I’ve spent over a decade restoring classic cabinets and setting up gaming spaces. And I can tell you that the best arcades I’ve ever experienced weren’t on busy street corners.
They were underground.
You’ve probably heard whispers about subterranean arcades. Maybe you’ve seen photos online and wondered what makes them different from the arcade at your local mall.
Here’s the thing: underground arcades aren’t just regular gaming spaces that happen to be below street level. They’re something else entirely.
The atmosphere changes when you descend those stairs. The sound design works differently. Even the way people interact with games shifts when you’re in a space carved out beneath the city.
I’ve visited dozens of these places and helped design a few myself. I know what separates a cramped basement with some machines from a true subterranean gaming haven.
This guide covers everything that makes underground arcades special. You’ll learn about the design challenges (ventilation is trickier than you’d think), the game curation strategies that work best in these spaces, and how to find the hidden gems in your area.
At undergarcade, we cover gaming from every angle. We’ve been inside more arcade setups than most people know exist.
Whether you’re curious about visiting one or dreaming about creating your own below-ground gaming space, you’ll walk away understanding what makes these places tick.
What Exactly is a Subterranean Arcade Establishment?
Let me clear something up right away.
A subterranean arcade isn’t just some guy’s basement with a few old machines and a mini fridge. I see this confusion all the time and it drives me nuts.
When someone says they have an arcade in their basement, that’s cool. But it’s not what we’re talking about here.
A real subterranean arcade is a commercial space. It’s designed from the ground up (or down, I guess) to create an experience you can’t get anywhere else.
Here’s what actually makes these places different.
First, they’re literally underground. Below street level. And that matters more than you’d think because it creates this isolated feeling. The outside world just disappears when you walk down those stairs.
The atmosphere hits different too. We’re talking neon lights that glow against dark walls. Blacklights that make everything pop. The kind of lighting that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into Tron or something (but without the whole getting trapped in a computer thing).
But here’s what really sets undergarcade establishments apart.
They’re built around community. You’re not just playing games. You’re hanging out with people who get it. Who understand why spending three hours perfecting a speedrun isn’t weird.
The game selection tells you everything. Most subterranean arcades mix classic cabinets with modern indie titles you won’t find at your local Dave & Buster’s. It’s curated, not just whatever’s popular.
And yeah, there’s that speakeasy vibe everyone talks about. Being underground makes these places feel exclusive. Like you’re in on something most people don’t know about.
That’s the whole point.
The Allure of the Underground: Why Build Below Ground Level?
Most arcade owners obsess over street-level visibility.
They want those big windows. That foot traffic. That prime real estate everyone can see from the sidewalk.
But here’s what they’re missing.
Going underground isn’t settling for less desirable space. It’s choosing a better experience.
Some people will tell you that basement locations are death sentences for retail. They’ll say customers won’t walk downstairs and that you need natural light to feel welcoming.
I’ve heard it a hundred times.
But arcades aren’t normal retail. The rules are different when you’re building an experience instead of just selling products.
Sound is your first win.
Arcades are LOUD. Pinball machines clacking, fighting games blaring, groups of friends shouting over each other. Put that at street level and you’re fighting noise complaints or spending thousands on soundproofing that never quite works.
Below ground? The noise stays contained. Your neighbors stay happy and your customers get better sound quality inside (which matters more than you’d think when you’re trying to hear game audio).
Then there’s the lighting.
No windows means total control. You can make undergarcade spaces feel however you want. Neon everywhere. Blacklight zones. Themed areas that shift from retro to futuristic.
Natural light kills that vibe. It washes out screens and makes it harder to create the atmosphere that keeps people playing for hours instead of minutes.
Here’s the part nobody talks about.
Walking down stairs into an arcade feels different. It’s like finding a speakeasy or stumbling into a secret base. That descent creates separation from the regular world above.
You’re not just visiting a store. You’re entering somewhere else entirely.
Plus, basement commercial space in cities? Usually cheaper than street level. Sometimes WAY cheaper.
Blueprint for a Below-Ground Classic: Key Design Considerations
You can’t just throw a bunch of arcade cabinets in a basement and call it a day.
Trust me, I’ve seen people try. And the results? Let’s just say sweaty gamers abandoning ship after twenty minutes isn’t the vibe you’re going for.
Building a proper undergarcade takes planning. Real planning. Not the “I’ll figure it out as I go” kind that leaves you with extension cords snaking across the floor like some kind of electrical hazard obstacle course.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room. Or rather, the lack of air in the room.
Ventilation is Non-Negotiable
Your basement arcade will get hot. Fast.
Pack thirty people into an underground space with machines pumping out heat like tiny furnaces and you’ve basically created a sauna. Except nobody paid for the spa experience and everyone’s trying to nail a high score on Street Fighter.
You need serious HVAC. Not a box fan pointed at the corner. Not “we’ll just open the door upstairs.” An actual climate control system that can handle the load.
