Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum

Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum

Reviews Summary

Overwhelmingly positive with most reviews rating it 5 stars. Customers love the nostalgic atmosphere, extensive collection of well-maintained retro games, and fair $10-$12 all-day pricing. Many highlight the friendly owner/staff and family-friendly vibe. Minor complaints include occasional machine issues, background music volume, and limited airflow when crowded. The ability to leave and return is appreciated. Strongly recommended for arcade enthusiasts and those seeking 80s/90s nostalgia. Some note short hours and waitlists, suggesting early arrival. A few mention nearby dining options. Overall, considered excellent value and a must-visit for retro gaming fans.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Consoles
Has Pinball Machines
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 Pinball Tables in Arcades

Step up to a pinball table and dive into a vibrant, hands-on experience! Modern machines, like those from Stern or Jersey Jack, feature dazzling LCD screens, immersive themes (Star Wars, Stranger Things), and dynamic soundtracks. You’ll use flipper buttons to launch a steel ball, aiming for targets, ramps, and bumpers to rack up points. Each table has unique missions—hit specific targets to unlock bonuses or multiball modes for high-scoring chaos. Expect tactile thrills, flashing lights, and a lively crowd vibe, with tables rewarding skill and quick reflexes. Perfect for casual fun or competitive play, pinball delivers timeless arcade excitement in 2025.

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 Arcade Cabinets
Has Consoles
Has Pinball Machines
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

109A W Trade St

Simpsonville, South Carolina 29681

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 4-9PM
Thursday 4-9PM
Friday 12-11PM
Saturday 12-11PM
Sunday Closed

Customer Reviews

Totally awesome hidden gem in Simpsonville! One price gets you unlimited free play and machines change out so there's always something different! Stop in, right behind Vaughn?s (same building) ???? also vinyl and comics for sale!

Super cool place definitely would tell my friends about this. Definitely worth the 10 bucks. Gives you a chance to play video games and get out of the house very cool hangout spot.

My family went here last weekend and really enjoyed it. What's great is you pay one fee, they stamp your hand, so you can play for a bit, then go eat at one of the restaurants next door or near by, then come back and play some more. We will definitely be back.

As perfect as it gets for an incredible arcade atmosphere! Loved the signs above the machines, loved the vibe, loved how great the decor was, loved the machines were classic but also well updated. Had a great time; and I went on Black Friday, the place was packed which was awesome, the energy from that is always fun. Also: I found this arcade using the the ?pinball map? App. Super helpful tool

I didn't patronize this business. I did enter it out of coureosity. It has old game machines like pin ball, Mario bros, Honky Tonk etc. there was a sign outside advertising $10 for all day play. It's a big draw for younger kids and for our older adults it's a trip down memory lane.

This place is great. My little and I go here often. You pay $10 to play all day. There's lots of selection of games to pick from. There's fun all dsy for $10/person. Place is suitable for the whole family. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Thank me later!!

Overall we had a great time here, and the price is incredibly reasonable for a full day of unlimited play at $10. The location is excellent, and there is a great selection of games of all types (cabinets, pinball machines, and some "wild card" game types like vintage TV gaming consoles and a hockey table). TL;DR: For the significant challenges involved in owning and operating a business of this nature, the Upstate Pinball & Arcade Museum has really knocked it out of the park with variety, function, locatio

Over the past couple years I have been to this pinball arcade several times, and it is definitely one of my favorites I've been to. The pricing is unbeatable with $10 all you can play unlocking free play on all the machines. No more worrying about quarters! Every time I come back they have swapped out some machines keeping the experience fresh, and while it is sad to see some of my favorites removed it's always exciting discovering other hidden gems. They even have rarer machines like Revenge from Mars a ra

Absolutely worth the $10/person price. We were there for 4 hours and only left because we had a 40 minute drive home. We would have stayed longer had some of us not had to be up early for work the next day. The guy who runs this store is friendly and really seems to love this place. The pride he takes in giving this experience to people is evident in the cleanliness and upkeep of the facility. He even allows you to leave and come back on the same day without having to pay again. We plan to make this a regul

