*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.*
166 5th Ave 2 Floor
New York, New York 10010
Super easy place to find with a large street or convenient drop offs. Subway is also really close. The actual experience, was from out of this world. This was a deep submersible experience. The graphics are sensational and take you to literally another world. Like all tech there are always very small glitches as the product was brand new when I tried it. As the games get updated I can only imagine how engaging and realistic these adventures will be. We had so much fun. The physical aspect of moving ar
This place is amazing! I can't believe they're a small business, they deserve more attention. The games were so immersive and extremely fun, I couldn't think of a better way to end off my time on NYC. Silmi (the girly at the front) was so sweet and made everything efficient. The area is chill & nice, they offer a fair amount of drinks. If you love VR and wanna have a good time with friends or family, this is the place to bond. (Viral is the best one, let me know if you can beat my score)
I was here for a bachelor's party and I gotta say: we all had a blast! Two of our members have Oculus devices at home, and were still blown away by how great the experience was. The Tidal Force Team was super accommodating and let us try a beta version of one of their new games (I won't spoil what it is), and it was beyond what we could have hoped for. Literally rave reviews from the whole crew, and everyone wishes we stayed longer.
Really fun experience to do as a group! You can choose between multiple games with varying degrees of difficulty and a different type of gameplay. Both my friend and I have VR at home but the fact that we're all in the same room moving around just makes the experience much more immersive and fun. Plus the staff is extremely welcoming and nice.
Went as a group of five, and had an amazing experience. We played their newest title, ?Viral,? and felt very immersed in the experience. Three members of our group usually experience motion sickness, but had no such issue while playing this, making it an easy recommendation for those who want to play VR without getting sick. The host, George, was also very friendly and patient in explaining how to utilize the VR devices in a simple manner. Would recommend visiting.
Went here last night and had an AMAZING time. I'm someone who isn't into gaming and hasn't had any experience with VR so I wasn't sure what to expect but this blew me away. George was great and gave us clear directions. We chose the adventure option which combines an escape room and shooting during the session. We had so much fun and would definitely come back.
I went to Tidal Force VR with a bigger Group and all of us were thrilled to do VR for the first time! It was so much fun and Silmi did amazing with explaining everything to us newbie?s! If you want an unforgettable experience in New York, go visit Tidal Force. We will definitely come back!
Had an amazing time!!! George was incredibly kind and made sure we had all the information we needed to feel fully prepared. We played the viral zombie game and were hooked from start to finish ? such a thrilling experience! Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the VR games. Highly recommend ? 10/10!
Yo!!!!! When you come see George.. He'll set you up with the gear and how things go.. You will definitely not be disappointed. We played Room K.. Let's just say we were lucky to get out with our lives?? You can rock with up to 6 people.. It feels like you were right in the middle of the action!!!
really cool experience, would definitely recommend coming here. my boyfriend and i decided to play space defense and it's second part scrimmage. the first half we were defending our base from spaceships and the second half we were able to fight eachother. very helpful staff that walk you through the process and you get sent a report of your stats at the end which is a nice touch. we played for 40 minutes and it was a lot of fun.
Outstanding experience: my new favorite thing in NYC. My daughter and I did Room K and we loved it; very immersive, very clever design with satisfying puzzles and an exciting combat at the end (where we died a lot, but it's probably easier with more people). Very impressed with the coding (especially the lighting effects) and with how smooth and friendly the experience was from sign-up, through arrival and orientation to the VR itself. Bravo to the team - we'll be back soon for the zombies!
My 12-year old son and I had a great time. Games scale in difficulty to size of group. Our facilitator was pleasant and helpful. Graphics and VR experience were captivating. Game was exciting and immersive: shooting aliens on a space ship. More of an adrenaline experience than a compelling story. Recommend as a one-off activity with tweens/teens.
