10 best arcades in Arizona

Discover ten of the best arcades in Arizona, from an arcade that only stocks pinball games to massive chains that call Arizona home.

Arcades have been in business for decades, largely because they allow for unadulterated fun. They’re dedicated spaces where the only items on the agenda are to press play and let loose.

The games stocked at these top arcades in Arizona range from classics like Pacman to newer options, like a game based on the latest “Top Gun” film. Get ready to channel your inner child and get your gaming on!

Best Arcades in Northern Arizona

Levitate Adventure Park

4601 E. Marketplace Drive in Flagstaff

Levitate Adventure Park just might be one of the most unique settings for an arcade. The space is predominantly a trampoline park. While some kids jump around, others can play arcade games on the perimeter of the building with walls that are painted bright green. Some of the options include an NBA-themed game where you shoot hopes, Skeeball, a boxing-themed game, and a driving game.

Although primarily a place where children can have fun, adults can enjoy massage chairs along with plenty of comfortable couches if they’re searching for rest.

Electric Bat Avenue

15 N. Agassiz Street in Flagstaff. There’s another location in Tempe. 

You must be 21 years or older to enter the Flagstaff establishment.

The Electric Bat Arcade has locations in both Flagstaff and Tempe, and both are stocked primarily with pinball games. The colorful, multi-colored games light up an otherwise dark space that’s open in Flagstaff until 2 a.m.

This spot is a true destination if you’re a massive pinball fan. On its website, you can check out a list of all of the games offered at both locations. A few offerings include Cleopatra from 1977, AC/DC Pro from 2012, and even a Dolly Parton machine dating back to 1979. If you’re looking to play a very specific game, it’s best to call before heading over.

The arcade’s two Arizona locations frequently swap out games. Electric Bat also holds pinball tournaments. Check out the calendar to learn more about them.

In a Google review, one person wrote, “Electric Bat Arcade in Tempe (check out their Flagstaff location, also) is a fantastic place to play pinball, undoubtedly one of the very best pinball locations in the state of Arizona! The machines here are well-maintained, and therefore all operate as intended and expected.”

Best Arcades in Metro Phoenix

Northern Lights Arcade at Great Wolf Lodge

7333 N. Pima Road in Scottsdale

Great Wolf Lodge is a national company best known for its family-friendly hotels outfitted with massive water parks that kids love. But the Scottsdale location also has an arcade, perfect for when the kids get tired of splashing around.

The arcade area of the Scottsdale resort is dubbed Northern Lights Arcade. This section is housed in an area resembling a wood log cabin and features plenty of games that kids will enjoy. Expect plenty of colorful machines that light up. Kids can play games like Skeeball and another game where you hit a pad with a mallet as hard as you can.

Bowlero Christown

1919 W. Bethany Home Road in Phoenix

Bowlero Christown in Midtown Phoenix is most recognizable for its angular building with a roof that juts upward on a diagonal to the sky on Bethany Home Road. It’s home to a bowling alley along with a small arcade where patrons can play games like Zombie Snatcher and Skeeball, among others. 

When to visit: On Wednesdays, games are half-price from open to close.

Round 1 Bowling & Arcade

Two locations in metro Phoenix. One is in Chandler, and another is in Glendale. 

Round1 is part of a national chain, and it has two locations in metro Phoenix: One in Chandler at the Chandler Fashion Center and another in Glendale at the Arrowhead Towne Center. Each one houses hundreds of games, including over 100 crane machines, pro billiards, bowling, and arcade games. The arcade games include some exclusive imports from Japan.

Many of the claw machines are filled with toys that are made exclusively for Round1. The company actually started in Japan back in 1980 and first expanded to the United States in 2008. Ramen, bao, and other Asian-influenced foods are on the menu alongside typical arcade fare like pizza and burgers.

Please note that the Chandler location offers pickleball, while the Glendale outpost does not.

Tilt Studio Arizona Mills

5000 Arizona Mills Circle in Tempe

Housed in a sprawling 40,000-square-foot indoor entertainment center in Tempe, Tilt Studio Arizona Mills is one of the largest arcades in Arizona. Inside, you’ll find more than 100 arcade and video games to enjoy, including options like retro games, pinball, and virtual reality.

Customers can play crane games and on Stern pinball machines. Tilt Studio also has a weekly pinball league. One Google reviewer wrote, “The arcade was fantastic, and we enjoyed the retro games. The pinball machines were impressive, and the wings were good for there [sic] price.”

Main Event

Three locations in metro Phoenix: Tempe, Avondale, and Gilbert. There’s another location in Tuscon.

Main Event is notable for its massive collection of games. Each location has over 100 games for players of all ages. Customers can play racing video games, first-person shooter games, and puzzles. Main Event notes on its website that it also stocks plenty of classic games. Try to see if you can beat the highest scores on iconic games like Space Invaders, NBA Jam, and Donkey Kong. Some other titles you might find include Jurassic Park, Star Wars Battle Pod, Dance Dance Revolution, and Halo: Fireteam Raven. Main Event also offers bowling, virtual reality, and laser tag.

On Mondays after 4 p.m., customers can play unlimited games and activities for just $12.99 per person as part of Main Event’s Monday Night Madness promotion. Learn more in the link.

Dave & Buster’s

Three locations in metro Phoenix, including Tempe, Glendale, and Scottsdale. There’s another location in Tucson.

The name Dave & Buster’s is practically synonymous with arcade games. Arizona residents can visit four locations throughout the state.

Dave & Buster’s claims it’s home to more than 150 games. If you haven’t been in a while, you might get a chance to play some new games like Top Gun Maverick, NBA Superstar, UFC Challenge, and Godzilla VR.

On most Wednesdays, Dave & Buster’s patrons can enjoy half-price games.  

Best Arcades in Southern Arizona

Cobra Arcade Bar

63 E. Congress St. in downtown Tucson. There’s another location in downtown Phoenix.

Downtown Tucson’s Cobra Arcade Bar features plenty of vintage arcade games and plenty of pinball. All of the machines operate using tokens, and customers can purchase tokens on-site.

When patrons aren’t playing games, they can enjoy a libation from Cobra’s creative drinks menu, in addition to craft beer, shots, and cocktails. Live DJs also spin tunes.

Cobra’s following is so strong that the bar has dubbed its fans the “Snake Gang.” They can even buy merch outfitted with this logo via this link. One Google reviewer even left a comment saying, “Diverse crowd and fun atmosphere – if you like arcade games and loud music.”

Fantasticks Tucson

221 East Wetmore Road in Tucson

Fantasticks Tucson is perhaps best known for its water park and electric go-karts, but it also features an arcade stocked with air hockey, Skeeball, and classic arcade games like Dance Dance Revolution.

Kids will want to bring their report cards as they can earn free arcade play for good grades. Every A nets them 75 cents in arcade play. Every B is worth 50 cents for a max of $5.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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