The Powerzone was the name of the student arcade located within the Illini Union at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. It was part of the Union’s recreational and entertainment facilities—which over the decades have included a bowling alley, billiards room, snack bar, and notably, an arcade that used tokens branded “Powerzone”.

This was a sister location to Wright’s Barnyard, opened by the Wright family in 1981. The Wright family founded multiple family entertainment centers, including the original location in Lansing, this location in Valparaiso, Indiana and Crestwood (Wright’s Hollywood Park). In 1994 the Wright family sold the business, including all three centers, to Discovery Zone. Discovery Zone renamed them all…

This was a sister location to Wright’s Barnyard, opened by the Wright family in late 1990. Initially, the Wright family founded multiple family entertainment centers, including the original location in Lansing, this location in Crestwood (Wright’s Hollywood Park), and Valparaiso, Indiana (now Zao Island). In 1994, all of the locations were acquired by Discovery Zone, who rebranded all of the…

Just Games Inc. operated a number of arcades in the Chicagoland area in the 1970s and 1980s. This location was located at the site of Briarwood Plaza. Briarwood Plaza was built in 1977, but we know that the arcade opened in Dec 1973 and was open at least through May 1976. We know that at least one of the Just Games Mt. Prospect locations existed through October 1986. Given the shooting associated…

One of a handful of Bally’s Tom Foolery early arcade bar/nightclub concepts that existed briefly in the early 1980’s. This location was previously a Barnaby’s Family Inn, until Bally Manufacturing Co. purchased the chain in 1981 and converted it into the Tom Foolery concept. The arcade crash of 1982-1983, plus the mountain of debt that Bally’s was navigating at the time, put an unfortunate and…

Galloping Ghost is the largest arcade in the world, with over 885 games. It spans multiple buildings in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield. Owner Doc Mack opened the arcade in 2010 with 130 arcade games that were saved from the brink of destruction, restoring them for all to enjoy. Continuing to expand each year, by 2024, they have grown into the largest arcade in the world, with games coming in…

Jeepers! was a safari-themed family entertainment center located in Norridge, Illinois, operating from 1997 until 2005. In 2005, it rebranded to Go Bananas. Popular throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, it offered a mix of arcade games, indoor rides, a jungle gym, and birthday party packages. Notable attractions included the Python Pit indoor roller coaster, bumper cars, inflatable obstacle…