Hands down, one of the BEST VR experiences I've ever had the privilege to try. My group of 4 and I were SO hyped to play with TIDAL FORCE, they are the PURVEYORS of a good time. We laughed so hard during the whole experience and was SCARED the CRAP out of a couple of times playing the VIRAL zombie mission. HOLY CANNOLIS it really feels so real when you have all the gear on. We are too hyped to come back and try the other games they have available. A couple of tips for a better game play experience: PLEASE W
Amazing experience! Just wow! So immersion and the developers are local. Support small biz and visit Tidal Force, you will not be disappointed! Silmi was also a great host!
Very cool experience with multiplayer VR! George was awesome getting us set up and in the game quickly. We played Room K, which was a fun mix of escape room and shooting adventure. The immersion was really well done where in real life we were just walking around the same room, but in VR we traveled the stars and battled aliens. We'll be back for Room K 2!
Awesome experience that I definitely recommend anyone try We did space horror VR game and beta tester their new zombie VR game and both were super fun and immersive
Amazing atmosphere! Well explained. Great game. Enjoyed it. I'm a beginner and had a great time even though I wasn't great at it. Thank you for the great time with my son in NYC.
This was amazing ! I went for couples night and played viral with my husband. We had so much fun.
Throw dinner dates away!! Tidal VR is actually fun & a good way to spend afternoon/evening!! Staff was amazing!! It's truly a 5star activity!!!
Friendly staff, clean rooms, easy to get into, and fun experiences. Definitely like Tidal Force's puzzle experience, though the shooter game Room K is too difficult for a 3 party attempt. Great place to hang out with friends!
My boyfriend and I played Room K in December and went again with friends for Viral and Tidal Force in April. Loved it! The people running the place are helpful in getting you situated to have the best experience and the games feel very immersive. Room K was my favorite as it had both the escape room elements in the beginning and then a shooter game at the end. Was challenging for two people but it made it more fun to die a couple of times. We decided to go with easy mode for Viral, although with six people,
Super fun way to spend the day off with my teen boys. Everything was perfect, from the checkin experience, brief training, and game (Room K), we loved it! Thank you!
This was a stellar experience. I brought my thirteen year old video-game-loving son to NYC for the weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect since neither of us had ever experienced Virtual Reality. Both of us had the best time. During our two-hour session we were able to try both the Tidal Force and Room K experiences. Loved Tidal Force and its escape room puzzles. Loved Room K as well. It was a good mix of escape room and battle. If you're on the fence, try it! It was definitely worth it. Would highly recomme
I went yesterday with my boyfriend and my family. It was so much fun! The staff were nice enough to let us play VIRAL before it came out. The visuals were amazing! You can tell the originality and creativity they put in the game. I am usually prone to motion sickness and dizziness with certain activities. And i was warned with other VR games that it could happen. However, i did not get motion sickness or dizzy at all. We are gamers and like to be challenged. And this was a perfect way for us to have fun. Th
It was an amazing experience I can truly recommend it to everyone. It was absolutely worth the price. It really shows how far technology has come- seeing yourself fully animated and being able to play different games with friends, sometimes competitively, sometimes as a team. It was just incredible.
One of the best experiences I have had in a while! Came here for my boyfriend?s birthday and it was such a pleasant experience. Definitely recommend if you want to do something different in the city
My family and I had a great experience at TidalForce VR!! Silmi was extremely helpful and allowed us to switch our game when we noticed right away the first was too scary/intense ???? would definitely return!
We have done this type of VR in Spain. It's great to finally see it in the US! The most immersive VR experience you can have with your family! We can't wait to come back!!
I had the opportunity to experience this fun day with my daughters, we had an amazing time. Staff was extremely patient and kind. Information was explained in full details about how to play the games and they have privacy which I appreciated as well, meaning personal lockers and the games are played in a private room with your gust/company only. I will be attending again.
Had a great time! Went with my girlfriend and we both had so much fun.. you have to come and try it out. You won't be disappointed
Another great activity to do in the city. Fun, social, new, brilliant . It's for gamers and none gamers alike. I took my cousins here and they loved it. I can tell you confidently, you won't be disappointed! ????
Such a cool fun experience - the graphics were so insane - thank you to Tomas for being such a great host
Had an awesome experience. A must do!
