Play Time: Arcade Games for the Home

Play Time: Arcade Games for the Home
Courtesy of Best Buy, Suncoast Arcade, The Pinball Company, Barrington, AT Games
Bill Lindsey
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When we were kids, our parents weren’t fans of these loud, raucous machines that kept us entertained long before the internet existed. Now that we’re adults, we can play them whenever we want, even at home—if we can get our kids to give us a turn!

Or, be the best boss ever and add one to the office breakroom.

(Courtesy of Best Buy)
Courtesy of Best Buy
$316.99

Arcade games are a proven way to improve hand-eye coordination, but this one takes it to a much higher level by involving your entire body. Twin hoops let you compete with friends or simply alternate between them to unwind after a busy day at work. Unlike many other arcade games, this one doesn’t have flashing lights or loud buzzers, just the satisfying sound of the ball going through the net, watching your points increase on the LED scoreboard.

(Courtesy of Suncoast Arcade)
Courtesy of Suncoast Arcade

A High-Tech Coffee Table

3-Sided Cocktail Arcade Machine
$1,749

Your friends might suspect you “borrowed” this classic game from a nearby pub, because it has everything found on commercial machines except a slot for quarters. It features two sets of controls to allow two-person play in horizontal mode or single-player use in vertical mode. More than 1,000 games, including Pac-Man, Frogger, Dig Dug, Asteroids, and many more keep even the most demanding players hooked. The added Bluetooth option allows it to play your favorite music in between games.

(Courtesy of The Pinball Company)
Courtesy of The Pinball Company

Velociraptors in the Game Room!

Jurassic Park Pinball Machine by Stern
$4,999

Pinball wizards will find themselves going back in time 65 million years to Isla Nubar and experiencing the thrill of being chased by dinosaurs every time they play this arcade-style machine. A roaring T-Rex dominates the playing field, while players work the flippers to corral the raptors in their pen. Flashing lights, movie-themed music, and loud pings as the balls bounce off interactive targets provide a lively and mesmerizing experience.

(Courtesy of Barrington)
Courtesy of Barrington
$1,193.99

This game of skill requires players to roll a ball up the 10-foot wooden deck, making it leap up the ramp and into the scoring rings protected by a metal cage. High scores are rewarded with exciting sound effects. The LED scoreboard, a handsome oak finish, and antique-style graphics give it a classic appearance straight out of a 1950s-era arcade, making it great décor for a man cave or enjoying a prime location in the family entertainment room.

(Courtesy of AT Games)
Courtesy of AT Games

The Real Arcade Experience

Legends Ultimate
$599.99

Many of us spent countless hours playing stand-up arcade games virtually identical to this one, converting stacks of quarters into flashing lights and throbbing sound effects and manipulating the trackball, spinners, and joysticks. Equipped with a 24-inch high-definition screen and stereo speakers, it’s an ideal way to liven up a home entertainment room or the office breakroom. It arrives ready to play more than 300 games, including classic Space Invaders, Tetris, and Centipede, with an additional 200 available via ArcadeNet.

Bill Lindsey
Bill Lindsey
Author
Bill Lindsey is an award-winning writer based in South Florida. He covers real estate, automobiles, timepieces, boats, and travel topics.
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