River City Gaming

River City Gaming

Reviews Summary

River City Gaming is generally well-regarded for its diverse game selection, family-friendly atmosphere, and good value, with many praising its mix of retro and modern games, clean environment, and helpful staff. However, some reviews highlight maintenance issues like broken equipment, unreliable Wi-Fi, or occasional cleanliness lapses. While most experiences are highly positive (especially for parties and group events), a few customers report frustration with technical problems or unprofessional behavior. The venue excels as a social hub for gamers of all ages but could improve consistency in upkeep and service.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Fighting Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Consoles
Good for kids
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.

Features

Has Retro Games
Has Fighting Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Consoles
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

1527 Main St

Rahway, New Jersey 07065

Hours

Monday 12PM-12AM
Tuesday 3-11PM
Wednesday 3-11PM
Thursday 3-11PM
Friday 12PM-2AM
Saturday 12PM-2AM
Sunday 12PM-12AM

Customer Reviews

River City Gaming Behaves in a Unprofessional Manner. Last I checked when is it ever acceptable for a store to allow Discrimination, Biased, Predgious, Hateful, Malicious, Bullying Behavior? Also who or what gives the host the right to tell people who are and aren't allowed to enter the Tournament? Last I checked if this is a public store this tournament should be open to everyone. But this store allows the host of Beyblade X Tournament's to act in such a manner. They encourage it and act the same way.

i was very disappointed to be honest. most of the non console games had ?broken? signs on them. i am not a huge video gamer with xbox and such so i was hoping to play the other games but those were mostly all down. there's not much upkeep on them it seems. an employee was playing another game that was possibly available to play so we couldn't play it either. it was a bummer. vibe is pretty unlively in there and it felt dull. but i?m sure people who enjoy console games, may enjoy it. options: not a huge s

THEY HAVE A WACCA CAB! Maimai too! super friendly staff, found this place while exploring.

everything about this arcade is great. extremely friendly staff, nice environment, plenty of games of all consoles. for any rhythm gamers in the nj area i can't recommend this place more. 10/10 in every category and worth the price every time

Fire place! Went there for he first time. last night not knowing abt the event with The1800project and it was such a great time. Shoutout to David for helping us with the PC?s & setting us up w/ punch cards. Def will b coming back ??

Such a cool atmosphere for children and adults! This place has every game you can think of! Xbox, PS5s, VR and tons more! It has old school games for the vintage gamers! Kids can get dropped off and play for hours. After 9pm it's an adult place with byof/byob! It has private party rooms too book and it closes at 12am most days... I think Saturdays at 2am! Very cool spot

Lots of fun. Many old school video games to play. $10.00 per hour is a good price!

We celebrated my kids' baseball team championship there, and they had a blast. They did not want to leave. The employees there were great, even the owner came to say hello, they were always making sure we were good. The kids had a great time, and they loved it. That's why this is a 5 STAR ?????????? great to have a place with so many games locally. Will definitely return.

I recently had a party at River city gaming. I booked the gold room, for adults, which was great. Everyone in my party had an amazing time. I would recommend booking your parties there for kids or adults. The staff was friendly and the owner is very accommodating. I was happy with how the night went.

Gave my son his 10th birthday party here. This party was Amazing.... the staff was so helpful and available to attend to our needs. The games were spot on working. Definitely will book an adult event here..

Similar to Yestercades, but they don't have as many classic arcade games. They do have PCs for gaming which is cool but the lack of retro arcade games is a bummer. On top of that 2 of the 3 skee ball machines were broken, along with both air hockey tables. If they were to maintain the place better I would recommend it.

Great place, fun games, cheap prices. Great proximity to RFC (Rahway Fried Chicken)

It's a great place. I alway take my out of town friends here. VR was broken because a kid broke the controller. The turtles arcade machine kept shutting down on its own. It's a shame but no place is perfect. I think they should have staff go around and wipe down the games and controls. With so many kids and people touching I really think they could step up cleaning the commonly touched surfaces more. At the beginning or end of the night simply isn't enough. They did some changing around with the layout of

I recently celebrated my son?s birthday at this place ! It's a great place for celebrating birthdays or just hanging out if you are a gaming freak ! They have lots and lots of gaming machines , pc?s , monitors and can accommodate a huge crowd easily ! Unlike other places , all the machines worked here perfectly , and the assistants present there were quick to help if anything was needed !Only thing that can be made better is by increasing party room size !My son and his friends had a great time there! I wil

Nice spot with some cool games. Sadly some had issues. Hopefully they work out the kinks, as has potential to be a great spot. Having Fresh Food and Beer would help a lot as well!

There was a little discrepancy about party set up. However river city gaming was accommodating and all my guest had fun at the party young middle aged and old. If you're thinking of celebrating a gamers birthday party river city gaming is a great option!!!

Had a 10th bday party for my son with about 24 kids, they all had a blast! Girls and boys enjoyed themselves. Booked the silver room, was a good price, the staff is AMAZING! Everyone was very helpful and accommodating, I wish I would have got names to mention in my review. Definitely recommend this place. It's for all ages, adults enjoyed as well.

I had my son's 4th birthday party there, and when I say it was a huge success, that would be underselling it. The staff were great, the set up perfect and a few kids said it was the best party they ever went to. And, there was enough room for folks to bring their whole families (I think we had about 40 people!), there was something for everyone: Moms, Dads, and kids :) Thanks for a great time, River City Gaming, we will be back.

