DES MOINES, Wash. — Stepping into this arcade bar is like traveling back to the 1980s, to a world of arcade games. Waterland Arcade in the Marina district of Des Moines has everything from Pac-Man to air hockey to the owner's favorite — pinball machines. 

“Right now, in the arcade, we have almost 60 games, 20 are pinball,” said Waterland Arcade owner Jason Bliss. “Some of the titles are from the early '80s and some of them just came out.”

Many gamers come here to check out the collection of unique pinball machines. These machines involve hitting various lights, bumpers, ramps, and designs. This raises the question of why people like pinball so much.

"The ball is so dynamic, you don’t know what is going to happen to it, so it's that excitement," said Bliss. “There is this timeless quality to them and how they work with their limitations."

But if pinball is not your thing, there are plenty of other things to play and do here.

“This place is about the vibe, not just about games. It is about the music, the art, and the people,” said Bliss. “The other thing we do is karaoke on Tuesday nights.”

Waterland is always hosting special events, like DJ nights, pinball tournaments, karaoke and more.

You can even rent out the place — it can accommodate groups of 6 to 60 people, making it perfect for birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations and more.

The arcade is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. Prices are $15 per person; children under 13 pay $13 dollars, and kids under 4 are free. Everyone in the arcade gets unlimited games all day, including pinball.

So, stop by for some games and a cold drink!

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