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Pinballz Combines 80’s Nostalgia With Modern Games Since 2010

May 19, 2017 by Bill Tucker 8 Comments

Pinballz Arcade Sign

Come spend an hour or three at one of Austin’s most carefully curated arcades (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Some kids grew up on the baseball field, others on their bikes. I was raised on video games. As a young lad in northern New Jersey, many an afternoon was spent at the local arcade. My dad would hand me $5 in quarters, and I’d wander the labyrinth of lights and sounds in search of the perfect game. The arcade experience defined my childhood.

And while the neighborhood arcade has gone the way of Game Boys and Pogs, one Austin institution is keeping the dream alive. Retro yet modern, classic yet contemporary, Pinballz safeguards the legacy of old school gaming in a modern age.

Keeping Old Traditions Alive

Row of Pinball Machines at Pinballz

Hundreds of pinball machines await at Pinballz (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Walking into Pinballz is like entering a time machine. Its centerpiece is its namesake: pinball. Rows upon rows of bumpers and paddles greet guests as they enter any of Pinballz’s three locations (183 and Burnet, Buda, Lake Creek). Across locations, Pinballz has over 200 pinball machines spanning five decades of gaming. From their oldest machine, 1964’s Riverboat Gambler, to 80’s era Pinbot, to modern titles like Star Trek and Game of Thrones, gamers from every era will find something they recognize.

If pinball isn’t your thing, the retro vibe continues in the arcade cabinet section. Each location has a healthy selection of classic arcade games guaranteed to bring back memories of Asteroids, Galaga, and Mortal Kombat. When I visited the Lake Creek location, part of the fun was looking over a player’s shoulder as he played Street Fighter 2, a common practice back in my grade school arcade days.

And for those with fond memories of winning giant stuffed animals at county fairs, Pinballz has a fantastic prize game section. While thirty-somethings like myself gravitate toward skeeball, hoops, and the Wheel of Fortune ticket wheel, others may want to rack up points on giant Space Invaders and Deal or No Deal.

Looking to the Future

Pinballz 7D Dark Ride Adventure

Pinballz Lake Creek’s 7D ride is an exhilarating assault on the senses (Credit: Pinballz)

Pinballz isn’t dependent on nostalgia. Each arcade continues to push the envelope when it comes to new and exciting ways to play. The Lake Creek location has the latest arcade innovation, a newly minted 7D Dark Ride Theater. This interactive experience puts riders in a moving, lurching shoot-em-up game where the lines between reality and fantasy are shockingly blurred.

My experience was with the “Zombies” game. Wearing 3D glasses, sitting on a moving seat and armed with a light gun, I competed with seven other riders in a battle against an invading zombie hoard. Wind rushed in my face and strobe lights flashed, creating an enveloping, exciting sensory experience.

And it doesn’t stop with the walking dead. Pinballz Kingdom’s massive outdoor laser tag attraction allows players to battle in a paintball-style arena, without the mess and bruises. Lake Creek features an exhilarating sci-fi themed laser tag game, as well as a light maze so devious, you’ll need to be Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible to escape unscathed.

Fantastic Time for the Family at Pinballz

Hercules Pinball Game at Pinballz in Austin

Try one of the world’s largest pinball machines, Hercules (Credit: Bill Tucker)

All of this activity is bound to make you hungry and thirsty. Luckily, both the Lake Creek and Kingdom locations feature extensive food and drink options. And while the original 183 location continues to be BYOB, the in-house snack bar has enough grub to keep you gaming for hours.

When I moved to Austin, I secretly hoped there would be an arcade geared towards the young me and the old me. A place where I could grab five friends and wreak havoc on X-Men Arcade, while enjoying a pint in the process. A place that was both nostalgically young and invitingly mature at the same time.

Pinballz checks all of those boxes. By providing classic gaming, modern attractions, and adult libations under one roof, this mecca of all things fun continues to be the gold standard for Austin arcade entertainment. My local arcade back in Jersey would be proud.

 

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Where do you go for your video game fix in Austin?

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Comments

  1. Troy Herman says

    November 5, 2013 at 9:00 am

    Glad to see you finally got a post on this place. I always love going here.. $20 can last me a long time playing classics and others with the kids or just by myself.

    Log in to Reply
    • Brittany Highland says

      November 5, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      @troyherman:disqus, this article was overdue! Glad to hear from a satisfied customer. 🙂

      Log in to Reply
    • David says

      November 11, 2013 at 8:22 am

      For sure. $20 lasted quite a while for four of us. I plan to host a party or two here in the future.

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  2. Shawn Collins says

    November 13, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    I love Pinballz, especially the oldest pinball machines near the front door. I’ve brought my kids there a few times, and they really enjoy it, too.

    I wish they had Commando and/or 10 Yard Fight in there – get those and I am in way more often.

    Log in to Reply
    • EricHighland says

      November 13, 2013 at 3:49 pm

      Hey if you are ever in Seattle make sure you check out the Seattle Pinball Museum. We know the owners and they are some of our favorite people. All games there are playable too!

      Log in to Reply
    • David says

      November 21, 2013 at 1:38 pm

      Medieval Madness was brutal to my tokens. It’s right in front of the door.

      Log in to Reply
  3. a_mountain_man says

    November 13, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    What is your favorite machine brand? I always preferred Gottlieb over Williams or Bally

    Log in to Reply
    • David says

      March 27, 2014 at 9:53 am

      I don’t particularly have a favorite brand. I like the machines that are a bit slower, though. I like to be dazzled by shiny things.

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