Sydney's arcade gaming scene is about to get a major boost with the announcement of 'Retro Realm,' set to be the largest arcade experience in Australia. Located in the heart of Sydney's entertainment district, this massive 25,000-square-foot venue will house over 200 classic arcade machines alongside cutting-edge virtual reality experiences.

The project, spearheaded by veteran arcade collector and entrepreneur Mike Davidson, aims to create a space where gaming history meets the future of interactive entertainment. "I've been collecting arcade cabinets for over 20 years," Davidson told Arcad Pulse in an exclusive interview. "Retro Realm is the culmination of that passion – a place where new generations can experience the golden age of arcades while also exploring where gaming is headed."

A Journey Through Gaming History

The arcade will be organized chronologically, taking visitors on a journey from the early days of Pong and Space Invaders through the golden era of the 80s and 90s, and into modern gaming experiences. Davidson has sourced rare cabinets from around the world, including several Australian-made machines that haven't been publicly available for decades.

Among the highlights will be a fully restored Defender cabinet signed by Eugene Jarvis, one of only three in existence, and an original Computer Space machine – the first commercially available arcade game created by Nolan Bushnell before he founded Atari.

"We want to preserve this important part of gaming culture while making it accessible to everyone. These aren't just games – they're important cultural artifacts that tell the story of how interactive entertainment evolved."

— Mike Davidson, Founder of Retro Realm

The vintage collection will be complemented by a state-of-the-art VR zone featuring 15 stations with the latest headsets and custom-built environments. Davidson has partnered with several Australian VR developers to create exclusive experiences for the venue.

More Than Just Gaming

Beyond the games themselves, Retro Realm will feature:

  • A themed restaurant and bar serving arcade-inspired food and cocktails
  • A small museum area with interactive exhibits on gaming history
  • Regular tournaments and community events
  • Educational programs for schools focusing on the evolution of technology
  • Private event spaces for parties and corporate functions

The venue will operate on a model that combines hourly passes with membership options. All machines will be set to free play once inside, removing the need for tokens or coins.

Opening Details

Retro Realm is scheduled to open its doors on May 28, 2025, with a grand opening weekend featuring tournaments, special guests from the gaming industry, and prize giveaways. The first 500 visitors will receive a limited-edition token that can be redeemed for exclusive merchandise.

Arcad Pulse will be covering the grand opening event live, so stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the launch date. We'll also be bringing you an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour in the weeks leading up to the opening.

For more information, including ticket prices and membership details, visit the official Retro Realm website.