Thanks to contributor, Anna Gerasimenko, East Bay mom to one tween with another on the way. Additional reporting and photography by Jordan Latham. Prices and hours are current as of March 2024.
Once you pay for an admission wristband, all the games are set to free play, so players don’t need coins or game cards. The main space is dimly lit featuring the bulk of the arcade machines. Our family’s favorite games were classics like Tetris, Pac-Man, Rampage, and Tron. We also loved the jukebox playing memorable 70s and 80s hits. As Jordan said, “Playing the Clash and Talking Heads makes any environment a solid 40% more enjoyable for me.”
Located on Alameda’s fun section of Park Street with all the good food and shopping, High Scores is long, dark, and narrow, with every inch of the wall lined with games. 45 game cabinets to be exact, with the capability to play over 400 classic 80’s games. Our family was impressed by the excellent collection of games – nearly all from the 1980s – and how much joy these retro machines can bring to kids these days. As for adults, it all felt very nostalgic and reminded me of childhood adventures long forgotten.
Fun facts: Owners, Meg and Shawn, routinely rotate new titles into the game floor because their collection exceeds the floor space. Look for their custom hand-built machines like the hand-built Oregon Trail game cabinet or the sparkly hot pink Super Smash Bros. A second location is open in Monterey.
Visiting High Scores Arcade can easily become a half-day adventure – no matter how old your kids are they will find something in this neighborhood to enjoy. Located on busy Park Street in Alameda, it is within two blocks of many local small businesses – kids’ toys and clothing stores, a bookstore, an ice-cream shop, a candy shop, a pizzeria, and boba and bagel shops. Lots more to do in Alameda with kids >
Plan your visit to High Scores Arcade
High Scores is for kids 5 and up, not as a rule but there aren’t many toddlers capable of playing these games. They do provide step stools for smaller children to stand and reach the controls. It’s great for older grade schoolers, tweens, and teens. If your child and their friends love old-school video games, they offer private parties and full-facility rentals.
Admission Prices:
$10/hour unlimited gaming or $22/all day with in/out privilege.
Please note, that every guest on the game floor (even if not playing) must have a paid wristband. At this point, monthly passes are not available.
Hours of Operation:
Monday & Thursday: 3-9 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed
Friday & Saturday: 12:30-10 pm
Sunday: 12:30-9 pm
Location: 1414 Park Street, Alameda
Website >
Tips on Parking
Paid street parking is available, but this area of Park Street is very busy – it’s hard to find a parking spot and if you do, the time is limited to 2 hours. There is a parking structure nearby on Central & Oak Street with very reasonable pricing – $0.75/hour Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm – and free parking on Sundays and Holidays.
This business is one of the very valuable places that gives Alameda such a special vibe. It serves up some genuine, classic game-playing fun that gives kids and teens a place to go out and enjoy themselves when it’s raining, the air quality is bad, or it’s too hot to be outside.
