Jacob Boring – Contributing Writer

jnb129@psu.edu

Photo Credit: Facebook / Play Port

Play Port Arcade is located at 2730 West 12th street in Erie Pa. Play Port’s main attraction is as a Retro-Arcade with many of the popular video game titles from yesteryear. For the price of admission, you get access to these retro arcade games set on free play. Play Port does have a lot more to offer. Aside from the Retro-Arcade, Play Port also has a glow in the dark Mini Golf course included with the base admission price. For additional fees, they offer Laser-Tag, Glow Pool Tables, a Laser Maze Room, and Virtual Reality games to play, as well as Token games of skill or chance to win tickets to redeem for prizes.

The price of Play Port is likely the best part. The general admission is $11.50 for one or a group of 4 is $42.50. Everything is fairly priced at Play Port. The pool tables are playable for $1.00. The Laser Maze is only $3.00 and laser Tag is only $6.00. Even Virtual Reality is only $10.00 for 15 minutes and $15.00 for 30. There is also a group rate for VR with four 10-minute sessions for $20.00. They have a variety of games to choose from, including “Job Simulator,” “Super Hot,” “Synth Riders,” “Arizona Sunshine,” “Creed,” and more. 

There is also hot food served at Play Port for very fair prices. The full menu can be seen online at playporterie.com. With prices as they are, a group of 4 could take advantage of the $60 deal for everyone’s admission that gives the group a large pizza and each person a drink, and also try each of the other entertainment activities offered there, for just $30 each. Or for just $20 each you could get in with the Pizza and Drinks deal and all try the Virtual Reality Station.

So how is the quality? The video games are well-maintained and kept in working condition. Also well-kept are competitive skill games which are also set to free play. These include Skee Ball, Foosball, Hoop Shot, Table Hockey, Pinball Machines, and a collection of Racing Games. The VR station is very high quality and the Pool Tables are well-kept. Sadly, I cannot say the same about the Mini Golf course, so please do not get overly excited about that. Overall though, Play Port is kept clean and enjoyable.

The only annoying element I found at Play Port was that it is quite loud there. There are areas you can go to in order to step out of the noise as needed though. The front area, where the ticket redemption table is located, is not so loud.

There is one last key detail to mention about Play Port. They have a BYOB night on Friday nights from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. This time is for people 21+ only, and with valid I.D. The prices are the same for BYOB night as other times. For the full list of rules and details, you can visit the website.

I would give Play Port a try if you want to get one fun night for an affordable price with a group of friends. I still think the pricing is the best part of what they offer. It may not be somewhere you want to visit often, but it is a place worth a visit. Patrons under 21 can go during all other hours of operation. The website lists various deals and specials as well, depending on when you plan to go. I highly recommend this place.