Retro Games Find a Home Downtown

Vault 66 Pinball has been offering Springfield residents a mix of classic and modern arcade games for about a month following the expansion of its downtown location.

The all-ages arcade at 409 E. Adams St. expanded Aug. 1 through a partnership between property owner Chris Nickell and the team at Dumb Records. The expansion doubled the size of Vault 66 and added a second room featuring games such as Pac-Man, Super Mario and Mortal Kombat II.

One wristband provides unlimited play at both Vault 66 and the arcade inside Dumb Records. The Vault 66 lineup includes modern Stern pinball machines, games from the 1990s and arcade favorites from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Featured games are also placed inside the building’s former bank vault.

The downtown arcade is part of a broader revival of pinball and retro gaming. New arcades across the country have combined vintage games with newer machines, giving longtime players a chance to revisit familiar favorites while introducing younger players to games that were once found in arcades, bowling alleys and other gathering places. Nostalgia and the social experience of playing games together have helped fuel the renewed interest.

“If you like our arcade at Dumb Records, you’re going to love the expanded space,” said Dumb Records co-owner Brian Galecki. “We’re committed to serving all ages of Springfield, and this collaboration has expanded the footprint of youth-friendly third space downtown tremendously. We’re excited for what the future holds with this collaboration.”

Plans for Vault 66 include monthly game rotations, tournament and league nights, arcade contests and private party rentals.

“This is the type of collaboration that happens downtown,” said DSI executive director Jay Shanle. “We’re happy to see this align with our resident-first approach. There’s a growing call for more family-friendly options and this type of growth answers that. We’re elated for both businesses – and as a parent, I can’t wait to bring my kiddos after our next visit to Kidzeum across the street.”

Vault 66 is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. It is closed Mondays.