Brian JonesArcade games are built for that “just one more” feeling. The lights, the sounds, the thrill of beating your own score—it’s a hit of nostalgia. But some places try to cash in on that feeling without the follow-through. What you get instead is broken machines.
A real arcade should have more than just cabinets—it needs atmosphere. Think working joysticks, a little chaos, a lot of laughter, and enough energy to make you lose track of time.
If that’s what you’re after, this list will point you to the best arcade games in Edmonton that actually deliver.
The Rec Room
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Location: 1725 99th Street NW
Contact: (780) 702‑1332
Operating hours:
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 1:00 AM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
Pricing: $$
The Rec Room at South Edmonton Common is one of those places we keep going back to.
The arcade has a good mix of classic shooters, racing games, and those giant claw machines we always get sucked into. One time, we ended up battling it out on Mario Kart for way too long.
Everything runs on a tap card, which makes it easy to jump between games. Plus, if you’re into prizes, there’s a whole wall of them you can trade points for.
The space itself is also massive. There’s a restaurant, bar, and even axe-throwing if you want to switch things up.
Pro tip:
Hit on a weeknight! It’s way less crowded and easier to get a machine without waiting.
New Play
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Location: 8882 170 St NW
Contact: (780) 756‑2455
Operating hours:
- Monday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pricing: $
New Play at West Ed is one of those spots we wandered into between stores and ended up getting pretty into.
It’s not the biggest arcade, but the game mix is solid. There are air hockey tables, claw machines, rhythm games, and a few coin pushers.
You use a tap card for everything, which makes it easy to hop between games. Most of them give out e-tickets. The prize counters have the usual snacks and plushies, plus some small electronics if you stack up enough points.
Pro tip:
Load your card with just a few credits first. It’s easier to test out the games you actually like before committing to a full top-up.
Activate
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Location: 1949 98 St NW
Contact: (587) 480‑7446
Operating hours:
- Monday–Thursday: 9:30 AM–10:00 PM
- Friday–Saturday: 9:30 AM–11:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM–10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Activate Edmonton was way more physical than we expected, but in a fun way.
Instead of regular arcade games, you’re running, jumping, and solving puzzles inside different rooms. Each game feels like its own level, and the sensors and lights make it feel like you’re inside a video game.
You get a wristband to scan into rooms, and the 75-minute session gives you time to try a bunch of challenges. We went as a group, and we liked that the games adjusted to our size, which made it feel balanced and fair.
Pro tip:
Wear runners and light clothes. You’ll be moving the whole time, and trust me, jeans don’t cut it.
Beercade
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Location: 10544 82 Ave NW
Contact: (780) 699‑2383
Operating hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday–Sunday: 5:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Beercade gives off total retro arcade energy with a laid-back bar feel. My friends and I played a mix of pinball, old racing games, and a few fighting games we hadn’t seen in forever. It’s more about chill fun than serious gaming, which honestly made it better.
Most of the games need coins, but you can grab some right at the bar.
The space didn’t feel packed, so it was easy to take our time and hang out in between rounds.
Pro tip:
Bring cash or a card with a tap. Most games still run on coins, and the machine doesn’t always take bills.
Game OVR
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Location: 12930 St Albert Trail NW
Contact: (780) 953‑4263
Operating hours:
- Monday & Tuesday: 1:30 PM – 8:45 PM
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday & Friday: 1:30 PM – 8:45 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Pricing: $$
Game OVR was a cool change from the usual arcade spots. Everything’s VR here, so instead of buttons and joysticks, you’re fully in the game. You’ll be dodging, swinging, and figuring things out in real-time.
We went for a co-op escape room and actually got caught up in the puzzle-solving way more than we thought we would.
They’ve got a bunch of game options, including shooters, rhythm games, and solo adventures. Each one feels different enough that you don’t get bored jumping from one to the next.
It’s more active than a regular arcade, but still easy to pick up.
Pro tip:
Book your session ahead of time. Weekends get busy, and the private booths are worth it.
SPEEDERS Edmonton
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Location: 12808 170 St NW
Contact: +1 780‑451‑4377
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Pricing: $$
We went to Speeders for the go-karts, but ended up spending some time at their arcade too. It’s not huge, but it was a good way to kill time before our race.
There were basketball games, air hockey, and a few racing and shooting games. You just load up a game card, and most of them spit out digital tickets for prizes.
There’s also a prize counter, but we were mostly there to just mess around between races.
Pro tip:
Check for combo deals online. Sometimes they bundle arcade credits with your race booking, which saves a bit if you’re planning to do both.
Zero Latency OnTilt
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Location: 10309 100 Avenue NW
Contact: +1 587-997-3343
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Pricing: $$
Zero Latency OnTilt was one of the coolest VR spots we’ve tried.
We played a team zombie shooter and actually walked around the game space. It felt way more real than just standing still with a headset.
The game options are solid, and the wireless gear made it easy to move without feeling weighed down.
It was also fun being able to talk to each other while playing, especially during the more chaotic parts.
Pro tip:
Go with a group you know. Team games are way better when you can actually communicate and mess around a bit.
Gateway Entertainment Centre
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Location: 3414 Gateway Boulevard NW
Contact: (780) 435‑1922
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Friday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM (midnight)
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Gateway’s arcade was a fun little side stop while we waited for our bowling lane. It’s tucked right next to the lobby, so we just wandered over.
We messed around on the skee-ball lanes, played a couple of basketball matches, and kept daring each other to win something from the claw. There are also a couple of racing games and some classics like air hockey.
It’s not huge, but there’s enough variety to keep you entertained if you’ve got time to kill.
Pro tip:
Hit the arcade first if there’s a waitlist for bowling. It’s a good way to pass the time without feeling bored.
Laser City Laser Tag
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Location: 5104 67 Avenue NW
Contact: (780) 800‑4920
Operating hours:
- Monday & Tuesday: Closed (private bookings only)
- Wednesday & Thursday: 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday: 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Laser City’s arcade is a handy add-on if you’re already there for laser tag.
It’s not massive, but there’s a decent mix of games like driving simulators, shooters, and air hockey. Plus, a few ticket redemption machines to keep things interesting.
You’ll also find a floor projection game in the lobby that responds to your movements. It’s free and a fun way to pass the time while you wait for your next match.
The whole setup feels more geared toward families and younger players, but if you’re hanging out with friends, the arcade is a solid way to pass the time.
Pro tip:
Book your laser tag slot ahead of time and plan to show up early. This will give you just enough time to mess around at the arcade before the game starts.
Chuck E. Cheese
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Location: 9863 19th Avenue NW
Contact: (780) 432‑2335
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Pricing: $$
Chuck E. Cheese is mostly for kids, but we still had fun messing around with the arcade games.
It’s all tap-to-play cards now—no coins—and you can pick between credits or unlimited play. We went for the timed one and just bounced between the racing games, basketball, and a bunch of ticket machines.
Most games are super easy, so younger kids can keep up, and there’s a prize counter at the end if you want to cash in your tickets. It’s not flashy, but it does the job for a chill afternoon.
Pro tip:
Save unused play points! They stay on the card for your next visit.
