Do you long to hear the nostalgic sound of pinballs clinking? To feel the warm-fuzzy glow of an old-school monitor on your face? Or, more realistically, did you leave your favorite gaming console at home? Whichever it may be, the Lutrinae has you covered with three off-campus locations to fulfill your inner gamer. Itching to game? Well, game on!
Lynn’s Arcade: A Pinball Parlor and Can Slangery
Located 5 miles off campus on 1760 Fremont Blvd. in Seaside, Lynn’s Arcade prides themselves on two things: their nostalgic flair and a passion for pinball. Their space features 40 authentic pinball machines available to play for $10 an hour or $20 for a day’s play ($15 for youth 17 and under).
If you’re (pin) balling on a budget, be sure to check out their $10 Tuesdays and $15 Thursdays. Not looking to pay for play? No worries. Lynn’s Arcade also features coin drop games at the entry for those tagging along with friends.
If you come for a uniquely nostalgic gaming experience, be sure to stay for their impressive assortment of beverages. Lynn’s Arcade sources their in-house beers directly from more than 20 different breweries, culminating in a sum of 100+ beer and “non-beer” options. Their non-beer menu includes sparkling water, soda and kombucha as well as caffeinated and CBD drinks.
High Scores Arcade
Looking for that old-school vibe, but with a touch more variety? Look no further than, roughly, 8 miles off-campus at High Scores Arcade. Their game floor contains 45 analog games at a given time, however, they regularly cycle their material out to feature their collection of more than 160 arcade games. From Ms. Pac Man to Fix-it Felix Jr to Donkey Kong, High Scores Arcade is oozing with 80’s charm.
Guests can pay $10 an hour for unlimited gaming, or $22 for an all day pass that allows for exits and re-entries. Nestled between local favorites such as Alvarado Street Brewery and Revival Ice Cream, arcade attendees can sample nearby cuisine and still get their money’s worth of gametime with all day entry. Speaking of breweries, they also serve beer and seltzers for guests to enjoy while gaming.
High Scores Arcade is open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 12:30 to 11 p.m. Being a local business, this arcade has limited capacity and might be full during busy nights on 459 Alvarado Street.
Oscar’s Playground
Want a more modern gaming experience? Oscar’s Playground is the place to be. Located 8 miles off campus on the third-floor of 685 Cannery Row, Oscar’s Playground has more than two dozen arcade games to choose from ranging from analog classics to modern favorites. This includes skee ball, racecar simulator, basketball and Minecraft inspired games for$1-$2 per game.
Open from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, guests are encouraged to play more to earn more tickets to win better prizes at their Prize Redemption Center.
Oscar’s Playground also offers escape rooms like Mystical Manor and the holiday-themed “A Christmas Story” where groups can engage in one hour of puzzle solving for $35 to $45 per person.