Tried Tidal Force for the first time and it was awesome. The whole staff is very friendly and professional, they explained how to play and got us set up in a private room in no time (I think all bookings are private). We chose room k and it was very immersive and fun. Room k was a mixture of light puzzles and hardcore shooting. I went with one other person and we managed to escape somehow but it was definitely tough! Our heart rate was up and we left sweating. I would recommend for gamers and non gamers.
Went with my lad 14yr old. Played their new zombie game. Without doubt an amazing hour and so good. So good infact we are returning for another game on our ladt day
Had an amazing time at Tidal Force VR! We played Viral, the zombie game, and it was intense and so much fun. The graphics and gameplay were super immersive. Big shoutout to George, he was super helpful and made the whole experience even better. Definitely coming back!
Dope experience soo much fun Me and my friends had a ball Can not wait to come up again
Absolutely amazing! My girlfriend and I did Room K, which was pretty challenging and requires a good amount of moving around, but that's also what makes it fun. Despite having a small team, you can definitely tell on how much effort they put into making these games. The staff was also very kind and helpful to ensure that we knew all the instructions beforehand. I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a group activity that involves VR!
This was so fun! We did two of the games and had a blast on each one. Go with plenty of time to enjoy yourself. Tomas was friendly and helpful. 10/10
Had a really good time. Tomus was a really big help and I appreciate his kindness. Would definitely recommend for gamers and non gamers. Would do it again !
Such a great experience. Staff is informative, friendly, and very patient. Came here for a birthday surprise, and had a great time. Can't wait to come back for the zombie experience.
So much fun!!! Really cool applications and my god was it realistic. I've played VR games before but this was something I've never experienced. Overall a great time and I intend to come again
First time doing VR was here and I've been back 3 times since! Games are innovative and fun, team are great - highly recommend!
George was the best! It really goes by fast but it so much fun. I recommend getting two hours so you can try the different styles. The puzzles are hard and the shooting is intense.
Simply amazing. From high quality equipment and awesome game options that run flawlessly to incredibly friendly, professional and supportive staff. We went in a group of 3 and were first timers. Hence, we needed guidance and patience, and we received it. Additionally, my friends do not speak English so the staff was very helpful during my translation efforts. I will definitively come back.
Great VR experience! Small start up with their own games programmed in house, how cool is that.
Lovely experience as it was my first time with VR - great environment and welcoming atmosphere. Highly recommended for such an unexpectedly physical activity
So much fun! Went twice both and played different games. Both times we had a good time
I treated my husband to a VR game at Tidal Force and we were so impressed. From the instructions given by George to the actual VR experience we absolutely loved it! The experience is similar to an escape room with a VR element to it. All of the effects from visual to audio were phenomenal created and above all other VR places we visited. Highly recommend!!
This was one of the best VR game experiences I've ever done. The staff is amazing the setup is super cool! I couldn't recommend this more! Also they create all the content for these experiences!!!so awesome!
Never played VR before not big into video games but really wanted to try this experience and absolutely loved it!!! Would totally recommend for anyone!!! Such a great group experience!
Great experience! The team is super welcoming and outgoing, it's a clean and comfortable setup with amazing games, highly recommend it to anyone that wants to have some fun with VR!!
This was awesome! Highly recommend coming for the experience. The games were so cool!
I went here with three friends and it was such a blast! The people who worked there were super nice. I laughed so hard i almost peed my pants and by the end of it i was sweating profusely from how serious i was taking it. 10/10 recommend, i will definitely be going back with more friends.
Had an amazing experience, definitely recommend for a fun date or night out with friends.
This was so cool and fun. Like nothing I've done before. Had a blast w my teenager. Highly recommend.
?Amazing, Tidal Force was an unforgettable experience! The atmosphere was lively, the staff was welcoming, and the game was full of excitement. Everything was well-organized, making it a must-visit for any fan!?
Really cool experience! Played a zombie apocalypse game with some friends. The game was really fun, and it played incredibly smooth and seamlessly. Definitely recommend
It was a fun experience! Definitely worth it! George was amazing. He explained and directed our group well.
