Unearth The Voyage
Tucked away in Hillsboro, Oregon, Next Level Pinball Shop and Museum is the kind of place that stops you in your tracks the moment you walk through the door. With nearly 700 games, floor-to-ceiling memorabilia, and a free-play setup that lets you game all day for one flat price, it is unlike any arcade you have visited before.
Whether you grew up feeding quarters into Ms. Pac-Man or you are introducing your kids to classic gaming for the first time, this place has something that will make everyone smile. Rated 4.9 stars by thousands of visitors, it has earned its reputation as one of the coolest spots in the entire Pacific Northwest.
Hundreds of Pinball Machines All in One Place
Walking into Next Level Pinball Museum and seeing the sheer number of pinball machines lined up is genuinely jaw-dropping. The collection spans every decade, every major brand, and nearly every style of gameplay you can think of.
From classic mechanical tables from the 1970s to flashy modern machines loaded with lights and sound effects, the variety here is staggering.
Each machine comes with a small fact card tucked inside that shares when it was made, how many units were produced, and fun behind-the-scenes details about its release. That little touch turns a casual game into a mini history lesson.
You end up learning things without even trying, which is a pretty cool bonus.
Best of all, nearly every single machine is set to free play, meaning you can keep playing without spending an extra dime after admission. Visitors regularly report spending three to six hours here without coming close to trying everything.
The machines are kept in remarkable condition, cleaned regularly by a dedicated staff that clearly takes pride in the collection. If pinball is your thing, this place will absolutely blow your mind.
One Flat Admission Price Covers Almost Everything
Forget digging through your pockets for quarters every five minutes. At Next Level Pinball Museum, you pay one admission price at the door and that covers free play on around 95 percent of all the machines for the entire day.
As of recent visits, that price sits at around $23 to $25 per person, which is a genuinely great deal considering how much is packed inside.
When you pay, you get a wristband that lets you leave the building, grab food from an outside truck or nearby restaurant, and come right back in without paying again. That flexibility makes it easy to pace yourself and avoid the dreaded game burnout.
You can take a real break, refuel, and come back swinging.
A small section of the building does have coin-operated games like claw machines, air hockey, and VR experiences, but those make up a tiny fraction of what is available. Rewards program members can also score discounted Thursday pricing at $20 per person, which is worth signing up for ahead of time.
For a full day of unlimited gaming, the value here is hard to beat anywhere in Oregon.
Pop Culture Memorabilia That Covers Every Inch of the Walls
Somebody clearly has a serious collecting habit, and visitors are the lucky ones who get to enjoy it. The walls, ceilings, and custom-built cabinets at Next Level are packed with an almost overwhelming amount of pop culture memorabilia.
Retro toys, vintage posters, action figures, Pokemon PSA slabs, Mario collectibles, and decades worth of nostalgia are displayed everywhere you look.
During the COVID closure, the team used that time to build specialized floor-to-ceiling display cases specifically designed to house the growing collection. That level of dedication to presentation is obvious the moment you start wandering around.
Some visitors admit they spend as much time just staring at the walls as they do actually playing games.
The memorabilia is not just slapped up randomly either. There is a real sense of curation and care in how everything is arranged.
Spotting a toy you had as a kid or a poster from your favorite childhood movie hits differently when it is displayed like it belongs in a real museum. One reviewer compared walking through the space to entering a time machine, and honestly, that description is pretty accurate.
There is always something new to notice no matter how many times you visit.
Classic Arcade Games That Take You Straight Back to Childhood
Skee-Ball. Ms. Pac-Man.
Street Fighter. Galaga.
The classics are all here, and they are all waiting for you to step up and play. Next Level has an incredible lineup of vintage arcade cabinets that cover pretty much every era of gaming history, and every single one of them is in working order.
Visitors frequently mention being amazed that they could not find a single broken machine during their entire visit.
Seeing kids who have never touched these games before discover them for the first time is one of the most entertaining parts of visiting. More than one reviewer described watching their young child figure out a classic game on the fly, sometimes with a little help from nearby strangers who grew up playing them.
That kind of cross-generational moment is surprisingly touching.
The cabinets are cleaned and maintained regularly by staff members who walk the floor throughout the day. Machines are also rotated fairly often, so repeat visitors often discover something new each time they come back.
Whether you want to chase a high score on a game you have not touched in thirty years or introduce a younger family member to gaming history, the classic arcade section delivers on every level.
Modern Games and Racing Simulators for Today’s Players
Old-school charm is the heart of Next Level, but the museum does not ignore modern gaming either. Scattered throughout the massive space are newer cabinets, including multiplayer racing simulators with full bucket seats, giant screen shooters like Nerf Raw Thrills, Halo Fireteam Raven, and even Mario Kart.
The mix of old and new means there is genuinely something for every type of gamer under one roof.
The racing simulators in particular tend to draw a crowd. Sliding into one of those seats and gripping a real steering wheel while a massive screen fills your vision is a completely different experience from anything you get on a home console.
Groups of friends tend to camp out at these stations for a while, which is totally understandable.
