Looking to relive the glory days of coin-op games and classic arcade fun?

These retro Minnesota arcades will immerse you in the ultimate 1980s experience.

1. Starcade Classic Arcade (St. Paul)

Walking into Starcade Classic Arcade is like stepping into a time machine set to 1985.

The place is packed tighter than a Rubik’s Cube with vintage cabinets, their screens glowing like beacons of nostalgia in the dimly lit space.

The first thing that hits you is the cacophony of bleeps, bloops, and pew-pews that make up the soundtrack of our youth.

It’s enough to make you want to crimp your hair and slip on some leg warmers.

As you weave through the maze of machines, you’ll spot all the usual suspects.

There’s Pac-Man, still munching away after all these years (talk about a steady diet).

Donkey Kong is hurling barrels with the enthusiasm of a gorilla who’s had one too many bananas.

And let’s not forget Space Invaders, because nothing says “welcome to the future” quite like shooting pixelated aliens.

But Starcade isn’t just about the games.

It’s about the experience.

The wood-paneled walls, the old-school joysticks that feel just right in your hand, and the satisfying clunk of tokens being inserted.

It’s like comfort food for your inner child, minus the calories and sugar rush.

So whether you’re a seasoned gamer looking to relive your glory days or a youngster wondering what all the fuss is about, Starcade Classic Arcade is your ticket to the golden age of gaming.

Just remember, if you hear someone yell “Radical!” or “Tubular!”, don’t worry – it’s probably just me getting a little too into character.

2. Zap Arcade (Jordan)

If Starcade is a time machine, then Zap Arcade is the DeLorean of retro gaming – sleek, stylish, and ready to take you back to the future.

Or is it the past?

Time travel is confusing.

Zap Arcade in Jordan is like the cool kid’s basement from every 80s movie you’ve ever seen, but on steroids.

The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a sea of glowing screens and the sweet, sweet sound of victory (and defeat, let’s be honest).

The arcade boasts an impressive collection of games that’ll make any Gen-Xer weak in the knees.

From the neon glow of Tron to the side-scrolling action of Contra, it’s all here.

And let’s not forget about the pinball machines, standing tall and proud like chrome-plated sentinels of fun.

But what really sets Zap apart is its atmosphere.

The place is decked out in more neon than a Miami Vice episode, with a dash of cyberpunk thrown in for good measure.

It’s like Blade Runner and The Breakfast Club had a baby, and that baby grew up to be really good at Street Fighter II.

And speaking of Street Fighter II, prepare for some serious button-mashing action.

Just remember to stretch those fingers first – we’re not as young as we used to be, and carpal tunnel is no joke.

So whether you’re looking to show off your high-score skills or just want to bask in the glow of nostalgia (and a whole lot of LED lights), Zap Arcade is your ticket to retro gaming nirvana.

Just don’t blame me if you leave with a sudden urge to watch The Goonies and eat Pop Rocks.

3. Up-Down (Minneapolis)

Alright, fellow time travelers, buckle up (or should I say, power up?) because our next stop is Up-Down in Minneapolis, where the 80s and 90s collide in a explosion of pixels and craft beer.

Yes, you heard that right – this isn’t your daddy’s arcade.

Up-Down is what happens when your childhood dreams of owning an arcade meet your adult reality of, well, needing a drink after a long day.

It’s a beautiful marriage of nostalgia and hops, a place where you can button-mash your way through Mortal Kombat while sipping on a local IPA.

Talk about a fatality to your weekday blues!

The arcade floor is a veritable who’s who of gaming legends.

Street Fighter II?

Check.

The Simpsons?

Ay caramba, it’s here!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?

Cowabunga, dude!

They’ve got more games than you can shake a joystick at, and trust me, you’ll want to shake that joystick at all of them.

But Up-Down isn’t just about the games.

Oh no, they’ve gone full throttle on the nostalgia factor.

The walls are plastered with more 80s and 90s memorabilia than you can poke a Tamagotchi at.

Movie posters, old commercials playing on TVs, even a giant Lite-Brite board – it’s like a museum of your misspent youth, but with better lighting and fewer field trips.

And let’s talk about those drinks, shall we?

