never your option. The bowling lanes got stuck thrice in an hour. When it comes to ordering food while bowling it's never going to happen. There is no server available near the Bowling lanes to take your food or drinks order. You might end up doing everything yourself. But when it comes to paying the bill they are always on time to pick up the cheque. Worst experience ever never going back here for bowling.

They place is amazing! But the entire time I was there I felt unsafe although they had security. It's a children's playground but there was so many adults doing the most that night might not be going back since they had a shooting too

I took my so for his birthday around 5pm and we were there until 9pm and it was great. The food was good and the adult drinks were great!!! My son enjoyed himself along with his friends!!!????

Arcade games were expensive ($1.50 per game!) but bowling was fun. We went on the Monday Madness and paid $10.95 for unlimited bowling, laser tag, billiards and rope walk. You can also choose to pay that price for unlimited arcade game play but heads up you just play for fun and not for tickets. We opted to not do this because I'd be mad if I hit the jackpot and got nothing for it. Bowling is expensive ($29pp). Laser tag was so much fun but it got hot in there. The laser tag game seemed to go on forever whi

Was a typical arcade and game room. Games included arcade, rope walks, bowling, laser tag, pool tables, air hockey, and skee ball. There's a pizza, drinks, and ice cream bar. And a bar and party rooms are available. Also outside seating and tables. The kids had a great time. However it's not cheap, arcades never are. When we tried to leave a couple of cars blocked us in our space and refused to move until our driver started trying to back up and pull forward over the curb, it was still an inching game and

Had a great time with my son tonight. Would have been even better if everything was working. 1 pool table didn't have balls, the shuffleboard needed "sand" my son and both had issues with our laser tag vests and several games were out of order.

This was my first time going to Main Event Memphis. Everything was fantastic. The Staff was amazing the Manager (Richard was the best) which is probably why the staff is amazing. We had my grandchild's birthday event there and all the guest enjoyed themselves. They especially loved the laser tag. Thanks Main Event Memphis for making Artreanna's birthday event memorable!!

The women that hate me started asking there husbands to assault me. When I told the police they just don't go, so I don't. But these women tell men all the time t to assault me.

I have ate here plenty of times. I have never received anything this horrible before. Very disappointed. A

Great experience! Went for a child's birthday party, and had a great time. Nice, clean facility...and perhaps a first for these types of places - all of the arcade games worked! Perhaps a little pricey for a game, but less expensive than losing money due to malfunction. The bowling lanes are nice, and had optional bumpers for children. Pizza was pretty good, and crust had a nice bite. Enjoyed a few flavors of wings. They have pool tables, a restaurant, arcade area, bowling. Perhaps laser tag? I didn't go

I had a lot of fun at Main Event with my family. It was a very lively atmosphere and many things to choose from. However, even though it was a nice experience, there were many things that left us disappointed. For one, MULTIPLE of the arcade games did NOT work. After swiping, a lot of them would just take your card credits and either not let you play the game, or let you play with a broken controller (ex: guns not working on gun games, motorcycles not moving on game, etc.) For the first time one of the game

STAY AWAY!!!! Worst decision that I could have made for my day. Avoid at all cost and save your money. Waited an hour in line for food, another hour for the order (food was cold when we got it) chips were STALE. Ordered dessert, was never brought to us, and one person in my group didn't even get their order. When asking for help from the staff, we were met with NO hospitality whatsoever, not even an apology or "sorry about that" or "sorry for the wait." In fact they didn't even try to fix the problem, they

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.”

Are retro games in arcades still good in this modern age?

Absolutely, retro games in arcades remain a thrilling draw in 2025! Classics like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Street Fighter II offer simple yet addictive gameplay, blending nostalgia with timeless challenge. Modern arcade cabinets often feature crisp displays and restored controls, enhancing the experience. These games thrive on quick reflexes and strategy, with vibrant pixel art and iconic soundtracks that spark joy. Arcades host tournaments and leaderboards, fostering a lively community. While modern games dominate, retro titles provide a unique, accessible thrill that keeps arcades buzzing.

Are virtual reality games in arcades worth playing?

Yes, virtual reality (VR) games in arcades are a top attraction in 2025! Titles like Beat Saber and Half-Life: Alyx deliver immersive thrills with cutting-edge headsets, motion tracking, and responsive controllers. High-resolution displays and spatial audio create heart-pounding experiences, from slashing rhythms to battling zombies. Arcades feature multiplayer VR zones and tournaments, fostering lively communities. VR booths are regularly packed, proving their captivating, next-level gameplay makes them a must-try arcade experience.

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.