*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*
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.
*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*
*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*
*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*
*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*
912 Butternut St
Abilene, Texas 79602
We had our son's birthday party there, and it was amazing! This arcade blows any other out of the water! The staff are friendly and welcoming, and our whole entire family loves going there!
We had a great time on New Year?s Eve! They went all out with decorations, treats, a food truck, and a DJ to ring in the new year. This was our first time at the new location and the changes are great. There is plenty of room and lots of new games to play, we especially appreciated the 4 pinball machines up front. These are real classic systems, so make sure you set your expectations accordingly because they require constant maintenance to keep running and you will encounter systems down or running with
Retro World Arcade is a fantastic, nostalgic experience that cannot just be bought. The staff are courteous and attentive. The 80?s music selection is fantastic as it blairs throughout the venue and you're enjoying your game. You're reminded of simpler times. The fact that you play all you want for one price is amazing. This arcade has been here for years and the owner continues swapping out new cabinets / games, giving it a fresh feel. They also do tournaments, events and retro game swaps, giving vendors
This is the absolute coolest experience I've had in Abilene in a long time. There aren't a lot of places you can go in Abilene where you can have just as much fun as your kid and I'd say this is at the top of the list for us. Clean, safe, welcoming staff. Definitely will be back. The easiest 10 out of 10 I've been able to give out. Thanks so much for a great experience!
My best friend took me there not that long ago. It had an awesome and welcoming atmosphere. I got to vibe out and play House of the Dead. Really enjoyed myself. Definitely will be going back.
Amazing experience! These guys stayed up late to sell us some Wii games for our son! Then told us they will be keeping an eye out for some games we want! Best customer service ever!!
What a great family-owned business!!! They leased me retro video games for an 80?s theme party and it made the party an AMAZING success. Retro World delivered three units (including an ORIGINAL 2 person MS PACMAN) the afternoon of the party, set the games up, in-serviced us on the equipment, were available by phone for questions, came back out to troubleshoot a game that went off-line at no extra charge, and picked the equipment up the next morning. Their rates were exceptionally reasonable for the service
Retro world arcade is absolutely amazing! This arcade lives up to it's name! When I walk in, I feel like I have been transported in time and nostalgia is hitting me like a ton of bricks. There are places that claim to be retro but it's not authentic. The owners are really caring and birthday parties are the best here! I can't say enough good things about this place.
All I can say is the nostalgia!!!!! I feel like a big kid each time I go. Clean fun. Family friendly. On the weekends they have some djs spinning music, A father son duo, it's SO DOPE. Bring the family, play some games, even dance a little! Retro arcade will not disappoint!!!
This place is fun for all ages. Tons of retro arcade games that the adults and kids both love! They also do a great birthday party for kids!
A definite must go to place and repeat!! It's a gem where your family and friends can be entertained for hours and not break the bank ! Remember Christmas break is here with lots of family and friends from out of town. Family fun for everyone !! Your family and friends will thank you for it !!
So much fun just a little loud but I was am??
OMG I GENUINELY LOVE THIS PLACE MAKES ME GO BACK TO MY OLD DAYS OF LIVING IN JAPAN WITH THEIR JAPANESE ARCADE MACHINES SO NOSTALGIC!!! LOVE FROM FROM JAPAN
Retro World is the place I go when I want to get away from everything. The staff and venue are both amazing. The games are where it's at, they have everything you could want to play and so much more. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS
Such a neat arcade with fun retro games from my youth. They also have a d.j. spinning great retro music on Saturday evenings that makes the experience even more fun. Also a very family friendly environment.
This is such a cool place in Abilene! You have to go here and check out all the games. Too many to list. In my list of must haves for an arcade though they have every one! Mortal Kombat 1-4, TMNT, NBA Jam, Galaga, Ms. Pacman, Pinball and so many more! Take on your friend in endless rematches of air hockey! They have game consoles set up too so you can play switch with friends. Always great to see the family that runs it. They are all dedicated to their dream. Thanks for making Abilene a little less boring R
Cool place with a cool vibe. Great music and atmosphere felt like I was back at my childhood arcade. My two boys 9 and 12 and my wife all had a great time.
Had our small office Christmas party there. Fun place. Great staff.
I went tonight with my adultish kids and my almost teenage niece and nephew. We had a great time! The games we're amazing throwbacks of my favorite years. I played almost every game. The owners and his family were also pretty great! Took time to help and time to chit chat. We will most definitely be going again. The price to get in and play is well worth it. It's nice to have something new to do in boring ole Abilene!
Sweet jams! Great selection of games. Wish it was more spacious. Still a good vibe + fun!
