Tycoon Arcade, Tycoon General Store, Pinball Tycoon — Attraction in Manchester

It's a bummer to write this review because I want to love this place so much-- it has ALL the makings to be such an amazing spot! The games are great, the staff is friendly, the environment is clean and inviting.

My big issues come from two big pieces of feedback.

The pinball machines are SO quiet. I recognize that loud machines can be a bit chaotic, but the sound of a machine plays such a big role in the gameplay, strategy, and overall enjoyment of the experience. If I'm going to an arcade that has a focus on pinball, I would expect and be prepared for a loud experience, and that's OK. I would argue that an incredibly quiet environment takes away from the experience. It's so quiet to the point where I genuinely can't hear a lot of the callouts the machines are intended to make.

The pricing on these machines is pretty nuts it's unfortunate. Not only is it a point based system charged to a digital card, but new machines like King Kong charges 77 points for one game! Furthermore, unlike most pinball machines, if I pay for 2 credits up front, I DON'T get a 3rd credit for free. It's just a bummer because it costs so much money to play.

If I pay $20 dollars to charge a card (roughly 550 points) and decide to play King Kong at 77 points per credit, I'm getting just about 7 games because I'm out of credits. 7 games vs 20 is insane! Most other games are about 44 credits, which means I'm getting 12 plays for $20.

To be clear, I want this place to rule, but it's incredibly hard to justify returning more than I do and I currently don't feel great about inviting my friends. Turn up the volume and incentivize having customers spending more time on the machines by either lowering the prices or giving a 3rd credit when paying...

Strong first impressions and a great time. The two of us were warmly greeted at the door and handed a few free first-timer tokens. The game store has a strange Disney-esque "exit through the gift shop" vibe, but more power to 'em. The selection of modern and classic pinball tables is unmatched north of Boston (shoutout to the EM Pinball Museum in RI) and a welcome addition to the area since the still-felt loss of Pinball Wizard in Pelham (RIP). Finding the table you want through the office layout can be a bit of a hunt, but the friendly staff will help locate your favs. Theatre of Magic, a nearly 30 year old machine with a ton of moving parts, was in immaculate condition and held up to hours of play. The table was a tiny bit askew, but combined with a generous tilt it was nothing that stood in the way of scoring a couple replays.

As far as value goes, the two of us struggled to get through $99 worth of tokens after a full day with a break for lunch. 16.9oz drinks from the vending machine felt like a strange way to cut costs, but the variety of tasty house sodas made up for it. Ended up leaving with a board game and only paid $7 more than Amazon-- support local business when you can! Magic decks stood to be a bit more in-line with market value, but $5 mystery boosters from a vending machine is a rad idea, so again, more power to 'em.

Overall, you couldn't ask for more from a fledgling arcade in 2024. I'll be returning with some regularity despite the 80 minute drive. A worthy visit for anyone and a MUST visit for local pinball...

One of the most impressive pinball arcades Ive ever seen. Ive been to the pinball HOF in vegas and funspot, and Id say this is only 2nd behind the pinball HOF. All the machines have been shopped and work great.

They have a bright welcoming location in the mill building and also a good size lineup of regular classic popular arcade titles. Frankly I think this place puts funspot to shame when comparing just the game lineup they are sporting.

Several of the pins are newer titles some even just released new games, but also many of the classics from the 80’s and 90’s so you can’t go wrong.

This is not a Dave and Busters type place where you have those useless money eating novelty ticket games that require no skill with a time limit, and a million kids with clueless adults wandering around. Its an actual old-school arcade with a modern day spin on it. These are games of skill and you can play for a long time like the old days on just a couple of dollars.

The Tron game they have is the best condition functioning original unit Ive ever played less the black lights missing. Most are all beat to hell and falling apart.

They have a number of offices as side rooms where they have grouped similar themed titles together.

Thank you for opening this business I wish you the best to stay open as long as possible because I dont think there are any other places like this in all of...