I’m talking air circulation that keeps things comfortable even when your rhythm game section is packed and those Dance Dance Revolution pads are getting a workout. (Because nothing kills the mood faster than feeling like you’re gaming in a swamp.)
Strategic Lighting Design
Here’s where it gets fun.
Darkness is cool and all. Very atmospheric. But if people can’t find the bathroom or keep walking into Ms. Pac-Man, you’ve got a problem.
Use lighting to guide players through your space. Create pathways with subtle floor lights or LED strips. Highlight your feature games with overhead spots. Maybe give your retro corner that warm amber glow while your modern section gets cooler tones.
Think about zones. Your bar area needs different lighting than your competitive fighting game setup. And that VR corner? Definitely needs its own thing going on.
The undergarcade tutorial guide by undergrowthgames covers some of this in more detail if you want to go deeper.
Layout and Player Flow
Ever been to an arcade where you can’t move without bumping into someone’s chair? Yeah, don’t be that place.
Space matters. Especially for motion games and VR setups where people are swinging their arms around like they’re conducting an invisible orchestra.
Arrange your cabinets so there’s natural flow. Create social pockets where people can hang out between games without blocking traffic. Leave breathing room around popular machines because crowds will form.
And for the love of all that’s holy, give rhythm game players enough space. Nobody wants an elbow to the face mid-combo.
Power and Infrastructure
This is the part that separates dreamers from doers.
You need outlets. Lots of them. Professionally installed ones, not daisy-chained power strips that would make an electrician weep.
Each cabinet pulls serious power. Multiply that by however many machines you’re running and you’re looking at substantial electrical demands. Plan it right from the start or you’ll be dealing with tripped breakers every Friday night.
Cable management isn’t sexy but it’s necessary. Route your wiring properly. Use cable channels. Keep everything off the floor where people walk.
Because the only thing worse than a hot arcade is a hot arcade where someone just ate it tripping over a power cord.
Curating the Perfect Game Collection for an Underground Space
I’ll never forget the first time I walked into a basement arcade in Minneapolis.
The owner had crammed 40 machines into a space meant for maybe 20. Half of them were broken. The other half were all fighting games.
It was a mess.
But it taught me something important. You can’t just throw machines into a room and call it an arcade. You need a plan.
Building Your Foundation
Start with the classics. I know that sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how many people skip this step.
Pac-Man and Galaga aren’t just nostalgia bait. They’re the games that make someone’s girlfriend actually want to stay (instead of checking her phone in the corner). Street Fighter II brings in the competitive crowd who’ll spend hours and actually buy drinks.
These games cast a wide net. That’s what you want when you’re starting out.
The Dedicated Community Builders
Here’s where people usually mess up.
They think more classics equals more success. But if every game in your undergarcade is from the 80s, you’re just a museum.
I added Dance Dance Revolution to my collection three years ago. Best decision I made. Suddenly I had regulars showing up every Tuesday night just to play rhythm games. They brought friends. Those friends stayed for other stuff.
Taiko no Tatsujin does the same thing. These modern and niche titles create your hardcore base. The people who come back week after week.
The Analog Advantage
Not everything needs a screen.
I added a pinball machine last year and it changed the whole vibe. People who don’t even like video games will play pinball for an hour. Skee-Ball tournaments became our most popular monthly event.
Air hockey? That’s your secret weapon for dates and casual hangouts.
These analog games give people a break from screens while keeping them in your space.
Keep It Moving
The biggest mistake I see is treating an arcade like it’s finished.
It’s never finished.
I rotate out 2-3 games every quarter. Sometimes a cabinet just isn’t hitting. Sometimes people get bored. That’s fine. Swap it out.
And maintenance isn’t optional. I spend every Monday morning checking buttons, cleaning screens, and testing coin mechanisms. Broken games kill your reputation faster than anything else.
Your collection should feel alive. Always changing just enough to stay interesting.
More Than Just a Basement
You came here to understand what makes a subterranean arcade different.
Now you know it’s not just about throwing games in a basement and calling it a day.
These spaces work because they nail three things: location below ground, atmosphere that pulls you in, and games worth playing. When you combine controlled lighting with solid sound isolation and the right mix of cabinets, you get real escapism.
That’s the challenge most places miss. They think games alone create the experience.
They don’t.
The environment does just as much work as the joysticks and buttons. A well-designed subterranean arcade becomes a place where the outside world actually disappears for a while.
Here’s what I want you to do: Find a local subterranean arcade and see this for yourself. Pay attention to how the space makes you feel when you walk in. Notice the lighting choices and how sound behaves in the room.
If you already have a favorite gaming spot, look at it through this lens now. You’ll start seeing the design decisions that make it work (or don’t).
undergarcade exists to help you get more out of your gaming experiences. We cover what matters so you can play smarter and appreciate the craft behind these spaces.
The magic is real when someone builds it right. Mobile Updates Undergarcade. Undergarcade Hacks.
