It’s game over, for now. A fan-favorite throwback arcade is preparing to power down at Smith Haven Mall, but not without one more life.
Game On Retro Arcade, known for its authentic 80s and 90s vibe and unlimited free-play model, is being forced to leave its longtime home in the mall’s food court after the owner says rent demands became unsustainable.
In a message to customers on Facebook, owner Tristan said in a post that quickly gained thousands of likes and hundreds of comments, the mall required more than four times the current rent, along with costly exterior upgrades tied to ongoing renovations.
“At $15 for unlimited play, I would have had to raise the price and I just didn’t want to do that,” he wrote.
Since opening, Game On Retro Arcade built a loyal following by offering more than 100 classic games, all running on original hardware with CRT monitors, for a flat $15 all-day play price. The experience was designed to feel like stepping straight into a 1980s or 90s arcade, a rarity in today’s digital-heavy gaming scene.
But that nostalgia-driven model, Tristan said, would not survive the new financial terms.
The arcade received a 30-day notice to vacate on April 1 and is expected to close by April 30. This weekend could be its final run at the mall.
The closure also reflects a broader shift at Smith Haven Mall, where several entertainment-focused tenants, including a play zone and airsoft venue, have been phased out in recent years.
Still, the story does not end here.
“We are already building the new location,” Tristan said, and it is a major upgrade.
The next version of Game On Retro Arcade is set to span roughly 28,000 square feet, a massive leap from the current 5,500-square-foot space. The new venue is being described as a “Retro Heaven,” with expanded offerings that could include food, drinks, private party areas, later hours, and even movie screenings.
During the transition, fans can still get their fix at the arcade’s Riverhead location, which will operate seven days a week starting May 1. Any free passes purchased for the mall location will carry over to the new space.
For now, though, it is a bittersweet moment for a place that turned quarters into memories, even if you did not need quarters to play.
“I put my heart and soul into this place over the past five years,” Tristan wrote. “If you want to stop by this weekend for one last go, we will be here.”
Photo: Facebook
