Timezone Newmarket — Attraction in Waitematā

A pretty nice arcade which I've been to regularly this year, but I feel like it's lost some of its advantages over competing arcades recently.

The staff service is good, and in most cases if there's a minor issue with the games they're able to help. The ongoing maintenance for machines has been fairly good as well, but the Taiko machine, which I've regularly played, has gotten a bit worn out in some spots lately. While I wouldn't say it's been neglected as much as a few other arcades it takes some extra force to get consistent hits, making it more difficult to play and contributing faster to the wearing out of the machine.

The selection of feature games is good, with Gitadora (guitar only) being a nice exclusive within the country as far as I'm aware, but as some other reviewers have noted the DDR machine and half of the Maximum Tune machines were moved to other Timezone arcades in the middle of the year.

While I'm OK with the overall price of games here, the pricing on Taiko went from being one of the best in the country to mediocre after a couple of price changes - $2.50 to $2.70 in the middle of the year (shared with most other games and TZ stores), and 3 songs to 2 songs very recently. I'm aware that $2.70 for two songs is the same as most other TZs in the country, but the change from three to two songs a play is effectively a 50% price hike, and depending on the discounts/promotions in effect it subsequently comes out more expensive than some competing arcades. It's also unfortunate that the second price increase occurred roughly after the maintenance issues with the machine started becoming noticeable.

Overall the games are still good, but the combination of all the points above means I'll probably end up going less often next year unless the condition of the Taiko machine improves or some new music game gets added. The sudden price change to Taiko was quite a surprise, but the condition for the machine is just as much of an attraction point if not the main selling...

Amazing customer service. It feels extremely welcoming to come to this Timezone! The staff here are amazing and super friendly kind and generous, they even took time out of their day to play with us! My kids (6 and 10) love this place and their favourite game is the Rabbits VR game as they enjoy how realistic the game is! They also really like the bumper cars as it’s unique and very fast and fun.

This venue is my favourite timezone, it is in a prime location and has accessible parking ( Westfield Newmarket ) -5 mins walk away. As you first walk into the venue, there is an amazing prize shop, that typically gets restocked every 3-4 weeks, the candy island has been looking amazing recently, as well as the back wall and they always have wonderful whacky prizes which encourages me to return at least twice a month!

There are two floors at this timezone, i really like the layout and how they put the claw machines in the front of the store to ensure the claw machines are always full! Big sweet land (the big candy game) is always a thrill to play as my kids love candy!

The second floor has a wide variety of games— ranging from car racing games to dance games. I recommend turning down volume of the second floor so when playing laser tag you can hear the instructions :) — laser tag at this venue is also such a blast. the interior and designs are absolutely amazing. it is decorated with neon paint and “glows” in the dark!! it is truly something amazing ! this venue is such a joy to be at....

Timezone Auckland truly lives up to the reputation set by its Australian counterparts! It was fantastic to see that the quality and variety of games remained consistent, offering a vibrant and engaging arcade experience. The venue boasts a wide array of arcade games, from nostalgic classics like Daytona and Dance Dance Revolution to modern favorites such as Mario Kart and Super Bikes 3. These games are equipped with colorful swipers that make gameplay seamless and enjoyable . 

The atmosphere was electric, with games that cater to both casual players and hardcore enthusiasts. The ticket redemption system adds an extra layer of excitement, allowing players to exchange Powertickets for a variety of prizes. It’s a great spot for both kids and adults to have fun and maybe even indulge in a bit of friendly competition. 

However, one aspect that was a bit disappointing was the limited number of claw machines. Given their popularity and the thrill they offer, it would have been great to see a few more scattered throughout the venue. That said, the existing ones were well-maintained and still provided that classic arcade challenge.

Overall, Timezone Auckland is a fantastic place to unwind and have some fun. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or introducing the next generation to arcade gaming, it’s a venue that delivers on entertainment. Just be prepared for the temptation to keep playing “just...