All those losers who just buy their sponges at the grocery store finally have a reason to go to Tarpon Springs: Starting Oct. 3, the enclave of Greek immigrants will also be home to one of the most impressive classic video game collections in the United States.
The Replay Amusement Museum will feature over 100 restored classic stand-up games and pinball machines, and enthusiasts will recognize the careful curation that has assembled many of the most respected, beloved, obscure, and off-the-wall machines ever produced. That includes classics like Super Off-Road and Marble Madness, but also strange ducks like the combination pinball and video experiment Baby Pac-Man and the freakishly huge "Hercules" game, which lets four players whack a cue ball around the 18-square-foot playing field.
The project's website is a marvel in itself, featuring detailed synopses of the museum's holdings, including obscure titles like the Cirqus Voltaire pinball table and more modern standbys like Street Fighter 4. There are also a few less detailed teasers, like the empty profile for this mysterious homemade Minecraft Arcade Edition.
Replay may end up being one of the best entertainment bangs for your buck in the Bay, classic or modern — all games will be set in free-play mode, and an all-day, all-you-can-play adult pass will run only $13.
Local pinball and game aficionados are more than a little excited about the space, which will kick off with a grand opening celebration Oct. 3rd-5th at the 119 Tarpon Avenue location. There's heavy chatter on Facebook of a pre-opening parking lot encampment for those who want to be the first in the door.