Remember when your biggest worry was having enough quarters?

Well, dust off your Rubik’s Cube and grab your neon windbreaker, because we’re about to embark on a totally tubular tour of Minnesota’s gnarliest arcades!

1. Zap Arcade (Jordan)

Holy pixelated paradise, Batman!

Stepping into Zap Arcade in Jordan is like tumbling through a time warp straight into the 1980s.

This place is so authentically retro, you half expect to see Marty McFly trying to blend in with the locals.

The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the symphonic cacophony of bleeps, bloops, and “Game Over” jingles.

It’s music to any gamer’s ears, I tell ya.

The walls are adorned with vintage gaming posters and neon signs that cast a warm, nostalgic glow over the whole joint.

Now, let’s talk about the games.

Oh boy, do they have games!

From Pac-Man to Galaga, from Donkey Kong to Space Invaders, it’s like the greatest hits of the arcade era decided to throw a reunion party.

And let me tell you, these machines aren’t just for show.

They’re fully operational, ready and waiting for you to relive your glory days or create some new high-score memories.

But wait, there’s more! (I’ve always wanted to say that.)

Zap Arcade isn’t just about the video games.

They’ve got a sweet collection of pinball machines too.

It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, why choose between digital and analog when you can have both?”

Now that’s what I call equal opportunity entertainment!

2. Starcade Classic Arcade (St. Paul)

Alright, folks, buckle up because we’re blasting off to Starcade Classic Arcade in St. Paul.

This place is so cool, it makes the Fonz look like a square. (Kids, ask your parents about that reference.)

Walking into Starcade is like entering a cave of wonders, if that cave was filled with flashing lights and the sweet sounds of victory.

The layout is pure genius – it’s like they arranged the games in constellations of awesomeness.

You’ve got your fighting game galaxy over here, your racing game nebula over there, and don’t even get me started on the shoot ’em up solar system!

But here’s the kicker – Starcade isn’t just about preserving the past.

Oh no, they’re all about creating new memories too.

They host tournaments that’ll make you feel like you’re competing in the video game Olympics.

Trust me, the energy during these events is more electric than a Pikachu with a sugar rush.

And let’s talk about their maintenance team for a second.

These wizards keep the machines running smoother than a greased-up Sonic the Hedgehog.

It’s like they have a time machine and just pop back to 1985 for spare parts whenever they need them.

3. Up-Down (Minneapolis)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages (as long as you’re over 21), let me introduce you to the heavyweight champion of Minneapolis arcades – Up-Down!

This place is so hip, it makes hipsters look mainstream.

Picture this: You walk in, and BAM!

It’s like the 80s and craft beer had a love child, and that love child grew up to be the coolest kid in school.

The decor is a perfect blend of retro charm and modern flair.

It’s like they took a DeLorean, filled it with arcade cabinets, and crashed it into a trendy bar.

And you know what?

It works!

Now, let’s talk games.

Up-Down doesn’t mess around.

They’ve got more than 50 arcade games and pinball machines, each one a time capsule of pixelated joy.

But here’s the twist – they rotate their games regularly.

It’s like arcade roulette!

You never know what new (old) game you might discover on your next visit.

But wait, there’s more!

Up-Down isn’t just about the games.

They’ve got a killer selection of craft beers that would make any hop-head weep with joy.

It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, why should your taste in games be more refined than your taste in drinks?”

And don’t even get me started on their events.

Skee-Ball tournaments?

Check.

Nintendo 64 showdowns?

You betcha.

It’s like they took all the best parts of your childhood, added alcohol, and turned it into a business model.

Genius, I tell ya!

4. Blainbrook Entertainment Center (Blaine)

Hold onto your leg warmers, folks, because we’re rolling into Blainbrook Entertainment Center in Blaine.

This place is more versatile than a Swiss Army knife at a camping convention!

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“But wait, isn’t this a bowling alley?”

Well, yes, but it’s also so much more.

It’s like the entertainment equivalent of a mullet – business in the front, party in the back! (And unlike the mullet, it’s actually cool.)

Let’s start with the arcade.

It’s not the biggest on our list, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in heart.

And by heart, I mean a carefully curated selection of games that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine set to “awesome.”

From classic fighting games to racing simulators that’ll make you feel like you’re auditioning for “The Fast and the Furious: Blaine Drift,” they’ve got it all.

But here’s where Blainbrook really shines – it’s a jack of all trades, and surprisingly, a master of all of them too!

Bowling?

Check.

Laser tag?

You bet.

Arcade?

Of course!

It’s like they took all the best parts of a kid’s birthday party and made it adult-friendly. (Don’t worry, they still have kid-friendly options too. They’re equal opportunity fun-providers.)

Related: This 282-Acre Wonder at Minnesota’s Pipestone National Monument is a Labyrinth of Rock Formations to Explore

Related: This Stunning State Park in Minnesota is Like Stepping into an Andrew Wyeth Painting

Related: The Easy Half-Mile Hike in Minnesota that Leads You to this Gorgeous Secret Waterfall

And let’s not forget about their food and drink options.

It’s not just your standard bowling alley fare.

No, sir!

They’ve got a full restaurant and bar that’ll make you forget you came here to play games in the first place.