Came here for a birthday party. I enjoyed the place. Great for kids that in video game. Had a pool table and some arcade games. It was a peaceful and clean environment .

Definitely a good spot to relax with friends or your significant other. They are still working on things there is big of empty space in the back and upstairs but the staff there was great very welcoming and hospitable. I will return for sure !

VR system isn't working along with a lot of other games that aren't functioning properly...good if you want to play video games other than that do not recommend. Price is cheap though if you play for 1hr and 59 minutes you only pay for one hour ?? which is a neat trick. 3 of us went for nearly 2hrs each and paid under $30 so not terrible.

Closest arcade to me that has Chunithm. Love going here just for it, recently they updated it to Chunithm Sun so that was a wonderful surprise.

Very fun highly recommend if visiting downtown ??

This place is so dope!!! My wife found this place online, when we came I didn't even know where to start. So many options an all the great classics! Came here with the kids but would definitely just come with some friends and game out. I like that they had byob after 9 or 10 and only 21 and up. Dope spot to hang with friends an play some classics. They also have a section for pc gaming which is pretty dope and have 2 pool tables in there as well. Definitely a dope spot to check out!!

We came Easter week with the whole family and grand children. The owner (husband and wife) were so courteous and we had such a nice time. They have all the latest games with air hockey and basketball and tons of video games and pool tables. The place is brand new and spotless and the owners were so helpful is getting the games going and helping the children. I highly recommend this place and would definitely come again.

Do not recommend. I visited this place with two long distance friends who were visiting. We were there for 45 minutes and we were troubleshooting the entire time. The headphones and microphones didn't work, and the game we wanted to play had to be played with sound, which obviously didn't work because the headphones didn't work. When I joined the voice chat on my phone, the wifi they had was so bad that I couldn't hear ANYTHING anyone was saying. The game was unplayable, I couldn't communicate with my frien

Came here with a group of friends on a Saturday for the night pass, where you can play from 8PM-close on any of the machines for $18 flat. Had a blast trying out a lot of the different consoles and arcade machines they had, and it's also BYOB after 9PM if you're 21+. They also had both WACCA Reverse and Chunithm Paradise Lost, two pretty rare Japanese games to find here on the east coast. Definitely a cool spot, look forward to returning in the future.

I went here to play Smash Bros in a tournament and I went 2-2. That's like pretty good for me, so I'm gonna rate this place five stars. They also had GUITAR HERO! Not many people remember GUITAR HERO, but it actually used to be a really cool and popular game for young adult audiences. Zach, gamer, signing off!

Great experience. Awesome place. Great atmosphere. ??

Great locale, plenty of games to play both old and new. Whether arcades or new consoles, it's got what you need. If you want a good place to hang and play with friends, or do a party for your kids you'll have fun. Will definitely go back.

I don't know how to explain it but I just want to say it was bad !! , the vending machine were bad and the snacks kept getting stuck and the chips were so stale , we tried to get food from across the street and they didn't let us back in it was bad?

Went here with my son to check it out, and was pleasantly surprised. This place is amazing!!!! VR games, pool, and classic games. Definitely coming here again best fun in years.

Great value for the prices and really good game selection. Everything was clean and easy to use!

This place is awesome, spent a couple of hours here and had a blast. Tons and tons of games, staff is really cool and the arcade is well maintained and clean.

I took a group of 11 teens for a private rental. The staff was friendly. The group had a GREAT time. Would definitely return.

Had my 8-year-old daughter's birthday party here - she and the kids in her class loved it. Great space and the kids had so much fun!

Really great set up with machines loaded with tons of games! Definitely worth the price. Tho the air hockey tables for some reason made the pucks fly like crazy...

Honestly the place was pretty awesome. Parking is a pain and for whatever reason they don't let you use the wifi even though you don't get any signal inside of the building. I was disappointed about that. But I'll probably give it another try

gaming is awesome and gaming w pals is awesomer

This is single handedly the best gaming place I've ever been to I went here today and had a blast the large variety of games here is so good from Nintendo all the way to PlayStation this place had old and new games.

This place has a little bit of everything- console games, arcade games, skee ball, pool tables and more. There's something for everyone. It's a nice addition to downtown Rahway. I look forward to going back!

Amazing great getaway date night or birthday party place a great atmosphere I love it

Great venue, good variety of games for kids and adults. Great family environment. Definitely going back

I appreciate that they sanitize the controllers

I loved it and really enjoyed myself, honestly I really want to go back again!!

Perfect! The staff are super friendly.

Really fun place filled with awesome games! They have everything from new releases to classics!

Nice gaming area for the kids. Good seperate space for a small birthday party.

If you want a well balanced mixture of new school & retro gaming, this is the place to be! Beautiful layout????????

Great place, good selection of games, cool staff. Love that its byob

I had a tournament here it was a very nice location nice atmosphere

Very nice place. Good pricing. Mostly video games

Great time. Lots of games to play. Old school and new school loved it!

I love RC Gaming!! Great pricing and I love to play Pac-Man on the machines!

Clean nice workers, fun games going there daily good prices

My dad took my kids they had a great time.

Very nice place. Highly recommend

It's amazing here, would reccomend to any gamer.

don't waste your money, ghetto

Had a blast! So excited this opened in the neighborhood.

Great place for date night!!

Great time - great staff - kids had a super time

Awesome day/night out - Thanks!

Great place, amazing... Exceptional.

Great place great prices

Great place, coop games and stuff

Good place. Good price

very nice place for kids.

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.