Arcade openings slowed during the second half of 2023, but December still delivered a broad mix of new venues across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. This international roundup covers large family entertainment centres, independent barcades and specialist game rooms.
Opening an arcade remains an expensive undertaking, particularly as equipment, fit-out and operating costs rise. That helps explain why major chains dominate many new openings, although smaller independent venues continue to find room in the market. For Australian operators and enthusiasts, the locations below also show how modern arcades increasingly combine classic games, rhythm titles, redemption attractions, food, drinks and other experiences.
For more arcade news and buying advice, explore RETROCADE’s arcade blog, arcade machine buying guide and range of arcade machines.
North America
North America produced more notable openings than most other regions during this period, despite a general slowdown. There was also difficult news for established venues: Pinball Pete’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum faced demolition threats connected with redevelopment.
Arcade Monsters, Orlando, Florida
Arcade Monsters opened its sixth venue on International Drive in Orlando. The company promotes it as Florida’s largest arcade, with more than 100 games spanning older classics and current releases. The line-up includes Beatmania IIDX, Sound Voltex, Maximum Tune, Super Bikes 3, Mario Kart Arcade GP Deluxe and Drone Racing Genesis.
Arcade Time, Miami, Florida
Arcade Time opened at The Falls Mall in Miami after a planned July launch was delayed until early December while the mall completed preparation work. The venue reportedly has around 180 games and places greater emphasis on redemption than Arcade Monsters, while still offering attractions such as Stern’s Venom pinball. A large Mario Kart neon marquee is one of the venue’s custom decorative features.
Cidercade No. 5, Arlington, Texas
Bishop Cider’s fifth Texas Cidercade is a 25,000-square-foot free-play barcade containing 300 games. The all-ages venue includes party rooms and event spaces, with a selection that mixes retro machines and newer arcade releases. Its scale reflects the continuing trend towards combining games with hospitality and group entertainment.
Rally Point Bar & Arcade, Wilmington, North Carolina
Rally Point Bar & Arcade is an independently operated downtown Wilmington barcade. Its owner was inspired by visiting similar venues during military service. The game selection covers both older and newer titles, with Hyperpitch by LAI reported as one of the early favourites. An upstairs lounge was still being renovated and was expected to be completed in 2024.
The Arcade at Harrah’s, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City added a 5,328-square-foot arcade designed by Aria Group. Unlike many venues in this roundup, it does not centre on a bar. The floor is strongly weighted towards redemption attractions, alongside familiar video games such as Fast & Furious, Mario Kart and Jurassic Park. A Coastal Amusements Breakout cabinet provides a less common choice.
Neon Dreams, Largo, Florida
Neon Dreams opened in the Pinellas Park–Largo area at the end of October. This independent venue focuses on rhythm and fighting games, with a line-up weighted towards imported Japanese releases and additional titles from other categories. It was the third new arcade to open in Florida in recent months.
Family entertainment centre updates
- Dave & Buster’s opened locations or held launches in Atlantic City, New Jersey; its second Austin, Texas branch; Pooler, Georgia; and Colorado Springs, where the venue opened at the end of November.
- Round1 opened with Spo-Cha in Glendale, Arizona.
- The Palace opened in London, Kentucky, while Spare Time Madison added an 80-game arcade area.
- OneSource Amusements opened at Skate Reflections, and Tilt Studio opened its latest venue in Bismarck, North Dakota.
- LIT Pinball Bar reopened across the street from its previous site.
- A soda museum and arcade opened in Missouri.
- The final Chuck E. Cheese venue with an animatronic band was set to be in Northridge, California.
- Gatcha, a Queens, New York venue dedicated to crane games, opened with a specialised focus.
Europe
European openings were less frequent than earlier in 2023, even though existing venues remained active and IAAPA had a strong year. The January EAG trade show in London offered a possible starting point for renewed activity in 2024.
Funbox at Gravity MAX, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Gravity began as a trampoline-park operator before expanding into large mixed-use entertainment centres under the MAX name. Its Liverpool venue combines go-karting, bars, interactive attractions and a Funbox arcade operated by Funbox Entertainment. Funbox was acquired by Sega Amusements chief Paul Williams in 2022, making Sega equipment a natural part of the offering.
The venue can also be explored through an interactive virtual Matterport tour.
Sega Prize Zone at Superbowl UK, Stafford
Superbowl UK added a Sega Prize Zone to its Stafford bowling venue. The chain had grown to 15 branches, with Sega operating the arcades. Alongside redemption games, the location includes Mission: Impossible Arcade and Drone Racing Genesis, as well as the original Storm Rider rather than its newer sequel. Sonic appearances in statue and costume form were also used for guest meet-and-greets.
Gamestate, Belgium and the Netherlands
Gamestate continued its expansion across mainland Europe with new venues in Ghent and Antwerp. The Antwerp site was described as the chain’s largest opening to that point.
Other European updates
- A new Tenpin bowling venue with an arcade was announced for Fife, Scotland.
- Level Up Arcade Bar in Limerick, Ireland, added 20 games.
- Bandai Namco Europe expanded its Cross Store retail concept in London, although not every store includes arcade attractions.
- History of Video Games Bristol became Playback Arcade Bristol.
- MMI12 Fun Centre opened in Gembloux, Belgium.
Asia, the Middle East and Oceania
Taito Station, Hong Kong
Taito returned to international location operations with a Taito Station in Hong Kong, its first venue outside Japan in 11 years. The site is heavily focused on crane games, but also includes air hockey, basketball hoops and custom electromechanical attractions designed around games popular in Hong Kong. Reporting suggested the company may be considering expansion beyond this market.
Tecmopia Zama, Kanagawa, Japan
Koei Tecmo continued operating a small number of Tecmopia venues in Japan despite limited recent arcade news and the cancellation of its Tecmo Bowl 2021 revival with Raw Thrills. The new Zama location combines crane and medal games with video titles, including Dead or Alive running through Sega’s APM3 cabinets. It follows the venue’s broad, all-ages approach.
Game Enoki, Takamatsu, Japan
Game Enoki is a smaller independent venue opened by Enoki Takamatsu around the end of September. Its floor is dedicated largely to rhythm games from Konami and Sega, with no UFO crane or gashapon machines. The specialist format highlights the importance of rhythm gaming to Japan’s core arcade audience.
Timezone expansion
Timezone continued its regional growth with new Philippine venues at Robinsons Galleria in Manila and Ayala Malls Trinoma in Quezon City. The company also opened a New Zealand location in partnership with Zone Bowling. The expansion adds to Timezone’s broader presence across the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand.
Additional Asia-Pacific updates
- Bandai Namco revamped an amusement store location around Taiko no Tatsujin.
- CA Sega Joypolis opened another Joypolis Sports facility in Kitakyushu.
- Genda GiGO expanded into Sapporo with Maxim Hero and exA-Arcadia.
- “Hell’s Taito Station” opened in the basement of a Taito location, featuring 11 horror attractions.
- Game Apina opened its first Nagoya location.
Announced for 2024
- Spare Time Entertainment planned a new family entertainment centre in Nebraska.
- Level X announced a second Edinburgh location.
- Flip Out planned a new family entertainment centre at Canary Wharf in London.
- King Pins announced a second Manchester location with a large arcade.
- Masti Zone India outlined plans for more than 100 new locations over the following three years.
- Otaku Takeout opened its first Arkansas arcade.
New venues only succeed when people visit them, so local players should support the arcades they want to keep. For anyone planning a home setup instead, RETROCADE’s upright arcades, racing arcades and virtual pinball machines offer different ways to bring arcade play home.
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