Over the years Arcades have become synonymous with the sea-side. Ironic given the lack of sunlight that inherently comes alongside, making it feel a little counter-intuitive. Jokes aside, for many it’s an essential part of the seaside experience, that for some is the best part. On this list however, you’ll find much more than just simple Arcade cabinets. With 4 options to discover, all unique from the other, and brilliantly fun in their own ways. Ranging from state of the art VR experiences to your classic seaside arcade! There’s plenty of ways to get your gaming fix in Brighton.
Gaming Retro Button Brighton
“An award-winning retro gaming events specialists based in Brighton & Hove”
The closest thing to Heaven for video game fans, you’ll ever get. At Gaming Retro Button events you’ll find every childhood classic, (providing you are not still a child) no matter your age! From NES all the way to the XBOX 360 and PS3! Enjoy over 2000 games in stints of over 4 hours!
What’s more, is their attention to providing those extra special games. You know the ones I mean… The ones with fancy, different controllers. I’m talking about The Zapper from Duck Hunt, the Light guns of the many PlayStation 1 and 2 shooters, Guitar Hero controllers, XBOX 360 Steering wheels and even the bloody Donkey Kong Bongos for the GameCube.
Best of all is the sweet bonus touch of providing classic 90’s CRT TV’s so you can relive the feeling of playing Star Fox 64 or Battle Toads EXACTLY how you remember it. It’s like being a kid again, except no ones there to tell you to “stop playing that nonsense, I need to watch the Darts”.
Gaming Retro Button hosts multiple weekly events around venues in Brighton. Typically pubs and bars. You can find them at: Dead Wax Social (Central Brighton) every Monday, Mrs Fitzherbert’s (Central Brighton) every Tuesday, The Dorset (North Laine) every Wednesday, The Pub at Fiveways (Fiveways) every Thursday and The Station (Hove) every Monday.
The games are always free to play, but it is encouraged you support the venues themselves who pay for the event and get a few drinks. There’s staff on hand to help you navigate any finicky problems of some of the older systems, even if you are just stuck on something as simple as a menu screen. You won’t find a better way to relive all your favourite childhood classics.
Each event lasts typically 4 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore various consoles, games or to just work on your Mario Kart Double Dash times. Make friends with like minded gamers. Why not strike up a friendly rivalry with a player just as passionate about your favourite game as you are?
For more information, including the addresses of their various locations check out their website!
VR immersion
Whilst not your typical arcade, VR Immersion is the Arcade of the future. With a variety of available experiences and games, VR Immersion is the forefront of playing video games whilst out and about. Their more visual experiences vary from Space, to Deep-Sea diving to safari’s and even Dinosaurs.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll have a few doubts by this point. VR experiences are great but you want some real games, and you need more than simple early VR games. Fear not, their game selection is filled with the best and latest innovations.
Like some high octane strategy? Super Hots unmatched, unique and intuitive gameplay won’t disappoint. Letting you manipulate the flow of time to overcome your enemies and turn their own bullets against them.
If you want a more typical action shooter, Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx is a must play. The closest we may get to Half-Life 3, you can enjoy one of gaming’s greatest series’ in a new innovative way. Head crabs have never been more terrifying, as they look to make you their host. You won’t find a more immersive gaming experience than this.
Their incredible Cinema Pods allow for 180 degrees of movement, providing a comfortable and full body experience. To get anymore immersive, you’d have to physically be in a video game.
It’s daunting at first, but there’s so much choice, and no need to jump into a high intensity shooter. Staff are on hand to help you select the right VR experience, ensuring you enjoy yourself to the fullest.
Address: Lower level, Opposite Game Unit 82, Russell Place Churchill Square Shopping Centre, Brighton BN1 2RG
Website: immotionvr.com/locations/brighton/
Brighton Pier
Your classic Arcade, Brighton Pier has a menagerie of game machines, with all the classics you’d hope to find. When it comes to video game cabinets, they’re well stocked. You can enjoy the likes of: House of the Dead, Time Crisis, a myriad of racing games, and my personal childhood favourite, Guitar Hero. Fun Fact: The Brighton Pier was the first Arcade in the Uk to introduce a Guitar Hero Machine! If you prefer games without graphics and controllers, you’ll find plenty of parlour games, with a full ticket system and many machines to win said tickets. Be it Basketball free throws or your classic claw machine, heaps of prizes can be wo!.
Need a nostalgic fix? Take to the legendary 2p machines and spend your pennies in the classic addicted experience of the Penny Falls. No one knows quite why it’s so hard to pull away from, but The Pier is as good a place as any to get lost for an afternoon in the hypnotic back and forth movement of a shelf of pennies.
Other exciting must plays include Pac-man Smash, the most exciting game of Air Hockey you’ll ever play. Of course, there also lies the classic Pinball Machine. Try and emulate that deaf, dumb and Blind kid and beat the high score!
Naturally, you’ll also find an area for slot machines if that’s your thing. There’s also the many extra amenities on the pier such as the amusement park, Parlour games and food stalls. For your classic Seaside arcade experience, there’s no better choice on the South Coast.
Address: Madeira Dr, Brighton BN2 1TW
Website: www.brightonpier.co.uk
Worlds Raceway @ Worlds End Pub
A bar, Great Vegan junk food, a 10 person remote controlled race track that is Scalextric on steroids, an Arcade. Need there be anything else? This utopia may sound like dad’s man cave, but with so much to enjoy, especially after a few drinks, its hard not to get drawn into this exciting bar.
Add their large craft beer and gin range into the mix, and you’ll be hard pressed to need anything else for a great night with a group, just a few friends or even alone. To paraphrase IGN, The World’s End provides a little something for everyone.
The Arcade gives it a place on this list, but for something a little different and probably much more exciting than anything at any typical arcade, the World’s Raceway is a must try for any group.
Backed by 35 years of Motorsport and engineering experience, The Racing Bug system is designed by engineers dedicated to creating authentic and exciting motorsport simulation. There’s no need to wile away for years to qualify for a racing licence. Or to hopelessly try to find a racing team without an oligarchical owner wanting to make their underqualified son the driver.
Using realistic driving controls, letting you put the pedal to the metal and feel the torque of the steering wheel. At World’s Raceway you’ll be one of 10 drivers competing for glory. More than just cars on a 1 directional track. You control the steering, Racing line, acceleration and braking of your car as you tear round a state of the art course.
What’s more is the live commentary provided of the whole event to hype you up in your Grand Prix winning moment. Have your very own “Is that Glock !?” moment on the final corner.
With extra fun memento’s like mock racing licences and time sheets, you’ll have made some great memories with friends old and possibly new. Most of all, you’ll quickly find yourself hooked.
Address: 60-61 London Rd, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4JE
Website: www.worldsend.pub
