Game On: Discover the Top Arcades and Gaming Hotspots in Dallas-Fort Worth

Are you a gamer looking for the ultimate gaming experience in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Look no further! From classic arcade games to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, DFW has it all. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or just looking for a fun night out, there's no shortage of fantastic arcades and gaming hotspots to explore. Many of them feature great food and drink menus as well.

Dallas

1. ROUND 2

Courtesy Round 2

Round Two, the newest entertainment destination in North Oak Cliff located in the old Flashback Retropub venue, builds on the fun collection of arcade and retro console games, with the addition of two gaming bays, a virtual reality area, a full service cocktail bar, and weekly gaming tournaments. The entry fee is just $5 per person (21-and-up) and $10 per person under 21. The gaming bays are rentable, online or walk-in, for $15 per hour. The VR area is also rentable at $10 per hour. The arcade and gaming venue is open seven days a week and switches to 21-and-up only after 7pm. With over 50 arcade games, 20 board games, and more, this place is one of our faves.

2. farm + Feed

Gamer hive, mount up! We're going to the Farm + Feed. The Shops at Legacy in Plano is where it's at, an 8,000 square foot gamer's paradise. Guests enter through "The Village," a space with 20 or so booths, each with two 55-inch TVs, a Nintendo Switch and either an XBox Series X or a PlayStation 5, plus four controllers. There are also 18 PCs loaded up with games. "The Library" is another section, jam-packed with sci-fi books, more gaming PCs and some fancy date-night couch co-op console setups. If you want to really go big, though, reserve a night in "The Bunker," with room for 8-10 of your geekiest friends and a 77-inch OLED TV with a Switch, a Playstation and an XBox.

3. Nerdvana

Nerdvana in Frisco is a scratch kitchen and craft bar focused on the celebration of video game and board game culture. Play the latest four-player madness, a new tabletop experience, or a retro classic all from your table, curated from Nerdvana's library of digital or board games. They also feature creative cocktails, locally roasted coffee and and an extensive list of craft beers.

4. rank 1 gaming

Carrollton's Rank 1 Gaming is an affordable hub ($6 per hour!) for gamers to congregate and flex their competitive muscles in live tourneys to win cash prizes! This place is gaming heaven — it has everything you need to game in-person with your friends, and make some new ones in the process. This premium gaming cafe is open late and serves snacks, smoothies, and hot food to keep you in the zone. Every Monday, they host in-person Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Tournaments for cash prizes!

5. national video game museum

The gaming community demanded it, and Frisco delivered: The National Video Game Museum is a place where we can learn about the video game industry's rich history, where it's heading next, and how we can all be a part of it. It's a place where we can meet and expand our vast community of creative and competitive minds. And it's so much fun to go visit — especially at just $12 for general admission tickets!

6. pinstack

With locations in Plano, Las Colinas and Allen, there is no doubt a swanky bowling, gaming and dining experience near you. Let your competitive side heat things up on the bowling lanes, in the laser tag arena or on the climbing wall. Did you know they also have bumper cars and a high-ropes course suspended 20 feet above their arcade, which features100 of the newest video games and simulator technology?

7. barcadia

@barcadiadallas

With locations in both Dallas and Fort Worth, Barcadia is a staple of the DFW barcade scene. Classic arcade murals surround you while you play life-size Jenga on the patio or vintage arcade games with modern play cards. They've also got skee ball machines, pool and air hockey tables, Guitar Hero, aaaaaand lest we forget... 24 beers on tap.

8. cidercade

The Dallas Design District plays host to another of our favorite haunts that mix a good drink with a great dose of arcade-style nostalgia. We love the Cidercade, and so will you! They have expanded with location in both Fort Worth and will soon open one in Arlington, but the original is one of the spots on this list we keep going back to. $10 admission gets you unlimited play on more than 140 arcade machines, and frequent flyers can save even more money by signing up for a $15 monthly membership.

Fort Worth

1. evo

EVO in the Southlake Town Square offers you the chance to play VR games in two different formats: their new Hologate multi-player VR, which brings an ever-growing list of fully-growing library of immersive challenges to your fingertips, or their Omni-Arena VR for groups of four who want to take part in co-op challenges or kid-friendly games. They also have an onsite movie theater and bowling alley — and a Dallas location is scheduled to open sometime in 2023 as well.

2. bowlero

Bowlero also has locations in Addison, Garland, Denton and Euless, but we hit up the one in Watauga a while back and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Since they're primarily a bowling alley, we wanted to draw your attention to a specific deal they have going on Tuesdays: along with bowling specials for just $2.99 a game, they also discount their arcade cards starting at 7 p.m. You can get a $5 arcade card for just $2! Check them out.

3. junk punch

Junk Punch off West 78th features arcades as well as more analog games, like Duck Pin Bowling, electronic dart boards, Connect 4 Hoops — not to mention their super cute Insta-worthy mural wall. It is a hoot — try them out!

4. electric starship arcade

Haltom City's Electric Starship is so retro and so fun. It's just $10 at the door for an all-you-can-play experience. It might not look like much from the strip center on the outside, but on the inside is a total hidden gem. If you’re looking to switch up the monotonous date night, or are looking for a new way to host game night with your friends — this is your spot!

5. free play arcade

Free Play has locations in Richardson, near the Dallas Design District, in Denton and in Arlington, but the one we visited was their Fort Worth location. In Funkytown, Free Play has great rooftop city views of Downtown as well as the customary library of classic arcade games that you can play FOR FREE when you visit!

Add them all to the Love List👾✨