It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, why should your stomach rumble louder than the pinball machines?”

5. Two Bit Game Room (St. Paul)

Alright, gamers and retro enthusiasts, get ready to have your minds blown faster than beating the first level of Pac-Man!

We’re diving into the Two Bit Game Room in St. Paul, and let me tell you, this place is cooler than the other side of the pillow in an igloo.

First things first – the name.

Two Bit Game Room.

It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, remember when you could play a game for just two bits?” (For you youngsters out there, that’s 25 cents. I know, I know, it sounds like ancient history.)

But here’s the kicker – at Two Bit, you don’t need quarters at all!

It’s all free play, baby!

It’s like they took the concept of an all-you-can-eat buffet and applied it to gaming.

Genius!

The moment you step inside, it’s like you’ve been transported to the coolest basement hangout of 1985.

The walls are a kaleidoscope of neon and nostalgia, with vintage game posters and quirky decorations that’ll have you playing “I Spy” between rounds of Street Fighter.

Now, let’s talk about their game selection.

They’ve got everything from the classics that’ll make your parents misty-eyed to some rare gems that’ll have hardcore gamers doing double-takes.

It’s like they raided the secret warehouse where they keep all the best arcade games and said, “Yep, we’ll take ’em all!”

But Two Bit isn’t just living in the past.

They’ve embraced the present too, with a rotating selection of craft beers that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

It’s the perfect combination – you can work up a thirst button-mashing, then quench it with some locally brewed goodness.

It’s like they’re saying, “Why should your games be more crafted than your drinks?”

6. Dave & Buster’s Edina (Edina)

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Las Vegas of arcades – Dave & Buster’s in Edina!

This place is so big and flashy, it makes Times Square look like a kid’s lemonade stand.

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“Dave & Buster’s? That’s not very 80s!”

Well, hold onto your parachute pants, because D&B is like a time machine that’s collided with a spaceship from the future.

It’s retro, it’s modern, it’s everything in between, and it’s all wrapped up in a package that screams “sensory overload” in the best possible way.

The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a wall of sound and light that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a sci-fi movie.

But don’t worry, amidst all the high-tech razzle-dazzle, they’ve got plenty of old-school charm too.

It’s like they took the best of every gaming era and threw it into a blender with a dash of Vegas glitz.

Let’s talk about their game selection.

Oh boy, where do I even start?

They’ve got everything from classic arcade cabinets that’ll make you nostalgic for your misspent youth, to cutting-edge virtual reality experiences that’ll make you feel like you’re living in the future.

It’s like they’re saying, “Why choose between old school and new school when you can have the whole darn educational system?”

But Dave & Buster’s isn’t just about the games.

Oh no, they’ve got a full restaurant and bar that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

From gourmet burgers to fancy cocktails, they’ve got it all.

It’s like they took a high-end restaurant and said, “You know what this place needs? Skee-Ball!”

And let’s not forget about their prizes.

Forget those cheap plastic toys you used to get at other arcades.

At D&B, you can win everything from candy to gaming consoles.

It’s like they turned adulting into a game, and the grand prize is acting like a kid again!

7. LITT Pinball Bar (Minneapolis)

Alright, folks, we’ve reached the final stop on our arcade adventure, and boy, have we saved a treat for last!

Welcome to LITT Pinball Bar in Minneapolis, where the silver ball reigns supreme and the flippers are always ready for action!

Now, I know what you’re thinking.

“A whole bar dedicated to pinball? Isn’t that a bit… niche?”

Well, let me tell you something – LITT is to pinball what the Louvre is to art.

It’s not just a bar, it’s a flippin’ paradise! (See what I did there?)

The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by a symphony of clicks, dings, and the sweet sound of multi-ball mayhem.

The place is lit up like a Christmas tree on steroids, with the glow from dozens of pinball machines creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that says, “Come on in, the silver’s fine!”

Let’s talk about their pinball selection.

Holy flipper fingers, Batman!

They’ve got machines from every era, from classic electromechanical beauties that’ll make your grandpa misty-eyed, to modern marvels with more lights and sounds than a Pink Floyd concert.

It’s like they’ve curated a museum of pinball history, except you get to play with all the exhibits!

But LITT isn’t just about the games.

They’ve got a bar that would make any mixologist proud.

Their cocktail menu is as creative as their pinball selection, with drinks named after famous machines and pinball lingo.

Fancy a “Twilight Zone Tonic” or a “Multiball Margarita”?

They’ve got you covered!

It’s like they’re saying, “Why should your pinball be the only thing with a kick?”

And here’s the best part – LITT regularly hosts tournaments and events that’ll make you feel like you’re competing in the Pinball World Series. (Is that a thing? If not, it should be.)

From novice nights to pro-level showdowns, there’s something for everyone.

It’s like they’ve turned pinball into a sport, and we’re all invited to the Olympics!

So there you have it, folks – a whirlwind tour of Minnesota’s most radical arcades.

From Jordan to Minneapolis, from classic cabinets to cutting-edge VR, we’ve seen it all.

Adventure is calling!

Use this map to steer your road trip in the right direction—and maybe discover a surprise or two along the way.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with a high score table and a fistful of quarters.

Game on!