Retro world is the best place I've been to. The games are so fun to play every time. The prices are affordable. I would recommend retro world arcade to everyone. I love this place and i enjoy coming back! Places like retro world need to be seen and known to people.
The staff and owner are amazing. It's a smaller place, but a great place to play some old school games with a great atmosphere and easy to keep track of your kids. They do party reservations as well and will close to the public while your party is happening.
Wonderful place to just hang out and to have a private party!! Wonderful family. Support small and local businesses!
The owners and family are awesome! You know when the owners are good people, so is the business. It's been a while since I last stopped in but the new location was not a disappointment. Wish yall the best on your future endeavors. -Esmer & Cody
The kids and I LOVE this place. From the nostalgic games, music, and merch to the awesome quality customer service received each and every time we visit. The family that owns and operates the superb place of joy are a real blessing to Abilene! Thanks Retro World Arcade!!
It's actually comedic how sad this place is, smells like unshowered kids and has like 5 arcade machines and terrible music blasting through the whole 5 ft building
I love that it's a flat entry fee and we can play unlimited games. I had fun beating the high score on Pacman! And the 80's music they play is great. It really feels like I'm going back in time here!
The greatest place on earth. Reach eternal bliss past the realms of human cognition just by buying an all day wrist band. Highly recommend but now they are on Butternut.
Great spot for a date night!!! Tons of retro arcade games to choose from! Enough space allowing you not to feel crowded!! 5 stars
Love this place - the games, the music, the atmosphere - it's like stepping back in time to the arcades I visited in the 80s. It's better though because you pay a flat entry fee and don't have to carry a pocket full of quarters :) (all the games play free). I can't say enough good things about this place!
Super friendly staff, lots of great games, and most importantly it was very family friendly! My kids had a blast and I plan on returning soon.
Old school vibes great artwork great games
This place is a time machine with its destination being the 80s. It's not huge, nothing super fancy,, but they have plenty of classic arcade games and they make a point to update their selection regularly. You pay a flat fee to enter. Worth checking out.
The most fun I've had in a long time. Being able to play so many classic games with friends was great and the fact that I could just go up to any game and just play endlessly was the best. Will definitely be coming back.
This Place is dope. It's a nice addition to Abilene and a place that's within close range of downtown that you can get pretty tuned up and then play some games. Looking forward to how it further improves over time.
Awesome family owned business! Always a blast!
Best experience ever! Love the one fee pays all expenses and play as long as I want. I recommend for parents to bring their children for a fun safe experience.
This is really a awesome spot I'm not a very social person so I went into the establishment with ear buds in and started to play games, I got ao lost in the games I apparently seemed to be the last one out and they just allowed me to play game idk if they made attempts to get my attention or not but either way, great people awesome arcade will definitely be stopping by at least once a month
We went to a birthday party here and it was so much fun! Playing on the pinball machine was our favorite.
10/10 This by far is one of the best things to do in Abilene. My only wish is that the original Tempest game was available and not the Arcade 1UP version. I hope this establishment is able to expand.
So much fun! This place has a large assortment of games and the staff is very friendly. Can't wait to go back.
Very fun place to go hang out, they have all the retro games I have ever wanted to play, the place is amazing!!!
All kinds of old school arcade cabinets with tons of video games to play. $11.23 per child Free play on each cabinet. Worth it!!
What a throwback ?? great ole school fun!! Affordable and safe. We had a girls night there. Good sober fun
This is a fun place. It is like stepping back in time! It's is neat to be able to play some of the games from my childhood.
The new location is great! Lots of new games! I had lot of fun with my family!
we came last Saturday & loved it! my son is 5 & had a blast!!
Amazing staff, amazing arcade games and reasonable pricing! These guys are fantastic ??
This place is awesome and full of fun, from the games, to the lighting, to the tunes. From a 1 - 10, I give it a 50.
My daughter and her friends had a wonderful time.
It was like a blast for the past lots of cool games had lots of fun I recommend this to everyone
Very cool place. Had a blast playing pacman with my son.
Such an awesome place!
Exactly how it sounds with some great classic games to get you all nostalgic.
Took the family there and it was very fun. Staff was very friendly and the place was clean.
Soo glad to see this place exists we had a blast.
Went again. Had a great time. Very nostalgic. Cant wait to go again
love this place, arcade games were really fun!
Amazing value. Awesome owners!
Fun for All. Great Place Will Definitely Be Back!
How fun! Loved this date night idea.
Throw back to my childhood! Loved it! Thank you for having us!
Very cool retro arcade.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”