I took a trip to the Texas Gamers Lounge in New Braunfels, Texas and had so much fun! Take a listen to my experience trying new games and talking to fellow gamers.
Audio story by Sloan Shearer
Photo gallery by Madison Baker
Pinballz Arcade originated in Austin, TX off of 183 and Burnet road in 2010. Pinballz combines modern video games and classic pinball machines in one place. 
Pinballz was created when the owners personal collection of pinball machines became too large. Over the last nine years the arcade has grown with classic games and modern ticket prize games. Which has made it the largest pinball collection in Texas. 
Tuesdays have proven to be a busy night with a weekly pinball tournament being held at the arcade. Pinballz attracts all demographics from older to younger and from men to women. 
24 year old Loren Harris loves coming to the arcade for a few hours of fun. She loves to play games at home, so it’s nice to get out and experience that same fun as a night out with friends. 
In 2018 Pinballz switched to a more modern approach with game cards. Customers load money onto a card and swipe the card to activate the ticket prize games. 
The classic pinball machines don’t accept game cards, they use tokens. Although customers have to swipe their game card, at what use to be a quarter converter, to receive tokens. 
Pinballz employee, Darius, said the switch to game cards not only makes things easier for the customer but is eco-friendly. Customers don’t have to deal with the mess of tickets and the employees can easily recycle the cards. 
Pinballz is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m, Friday 11:00 a.m to 2:00 a.m, Saturday 10:00 a.m to 2:00 a.m, and Sunday 10:00 a.m to 11:00 p.m. Employee Darius said the busiest times are Tuesday nights and all day Saturday and Sunday. 
There are still a few games that give out physical tickets. Other games load the tickets onto the player’s card. With most things going digital in this day and age, it is nostalgic for players to still receive some physical tickets. 
Pinballz is an arcade with an old school feel, yet with modern day touches. The digital jukebox that’s surrounded by classic machines dating back to the 80’s is just one of the many examples. 
Pinballz has managed to keep the nostalgia from the old pinball arcades, but it’s no secret that they have had to make modern changes to stay in business. They must be doing something right with their mix of classic and modern games because since their opening in 2010, Pinballz has opened two more locations in North Austin and Buda.
Photo gallery by Kaylin King
One of the classic arcade games you can find at Texas Gamers Lounge is the Super Shot Basketball where you can play against yourself and make as many baskets as you can in the given time. 
First coming out in 2004 Percussion Master it was developed by Taiwan’s computer and video game industry IGS. Percussion Master was the first musical drumming machine one of the arcade games featured at Texas Gamer’s Lounge. 
The classic Pac-man can be found at Texas Gamer Lounge in the warehouse side of the arcade though this one claims to be the world’s largest Pac-man. 
Texas Gamer’s Lounge isn’t just an arcade, they have their own room dedicated to buying, selling and trading unwanted games. 
Texas Gamer’s Lounge has a whole room dedicated to the classic arcade game known as Pinball. Players can pull back a lever that launches a metal ball into the playing field under the glass shield. Players have to manipulate the movement of the ball by using the side buttons to move levers at the bottom of the playing field. 
The Terminator Salvation is one of the arcade games that sits in the darkened room to the left of the entrance to Texas Gamer’s Lounge. 
At Texas Gamers Lounge there are many different racing games, defiantly an arcade favorite. 
Racing games are an arcade favorite, Texas Gamer’s Lounge has a large variety. 
Texas Gamer’s Lounge isn’t all about stand still games, they have active dance arcade games over 10 years old! 
The first thing you see when entering in the large warehouse space is a live action Fruit Ninja, your iPhone app game come to virtual life.