Up-Down’s bar is stocked with a rotating selection of craft beers that would make any hipster beard quiver with delight.

It’s like they took the concept of “adult beverages” and said, “Yeah, but what if we made it fun?”

The result? A drink menu that’s almost as entertaining as the games themselves.

Almost.

So whether you’re looking to relive your glory days of arcade dominance or just want to show these young whippersnappers how it’s done, Up-Down is your new favorite haunt.

Just remember, no matter how many quarters you pump into the machine, you still can’t pause real life.

But hey, at least you can get a beer while you try!

4. Blainbrook Entertainment Center (Blaine)

Hold onto your leg warmers, folks, because our next stop is the Blainbrook Entertainment Center in Blaine, where they’ve taken the concept of “entertainment” and cranked it up to 11.

This place is like the Swiss Army knife of fun – it’s got everything you need, and probably a few things you didn’t even know you wanted.

First things first: the arcade.

It’s a glorious mishmash of old and new, where Pac-Man rubs elbows with the latest racing games.

It’s like a family reunion where your cool retro uncle is hanging out with your tech-savvy cousin, and somehow, they’re both having a blast.

But Blainbrook isn’t content with just being an arcade.

Oh no, they’ve gone and added bowling to the mix.

Nothing says “I’m a well-rounded individual” quite like going from high-scoring on Galaga to trying to avoid gutter balls.

It’s a beautiful metaphor for life, really – one minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’re watching your dreams roll slowly into the gutter.

Deep, right?

And let’s not forget about the laser tag arena.

It’s like they took all the neon from a 1980s music video and said, “You know what this needs? More fog and plastic guns.”

It’s the perfect place to live out your Tron fantasies or just pretend you’re in a really low-budget sci-fi movie.

But wait, there’s more!

They’ve also got a full restaurant and bar, because all that gaming and bowling and laser-tag-ing is bound to work up an appetite.

It’s like they’ve anticipated every possible need you might have.

Hungry?

They’ve got you covered.

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

Thirsty?

No problem.

Sudden urge to pretend you’re a space marine battling aliens

They’ve thought of that too.

Blainbrook Entertainment Center is the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever bothered leaving the house for anything else.

It’s a one-stop shop for fun, a veritable smorgasbord of entertainment options.

Just be careful – you might walk in for a quick game of Ms. Pac-Man and emerge three days later, blinking in the sunlight, wondering where the time went.

But hey, at least you’ll have some killer bowling scores to show for it.

5. Two Bit Game Room (St. Paul)

Alright, gamers and nostalgia enthusiasts, strap in for our next stop: Two Bit Game Room in St. Paul.

This place is so retro, it makes “Back to the Future” look like a documentary.

Two Bit Game Room is exactly what it sounds like – a haven for those of us who still dream in 8-bit.

It’s like someone took all the best parts of your childhood, stuffed them into a time capsule, and then exploded that capsule all over a room.

The result? Pure, unadulterated, pixelated joy.

The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a wave of nostalgia so strong it could knock the scrunchie right out of your hair.

The walls are lined with more classic arcade cabinets than you can shake a Power Glove at.

We’re talking the cream of the crop here – Donkey Kong, Frogger, Asteroids – all the games that ate your quarters faster than you could say “Mom, I need more allowance!”

But Two Bit isn’t just about the games – it’s about the experience.

The place is decked out in more neon than a Miami Vice marathon, with a soundtrack that’s pure 80s gold.

It’s like John Hughes and Nintendo had a baby, and that baby grew up to be really, really good at Galaga.

And let’s talk about those games for a second.

These aren’t your modern, hand-holding, tutorial-heavy games.

Oh no.

These are the games that forged us in the fires of frustration, that taught us the true meaning of “Game Over.”

They’re the digital equivalent of walking uphill both ways in the snow – and we love them for it.

But what really sets Two Bit apart is its commitment to the bit (pun absolutely intended).

Everything here is priced in quarters.

Want a soda?

That’ll be eight bits, please.

It’s like they’ve created their own little economy based entirely on pocket change.

I haven’t seen this many quarters in one place since I last did laundry!

So whether you’re looking to relive your misspent youth or just want to show these young whippersnappers what real gaming looks like, Two Bit Game Room is your new favorite hangout.

