Location Watch returns with a survey of arcade openings and venue updates reported across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. This edition covers specialist freeplay rooms, pinball venues, Japanese amusement concepts and larger family entertainment centres.
Industry updates from InterGame and RePlay Magazine helped track several of the developments below.
North America
2nd Loop Arcade — Torrance, California
2nd Loop Arcade has quickly become one of the more distinctive recent openings. Its line-up combines classic candy cabinets loaded with shoot ’em ups, exA-Arcadia ARC-32 machines running current EXA Label releases, and rhythm games including Maimai DX. Games use card-based play, and the venue’s website lists the titles in rotation on its candy cabinets.
The arcade is owned and curated by the son of the late John Singleton, who also wrote for several recent Transformers animated series.
See 2nd Loop Arcade’s current game list for a closer look at its rotation.
Otherworlds’ Arcade — Kenner, Louisiana
This freeplay venue in Greater New Orleans opened the previous month, offering a more traditional retro selection than 2nd Loop. The machines include Pac-Man, Donkey Kong Junior and the original House of the Dead, alongside San Francisco Rush 2049, Gunblade NY and several 2000s racing and shooting games.
Otherworlds’ also has newer imported rhythm games, traditional ticket games set to amusement mode, and a Facebook presence for venue updates.
Spellbound Arcade — Casper, Wyoming
Spellbound Arcade opened at Eastridge Mall in early March. Its main arcade floor contains 20 machines, primarily retro titles. The venue also has newer virtual-reality setups, space for table games and trading cards, and sells trading-card products.
One published report describes the arcade as having no games newer than 1999. A Zenius-I-Vanisher listing says a StepManiaX cabinet was on order, so the line-up may develop beyond that stated rule. The official Spellbound Arcade website and Facebook page provide the latest information.
Mystic Arcade — Fort Wayne, Indiana
Mystic Arcade follows a newer amusement-centre format built largely around machines imported directly from China, supported by matching neon décor. Its equipment includes cranes, games from UNIS and Ace, virtual-reality simulators, titles less commonly seen through major distributors, and some bootleg versions of Japan-originated releases.
The business uses the plural name “Mystic Arcades” on its website, which may indicate plans for additional locations.
Duckie’s Revenge — Joshua, Texas
Opened in February, Duckie’s Revenge is a pinball-focused venue with a relaxed sports-bar atmosphere. It is also an official Stern Army location. Reported machines include Star Wars, Jaws, Black Knight, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Attack From Mars and James Bond 007.
VanCity Pinball & Arcade — Vancouver, Canada
VanCity Pinball & Arcade has more than 60 games, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Iron Man and Avatar. A detailed venue tour and further updates are available through its Facebook page.
Retro Social Freeplay Arcade — Frankfort, Kentucky
Located between Louisville and Lexington, Retro Social offers 60 games from the 1980s and 1990s on a freeplay model. The venue also includes a party room, drinks, weekend food-truck services, and a console area with older games and CRT televisions.
There are three pinball machines, including a new Pokémon table. The venue’s website has further details.
Family entertainment centre updates
- Round1’s newest Edison, New Jersey location has received a venue tour.
- Dave & Buster’s Jacksonville, Florida site has undergone a full remodelling.
- Andretti Karting opened a new Schaumburg, Illinois location.
- ThrillHouse launched an arcade, bowling and golf venue in Marion, Illinois.
- The Hub opened in Stillwater, Oklahoma with a cashless arcade.
- Star Lanes Polaris won FEC of the Year at the AAMA Awards.
- Arcade Time Orlando was named the best arcade at the Bowling Center Architecture and Design Awards. Its attractions include QubicaAMF’s Fly’n Ducks duckpin bowling.
- Andretti Thrill Park in Melbourne, Florida closed after 27 years and the site is being redeveloped into 234 apartments.
- Two Round1USA locations in California have attracted attention for adding exA ARC-32 cabinets.
Europe
High Score Arcades #8 — Andover, England
High Score opened a new venue in Andover after closing its Poole location, with the two sites separated by more than an hour’s drive. It is unclear whether equipment moved between them. The Andover arcade follows the group’s established model, using a selection of modern deluxe cabinets alongside other machines and charging £12 for one hour of freeplay.
Despite the Poole closure, the business continues to expand through this paid-entry format.
Continue Arcades #3 — Chichester, England
Continue’s third arcade continues the company’s concentration in southern England, although further expansion is planned. The Chichester venue opened on the 27th and uses a substantial number of deluxe cabinets to fill its floor.
Its paid-entry approach does not impose a time limit, giving it a different value proposition from High Score’s hourly model.
Twister Arcade — Badalona, Spain
Twister Arcade is a European chain with locations in Germany and Croatia. Its Badalona venue is the company’s first in Spain. Alongside a large prize-game selection, the arcade features Asphalt 9 Legends Arcade and Moto Blitz in a driving and motorbike pairing.
European FEC updates
- East Street Lanes bowling alley added an arcade extension and other activities.
- Bandai Namco’s latest Arcade Allies episode covers Haven Leisure Parks.
- Blast From The Past Arcade in Halifax reopened permanently in the town centre.
- Gamestate Arnhem opened after a full remodel, while the Enschede location received renovations.
Asia, the Middle East and Oceania
Capcomix Abeno Hoop — Osaka, Japan
Capcom has launched its Capcomix amusement-centre concept in Osaka. The facility combines crane games and merchandise sales with “Crazy BANet with Capcom All-Stars”, an area built around immersive projection-wall games and active attractions inspired by Street Fighter, Mega Man, Resident Evil and other Capcom properties.
iPlay — Sydney, Australia
Family-owned operator iPlay has opened its newest Sydney venue. The site uses a Sacoa card-based system and includes Japanese arcade titles such as Maximum Tune 6RR, alongside the redemption games commonly found in Australian family entertainment centres.
That combination reflects Australia’s access to games from nearby Asian markets while retaining the broader FEC mix familiar to local players.
Regional FEC updates
- Taito has installed more CUBE immersive-reality rooms at its venues.
- Sendai has received the first Taito Bootverse active entertainment centre.
- GiGO Aeon Mall Tsudanuma opened with “Coin Parking Delivery” artwork.
- Genda opened its first full-scale GiGO location in Shanghai.
Coming soon
- Tilted Orbit Pinball Arcade is planned for Amherst, Massachusetts.
- Deep 6 Arcade is scheduled to open in Stratford, Connecticut, during summer.
- A new Dave & Buster’s has been confirmed for Roanoke, Virginia.
- Frankie’s Fun Park is planned for Forsyth County, Georgia.
- A new Pinstack location is being built in Loudoun, Virginia.
- Continue Arcades may open a fourth venue in Derby, England.
- Hollywood Bowl XL is planned for Cardiff, Wales.
- Australia’s first Dave & Buster’s is expected to open next month.
For Australian players, iPlay’s Sydney expansion and the upcoming Dave & Buster’s launch are particularly notable. Wherever a new venue opens, consistent local support matters: arcades need visits, not just online attention, to remain viable.
If you are considering bringing the arcade experience home, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide covers the key decisions, from cabinet style to room size. Explore upright arcades or browse virtual pinball machines for alternative home setups.
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