Immerse Yourself in the Action: C.H.E Arcade Offers Bellevue's Latest Engaging Interactive Gaming Experience
Step foot into a bananas, vibrant world at Bellevue's C.H.E Arcade, a one-of-a-kind gaming haven you won't find anywhere else in the Greater Seattle area. This ain't no ordinary arcade, buddy - it's like stepping into a real-life, retro video game, all throughout accessible rooms that'll make you jump, run, shoot, and sweat like a beast!
Kids and grown-ups alike will go ape over the excitement and interactivity C.H.E Arcade offers – one hour of pure adrenaline-pumping fun that leaves you hankering for more. My little goobers, ages 10 and 8, and I had ourselves one hell of an adventure, and let me tell you, we were making memories that'll last a lifetime.
Located in an under-the-radar, industrial building right off Route 520, near the Burgermaster in Bellevue, C.H.E Arcade's low-key exterior belies the epic gaming wonderland that lies within. Parking's free, and there's even a little playground on the way in for the kids to burn off some steam before or after their arcade session. Neat, right?
The moment you walk through the door, you're greeted by a dark lobby, glowing with neon accents and a colossal TV screen casting vibrant waves of colors across the room. There are lockers for rent, some vending machines, and arcade games scattered about. A massive, floral butterfly against the wall with some cozy chairs in front provided the perfect backdrop for some family snaps.
A weekday afternoon visit found the joint all to ourselves, but don’t count on that happening on the weekends – this place gets PACKED! Simply book a time slot in advance, or pop in as a walk-in if you're feeling spontaneous. Keep in mind, the staff will need you to fill out a waiver before you can get all up in that gaming glory – but you can do it ahead of time to save time. Fitted with electronic wristbands, we dove headfirst into an hour of interactive gameplay.
Seven unique rooms, each offering a touchscreen just outside the door to scan your wristband, await your gaming prowess. Each screen displays your name, score, and a list of game options. Friendly, knowledgeable guides (these folks have serious patience) are on hand to help you pick out the most popular games to try – and with over 500 game selections, there's something for everyone!
Most rooms offer a choice between competitive or cooperative games – whatever tickles your fancy! Games range from one to three minutes, keeping the excitement level high and the adrenaline pumping. Now, some of the games have a learning curve, and younger players might struggle with the more complex ones – my 8-year-old had a tough time understanding some games, but she still had a blast overall.
Our absolute go-to game was in Room 2, known as the Eye Room. Timed races to hit as many letters of the alphabet before the time ran out? Heck yes! We raced to hit our color in alphabetical order, and the player who hit the most letters won. Talk about a sore loser (coughmomcough).
Another thrilling game in Room 2 had us playing a hide-and-seek style game where we had to dash behind a pole to avoid a giant glowing red eye – seriously intense stuff! My easily-spooked kiddos decided one round was more than enough, but the rest of us couldn't get enough.
Our sore arms the next day were a testament to the baseball-style games in Room 7. We tossed foam balls at colored targets, attempting to hit our assigned color before it changed, or competing to hit the most targets in our color to win the game. This game was all about speed and precision, and I'll be honest – my kid whooped my butt.
The Pixel Room, Room 1, and Room 3 offered a variety of games, both cooperative and competitive - my personal favorite was the "floor is lava" challenge, where we had to avoid touching red squares as they cascaded down the floor at increasing speeds. Talk about a wicked workout!
Room 6 offered basketball-style games, giving us a competitive shooting challenge, while Room 4 discovered our inner Pac-Man controllers, as we took command at interactive stations equipped with arrows, colored controls, and foot-stomping pads. Room 8, the Color Room, offered a more relaxed experience, challenging our observation skills: Among the sea of buttons, we had to find the one that was just a shade different from the rest.
And let's not forget the Laser Room, Room 5, which remains under construction – but once it's up and running, expect a real-life spy mission, complete with lasers crisscrossing the space and challenges to sneak, dodge, and weave your way through like a katana-wielding ninja!
Explore the arcade floor at your leisure, dipping in and out of games that tickle your fancy. On busier days, you might have to wait for a room to open up, but with each session lasting only a few minutes, the wait won't feel like torture. Speaking of torment, prepare to sweat like a pig – these games require some serious effort and agility! Closed-toe shoes are required, and be sure to wear cool, comfortable clothes – you might want to hit the gym beforehand to prepare!
The lobby offers restrooms, and snack and drink vending machines for a quick refuel between games. No food or beverages are allowed in the gaming rooms, but there's a water fountain to help you stay hydrated between levels. FYI, kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
I can't help but imagine how epic this place would be as an epic birthday party venue for older kids or teens – they do host parties, but pricing isn't fixed, so you'll need to call for custom quotes based on your group's needs. Score a better price on weekdays, y'all!
If you're looking for a quality family outing that gets everyone moving and shaking, and working up a decent sweat – all while having a blast, C.H.E Arcade is your ticket to an unforgettable experience. Just one more go, kids – let's do this!
Cost:- A regular play pass costs $34.99 per person for one hour of play.- A plus pass costs $40.99 per person, and includes one hour of play, a locker rental, bottle of water, free tokens, and a gift.
Hours:- C.H.E arcade is open daily: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
Age recommendation: The arcade is recommended for ages 6 and older.
Additional info:- Parking is free.- No food or beverages are allowed in the game rooms, but snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the lobby.- Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing.
If you go to C.H.E Arcade ...
Location: C.H.E Arcade is located at 3003 Northup Way #100 in Bellevue.
Cost: A regular play pass costs $34.99 per person for one hour of play. A plus pass costs $40.99 per person, and includes one hour of play, a locker rental, bottle of water, free tokens and a gift.
Hours: C.H.E arcade is open daily: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
Age recommendation: The arcade is recommended for ages 6 and older.
Additional info: Parking is free. No food or beverages are allowed in the game rooms, but snacks and drinks are available for purchase in the lobby. Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing.
- C.H.E Arcade offers a myriad of activities suitable for everyone, from children to teenagers, even adults, making it an excellent choice for family-dynamics and relationships.
- The arcade provides a vibrant, retro gaming experience that appeals to children, including babies, and even the older 'tween' and teen demographic, adding a fun twist to entertainment and lifestyle choices.
- Families can engage in learning opportunities disguised as games, offering an innovative approach to education in the family-dynamics context.
- Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the physically active nature of the games, using their agility and precision, fostering healthy competition and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
- The unique environment and game selection at C.H.E Arcade contribute to creating lasting memories and strengthening relationships within the family.
- Beyond the gaming experience, C.H.E Arcade serves as an ideal venue for birthdays and parties, catering to the needs of kids, teenagers, and even adults, enhancing the entertainment sector in the Greater Seattle area.
