Ten dollars gets you unlimited play on classic arcade games and pinball machines at a small-town Michigan arcade. No quarters needed, and the same wristband gives you access to three locations.
Klassic Arcade 2.0 in Gobles brings together old-school favorites like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, rows of pinball machines, and a collection of more than 100 bottled soda varieties. There are snacks, unusual soda flavors, and plenty of games that longtime arcade fans will recognize.
What started as a collection in a pole barn has grown into a three-location attraction. Here’s what you can play, how the admission deal works, and what to know before making the trip.
A Wristband Town You Might Drive Right Past
Gobles is the kind of village where the main street takes about a minute to drive. Blink and you could miss the best arcade in southwest Michigan.
Klassic Arcade 2.0 sits at 206 S State St, Gobles, MI 49055, in Van Buren County, Michigan, United States. It is tucked downtown between a bank and a local bar, which makes for a funny little lineup of neighbors.
I parked right on the street with no fuss. The building looks modest from outside, but the glow through the windows gave away the fun waiting inside.
Gobles sits just north of Paw Paw and about a half hour west of Kalamazoo. That makes it an easy side trip if you are heading toward the Lake Michigan shore.
The arcade is open only on weekends, so timing matters a lot. Friday runs from 4 to 8 PM, Saturday from noon to 8 PM, and Sunday from noon to 5 PM.
So how did a small village end up with a pinball palace? The answer starts in a pole barn.
From a Pole Barn to a Pinball Powerhouse
Every great high score starts with a single coin. For this arcade, that coin dropped back in late 2003.
Owner Kevin Ketchum started the business with his cousin Kim. They first called it K and K Electronics, and later K and K Amusements.
Their first arcade, Klassic Arcade 1.0, lived in a 2,000-square-foot pole barn just south of Gobles on M-40. It was simple, a little scrappy, and full of games people loved.
Word spread fast. Fans kept showing up, and the collection kept growing until the barn simply ran out of room.
In June 2017, the team opened Klassic Arcade 2.0 in downtown Gobles. The new space covers roughly 4,400 to 4,500 square feet, more than double the original barn.
I love that this story is about steady growth, not flashy money. One family kept fixing machines and opening doors until the hobby turned into a destination.
And the extra square footage? It went straight to the games, which deserve their own close look next.
Rows of Cabinets That Remember the Eighties
My thumb found the Ms. Pac-Man joystick before my brain even said hello. Muscle memory is a funny thing.
The arcade focuses on games from the 1980s and 1990s, with dozens of vintage cabinets lined up side by side. Classic names like Donkey Kong and Space Invaders are part of the mix.
Some cabinets are rare finds you will not spot at a mall. The games cover a wide range of years, so older visitors and younger ones both find something familiar.
I bounced between cabinets like a pinball myself. One minute I was dodging ghosts, and the next I was jumping barrels with a tiny pixel hero.
A Megatouch countertop machine also sits in the lineup. It holds puzzle games like Luxor, and the high score dates are a bit confused about what year it is.
Here is my tip for this room. Try at least one game you have never heard of, because those odd titles are often the most memorable.
Still, the real stars of the floor wear flippers.
Silver Balls, Spooky Slime, and Flipper Fever
Pinball is the heartbeat of this building. Visitors talk about the pinball machines more than anything else here, and after one visit I understood why.
The tables span several decades, with older electromechanical machines alongside louder modern ones. Each one feels different under your fingers.
Silverball Mania is a clean test of skill. There are no crazy gimmicks, just smooth shots and a ball that punishes lazy flipping.
Ghostbusters is the opposite. It is packed with ramps, sliders, and 3D models, and a little Slimer hangs down from the top like he owns the place.
Phantom of the Opera also caught my eye because of its unique backglass art. NBA Fastbreak lets you shoot hoops with flippers, which my basketball skills appreciated.
The lights work, the scores count, and the sounds ring out clearly. Old pinball tables are tricky to keep running, so that says a lot.
Play a few balls slowly and learn each table’s ramps. Your scores will climb faster than you think.
Ten Bucks and No Quarters Needed
Remember begging your parents for one more quarter? That problem does not exist here.
Admission is $10 per person for all-day play. You get a wristband, and the free-play machines are yours for as long as the doors are open.
The value is the part I keep bragging about. Ten dollars barely covers a fancy coffee drink these days, but here it covered my entire Saturday.
Without coins on the line, I tried games I would normally skip. Bad at a game?
No problem, just hit start again and keep learning.
Families seem to love this setup. Parents can relax while kids hop from cabinet to cabinet without asking for more money every five minutes.
Bring comfortable shoes, because you will stand and play for hours. A light jacket is handy too, since the room can feel cool or warm depending on the crowd.
That wristband has another trick up its sleeve. It works at more than one building, which I will explain shortly.
Tokens, Air Hockey, and the Other Side of the Room
Half the building runs on wristbands, and the other half speaks in tokens. It took me a moment to figure out the split.
A separate token section holds redemption-style games and prizes. Token prices are reasonable, and one group reported getting 175 tokens for $20.
Kids who love tickets and little prizes tend to head straight here. The prize selection is fairly simple, so I would treat it as a bonus and not the main event.
Air hockey tables are another crowd favorite. I got thoroughly beaten by a ten-year-old, and I am choosing to call it a learning experience.
My advice is to set a token budget before you start. It is easy to wander back for more after a winning streak.
