Creative Arcades — Attraction in Lake Forest

I had to write a review for my arcade. I bought the top console cherrywood arcade with 4800 games. It’s pricey but worth every penny. I’m a fully disabled veteran and professor. I rarely can leave the house. I spent another year in hospital through Christmas and New Years. While in hospital I googled the internet and came across Creative-Arcade I didn’t want to turn one room into a so-called fun room till I saw the Cherrywood console. Let me tell you; it’s the best. Done exquisitely. I can’t tell you how much fun it’s been and how others love it and the games. It’s the Classics. All that see it get so excited stating how I played my brother all day on this or that game. I love Galaga. It was one of my favourites in my younger days. I’m hoping someday I could purchase the Cherrywood Stand-up Pinball machine. I bought the 32 inch screen. It’s outrageous. Now for the company. They were great! I went through Mary Ann to purchase. She’s a sweetheart. Always willing to help and explain. The other day I spoke with Tom. He’s an ex- military man, as myself. He is a top gentleman. Guided me through my questions. He’s even sending me a new upgrade with another 300 plus games. That will give me over 4800 classic games. Just know that many games are just different versions of the same. They are the original graphics but that’s the beauty of the games. Finally I had the white glove delivery which I recommend. The head man in charge was Ed! His partner Steven. They were a hoot. Ed is super knowledgeable and one terrific guy. I also have PTSD. He kept me calm through the process of putting machine together. Basically….I loved the guy. He’s precise in assembly of machine and funny to boot. He’s a great asset to the company. If he lived in my area I would be friends with him. Thank you Ed!!! Just want to reiterate that Tom is super knowledgeable as the top tech at Creative-Arcade. You can get Tech help anytime from 12-8pm EST. Lastly….being fully disabled I have a terrific Doctor that comes to my house. See the picture I attached. It’s my super Doctor Nathalia. She was trying to help me as I was having an anxiety attack and said let’s play a few games. She loved the Console and wanted their number to get her own. I wish you heard her play and compliment the machine. It was but ten minutes of total fun and laughter. I’m so glad I purchased from Creati-Arcade. Please know I bought extra stools and wheels for the console. I hope this review gives you a true assessment of machine, creative-arcade personnel and my delivery by Ed! Thanks to all !!! Best to all….Thanks for putting some fun back into my life Prof. Michael S....

** UPDATE - 4/16 After 6 months I canceled my order as they missed 2 more ship dates. I have sent 2 emails asking about refund status & they have been ignored.

So while they make great products, understand you have the risk of being 6 months out with no product and a company actively ignoring your requests for a refund.

I should also note that you can see the companies reply below my review, and while it will likely soon be fixed, note that when they used ChatGPT to write the apology they forgot to take out "%business_name%" and put in their actual companies name. Pretty much sums up quite a bit.

Ordered 4 months ago & still haven't received my item. Worst Communication I have ever experienced

10/20 – Ordered Pinball Cabinet & automatic email advised it should take 4-5 weeks to ship out

11/21 – I sent an email to check on ETA & was told it was schedule to ship out 12/7

12/12 – No shipping notification or email so I reached back out through email – never received a response

12/17 – I reached out again & this time I was told it was scheduled to be shipped out at the end of the week.

12/30 – No shipping notification or email so I reached back out – Told No ETA but they would check into it & get back to me

1/13 – Still no hearing anything I reached out by email. NO RESPONSE

1/13 – Reached out by phone & email. I was told someone would call me back. I received an email later saying they attempted to call but I didn’t have voicemail (I can confirm I have voicemail & did not have any missed calls). I was told 10 days & that they were so sorry for the delays.

2/4 – Never heard anything after 10 days. Reached back out & was told it s scheduled to ship out the 16th

2/17 – I reached out as once again I have not heard anything. I received an email stating it is scheduled for the 24th…

To Summarize I am now on the edge of 4 months since I PAID for a pinball cabinet. I have been given 5 different ship dates, all of which have been missed with NO ONE ever reaching out to advise me of the delay & provide a new date. Every false date I have been given was due to me reaching out & on several occasions having to reach out multiple times to get a response.

Check out other reviews & you will see similar complaints. While this company makes great products you have to understand the risk that you can drop $5k+ on a product & 4 months later still not have the product & have no idea when/if you will receive it.

The...

I work for a multifamily developer in Florida, and we purchased an electronic pinball machine from this company for our apartment community's clubroom. Unfortunately, the experience has been nothing short of unacceptable. The machine worked for only about three months before completely failing.

With the help of their team over FaceTime, I personally replaced the internal computer and multiple parts, a process that took weeks as each component was mailed individually from California. The machine briefly worked again but stopped functioning just a couple of months later.

We requested a replacement or refund since the unit cost over $4,000 and were told it would take about four weeks to receive a new one. That was in March 2025, and as of today, we still have not received the replacement. Over time, we’ve heard excuse after excuse — tariffs, shipping damage, another “replacement delay” and now the company has gone completely silent. Neither I nor our furniture procurement partner have received a single response to multiple emails and phone calls in months.

What’s even more concerning is that the company repeatedly blamed “tariff issues,” yet their website clearly states that the machines are made in the USA. If that’s true, there should be no tariff-related delays. The lack of transparency is deeply troubling.

At this point, the issue remains unresolved, and the complete lack of accountability is appalling. This company took our money and failed to deliver a working product or any form of customer service. I would strongly warn others: do not buy from this company. They do not stand behind what they sell, and once they have your money, you...