We had the pleasure of Visiting this arcade and museum as a family we had a blast took me back to my childhood had to teach my children how to play this types of games my teenagers enjoyed all the pinball games they have all the old school games including old school, Nintendo as well it was so cool only paid $10 for unlimited play then we went right over to the restaurant slice to have some pizza right across the street there was plenty of parking in the back for large vehicles definitely will recommend al

This is a ?museum? where you can touch and play with the items! I love the 80?s and all the games from that era. My dream ?. Come to life is a night in this place. I walked in to be confronted with a Pac-Man machine..,, surrounded by all the expected usual games of that generation alongside. Then to my eyes beauty, they had the whole left side of the wall aligned with all pinball machines. I thought I died and was in heaven! All this for $10 - unlimited play and I could excited and come back if I wanted

Follow me on IG for more videos ??lookin bio for IG handle ???I fell in love ?? the arcade took me to my childhood. It cost 10$ to play all the retro/80?s arcade game and pinball machines. The cost cover all day play so that is a double plus! It's a cool place to bring the kids to show them what our game playing days looked like and let them experience the games of the 80?s. My crew( the younger ones was so excited to play all the games.. and they made me feel a little old because I had to show them how to

Great old school arcade with hit games from the 1980s. $10 unlimited play with reentry after getting food from Vaughns warehouse next door.

Took me back in time! Track and Field, Donkey Kong, PacMan,Centipede and Galaga! I haven't had that much exercise in years! $10 for the whole time is a great deal. It was so much fun for this 80's teenager.

Cool place! Lots of awesome "retro" games like QBert, Fix It Felix Jr, Ms. PacMan, Street Fighter and more. $10 for an all day, all play pass is a great deal! Family friendly fun for everyone!

This is a great place to spend the day with some classic nostalgic video games. Admission is $10 for the day to play and it is worth the while.

Cheap, fun, not super crowded even on the weekends, and all the arcade cabinets have their original CRTs with them! Much better than the **other** place in Taylors that have all their machines haphazardly hacked up with laggy LCDs hooked to cheapo Gonbes video converters I've come here quite a lot to play Super Off Road and Defender, even though I am more into 1990s arcade games as this place is more 80's oriented, I find myself here two or three times a month because there's no place like it in Upstate SC

Great experience with the kids! So nostalgic! Brought back great memories. My kids born in the 2000's loved it.

great place to spend the day with some classic nostalgic games for date night or just the night out. its $10 for the day to play and it is worth the while. the vibe and pure child like excitement brings life to this must visit arcade.

This was a great escape back to childhood. So many classic arcade games and pinball machines to choose from. For only ten dollars you can play for as long as you wish on whatever you like and they give you a wrist band so if you choose to leave for a snack you can come back and continue to play! The machines were all clean and operational. Go play and be social.

I encorage everyone to visit. Best 10 bucks you will spend. The owner mike made sure he had a great selection of games for everyone to enjoy.

Too much fun! This place brought back memories...even the music was great. The staff are friendly and happy to tell you the story behind the arcade. Definitely worth visiting.

Such a fun arcade at The Warehouse, with old-school video games and pinball machines! A throwback to the glory days of the early 80s, with classics like Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Joust, Frogger, and Qbert, among so many others. It was great to see Gen X'ers enjoying the place on their own, and with their kids...yes, today's youth can play and enjoy the games of yesteryear!

It seemed like half the pinball machines were not leveled really well. A few machines I played had some issues too.

Great place to play some fantastic games! Price point can absolutely not be beat for the selection. Can come and go as you please throughout day! This place is a gem of simpsonville! 10/10

First time here tonight and it was amazing. Such a great range of games. Loved all the pinball machines. Will definitely go back.

