Review: Replays Arcade brings affordable retro gaming to the Sauk Valley

By Devrin Thomas

Replays Arcade, one of the newest additions to downtown Dixon, is a new yet classic way to pass time in the Sauk valley with its own unique twist in hope to make the arcade experience more affordable. 

Opening at the tail end of the summer this year, Replays Arcade is located at 94 S Peoria Ave, the quaint building could be easily missed if it were not for the neon signs and Pac-man ghost shining out into the street. Though a small place Replays Arcade has much to offer with two floors of games with around 20 or so classic arcade games ranging from Pac-man to Space Invaders. 

The upper floor includes a handful of arcade games in the corner with the main staple being the classic air hockey table. Off to the side there is a snack bar with fresh baked goods and also various vintage video game collectibles from mugs to board games for sale. 

The lower-level flows with the feeling of a retro arcade with sounds of the games wailing and the shine of the LED strips across the walls. At the bottom of the steps entering the lower level customers are met by a warm welcome from the staff behind the ticket booth before entering the area with all of the games.  

Usually here is where you would get your quarters ready or buy your tokens to begin playing games, but one key difference about Replays compared to any other arcade you may have previously been to is there is no need for quarters or tokens. At Replays there is no charge for each game instead you are charged by how much time is spent playing.  

Rates begin at $5 per person for 30 minutes, $8 for an hour, and $12 for two hours, with groups of three or more receiving a 10% discount.  This was intentionally done by the owner, Robert Lewis, who wanted to eliminate the worry of not having enough tokens to play a certain game. 

With the average cost per game being around two dollars at commercial arcades such as Dave & Buster’s Replays’ unique form  of cost is more  efficient for those who have that one game they always want to go back to again again. 

Being nicely located in the downtown area and its unique and affordable pricing, Replays Arcade is an awesome way to spend a Friday night with friends and most certainly worth a chance.  More information and their regular hours can be found on their Facebook page at “ReplaysArcade”.