The concept of an “arcade” hearkens back to a time when boardwalk amusement spots populated shorefront attractions and weekend getaway locales, with U.S. cities like Santa Monica and Santa Cruz on the west coast and Atlantic City, NJ and Long Beach, NY on the east coast always drawing throngs of adventure-seekers in the summer months like moths to a flame. As time went on, the term arcade became synonymous with pinball machines, standalone electronic video games and, eventually, motion-enhanced simulators that would define the 1980s, in particular – if you were a child of the ‘80s, you know how many quarters you spent arcade-hopping on your Schwinn.

Indeed, Pac-Man, Tetris, Space Invaders and Street Fighter paved the way for all manner of high-tech entertainment we enjoy in the “arcades” of the current time, and in this roundup, we’re going to cover some of the most talked-about attractions in Woodland Hills. From Sandbox VR to Off the Wall Gamezone, you’re guaranteed a fun night out with the family at any of these exciting spots.

Bowlero Woodland Hills, located at 23130 Ventura Boulevard, is so much more than a bowling alley, offering WH locals a deluxe arcade that features state-of-the-art video games and tons of old-school classics. Play your favorites, discover new favorites and enjoy popular ones like Jurassic Park Arcade, Mario Kart, World’s Largest Pac-Man and many more. Load up your arcade card with credits, grab the controls and have a blast. While you’re there, don’t hesitate to check out Bowlero’s sports bar, where you can watch the big game on the alley’s high definition flat-screen displays while enjoying a craft beer, glass of wine or an array of signature cocktails.

Fun Factory, located at 6600 Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park’s Westfield Topanga, is a classic arcade for the whole family, offering video and amusement (skeeball, basketball shooting, air hockey and more), games and even kiddie rides. Since 1977, Fun Factory family entertainment centers have been custom-crafting fun for families throughout Hawaii and across the Continental U.S., its founders taking great pride in creating an exciting environment where families and friends can share good times together. Whether it’s playing the latest and most popular video games, winning tickets on a myriad of prize redemption games, selecting a prize from the hundreds of items on display at the Prize Gallery or participating in the many promotional activities, you can count on Fun Factory to provide the very best in…fun.

Off the Wall Gamezone, located at 6051 De Soto Avenue, is often dubbed “Los Angeles’ most complete family fun center,” offering a plethora of incredibly engaging attractions such as the Ultimate Air Park, Spin Zone Bumper Cars, Ropes Course, Rock Walls and Laser Tag, all in addition to a fully-equipped arcade with prizes. Step inside the arcade and be rewarded with endless hours of fun, from next-level gaming available only at Off the Wall Gamezone to the newest, latest and greatest interactive attractions. While there, eat, drink and socialize with the latest televised sports events playing in the Rec Room, with beer, wine and a vast menu of food items waiting to delight all tastes.

Cyber City Esports Center Northridge, located at 17007 Chatsworth Street in Granada Hills, is the perfect Woodland Hills spot in which to share the modern gaming experience with your kids, so if it’s lifelong memories you’re after, look no further. All the workers are friendly and hospitable, and everything – including monitors and PCs – are thoroughly sanitized regularly; what’s more, this “PC café,” as it is known, boasts plenty of room and a great selection of snacks while you play. From fresh computers that run fast and don’t stutter to the aforementioned attentive staff, Cyber City Esports Center Northridge is a place everyone should check out when fun is on the roster.

Sandbox VR, located at Westfield Topanga and The Village, 6316 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Suite 1120, is the world’s most advanced virtual reality entity with locations throughout the U.S., the socially-immersive gaming experience combining full-body motion capture and high-quality haptics to provide unprecedented realism and complete immersion not possible with home VR systems or other location-based VR venues. Groups of up to six of your closest friends will be transported into your own action film where you can freely roam the VR space together, exploring exclusive virtual worlds while you rely on each other to succeed in games specifically designed as social experiences – indeed, whether it’s a journey to space or surviving a zombie ambush, there’s something about a thrilling Sandbox experience that transforms your relationships. Event and party bookings available.

Why are arcades still so popular in American culture? Those who have played arcade games before know how addicting they can be; they are hard and competitive, and no two games are ever the same. Therein lies a big part of the appeal of arcades, and the examples in this roundup are sure to challenge even the most hardcore of family members.