We had a really good time. They had about 55 old school arcade games. We loved that there was no tickets to worry about and no prizes to fight over. You pay an admission and you are good for the day to play whatever you want, as long as you want. We were allowed to leave and come back after grabbing food. Will definitely be coming back!!

Great selection of games to play and a very arcade atmosphere. Enjoyed our date night and will definitely come again

$10 all you can play. Great retro pinball and arcade games.

Had a blast yesterday at @upstatearcade with my lovely wife. This place is so much fun. They have a great selection of both arcade and pinball games from the 70s and 80s. All of the machines are in great shape and play like they did years ago. We will be back!

This place is so fun and very family friendly. 10/10 Bentley is da goat??

If you are a Gen-x kid at heart or you just like classic arcade & pinball games, this is a great place to take a break, walk back in time, take a trip down nostalgia lane. Unlimited old-school arcade play for $10 all you can play. Think PAC-man spy hunter, pinball, centipede, asteroids, etc. lots of fun.

My son and I really enjoyed this place! They have a solid collection of pinball machines and arcade games. Having the flat rate was nice. I would definitely recommend this arcade to anyone!

Cool place for a touch of 80's nostalgia. Owner is super nice and both adults and kids had a great time.

This place has a better collection of vintage games and pinball than most places on the east coast. Owner is friendly and knowledgeable and quick to help with any issue that might come up. Huge variety of games I could spend hours in here.

This place is awesome! My nieces and I played for an hour and a half and had a blast. It's so cool to have this in Simpsonville!

This place brought me back to my own youth spent at my local mall arcade. So glad to be able to bring my kids here for affordable Friday night fun. Loved the layout, vibes and excellent music choices. 10000% recommend to anyone seeking some fun retro gaming in a relaxed environment

What an incredible place! Admission fee gets you access to the pinball and arcade for the entire day. Come and go as you please. Brady, an employee, is an asset to this business. He is super knowledgeable, passionate and personable! Can't wait to go again.

Awesome place. Blast from the past. Great collection of games. owner very nice and friendly. Great pricing. Will be back

Superior selection of classic pinball and electronic games. Single and multi player. Fabulous flashback and excellent fun. Super friendly staff. Ya gotta go!

My kiddo loved our visit! He's a big pinball fan, so getting to play some games that aren't available to us locally was great.

Pinball and more! This place is awesome, I took my 8 year old here for his b-day and we had a great time. They have tons of pinball machines and a lot of other fun arcade games too. It was $10 per person which was an awesome deal - you can play all the games as many times as you want, leave, and come back in the same day. There was free parking on site right next to the arcade and an awesome food hall on the other side of the building which was perfect for a snack break. This arcade is really awesome and I

We attended a child?s birthday party here (my daughter?s classmate). Best party venue idea. It was such a success for kids and parents. It really helped people move around and mingle. It was really neat to have so much excitement and nostalgia all mixed together in one place. Very good concept, games well kept, owner was present and engaged. Great experience.

Great and affordable date night! Love the selection of games. I've been here several times, but I haven't even come close to playing them all!

We took our kids to the arcade to investigate it as a possible birthday party location. They didn't have any step stools around (we also didn't ask), so only our 6 year old was able to reach the controls without assistance. They do have a lot of pinball machines and stand up video games. It's a rather impressive collection. We saw a few people bringing drinks back from Vaughn's right next door. Admission gets you open play until they close. This would be a good stop for a date night, on your way to another

Wow, what a fun time!! Lots of both common and off the wall arcade games, and plenty of pinball to choose from, for a great price!!

The perfect place to take your kids when modern arcades just aren't cutting it. Has a great selection of games that are well maintained.

Fantastic place with a very kind owner. As someone who's too young to have experienced many of the games when they came out, but still has an interest in the history of video games and arcades, it was a great experience. The price is simply unbeatable and absolutely worth it. Will be going back

This place is awesome!! Played games I haven't played in 35 yrs. I also took my 11 yr old son and he had a blast. You can't beat 10 bucks to play all day. We will definitely be going back.

