There's a lot of nostalgia in video games. Whether you grew up on arcade games, GameCubes or the XBOX 360, everyone has distinct memories playing games in their youth.
The Game Preserve aims to help bring back those memories and bring together gamers of all ages.
Located on Sawdust Rd, just off IH-45 South in Spring, Texas, The Game Preserve sits tucked away in a shopping center surrounded by restaurants and stores. It's hard to see from the road, but once you find it, you'll know you're in the right spot.
The sign is an immediate give away with its old school font and 8-bit spaceship. The windows are painted with arcade game characters and references to the 1980s. Once inside, you're teleported to another world -- and it's a beautiful one.
For $15, you get unlimited access to every game and can stay for as long as you please. From there, it turns into an absolute wonderland. First is the jukebox, which features sci-fi and video game anthems, and a wide selection of classic rock tunes to take you back in time.
That's not all either! The arcade is filled with endless options of old-school games from Mrs. Pac-man to Asteroids, and just about any arcade game you can imagine. Yes, that includes the original Fix-It Felix, Jr. game the movie Wreck-It Ralph is based on.
The walls are lined with pinball machines with enough themes for everyone to find something they like.
If you think this is just a quick trip, don't be too sure. It's easy to lose track of time in there. I spent a good three hours there and didn't even realize it. It reminded me of the scene in "Percy Jackson...Lightning Thief" when Percy talks to the hippie in the casino; he's spent all his time playing pinball and still thinks it's 1971.
I personally spent all my time taking on the "Elvira: Mistress of the Dark," and when it was time to go, I had to pull myself away from the machine.
What makes it even harder to leave is the desire to beat everyone. Each machine features a tag with the world high score for the game, and the highest score ever made at The Game Preserve. It encourages you to do better each game, and keep playing to get onto the leaderboard.
The Game Preserve is one of the best things to come to the area. There are so many games, you can never get to them all in one visit!
It's welcoming to people of all ages -- I saw 10 year olds playing just seats away from people five times their age -- and everyone having just as much fun as everyone else there. It's one of the most unique places I have ever been to, and I highly recommend it to couples, families or anyone who's just looking for something fun to do.
From the moment I stepped in the door, I knew I wanted to go back there again, and I think you'll feel the same way too.
Visit their site here for more info.
