Our Favorite Children’s Arcade Games (That You Can Play Here!)

If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, chances are you have fond memories of playing classic children’s arcade games. The quarters clinked as you and your friends gathered around, competing for high scores or working together to beat the next boss.

It’s a shame kids don’t have as many opportunities to visit a kid’s arcade anymore! At House of Arcade, we’ve done our best to preserve the nostalgic arcade atmosphere, with 10 vintage video arcade games, plus some other game room favorites.

Whether you want to host a kids’ birthday party or have a fun place for kids to hang out during your visit to Bloomington-Normal, we can accommodate what you need! Book your rental with us today and discover the magic of children’s arcade games all over again.

Here are our top five favorites we know your kids will love:

1. Pac-Man

The big yellow mouth is an icon. You can’t beat this ultimate children’s arcade game (that adults also love) in which you dodge ghosts while gobbling up a trail of dots. We have the classic Pac-Man game as well as the arguably more-loved Ms. Pac-Man.

Kids will also love the Pac-Man-themed bedroom, featuring an original Pac-Man mural along with Pac-Man beddings, curtains, and wall hangings. We didn’t think we could overdo it!

2. Star Wars Pinball

There’s pinball, and then there’s Star Wars Pinball. Perhaps no other children’s arcade game will inspire as much yelling, laughing, and slapping the machine (not too hard, please!).

The combination of lights, original sounds from the movies, and flashy board makes this one of the most beloved pinball games ever created. And lucky for you, it’s set to free play, just like all of our games, so you never have to have that frustrating moment when you run out of quarters.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

There have been a few iterations of these beloved warrior reptiles, but for some of us, there is none except for the ones portrayed in this 1989 children’s arcade classic. Up to four players (each as their favorite turtle, of course) work together on the streets of New York, knocking out bad guys and chowing down pizza.

In an era when computer keyboards and complicated video game controls are the norm, it’s fun and refreshing to play a classic using a joystick and buttons with colors that match your player.

4. Air Hockey

It wouldn’t be a trip to a children’s arcade without some light bruising on your knuckles, right? There are more than just video arcade games when it comes to a childhood arcade experience.

We have a full-sized air hockey table that will keep kids and adults on their toes (and watching their fingers). It’s just one of several activities in the rec room, including foosball, ping pong, and Rally Roar Basketball. Set to free play, of course, so you can have endless tournaments.

5. Mario Kart 64

While it’s technically not a classic children’s arcade game, Mario Kart 64 gets an honorable mention because of its place in our hearts as one of the most influential games of its era. You’ll find it in our classic video game console room, where you can enjoy old favorites in a new way on a 55” Smart TV.

Kids get to enjoy the original 64-bit experience on all the classic courses like Moo Moo Farm, Wario Stadium, and of course Rainbow Road.