Over 300 arcade games sit under one roof here, and almost all of them run on free play. No tokens. No card swipes. Just one flat admission and a whole day to button-mash.
The building used to be a supermarket. Now it holds what’s billed as the world’s largest collection of Mortal Kombat games. I can’t imagine a better use for old grocery aisles.
There’s more tucked between the cabinets, too. You’ll find twenty-two pinball tables, a Japanese rhythm game zone, and a life-sized Stripe from Gremlins watching the chaos.
And this all sits in central Louisiana, not some giant coastal city. How long could you really last before your thumbs wave a white flag?
Military Highway Leads To The High Scores
Wayback’s Arcade is at 1305 Military Highway in Pineville, Louisiana, across the Red River from Alexandria. Head toward Pineville’s commercial stretch along Military Highway.
The arcade is housed in a large entertainment venue along the highway, not in a downtown mall. Look for the Wayback’s Arcade storefront as you approach the listed address.
Use the venue’s marked customer entrance and available designated parking. Once inside, the admission counter is the starting point for the free-play game floor.
Fighting Game Fans Should Probably Stretch Their Wrists First
Six setups. That’s how many Mortal Kombat stations fill this arcade, making up what’s billed as the world’s largest collection of the series.
Fatalities aside, the Street Fighter lineup is just as wild. The arcade claims the most Street Fighter titles in one location.
One standout is Ultra Street Fighter IV on a dual-screen Vewlix cabinet. Players sit across from each other, which keeps the trash talk friendly and face-to-face.
Two big 32-inch showcase cabinets add even more muscle. One runs Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and the other runs SVC Chaos.
For anyone who grew up fighting for a turn at the mall arcade, this lineup feels like a reward. You can finally play every version without a line of quarters stacked on the screen.
Newcomers shouldn’t feel scared off, either. Free play means losing ten rounds in a row costs you exactly nothing.
Bring a friend if you can. These games shine brightest with someone sitting right beside you, or across from you on that Vewlix.
Just maybe agree on a rematch limit before you start. Otherwise, dinner could get very late.
Rhythm Lovers Get A Slice Of Japan Right Here In Central Louisiana
Tapping, sliding, and spinning to music is a whole sport in Japanese arcades. Wayback’s brought that energy home with Louisiana’s largest imported Japanese rhythm arena.
The lineup includes WACCA, CHUNITHM, and SOUND VOLTEX. These aren’t games you usually stumble across in American malls.
WACCA uses a ring-shaped touch screen that wraps around you. CHUNITHM has a long touch slider plus air sensors, so your hands move above the panel too.
SOUND VOLTEX mixes buttons with twisty knobs. It looks a bit like a DJ booth that got very competitive.
Rhythm games reward practice more than luck. Free play makes that practice painless, since you can repeat a tough song as many times as your arms allow.
Start with easier difficulty settings, even if the higher levels look tempting. Your fingers will thank you after the third song.
For players across the region, finding these machines can be tough. Having them in one Louisiana arcade makes a road trip feel pretty reasonable.
Classic music games sit around the floor too, including Guitar Hero and dance-style machines. Plenty of ways to move, no matter your rhythm level.
Twenty-Two Pinball Tables Are Ready To Test Your Flipper Timing
Flashing lights, clacking flippers, and that sweet bell when you hit a bonus. Wayback’s Arcade & 8-Bit Pizza Parlor lines up twenty-two pinball tables for exactly that feeling.
Pinball is a game you can’t fully copy on a phone. The ball has real weight, and every table plays a little differently.
That variety is the best part. Moving from one machine to the next feels like switching to a brand-new puzzle.
Beginners can pick up a simple trick fast. Try trapping the ball on a raised flipper, then aim your shot instead of flailing.
Nudging the table gently can save a ball too. Push too hard, though, and the machine may call a tilt and end your turn.
Kids often love pinball because the action is so loud and bright. Grown-ups love it because it brings back memories of bowling alleys and old game rooms.
With free play, nobody has to ration turns. You can chase a high score for twenty minutes without spending a dime more.
Pinball fits nicely between rounds of fighting games. It gives your thumbs a break while your reflexes keep working.
Light Guns, Steering Wheels, And A Pool Hall Keep Everyone Moving
Not everyone wants to sit at a joystick all day. Luckily, this arcade has plenty of ways to stand up, aim, and steer.
Light gun shooters let you blast targets with plastic pistols and rifles. They’re easy to learn, so they work great for mixed groups of kids and adults.
