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Clackamas CountyFood and DiningMolallaPop Culture

High Score Arcade, Press Start For Fun!

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Local arcade offers retro gaming and old fashioned fun

BUSINESS FEATURE: High Score Arcade
By Dennis McNabb, Active Media

It might be difficult to imagine now but in the late 70s and early 80s arcade gaming was one of the hottest trends on the market. At the height of its popularity in 1982, a whopping 13,000 arcades could be found dotting our country’s landscape (as opposed to just over 5,000 now). After only five short years, however, several emerging factors negatively impacted the industry and led to the Video Game Crash of 1983. Massive closures brought an end to the “Golden Era.” That said, arcades never entirely disappeared and there have even been a handful of resurgences over the years. While it is highly unlikely that the industry’s popularity will ever reach such heights as it did in its heyday, retro gaming arcades are proving to draw especially enthusiastic crowds eager to sink their quarters into those nostalgic games they grew up on. In the Molalla area, there is no one more prepared to deliver that old-school charm than High Score Arcade!

Owners Corinne and Kurt Thomas just opened up to the public back in August of 2024 and they absolutely live for the unadulterated joy they witness on people’s faces as they walk through their doors and “reconnect” with their favorite classic games. Kurt is a retired Army veteran with a penchant for purchasing old electronic devices and restoring them to sell. Arcade games were just one of the many items he enjoyed working on but after recognizing a scarcity in the local market for an entertainment venue that the whole family could enjoy, the seed of an idea was planted. He and Corinne discussed the idea of opening a video arcade, and after garnering support from the rest of their family (who staff the arcade alongside Kurt and Corinne), the seed sprouted and High Score Arcade became a reality.

This is not your average “small-town” arcade either! Boasting an evolving selection of over 90 games, there is literally something here for every gamer. Classics like Tron, Zaxxon, DigDug, and Pac-Man sit comfortably nestled in between pinball machines, coin pushers, cranes, Skee-Ball and many more. They have a delicious snack bar that serves a delightful mixture of tasty treats and also acts as a redemption counter (for ticket games). They also serve beer, wine, and a broad selection of mixed drinks! If you can’t find what you want to eat inside, the Cadillac Grille is parked just outside. A fantastic, locally-owned food truck, they offer a wider selection of mouth-watering dishes.

This endeavor is still in its infancy! Corinne and Kurt are incredibly excited to expand their square footage, add more games, add more entertainment, and add more fun, as business allows. They are already reserving the space for hosting birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, sporting event parties, and more. In the near future, they plan to have gaming tournaments, movie nights, and live music nights, but the sky is the limit! They are enthusiastic, warm, and welcoming people, so it’s only a matter of time before this business is a predominant fixture on the Molalla landscape. Keep abreast of their ongoing developments by following them on Facebook.

Great food, great atmosphere, and great entertainment – what else could you ask for? With a 5-star rating on Google, there is literally no place quite like High Score Arcade for a day of good, old-fashioned, wholesome, family fun!

High Score Arcade

High Score Arcade is located at 210 N. Molalla Ave.