Kingpin Review 2024 – The King is dead, long live the KINGPIN! (Crown Melbourne)

With the school holidays now in full force in Victoria Australia, we were given an opportunity to check out Kingpin at Crown Melbourne and things have certainly changed since I last visited this entertainment venue for people gamers of all ages. Whether you’re 5, 15, 20 or 50 and beyond, Kingpin has a plethora of games that will resonate with you, your family, your friends and your colleagues at this all-ages venue.

As mentioned, it’s been awhile since I’ve visited Kingpin and just like Mario, it’s received a true Super Mario power-up that incorporates some of the latest VR technology as you face off against dinosaurs with King Kong, including classics such as the sack toss or coin pushers. Kingpin is also split into two sections with that upper part of the venue being the dining area, bar and bowling, whereas the lower level has all the gaming machines you could possibly think of – two life sizes for horse racing? You betcha!

Want to try your luck at winning a giant Care Bear or a Pac-Man with the claw machine? There are way too many choices as there are with the coin pushers with the Wizard of Oz machines being a true hit with guests. Want to get physical? Why not try your prowess with the boxing punch game or channel your inner Thor (aka Chris Hemsworth) with the strongman game as you strike the circle with a red Mjollnir-like hammer to become the top high striker for the day.

Arcades arcades and more arcades – there’s more arcade games than you can poke a stick with from car games to motorbike games, VR games and lots of other immersive games as you get yourself lost in all this gaming goodness. There’s dancing, there’s drums and there’s even axe throwing (yes I kid you not), you are really spoiled for choice when it comes to your gaming needs.

All this gaming love does come at a cost, however Kingpin (across Australia) have a special offer for the school holidays called the Ultimate Holidays Pass that for $55 per person, gives you $100 value. This includes 2 activities of choice (Bowling, Darts, Laser Tag, Escape Rooms or Karaoke), a $20 food/drink voucher plus $40 to use on the arcades. To find out more about the specials at Kingpin, please visit https://www.kingpinplay.com/en-au/school-holidays. To use the machines, once your Kingpin card is loaded up, you simply tap and play!

If you’re feeling hungry like a King (or Queen), the restaurant has some amazing meals such as the The Smo’King Signature Burger ($28), Bang Bang Chicken Salad ($22) or if you want to indulge in something sweet, the Biscoff Tiramisu ($11) or something more indulgent, the The Rock Shake ($16) which comes with Chocolate ice cream, nutella fudge, crushed hazelnuts, choc wafers, cream and Fererro Rocher. Indulgent like a King… or Queen!

When it’s time to go, you can also visit the Kingpin store where you “cash-in” your tickets that can then be used to buy a wide variety of items from toys, puzzles and of course way too much candy. You also don’t have to use all your tickets either as you can use them on another visit to Kingpin. Also supporting the experience are the amazing staff who are friendly and very helpful when it comes to giving you a hand.

Final Thoughts?

The King is dead, long live the KINGPIN! My family and I loved our time at Kingpin with all the fun we had. There is literally way too much available for guests and while some of the games were a bit of a miss, most hit the target perfectly which is what an arcade is all about. Oh… there is also a handful of crowns plus a giant throne at the entrance where you can take your photo as a King, Queen or group of Kings and Queens which is a nice touch to arrange a great memory of your visit.

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Thanks to Kingpin Melbourne for supporting our visit and making this article happen.

For more information, please visit https://www.kingpinplay.com/en-au/