This place is incredible. 10/10

My wife and I were at the arcade for a date night and we really did enjoy ourselves all the retro games were allot of fun. However we did witness a customer get denied entry because her daughter had a service animal. Business are not allowed to discriminate against patrons with service animals, and the only reason the employee gave is ?the dog may bite someone?. Again it was a fun place and we had a good time but it was very disappointing to see this is the way the business operates and that someone was de

Highly recommend this place for family fun! I took my son while he was here visiting and bored. Teenager lol we both had a blast! Great nostalgic games, plenty of choices, machines worked properly and the price was great for the short time we spent there.

.Omg this place is the coolest. Went with my 22 yr old son and it was nice to see a good bit of young adults (16-24/25ish) in there playing the different games they have. Was great to see them having a lot fun. We had a blast ourselves. Owner is pretty cool too. He was appreciative of our business and I definitely will go back. ????????

Great place for my 8 year old grandson and I. $10 each admission then you play as long as you want. My grandson really liked the original Nentendo game. Everything was in excellent working order. I was able to play an old style pin ball machine forever ????

This place is great for the nostalgic gamer in you. The one who remembers standing In line for the new arcade game. Having a whole stack of quarters in your pocket and just having fun in the arcade. But with a $10 play all day scan and go you definitely do not miss the quarters!

THE PLACE to play arcade and pinball in the area. Epic collection and friendly environment, why aren't you here!!!

So much fun and brought back some good memories ... Staff was so nice and helpful.

This may be the coolest place in Simpsonville! Totally worth the 10 bucks! Makes me feel like a kid again every time I go. Owner is super friendly. Highly recommend. It's like stepping back in time only without all those pesky quarters weighing your pockets down.

Easily 5 stars. $10 play until you drop. No drinks allowed. Great selection of older arcades and pinball machines. Can get very busy and crowded, but there's a reason.

The building is very small. Don't quite understand how it is a museum. Price for admission is fair and all of the games work fine. I really think that should lower the music they play in the background or cut it out entirely. When I am playing games I want to hear the audio from them and have a hard time doing that here. Also, it seems like there is little to no air flow in the place. Can get stuffy and hot especially when it is crowed. Other than that good place.

Glad to have a place like this in the upstate. The games are well kept. They have all the greats-Ms. Pac Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, even Q-Bert. They also have a lot of great memories from my past including Gauntlet, Paperboy, Tron, Tapper, and my favorite Track and Field. Lots of pinball machines. Great value for $10 per person. The owner is super nice and awesome. Would love to see 720 degrees skating game one day there.

Alot of games didnt work but overall this was a ton of fun!

It was fun. I definitely didnt play enough to get my 10 dollars worth per person but will be back again for another try. I wish they gave a military discount. Edited after response from owner ...we always ask for our military discount. We never expect one. We were told you didn't offer it. That is why I put it in my review. I would never have mentioned it if I hadn't asked. That would be silly. We will be back again, and we will be sure to ask. Thank you.

I cannot recommend this place enough! Especially if you used to enjoy going to arcades back in the 80s and 90s. The nostalgia hit hard as soon as we came in. Absolutely worth the $10 all day admission. I will definitely be going back on our next trip to Greenville.

Awesome time. Unfortunately it was so hot we had to leave. I wish they controlled the temp better.

Super-fun! We had a great time playing the old video games and pinball machines. Everything was in great condition. The entry fee is very fair and you can leave and come back on the same day.

I love this retro pinball and arcade museum. The price is very reasonable for all day play. I love that you can step out for a bite to eat next door and go back and play some more at no extra charge. Family-friendly fun for all.

If you want to have some old school fun this is the place to go. The crew is very kind.

I highly recommend this place. Went there today with the family and had a blast. It was a little crowded but what arcade wasn't back in the 80s. There were plenty of games and the owner is very pleasant. I will definitely be returning.

Was so fun going to this arcade. $12 for all you can play. My son and I played plenty of games non stop. Some great games of my youth that my 9 yr just loved also. Thanks Mike for having a great family friendly and fun place to go.