Having modern games alongside retro classics also makes the museum feel balanced rather than purely nostalgic. Parents and older visitors can geek out over the vintage machines while younger guests gravitate toward the newer titles without anyone feeling left out.
The museum has clearly put thought into making sure the experience appeals to a wide age range. That balance is a big reason why families keep coming back together, season after season.
The Atmosphere and Neon Glow That Sets the Mood
There is something almost magical about the lighting inside Next Level. Because the building is enormous and packed wall-to-wall with machines, the space is largely lit by the natural glow of neon marquees, flashing game screens, and colorful cabinet lighting.
The effect is warm, immersive, and instantly relaxing in a way that is hard to put into words.
One reviewer described the experience as entering a black hole, and while that sounds intense, the feeling is actually incredibly cozy. The noise level is high, which is worth knowing in advance if you or someone in your group is sensitive to sound.
Bringing earplugs or noise-reducing earbuds is a smart move for those situations. The experience is still absolutely worth it with a little preparation.
Comfortable couches and seating areas are scattered throughout the building so you can sit down, soak in the atmosphere, and people-watch between gaming sessions. The place genuinely feels like a living, breathing arcade world rather than just a room full of machines.
Visiting in the evening on a Thursday or Friday when the lights are low and the machines are glowing at full brightness is a particularly unforgettable experience that regulars highly recommend.
Spotlessly Clean Facility That Surprises Every Visitor
Arcades do not exactly have a reputation for being spotless, which is what makes Next Level so refreshing. Reviewers consistently mention being genuinely surprised by how clean the entire facility is, from the gaming floor to the bathrooms.
One visitor specifically noted that the memorabilia on the walls was not even dusty, which says a lot about how much care goes into maintaining the space.
Staff members are frequently spotted walking the floor and wiping down machines throughout the day. That kind of active upkeep is rare in any entertainment venue, let alone one that handles hundreds of machines and welcomes large crowds daily.
It signals that the people running this place actually care about the experience visitors have while they are there.
Even the bathrooms have received shoutouts in reviews, which is not something you expect to read about an arcade. One of the restrooms is reportedly decorated like a castle, which is a quirky and delightful detail that fits right in with the overall personality of the museum.
A clean, well-organized space makes the entire visit more enjoyable, and Next Level has clearly made that a genuine priority from day one of operations.
Food Trucks Outside and Snacks Inside for Hungry Gamers
Gaming works up an appetite, and Next Level has a practical solution for that. Food trucks are regularly parked outside the building during operating hours, giving visitors a solid meal option without having to travel far.
There is also a small outdoor dining area where you can sit down, eat, and recharge before heading back inside for another round.
Inside the building, vending machines and smaller snacks are available throughout the space so you never have to go too far when hunger strikes mid-game. The museum also allows guests to bring in outside food and drinks, which is a genuinely thoughtful policy that sets it apart from venues that force you to buy everything on-site.
There is no bar inside, which actually works in the museum’s favor. It keeps the environment fully family-friendly and accessible to all ages without any awkward situations.
The wristband system means you can step outside, grab a full meal from a food truck, sit in the fresh air for a bit, and then walk right back in without losing your spot or paying again. That flexibility makes planning a long visit much easier and more comfortable for everyone in the group.
Perfect for All Ages, from Little Kids to Grown-Up Gamers
You do not have to have grown up in the 1980s to have a blast at Next Level, though it certainly helps with the nostalgia factor. Visitors of all ages consistently report having an incredible time, from toddlers discovering arcade games for the first time to adults in their 40s and 50s reconnecting with childhood favorites.
The range of games available makes sure no one feels left out.
The museum even has party rooms available to reserve for kids’ birthday parties, making it a unique and genuinely exciting alternative to the usual pizza-and-bounce-house setup. Imagine having your birthday party surrounded by hundreds of games you can actually play.
That is a pretty hard experience to top for a kid of almost any age.
Reviewers frequently mention moments where adults and children ended up playing side by side on multiplayer games, with older visitors teaching younger ones how classic games work. Those spontaneous cross-generational moments are part of what gives Next Level its special energy.
The museum is not just a place to play games. It is a place where different generations genuinely connect over something fun, and that is rarer and more valuable than most people expect going in.
Location, Hours, and Tips for Planning Your Visit
Next Level Pinball Shop and Museum is located at 1458 NE 25th Ave in Hillsboro, Oregon, with a large parking lot that makes arrival stress-free. The museum opens at 10 AM on Saturdays and Sundays, while weekday hours start at noon on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan accordingly before making the trip.
Arriving earlier in the day on weekends is a smart move. Several reviewers noted that by early afternoon on Saturdays, the line was stretching out the door.
Getting there when doors open gives you more space to explore and shorter waits at popular machines. Weekday visits tend to be quieter overall, which is ideal if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
Rewards program members get a discounted Thursday price of $20, so signing up on the website before your visit is worth doing. You can reach the museum by phone at 503-608-2605 or check out their website at nextlevelpinballmuseum.com for the latest information on hours and special events.
With a 4.9-star rating from over 3,300 reviews, this place has clearly earned its reputation as a must-visit Oregon destination. Go once and you will already be planning your return trip.
