Clicking joysticks and laughs of joy. From the bloody, button mashing game: Mortal Kombat, to the ghosts and mazes of Pac-Man, Reclaim Arcade has brought back a taste of the eighties. The arcade opened on January 29th, 2021 at 2324 Plank Road in Fredericksburg VA, introducing its arcade to the public with over 50+ arcade machines like Pac-Man, Punch Out, and Street Fighter.  

“Our goal was to transport visitors back in time and jog their memories of youth and from the feedback we get regularly that goal was accomplished,” owner Tim Owens said to Patch newspaper in 2021. The arcade exploded with visitors and gaming fans since the opening, becoming a nerd haven in the Fredericksburg area.

 “Nostalgia— so much nostalgia,” Melissa Ellinger, a visitor at Reclaim arcade, said. The arcade has brought fans of all ages in to play, giving 70’s and 80’s kids a blast to the past. 

¨Very similar to what I grew up with, a lot of the machines are the same I played when I was younger” visitor Phil Irey said. 

The arcade has experienced a boost in popularity over the past 2 years.

 “We bought one machine for our office, then I bought 4 more and we were like wow, now we have several games. How much does it take for us to become an arcade?” Owner Owen said. The arcade started out  as a web hosting company office, then a small video rental store before becoming a fully functioning arcade in 2021.. “It’s a dream come true” Owen said, “It brings joy to my heart instead of just seeing these machines sit in a museum.” 

The arcade plans on staying open and expanding over the next few years, implementing new machines and continuing the 80’s nostalgic sensation for 100’s of people to enjoy. 

Reclaim Arcade has become a popular hang-out spot for people looking to relieve the classic era of arcade games, even attracting patrons born long after the golden age of the arcade.