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The museum and IMAX cinema are temporarily closed. Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli cinemas are open. 

Find out about our major transformation.

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Games Lounge

Play your way through classic games, from Pac-Man to Super Mario Kart. Learn about the history of videogaming. Discover the story behind a global phenomenon.

Digital Gaming Timeline

Trace the evolution of digital gaming, from its birth in 1952 to the latest developments.

Console Collection

See a selection of games consoles from our collection, including original models from Commodore, Atari, Nintendo and Sega.

Arcade Games

Recreate the 1980s arcade experience and compete against your friends and family on original arcade machines including Gauntlet, Street Fighter II, Galaxian and Space Invaders.

Home Gaming

Learn about and play your way through a selection of groundbreaking games. Get to grips with Super Mario on the SNES, Goldeneye 007 on the Nintendo 64, and an Atari Super Pong console.

Table Arcade Games

Grab a space on our Tetris-inspired seating and discover more original games consoles, this time in the table format. Choose from Pac-Man, Frogger, Donkey Kong and Asteroids.

Animation and Videogames

Discover more about the history of videogame animation through classic titles like Prince of Persia. Experience the power of the Microsoft Kinect camera with our digital interactive, designed by Richard England.

Tickets

Previously, arcade games and consoles in the Games Lounge were charged individually at their original prices (10–50p per play). As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic we have now replaced these charges with a single admission ticket, priced at £2 per person, to reduce the risks of handling cash.

When you book free museum admission tickets, you will also be able to book Games Lounge tickets. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Learning in the Games Lounge

Follow the development of videogaming through the decades—then play some of the games that made history!

The Games Lounge is a fun, hands-on way for students to learn about the evolution of digital gaming and the history of animation within videogames. They’ll also be able to play some of the titles that helped to establish gaming as a worldwide phenomenon.