Just remember to bring plenty of quarters – and maybe a wrist brace.

Those old-school joysticks can be brutal!

6. Dave & Buster’s Edina (Edina)

Hold onto your tokens, folks, because our next stop is Dave & Buster’s in Edina.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Dave & Buster’s? That’s not retro!”

Well, my neon-loving friends, prepare to have your mind blown faster than you can say “radical.”

Dave & Buster’s is like the love child of an arcade and a Las Vegas casino, raised by a sports bar.

It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s more colorful than a Rubik’s Cube on steroids.

Walking in feels like you’ve stepped into a time machine that couldn’t quite decide which decade to land in, so it grabbed a little bit of everything.

Sure, they’ve got all the modern games with their fancy graphics and surround sound.

But tucked away in corners, like hidden Easter eggs for the eagle-eyed gamer, are gems from the golden age of arcades.

It’s like a mullet in reverse – party in the front, business in the back.

And let’s talk about that food, shall we?

Dave & Buster’s menu is like a greatest hits album of bar food.

We’re talking burgers the size of your head, nachos that could feed a small army, and cocktails that come in glasses big enough to swim in.

It’s the kind of place where your diet goes to die, but your taste buds go to heaven.

But the real magic of Dave & Buster’s is in its ability to make adults feel like kids again.

Where else can you challenge your boss to a game of skeeball, or settle office disputes over a fierce round of air hockey?

It’s like a corporate retreat, but with better games and less trust falls.

And don’t even get me started on the prize counter.

It’s like they took all the best parts of a carnival midway and crammed them into one glorious, ticket-spewing corner.

Sure, you might spend $50 trying to win a $5 stuffed animal, but can you really put a price on victory?

So whether you’re looking for a nostalgia fix or just want to prove that you’ve still got the high score touch, Dave & Buster’s is your ticket to a good time.

Just remember – what happens at the Dance Dance Revolution machine, stays at the Dance Dance Revolution machine.

Your coworkers don’t need to see those moves.

7. LITT Pinball Bar (Minneapolis)

Alright, pinball wizards and silver ball sorcerers, it’s time to flip out (pun absolutely intended) over our final stop: LITT Pinball Bar in Minneapolis.

This place is so cool, it makes the Fonz look like Steve Urkel.

LITT is what happens when your coolest friend decides to turn their basement into the ultimate hangout spot, but then remembers they’re an adult and can add a bar.

It’s a beautiful marriage of nostalgia and nightlife, where the clink of glasses mingles with the satisfying thunk of flippers.

The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a sensory overload that’s part time machine, part rock concert.

The walls are lined with more pinball machines than you can shake a flipper at, each one a work of art in its own right.

From classic tables that’ll make your dad misty-eyed to modern marvels that look like they were designed by aliens, LITT has it all.

But this isn’t just any old pinball joint.

Oh no, LITT has taken the concept of a pinball bar and cranked it up to 11.

The drinks menu is a work of genius, with cocktails named after pinball lingo.

Fancy a “Multiball Margarita”?

How about a “Tilt-a-Whirl Whiskey Sour”?

Just be careful – too many of these and you might find yourself tilting in more ways than one.

And let’s talk about the atmosphere.

The place is lit up like a Christmas tree on the 4th of July, with the constant ding-ding-ding of pinball machines creating a symphony of nostalgia.

It’s like being inside a giant, playable jukebox – if jukeboxes had flippers and bumpers.

But what really sets LITT apart is its commitment to the game.

They host tournaments, leagues, and events that’ll make any pinball enthusiast’s heart flutter faster than a well-timed flipper shot.

It’s the kind of place where you can go from casual player to pinball pro faster than you can say “extra ball.”

So whether you’re a seasoned pinball wizard or just someone who appreciates the artistry of a well-designed table, LITT Pinball Bar is your new favorite haunt.

Just remember – in the immortal words of The Who, “That deaf, dumb, and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.”

And after a night at LITT, you might just be giving that kid a run for his money.

There you have it, folks – a tour of Minnesota’s finest retro arcades that’ll make you wonder why you ever upgraded from your Atari.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with Ms. Pac-Man.

Game on!