Driving simulators give you a wheel, pedals, and a seat. Racing a buddy side by side brings out everyone’s inner speed demon pretty quickly.
Then there’s the pool hall. Wayback’s offers the region’s only commercial pool hall for guests under twenty-one.
That’s a big deal for teens. Most pool halls aren’t built with younger players in mind, so this gives them a real spot to practice.
Air hockey and skee-ball style games add more friendly competition. Those are perfect for settling arguments about who’s buying dessert.
Families with little ones get help too. Step stools are available so shorter players can reach the controls.
Try mixing up your stations every so often. Switching from sitting games to standing ones keeps energy up and makes a long visit feel fresh.
Wander Past Museum Cases And A Gremlin Who Never Sleeps
Stripe, the mischievous gremlin with the wild mohawk, stands life-sized inside this arcade. Fair warning: don’t feed him after midnight, even on late Fridays.
He isn’t alone. Life-sized movie displays pop up around the building, giving the place a fun pop-culture museum feel.
Glass showcases hold bygone technology from past decades. Old gadgets and gaming gear sit on display like treasures from a time capsule.
These cases make great conversation starters for families. Parents get to explain what their old devices did, and kids get to look confused.
The arcade was created by local hobbyists and arcade enthusiasts. You can feel that passion in the details, from the artwork to the collectibles.
Plan a few minutes just to look around between games. It’s easy to rush from cabinet to cabinet and miss the fun stuff on the walls.
Photos are a big part of the appeal here too. A snapshot with Stripe makes a pretty great souvenir.
Want something to take home? Merchandise is available on-site through QR codes, and online as well, so the nostalgia doesn’t stop at the door.
Pizza Named After Video Games Just Makes Sense Here
Game on, appetite. The 8-Bit Pizza Parlor sits right inside the arcade, and many pizza names tip their hat to classic video games.
The biggest pie is the 16-inch Donkey Kong. It fits the name, since it’s built for sharing with a hungry crew.
Four pizza sizes are on the menu. A low-carb cauliflower crust option is available too, which is a nice touch for different diets.
Wings get special treatment. The kitchen skips deep fryers and serves 100% oven-baked wings, tossed in ten different flavors.
Other menu picks include corn dog combos, breadsticks, and stuffed mozzarella logs. Snackers have plenty of options between rounds.
Here’s a sweet perk. A No Admission dining policy means you can order food without paying the arcade entry fee.
That’s handy for a parent who just wants a slice while the kids play. It also makes a quick lunch stop easy.
Can’t stay? Online ordering is available through DoorDash and Grubhub. Your Donkey Kong pizza can travel without you climbing any ladders.
Weekday Deals Make Return Trips Very Easy To Justify
Lunch breaks just got a serious upgrade. The weekday All You Can Eat Pizza Lunch Buffet runs Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Want to play first and eat later? Just let the staff at the window know, and they can hold your buffet plates until you’re ready.
Specials stretch across the week too. College Mondays bring 50% off for students, which is great news for anyone balancing classes and fun.
Tuesdays offer buy-one-get-one-free deals. That’s the perfect excuse to drag a friend along for a rematch.
Frequent players can grab a monthly membership. It’s built for people who already know they’ll keep coming back.
Special events add even more variety. Trivia nights and holiday-themed events give regulars something new to look forward to.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday stretch until midnight, while Sunday opens at 1 PM and closes at 10 PM.
Check the schedule before heading out. Matching your visit to a special can make a great day even better on the budget.
Birthdays, Team Outings, And Easy Directions Seal The Deal
Finding it is the easy part. Wayback’s Arcade & 8-Bit Pizza Parlor sits at 1305 Military Highway, Pineville, Louisiana 71360.
The building started life as a supermarket. Local arcade fans turned it into a gaming destination that opened in February 2020.
It celebrated its fifth anniversary in February 2025. Not bad for a place that once sold groceries.
Parties are a big part of the fun. The arcade hosts birthday celebrations, team-building events, and other group gatherings.
Picture planning made simple: games, pizza, and wings all in one spot. Nobody has to drive across town between cake and entertainment.
Team-building here beats another conference room meeting by a mile. Coworkers can bond over Mortal Kombat, though someone may need to apologize afterward.
Pineville sits right across the river from Alexandria in the middle of Louisiana. That central location makes it a reasonable drive from many parts of the state.
Planning a group visit? Reach out ahead of time to talk through party options. A little planning keeps the focus on high scores and slices instead of logistics.