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Arcades in Hong Kong used to have a somewhat seedy reputation for being semi-legal gambling dens, truant haunts, and smoke-infested lairs instead of the entertainment hubs they were intended to be. However, this has changed greatly throughout the years, and now many arcades have transformed into fun and inexpensive places to hang out with friends, engage in friendly competition, or to try the latest games, modelled after popular Japanese arcades.
Hit up some of the local arcades, exchange your bills into coins at the counter, and prepare yourself for an exhilarating time. Here are the best video game arcades and game centres in Hong Kong.
It makes sense that one of the liveliest arcades in the city is in a huge mall connected to the MTR. Here, you can spot gloved experts taking turns at Maimai, a popular rhythm game that resembles a washing machine. Players tap on the outer rim of the circular touchscreen in a flurry of hand gestures—almost as if they are doing tai chi on steroids. If that seems too intense, head over to the aisle of racing games and challenge a fellow racer.
Hollywood Game Zone, Shop 383A, 3/F, Hollywood Plaza, 3 Lung Poon Street, Diamond Hill
Buried beneath the Silvercord mall in the glitzy shopping district of Tsim Sha Tsui is Silvercord Amusement & Games. Stop by for a two-player game on the OG Taiko Master with your friend and drum on the barreled-shape taiko to your hearts’ content. Alternatively, strap yourselves in for a roaring race across virtual highways on any one of its 16 Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 5 and Initial D Stage Zero racing simulators, replete with an array of models to customise as well as a six-speed gear stick for manual transmission.
Silvercord Amusement & Games, Shop B03, B/F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Perhaps the most well-known arcade in town is Game Zone, located below one of the malls on Argyle Street. Its eclectic mix of games attracts both arcade aficionados and casual shoppers and tourists alike, and as a result, the place is often jam-packed. Bust out snazzy dance moves solo or have a dance-off against your friends on Danz Base or Dance Evolution Arcade, two full-body dancing games much like Just Dance or the ones available on Kinect.
Unlike other arcades which are coin-operated, Game Zone requires players to purchase a top-up card at its counter to play on the machines, though once you are done, you can return the card to get your deposit back.
Game Zone, B/F, Mong Kok New Town Mall, 65 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
Namco is an oddity among the entries on this list not only because of its upscale locations in many of Hong Kong’s major shopping malls and its brightly lit interior, but also because of how the shop mostly consists of gacha (toy vending machine) games and a Jumpin Gym-style rainbow coin toss rather than the usual arcade games. Nevertheless, Namco promises a fun time for those who venture in.
Highlights include the Pac-Man Smash Air Hockey, where up to four friends can play with two dozen pucks all at once in a frenzied twist to the traditional air hockey, and the Purikura photo booths, where you can edit your photos using cute effects and filters before printing them out on the spot. And while the sought-after Taiko Master has since been replaced by the more modern Nintendo Switch, this has multiplayer controls and is free to play.
A few minutes’ walk from Sha Tin’s New Town Plaza is a surprisingly spacious, tidy, and well-lit arcade tucked away in a smaller mall. While Salem Game Centre has the usual mix of arcade and racing games, one of its more in-demand games is the rhythm game Jubeat, where players tap on a four-by-four grid of transparent square buttons as animations pop up from beneath them in time to the music, much like a gamified Launchpad. You could play against your friends or other gamers in the arcade locally, or even connect online and go toe-to-toe live with another challenger!
Salem Game Centre, Shop C2, G/F, Sha Tin Fun City, 7 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin
While there are not as many arcades on the Hong Kong Island side, Chon Shing Game Centre makes up for it with its location, being just a few minutes away from Central Station and Lan Kwai Fong. From retro classics to modern rhythm and driving games, the arcade’s substantial selection makes it a fun alternative way to spend time in the area. Rock on DrumMania or GuitarFreaks, or battle your friends in a series of ridiculous minigames such as “Hyper Pie Throwing” and “Shake the Can Into Outer Space!” on Bishi Bashi for a classic, button-smashing arcade experience.
Chon Shing Game Centre, B/F, Haleson Building, 1–4 Jubilee Street, Central
Nestled in the vibrant neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po is Super King Amusement Game Centre, conveniently located five minutes away from the Cheung Sha Wan MTR station. Super King is your typical arcade centre, so don’t expect any glitz or glam. However, you can count on a good time thanks to a variety of machines, from the popular Taiko Master to racing games such as Battlegear.
Super King Amusement Game Centre, B/F, West Coast International Building, 290 Un Chau Street, Sham Shui Po
It would not be a list about video game arcades and game centres without mentioning Hong Kong’s OG indoor entertainment centre, Jumpin Gym USA. While the amusement park initially offered carnival-like games that cater more to kids, in recent years, it has incorporated more and more high-tech machines to offer visitors the same retro game centre experience that arcades do.
Planet J in Causeway Bay is an offshoot of Jumpin Gym USA’s entertainment ventures and offers plenty of racing, shooting, and driving simulator games suitable for players of all ages—the most popular has to be its Beat Saber machine and Crazy Kart track.
Jumpin Gym USA, locations across Hong Kong
Planet J, 9/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay (enter from escalator next to the Lego store)
Do you want to spend your time gaming but also stay fit? Visit AME Stadium! Merging sports and e-sports, AME (as in Asia Motion E-sports) Stadium offers a unique motion-based video game experience in Hong Kong. Its spacious location located in K11 Art Mall boasts futuristic interiors and ample machines and games for you to choose from, each featuring elements of virtual reality or interactive technology. Go solo or compete as part of a team on one of AME’s e-racing, e-bouldering, or riding experiences. Book in advance via WhatsApp to secure a spot.
AME Stadium, Shop 223, 2/F, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 6824 5526
Virtual reality (VR) gaming has taken the world by storm in recent years, and Hong Kong is no exception. Many VR game centres have opened around the city, offering gamers an immersive, full-body experience. VR Arena offers a 360-degree, full-body VR gaming experience where players are strapped into a designated game pad area as they play, so you don’t have to worry about running into other players or tripping over wires and equipment. Besides virtual reality, you can also hop on one of the arena’s racing simulators or enjoy a relaxing game of Mario Party on the console. VR Arena is open to players of all ages but remember to make a booking before you visit!
VR Arena, Unit 1703, 17/F, Causeway Bay Centre, 15–23 Sugar Street, Causeway Bay
Another popular full-body VR gaming destination is Sandbox VR, which has centres in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay. Eight immersive game experiences are on offer from Sandbox, all available to play in teams. Explore a futuristic Hong Kong in Amber Sky 2088, where you must defend Earth from an impending alien invasion, or fight off zombies in Deadwood Valley. Alternatively, play against your friends in Sandbox’s Squid Game Virtuals! Bookings can be made here.
First published on 3 July 2020. Written by Ngai Yeung. Last updated by Celia Lee.
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