Mixing both sides makes a visit feel fuller. Free-play games keep the long stretches cheap, while tokens add a little extra spark for younger players.
All that slapping pucks around works up an appetite. Thankfully, snacks are just a few steps away.
A Soda Cooler With Over 100 Flavors
I came for pinball and almost forgot about it once I saw the soda cooler. Glass bottles stood in neat colorful rows like a candy store for drinks.
The arcade stocks over 100 varieties of bottled soda pop. Many come in classic glass bottles, and plenty are hard to find in regular grocery stores.
Root beer fans get an especially deep selection. There are also fruity, creamy, and downright strange flavors for brave sippers.
Here is the fun part. Kevin Ketchum makes some exclusive house flavors, including Klassic Root Beer and Blueberry Blue.
My favorite name is Frogger’s Revenge, a kiwi soda named after the famous road-crossing frog game. It tasted bright and tangy, and it made me grin.
Pick one familiar flavor and one wild card. Comparing them between games turned into a mini adventure of its own.
Soda here is more than a sidekick. It even connects to a bigger local celebration that I will get to soon.
Pretzels, Popcorn, and Pizza Between Rounds
Gaming on an empty stomach is a rookie mistake. Luckily, the café counter keeps players fueled without draining wallets.
The menu sticks to easy arcade classics. Popcorn, soft pretzels, and pizza are among the choices, and prices stay friendly.
The soft pretzel surprised me. It was warm, salty, and good enough that I briefly ignored the pinball machine calling my name.
The snack area also carries a retro feel. Old details and colorful decor make even a quick bite feel like part of the trip back in time.
Food and games in one building is a real win for families. Nobody has to leave the wristband fun to find lunch somewhere else.
Keep sticky fingers away from the machines, though. Wipe your hands before grabbing a joystick so the next player gets a clean game.
The menu is simple, so do not expect a full sit-down meal. For a quick refuel, it hits the spot.
Once you are full, take a moment to look around at the room itself.
Neon, Posters, and a Room Full of Beeps
Close your eyes inside and just listen. Beeps, chimes, and the steady clack of flippers fill the air all at once.
The space is decorated with vintage posters and bright neon lights. Screens glow from every corner, giving the floor a warm, colorful look.
It feels clean and well cared for. Details are in place, and the machines look like someone actually loves them.
For anyone who grew up in arcades, the memories hit fast. Plenty of parents bring kids here to show them how fun worked before phones took over.
Kids seem to get it right away. Big buttons and loud sounds are a pretty universal language.
I noticed strangers cheering each other on at the pinball tables. A great save draws a little crowd, and nobody minds sharing the excitement.
Take a slow lap before you start playing. You will spot games and decorations you might miss once you get locked into a high score chase.
Behind that glow is a lot of hard work, and it deserves some credit.
Keeping Old Machines Alive and Kicking
Old arcade machines are a bit like grumpy grandparents. They work great, but they need regular attention.
The team here takes maintenance seriously. Joysticks respond, buttons click, and pinball lights flash the way they did decades ago.
That is no small job. Parts for some vintage games are rare, and fixing them takes patience and real know-how.
Every so often, a machine wears an out-of-order sign. With older equipment, that simply comes with the territory, so do not be shocked if a favorite is resting.
The arcade also keeps extra inventory from the original location. That means the lineup can shift between visits, which keeps things fresh.
I appreciate a place that treats these games as history worth saving. Playing them in good shape lets new players feel what made them so popular.
If a game acts up, let the staff know politely. Friendly counter workers can point you toward another cabinet.
All that care spills well beyond the arcade walls, too.
One Wristband, Several Arcades, and a Soda Festival
Here is the twist I promised earlier. Your $10 wristband is not stuck in Gobles.
All-day play covers both Klassic Arcade 2.0 and Klassic Arcade 3.0 in nearby Paw Paw. Some recent details say the price covers all three Klassic Arcade locations.
Check the website before you go to confirm which spots are open. Then plan a route and make a full day of it.
The original location on M-40 has history of its own. It has hosted the M-40 Raceway, a dirt radio-control race track for electric and nitro cars.
Kevin Ketchum’s love for soda also reaches the wider community. He helps organize the Midwest Soda Pop Festival, an event that celebrates fizzy drinks and draws visitors to the area.
Birthday parties and fundraisers are welcome too. A private party here means the entertainment is already built in.
It all shows that this arcade is part of town life, not just a stop on the map. The final step is planning your own visit.
Game Plan for a Perfect Weekend Visit
A good arcade trip needs a strategy, just like a good pinball game. Mine came together after a little trial and error.
Remember the weekend-only hours. Saturday gives you the longest window, running from noon to 8 PM.
Call ahead at 269-628-9079 if you have questions about parties or special hours. The website, klassicarcade.com, is another handy place to check.
Arrive early on Saturday if you want first pick of the popular pinball tables. Afternoons can get busier with families.
Bring cash or a card for snacks, soda, and tokens. The wristband covers free play, but treats are extra.
Leave room in your schedule for a second arcade location. Many visitors say you should have the whole day free to explore.
The arcade holds a 4.8-star rating from hundreds of visitors, and I understand the love. Few places mix affordable fun, cold sodas, and real nostalgia this well.
I left with sore thumbs, a happy belly, and a plan to return. Gobles just earned a permanent spot on my high score list.
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