If you think arcade games in London have been consigned to history thanks to the ever-growing popularity of gaming consoles, you would be very much mistaken. It’s been enjoying somewhat of a revival in recent times, thanks to people’s love of all things nostalgic. Furthermore, people are increasingly craving immersive experiences, where you can bond over mutual competition. Here we examine, four of the best offerings available in London right now.

Where to discover the best arcade games in London

Four Quarters at Elephant Park

One of the most extensive places to enjoy arcade games in London. Four Quarters at Elephant Park have over 20 original arcade games and pinball machines. All the classics are present. Guitar lovers can live their best rock life with Guitar Hero. If you like shoot ’em up games, they have Time Crisis II. They have one of my all-time favourite driving arcade games in London: Outrun, where you can still pick your funky tunes to accompany your drive. They generally have larger-scale arcade machines, which are well-maintained. You exchange for quarters on arrival to play your chosen games.

What makes it stand out from the competitors offering arcade games in London is they have 2 big-screen gaming setups, and 4 inside and 4 outside console booths. You can enjoy nostalgic console games like Goldeneye on the N64 machine. I also enjoyed eating their gourmet American diner food such as hot dogs like Sonic the Hedge Dog on top of a space invaders cabinet. Extra brownie points for their wide selection of craft beers as they work with the likes of Brick Brewery, Mondo and Two Tribes. They even joined forces with Sharps Brewery to produce the Four Quarters Pale, their house beer.

Four Thieves at Battersea

This hidden gem for arcade games in London is situated on a side street close to Clapham Junction station. It is not immediately obvious how sizeable this venue is as you walk into the Four Thieves gastropub, especially as it is situated on the first floor. However, if you follow the signs, you will discover an Aladdin’s cave of the best arcade games in London.

They are also strong on the shoot ’em up games front with Time Crisis 3, The House of the Dead 4, and Big Buck Hunter Pro. People who enjoy riding games can relive Hollywood classics like The Fast and Furious Super Bikes. Although if you are looking for nostalgic arcade games in London, they have arguably the finest collection – Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Tetris, they have it all.

However, their main attractions are their team-building games like Moonshine Raceway. Think of a miniature raceway, but you control the action from a literal driver’s seat. Up to 9 players can compete against each other and expect plenty of mayhem. The cars are all slightly different in design, and what you might find is some cars might be faster as they are more aerodynamically designed. Although the staff will probably say you all have an equal chance of winning. They also have Gopher Racing and Critter Racing for those with great aim and a competitive nature.

Plonk Crazy Golf at Borough Market

Their main business might be indoor crazy golf, but they have a fantastic selection of arcade games in London. This is particularly true at their Borough Market branch. They have a sizeable collection of pinball machines in London. If you book an online ticket for their crazy golf, it will also include tokens for their arcade games in London.

Furthermore, they are available for walk-ins too, so you don’t need to be playing crazy golf to check out their arcade games section. For shoot ’em up game lovers, they have the classic Point Blank 2. Street Fighter lovers will be in seventh heaven, as they have uploaded numerous versions of the game including the sequels onto their arcade cabinets. If you want extra tokens, it is only £5 for 6 tokens.

They have a fully licensed bar which serves an extensive array of beverages including some signature cocktails like the plonkers punch. They offer charcuterie, cheese, and vegan boards if you book in advance and is particularly handy if you are coming as a large celebratory group for birthdays etc.

We have also written a detailed guide on the 8 most fun activity bars in London, do check it out!

They have an extensive board game cabinet too, including classics like Ticket to Ride if you want to spend a whole afternoon at the venue. Finally, you can’t miss out on trying their perfectly designed mini-golf course with a focus on London highlights like the red phone box hole, the Millennium Wheel loop, and the Tower of London hole.

QUEENS Skate Dine Bowl in Queensway

Likewise, QUEENS is an entertainment hub rather than just a venue for arcade games in London. The venue has been around for decades, but they keep modernising the venue. Nowadays it has a darker discotheque vibe with splashes of neon lights to offer a funky feel to the venue. Whereas before they might have just targeted family groups, nowadays it is equally popular with team-bonding groups and date nights.

They might not have as many arcade games as some of the other venues, but it is the quality that counts. The typhoon motion simulator ride induced uncontrollable laughter in our group as we experienced highly immersive rides on the machine. The secret of its success? It can produce 400 movements per second and exhilarating wind effects. Cruis’n Blast is one of the best driving games you will encounter with over 30 over-the-top tracks.

However, the venue offers so much more. For dining options, they work with the renowned brand, MEATliquor to offer gourmet burgers. Despite the name, they have very decent vegetarian options, including a delectable black bean chilli dog. They have different vegetarian patties such as tempeh and mushroom or roast potato and white onion.

They’ve always been renowned for their immaculate bowling alleys and they won’t disappoint. In particular, their VIP lanes are ideal if you want access to a private bar and to bowl on a ruby red bowling lane. It is furnished with plush turquoise velvet banquettes for those who want to gloat or commiserate post-bowling. They have mind-blowing augmented reality dart boards if you want to show off how good your aim is.

Their famous ice-skating rink is equally popular with visitors. It is sizeable enough so that it caters for all skill levels. They have fantastic strobe lighting effects, which adds to the discotheque vibe. If you are looking for team-building events, they also offer curling. Although, it is closed for the summer and will re-open this winter.

If you are looking for shuffleboard venue recommendations, make sure you check out our article.