Mortal Kombat, Ninja Turtles and Street Fighter? Mario Kart, Smash Brothers and Golden Eye?
A pinball revolution has hit Australia, and Ms Bartronica have come to the call, with all the above and more on offer with a combination of pinball machines and affordable drinks right in the heart of Geelong.
Josh Egan, co-owner of Melbourne game havens Bartronica and Pinball Paradise, bought a slice of retro gaming, along with tasty cocktails to Ryrie Street around 12 months ago, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
On entry, you are greeted by something unlike anything else regional Victoria has to offer – a wall of arcade machines, with the latest addition being Time Crisis II proving to be a big hit. How ‘gnarly’ would it be to revisit the days when you would save your pennies to go and play the four player arcade Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but have the money to complete the bloody thing? Well the dream is a reality here!
With nearly all games being only $1, it really is a step back to the 90’s! But now, you can drink whilst enjoying the gaming experience, especially with $6 Pints for happy hour from 4-6, the ever popular Espresso Martini, well-priced Furphys and Coronas and a vast selection of spirits. This is the perfect place to start the night, or simply continue the fun. If you are on the hungry side, you can get food delivered from the mighty Johnny Burger as well so no need to leave your position.
For me though, the highlight was the pinball machines! An avid player in my youth, I regularly visited Bendigo arcades such as Vibes, Uncle Sams, Rechters and The Hall of Revolution. The first pinball I really got into was ‘Time Warp’, back in 84 at The Golden Vine Hotel. Over the years, the likes of Indiana Jones, The Twilight Zone, Guns N Roses, The Addams Family, KISS and many more gobbled up plenty of my money. There’s just something about knocking down those targets, hitting that silver ball up the ramps, or seeing an extra ball icon light up that gets the blood flowing.
Before I left, I just had have a second go at the latest addition, a Ghostbuster pinball – boy does this thing light up! Trapped under that glass, Slimer and The Marshmallow Man are waiting for you to hit the right targets to reveal themselves for a new challenge. Sitting right next to Ghostbusters, is the hard to find Back to the Future pinball, and a couple of classics, including the ever popular Pin-Bot. All absolutely fun to play in their own right. I had to play all of them after getting my arse whooped by Sub Zero. Sorry, no “Lui Kang Wins” for me (sorry if you don’t understand that last line!)
With theme based trivia nights on Wednesdays, Console Tournaments on Thursdays, function space available and an ever-changing selection of games, things never remain the same as Ms Bartronica aim to keep it fresh and exciting for the patrons. One visit is never enough!
There is nothing like the real thing, and Ms Bartronica deliver that in spades.
Where: 159 Ryrie St, Geelong
When: Wednesday to Saturday 4pm – 1am
Ph: (03) 5221 3725
Site: www.facebook.com/msbartronica
Written by Glenn Lynch
