Playland Arcade — Local services in Santa Monica

I understand this is an arcade and it’s designed to make money, so games won’t pay out all the time. However, all the claw machines I played didn’t grip at all and give any chance to win and the clown game where you use the balls to knock over the clowns was totally RIGGED. First of all, one machine only had 3 balls and the other only had 4. In contrast, the Dave and Buster’s I’ve played that same game at dozens of times always have about 10 balls in each machine. The point of the game is to beat the high score which gets you 500 tickets (which is a ton for their prize area). I could have beat the high score multiple times if the machine wouldn’t have stopped counting points and giving me balls when there were less than 5 seconds left. The game was more RIGGED than the Democratic Presidential Primary. The prize area was terrible as well unless you are a 5 year old. Save your money and make a trip to Dave and Buster’s. The one on Hollywood Boulevard was great on a Thursday...

For the amount of money being poured into this arcade everyday you would think they could replace or fix broken games, and just over all tidy up the place. It feels like they are the slum lord version of an arcade just make everything work well enough to take your money. Don't play the claw grabber game that you can grab rolls of tickets it opens the grabber when it goes back up so anything you grabbed falls back out. They had a Street Fighter arcade in the case of Mortal combat. So many games had faded screens. A couple of the games ticket dispensers were broken. luckily there was a employee walking by and we told him he opened the machine and grabbed us a bunch of tickets. The Mario Kart game one of the consoles button for special items did not work. I went with my kids we still had a good time my kids are not as picky as I am. Whoever owns this arcade must have a very low bar of self worth allowing this arcade to...

Playland Arcade at Santa Monica Pier is a fantastic spot for gamers of all ages, offering a huge selection of games ranging from classic arcade machines to modern favorites. Whether you're into retro pinball, air hockey, racing games, or claw machines, this arcade has something for everyone.

The place has a nostalgic charm, bringing back memories of old-school arcades while still keeping up with the latest gaming trends. It’s a great spot to unwind after a day at the beach or pier, and since it stays open late, it’s perfect for some nighttime fun.

Expect a lively and energetic atmosphere, especially on weekends, but there’s always plenty to do. Ticket redemption games are also available if you’re looking to win some fun prizes.

If you’re visiting Santa Monica Pier, make sure to stop by Playland Arcade for some classic boardwalk fun—it’s a great way to relive childhood memories or create new...