I will be going here every time we come into town. It was tricky to get in, since the hours are short and there is always a waitlist. I recommend showing up about 15-20 minutes before they open. Once you get in you will not want to leave. TONS of games, always something open to play and a fantastic nostalgic activity. 10/10

Lots of my 80s favs (Zookeeper, Galaga, Burger Time) are there and my two teenagers had a blast too. Mike (the proprietor) was a terrific host and knowledgeable about the machines. We drove 1.5 hours both ways and totally worth it. We will be back.

Super cool place! If you grew up in the 80s and 90s you'll love the nostalgia this place brings. For $10 you can play as much as you want and for as long as you want. Huge gem in the upstate that I'd highly recommend!

Absolutely worth the drive from Greer. Management was friendly. The establishment was clean. The entertainment operated as they should. Management also recommended great local restaurants in walking distance of the venue. This was a great experience. We will definitely revisit.

Went today with my close friend and fianc? and we had a blast. Great atmosphere, amazing selection, with a wonderful owner. I highly recommend this place to anybody interested in old school arcades or the 80?s in general. Felt like we went into a time machine haha. Worth every dollar and every second. I forgot how fun pinball was till coming here. I defiantly recommend space jam and police force pinball tables and mortal Kombat 2, outrun, and battle zone.

this place is amazing. i loved playing vintage video and pin ball games

Fun arcade for all ages, I will definitely go back!

Lots of pinball and classic arcade games like Tron, Defender, Sunstar, Robotron and Mortal Kombat. They even had a few consoles. Pay for admission ($10 when I went) and the pass is good all day. It wasn't that crowded so you pretty much get on any game you want.

Tonight was so much fun! This retro-style arcade is a gem, and such a great atmosphere. We were the only ones in there tonight; not complaining because the owner (super friendly btw) stated Saturdays are crazy busy. All of the old classics, and a couple from the late 90s and early 00s are there, plus an entire area dedicated to home systems like NES, SNES, N64 and more. I think I played most every game and pinball machine there (perks of having the place to yourself) and left completely satisfied. Do y

Talk about bringing you back! Walking in to this place made me feel like I was a kid again back in Florida at an all night lock in at the local arcade haha. Such a great selection of games and you can't beat the price at all! If you have been to Upstate Pinball, you're missing out!

Great place to have a little old school fun. 10 dollars to play for as long as you want. Just a fun freaking time! Defiantly will be going back!

Super fun place. They have all the arcade games 40 somethings will remember from their youth, set up in a vintage arcade layout. Definitely worth a visit!

Awesome arcade with a lot of good games to play. Virtually everything is in great condition. Don't hesitate to stop by here if you're looking for something to do. It goes great with all the food options next door.

The place is great! I arrived at opening just to check the place out for a visit in a few weeks. Mike, the owner, was great to talk to. The place is clean and well kept. I'll update to let you know how the games played!

Great place with the largest and most well maintained assortment of classic arcade games I've ever seen! Including my all-time favorite game that is a rare find? Robotron!! Well worth the $10 entry fee. Check it out!

This is my happy place.

The best retro arcade in the upstate. I love that you pay one price and can stay as long as you want. You can even leave and come back. Wish arcades were like this back in the day would have saved tons of quarters

If you love pinball and arcade games this place is for you. Great all you can play place that happens to be right next door to some great restaurants.

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 pinball tables still good in this modern age?

Yes, pinball tables in arcades remain a blast. Their hands-on, skill-driven gameplay delivers a thrill digital games can’t match, blending nostalgia with modern flair. Newer tables from Stern and Jersey Jack feature LCD screens and themes like Avengers or Stranger Things, keeping things exciting. Arcades are seeing a pinball resurgence with vibrant scenes and tournaments like IFPA events drawing crowds. Though less common than video games, pinball’s tactile charm and community vibe make it a standout arcade experience in 2025.

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.