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80s Gamer Builds a Retro Arcade in Long Beach
80s Gamer Builds a Retro Arcade in Long Beach
From Pac Man to VR, one Long Beach gamer builds a retro arcade, plus upcoming local events and community highlights.
Robert Brennan
Mar 26, 2026
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80s Gamer Turns Passion into a Business |
Pac-Man was his favorite game in the 1980s. Today, he points to Call of Duty |
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For most gamers, spending hours playing games might seem routine, maybe even unproductive. For Webster, a longtime gamer with roots in the 1980s, that time spent playing became the foundation for a retro gaming business in Long Beach.
Gaming was never only about what appeared on the screen. It was also about the arcade machines themselves — especially the classic wooden cabinets that gave each game its own physical presence and personality. That early connection stayed with him and eventually grew into a business built around retro games, restoration, and the experience of play.
A Small Space Filled with Restored Gaming History
At his current location, open for about eight months, the space may be small, but it is packed with gaming history. What stands out is his appreciation for the older style of arcade machines — the ones with wooden cabinets, physical controls, and a presence that made the machine itself part of the memory. For him, those games were never just software. They were a full experience, from the cabinet design to the feel of standing in front of the screen.
That connection still shapes the business today. He is not just displaying old games. He restores older consoles and machines, sells them, and rents them out for parties and events. The business is rooted in nostalgia, but it is also practical and active, giving people a chance to bring that arcade energy into birthdays, gatherings, and other celebrations.
And once people step inside, they quickly see this is not only about looking back. It is also about how those memories still connect with people today.
Where Retro Gaming Meets a New Generation
That is where the mix of old and new comes in. Alongside the retro focus, the location also features a VR game with 360-degree viewing, adding a newer layer to a space otherwise driven by classic gaming memories. It is a reminder that for some owners, gaming is not frozen in one era. It evolves while still honoring where it started.
What makes the story work is that it is personal. This is not someone chasing a trend. This is someone who loved games early, stayed connected to them, and found a way to turn that long-running interest into something others can enjoy too. In a time when so much entertainment is digital and remote, there is still something special about a place where people can walk in, look around, and feel surrounded by the machines that helped shape gaming culture.
Come Visit the Past
In Long Beach, Webster has turned a lifelong love of gaming into something others can experience too. For those looking to revisit old favorites, introduce younger players to the arcade era, or simply enjoy something different, his retro arcade offers a reason to stop by, take a look, and say hi.
Contact
I GOT NEXT RETRO ARCADE SALES |
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Musica Angelica Baroque Ensemble Presents “St. Matthew Passion”
A classical music performance of the masterful St. Matthew Passion.
March 29, 2026 | Time: TBD | First Congregational Church of Long Beach, CA | Admission: Ticketed
Cambodia Town Parade & Culture Festival: A large cultural celebration with parade, food, music, and family activities in Long Beach.
April 4, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Anaheim Street to MacArthur Park, Long Beach, CA | Admission: Free
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach: Experience thrilling street racing at one of the country’s biggest Grand Prix events — complete with high-speed cars, vendor areas, and entertainment in Downtown Long Beach.
April 17 – 19, 2026. Downtown Long Beach, CA. Ticketed. Event Page
The Congressional Cup Regatta: Exciting match racing yacht regatta at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier — great for spectator fun on the bay.
April 29 – May 3, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, Long Beach, CA | Admission: Free
Long Beach Pride Parade & Festival: One of the largest Pride celebrations in Southern California with parade, stages, vendors, and colorful community energy.
May 16 – 17, 2026 | Time Varies | Long Beach, CA | Admission: Varies |
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WomenShalter - Love Gala:
The Leading with Love Gala 2026, hosted by WomenShelter of Long Beach, brings together community leaders, advocates, and supporters for an evening focused on raising awareness and funding for survivors of domestic violence through shelter, counseling, and legal support services.
May 7, 2026. 6 PM – 10 PM. Ovation Square, 350 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA. Ticketed.
Car Show & Fair:
The Assistance League of Long Beach hosts its annual Car Show & Fair, featuring classic cars, custom builds, vendor booths, and a family-friendly atmosphere supporting local philanthropic programs.
Assistance League of Long Beach Car Show and Fair
Operation Hugs for Heroes
A community-driven care package initiative led by Christian Outreach in Action, inviting residents to donate snacks and handwritten messages of encouragement for nearly 10,000 deployed U.S. troops serving overseas.
March 12 – April 24, 2026. Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM drop-off hours. Christian Outreach in Action, 515 E 3rd St, Long Beach, CA. Free to participate. |
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