Great experience!!! Came with a teenager and he really enjoyed it as well. Would return to try the different experiences!
10/10 Experience! Would definitely recommend as a date night or random thing to do with friends. Can't wait to come back
We and my wife got the two hour experience, the game is wonderful. We were fully immersed, the graphics is outstanding, the story is well written, the puzzles were well designed. My wife screamed like a little girl when the alien monsters are hoarding towards us! We had so much fun! 10/10 great experience will recommend!
Very fun and different experience. Would definitely recommend to others to visit and check it out. Will come back again.
This was an amazing experience honestly I just wanted more time to play 10/10 definitely will do this again also the host helping was also great she was very patient with my group and answered all of our questions with consideration and care
This was amazing. I loved it so much. These games were designed here, it is so cool
incredible experience!! great staff and super exciting games, would absolutely come again! highly recommend
We did the half escape room half action option - there was four of us. We had an awesome time! We were in there for 45 min and it went by like a blink of an eye
Tidal force is a great place to go to have fun and try a different experience, I recommend this place for all ages, you can bring the kids for some fun or your spouse for a competitive date night, 10/10 will be back again. George was super helpful making the set up process seamless and easy
Awesome place, friendly staff and cool VR experiences. Had a blast!
Awesome experience. Best VR experience I have had thus far (largely thanks to the powerful pcs running each headset), and NO motion sickness!!
Love this!! Had so much fun , so warm and welcoming and had a great time !!! Perfect loved it
It was an amazing experience, definitely will come back and recommend for everyone. Top score in the world baby ????
Played 2 rooms and had a blast. Really well done VR. Would recommend!
i am NOT a vr girl at all. in fact, my bf has an oculus quest, and i get so annoyed every time he is on it. that said, i had SUCH a blast here. i love that it's private rooms, so you are only playing with people you know. they create all of their own games, which is so wild to me. it was a mix of a virtual escape room and then combat. i had only booked an hour, but i had so much fun during the first hour, that we extended. The staff member onsite was AMAZING. he was really helpful but also gave us space to
Came here for fun definitely found it. George was super helpful. We had a blast and he took his time with us.
So immersive and carefully designed. Such an impressive startup! Would drive the 5 hours to NYC just to spend a day at this place
Our group had so much fun! George was friendly and explained everything well. I had a wonderful experience and would return to try more of their games!
Extremely clean, modern cool set up, great experience! Took group of six 13 year olds for birthday.
I had the chance to play the escape room with my friends thanks to an accommodation Jerome made. I'm super grateful that he was able to do this for us because we had a really great time! The puzzles made you think and the overall experience was unlike anything I had done before. We actually beat the game which he said only about 20% of teams do. We did only have around 20 seconds left before we ran out of time, but we did it! You really feel immersed in the game. I will definitely be planning to come back t
5 stars, host was very kind, fire games and lit equipment. If you decide to go, you HAVE to try their ?Viral? game
The instructor was so nice and patient. We didn't book ahead of time which wasn't a problem. I would do it again.
Had a great time. Super interactive and the people who work here are so nice and helpful. Great place would go again !
I had an amazing experience at Tidal Force VE today! Tomas was incredibly patient and kind, guiding us through the entire experience with clear explanations and excellent communication. He made us feel comfortable and ensured we understood everything before starting. The games were super fun, and it's a perfect spot to go with your partner or friends. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and entertaining outing. 10/10
George was the best and great at explaining. I came in with low expectations and it blew them out of the water. That was insane. Felt just like ready player one.
Had a blast, owner/creator was a very nice guy. VR games are made in house. Clean, great setup. Would go again!
So much fun, my girlfriend is a newbie and she had so much fun! Great date night experience!
Amazing experience! So fun, such creative games, and so well done! Would definitely recommend.
I had such a good time . I am no where near a gamer or a tech girlie. But this place was so freaking cool. I would go back , good for 2-6 players . Even though we were just two we had so much fun !!! And the staff is super proud of their work, as they should be! You guys are doing an amazing job . Shoutout to Thomas for everything
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.”
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.