New Cairns business Arcade X opens in Smithfield
Top Gun, Walking Dead, Jurassic Park, Shooting Range and the new in 2024, Mario Kart GP DX, are just some of the video games you can play at Cairns’ newest arcade.
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The first ever video game arcade to operate north of the city has at last opened to applause of children and the young at heart amazed how gaming has evolved since the days of Galaga.
Arcade X opened at Smithfield on Wednesday following the delivery of 35 arcade style machines.
A total of three shipping containers were needed to haul the machines, some of which cost up to $14,000.
The new business is the brainchild of entrepreneur Richard Lewis who came up with the idea after plans for a fitness centre and gym within the new Mount Milman Drive industrial estate fell through.
Mr Lewis said he grew up playing games like the Ninja Turtles at his local bowling alley but wanted the new Smithfield arcade to deliver the best and newest video game technology.
“I have got the most modern games and many you cannot get anywhere in Cairns,” he said.
“Some of them were only released this year.”
Shooting Master fires real ball bearings and the Top Gun game has a pistol with a compressor built in to produce a recoil every time you click the trigger.
“The set up cost way more than expected,” he said.
“We have one section with kid water games and hammer games, ring toss games and Down the Clown and another section for older kids with Walking Dead and Jurassic Park and Mario Kart (GP DX) which is one of the newest games out.”
Arcade X also has Pirate Treasure, Shooting Range, Zombie Bowling and Dynamic Moto 3.
Similar to rival big chain arcades in the Cairns CBD customers load money onto a digital swipe card and points earned can be redeemed for prizes.
Timed play costs $25 for 45 minutes which includes 200 tickets, $30 buys gaming credit to that value and $15 worth of bonus credit while a $100 credit gets you $50 worth of bonus credit.
Originally published as New Cairns business Arcade X opens in Smithfield
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