This Huge Ohio Arcade Is Secretly Home To One Of The Largest Game Collections In The World

Along a quiet stretch of State Street in northeastern Ohio, one enormous arcade has been quietly amazing visitors one quarter at a time. This is not some little row of dusty machines placed into a mall corner.

Inside, you will find more than 600 playable games under one roof, including rare international pinball machines and classic video games that shaped entire childhoods. I had heard the rumors before I visited, but nothing really prepared me for what I found inside.

This place deserves far more attention than it gets, and by the time you reach the end of this article, you will probably be mapping your route to Girard, Ohio.

A Collection That Defies Expectations

Numbers do not always tell the full story, but in this case, they come pretty close. Past Times Arcade houses more than 600 machines, and that figure alone puts it in rare company among arcades anywhere in the world.

I walked in expecting something fun and left genuinely stunned. The sheer scale of the collection is hard to wrap your head around until you are actually standing in the middle of it, surrounded by row after row of machines stretching as far as you can see.

What makes it even more impressive is the variety. You will find classic arcade cabinets from the 1970s and 1980s sitting just a few feet away from modern collector editions featuring popular franchises.

Educational banners, toppers, and floor stickers throughout the arcade add historical context, which turns the whole visit into something closer to a museum experience than a typical night out. Past Times Arcade is located at 419 N State St, Girard, OH 44420.

The Story Behind the Machines

Every great collection starts with one person who simply cannot stop caring about something. At Past Times Arcade, that person is Mr. Berk, whose passion for pinball has quietly grown into one of the most remarkable gaming destinations in Ohio.

Visitors who have spoken with the staff or read about the arcade quickly get the sense that this was never just a business idea. It came from a genuine love of the machines, their history, and the communities that grew around them.

That passion shows in every corner of the space. The machines are not just plugged in and left to fend for themselves.

They are maintained with real care, kept clean, and supported by educational banners, toppers, and floor stickers that help visitors understand more about what they are playing and why it matters.

Building a collection of this size takes years of hunting, restoring, and sourcing from around the world, and the result feels less like an arcade and more like a living archive of gaming history brought back to life.

Pinball Heaven for Serious Players

Pinball has been making a serious comeback over the past decade, and Past Times Arcade sits right at the center of that revival. The collection spans decades of pinball history, from early electromechanical tables to modern LCD-screen machines that still feel surprisingly fresh.

One machine that draws constant attention is the Harry Potter pinball machine, which visitors consistently describe as a standout. The detail in the playfield artwork and the quality of the build make it one of those machines you keep coming back to throughout the day.

The arcade also hosts tournaments and league play, which means there is a real competitive community forming around this space. Whether you are a casual player who just wants to slap a ball around or someone who tracks their scores seriously, there is a place for you here.

Even notoriously tricky machines like the Black Hole table, famous in the pinball world for being difficult to maintain, are kept in full working order, which tells you a lot about the dedication behind the scenes.

All-Day Play for One Flat Price

The pricing model at Past Times is one of the things that keeps people talking long after they leave. For twenty dollars per adult, you get unlimited access to every single machine in the building for the entire day, and that covers everything from the rarest pinball tables to the classic video game cabinets.

What makes it even better is the come-and-go policy. A wristband goes on your wrist at the door, and you are free to leave and come back throughout the day without paying again.

That kind of flexibility is genuinely rare at attractions like this.

I watched families spend four or five hours inside without any sense of rushing, and some visitors clearly had no intention of leaving at all. The value is hard to argue with when you consider the sheer number of machines available and the quality of their condition.

For anyone planning a day trip or a weekend visit, knowing that the price covers everything from open to close makes budgeting the outing remarkably simple and stress-free.

The Atmosphere Inside the Building

There is a particular kind of sensory overload that happens the moment you walk through the door, and it is honestly one of the best feelings. Lights blink, flippers crack, sound effects layer on top of each other, and somewhere across the room someone just hit a multiball on a machine from 1987.

The space is big enough that it never feels suffocating, even on busy weekends. Aisles are wide and well-organized, which makes it easy to move between machines without feeling like you are navigating a crowded flea market.

Cleanliness is something visitors mention again and again in reviews, and I noticed it too. The floors were spotless, the machine glass was clear and smear-free, and the restrooms were genuinely clean, which is not always a given at high-traffic entertainment venues.

The noise level is real, there is no pretending otherwise, but it is the kind of noise that feels exciting rather than overwhelming. After a few minutes, it simply becomes the soundtrack of the experience, and it fits perfectly.

Food, Snacks, and the Famous Milkshakes

An all-day arcade visit demands fuel, and Past Times handles that with an in-house cafe that goes well beyond the usual vending machine fare. The snack bar serves real food, and the quality genuinely surprised me given the setting.

The onion rings have developed a small but devoted following among regulars, with multiple visitors specifically calling them out as some of the best they have had in a long time. That is a bold claim for an arcade cafe, but the consistency of the feedback is hard to ignore.

The milkshakes, though, might be the real star of the menu. Thick, well-made, and served in a setting surrounded by glowing pinball machines, they have a way of making the whole experience feel even more nostalgic and complete.

Pricing at the cafe is described as reasonable, which fits the overall philosophy of the place. You are not going to feel nickel-and-dimed on food after already paying your entry fee, and that kind of consideration for the customer experience goes a long way.

Parties, Events, and Group Visits

Past Times Arcade has quietly become one of the more creative party venue options in the Girard area, and it is easy to understand why. The combination of unlimited games, a private party room, and a genuinely enthusiastic staff creates a setup that works for birthdays, group outings, and family celebrations alike.

The party room can be rented for a set period, and the staff works closely with organizers from the first phone call through the end of the event. Multiple visitors have praised the team by name, specifically mentioning how smoothly everything was coordinated and how comfortable the staff made everyone feel.

Birthday parties here have ranged from a child turning nine to an adult celebrating a 55th birthday, which gives you a sense of just how broadly the venue appeals. There is no age group that feels out of place at a spot with this much variety on the floor.

If you are planning a group event and want something genuinely different from the standard restaurant or bowling alley option, this place deserves serious consideration.

Planning Your Visit to Past Times Arcade

Getting the most out of a visit here starts with knowing when to go. Past Times Arcade is open Thursday from 4 to 9 PM, Friday from 4 to 11 PM, Saturday from 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.

The venue is closed Monday through Wednesday, so plan accordingly.

Parking is straightforward, with an open lot that visitors consistently describe as easy to navigate even on busy weekend days. The building is also handicap accessible, which is worth noting for anyone visiting with family members who need that accommodation.

The staff is frequently described as one of the highlights of the experience, approachable, knowledgeable about the machines, and genuinely happy to help visitors find their footing in a space this large.

You can reach the arcade at 330-765-4121 or visit their website at pasttimesarcade.com for updates on hours and events. Whether you are making the trip from across Ohio or just a short drive away, a visit to Past Times is absolutely worth your time.