YuMe World: For anyone like me who grew up loving arcade games, this is a great place to spend a few hours. There’s a nice variety of games, including some ‘favourites’ like the dreaded claw machine. There’s also some VR games too, creating a perfect mix of more traditional and modern arcade experiences. It’s located in The Gate, so right in the centre of the city. They have a student night discount on Wednesdays and a date night offer on Thursdays, which are great for those of us on a budget.
Ctrl Pad: Also in The Gate, this gaming lounge gives you access to lots of different consoles from the past few generations (even the Dreamcast), with a decent selection of games for each one. Newer releases and PC games are also available. They also hold regular tournaments and challenges with cash prizes for the winners if you’re into the competitive side of gaming. Party packages are available too, although options are limited now due to Covid-19.
That Retro Game Shop: Grainger Market has a few hidden gems, but for gamers this little shop is a treasure trove. There’s a wide variety of old games dating back to even the NES, so if you’re looking to get your hands on a nostalgic game, this is the perfect place. They even sell old consoles, so if you want to take a trip down memory lane and buy a PS1, they’ve got you covered.
Meeple Perk: Board game nights are a staple of many student flats, and Meeple Perk is a café where you can meet up with friends to play some classic friendship enders like Monopoly and Scrabble. There’s a whole host of other games as well, with their collection going well into the hundreds. They also serve food too, which is always a plus. Like the other places on this list it’s located in the city centre, just a couple of minutes away from The Gate.
It goes without saying that the big chain stores like GAME and CeX are in Newcastle too, so if you’re planning on buying games – new or old – there’s plenty of options. If you’re looking to buy some gaming merchandise, GAME has some, but it’s definitely worth checking Forbidden Planet as well.
Newcastle is such a big city with so much to see and do, and when it comes to gaming hotspots these are some of the more popular ones. Best of all, these hotspots are only a few minutes away from campus and they’re easily accessible to everyone, so you’ve no excuse for not giving them a shot.