Springfield welcomed a nostalgic entertainment venue on Friday, Oct. 9, when Electric Hippo Arcade opened its doors at 402 Main St. The downtown location, housed in the former Pegasus Playhouse building, features a curated collection of classic pinball cabinets and retro arcade games assembled over years by local entrepreneurs Shylee and Ty Buchanan.
Family‑focused fun with a modern twist
While the arcade showcases beloved titles such as Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, and the 1995 Theater of Magic pinball machine, it also offers newer attractions like the 2015 Star Wars Battle Pod and a beer‑pouring cabinet‑style game called Perfect Pour. Visitors can load money onto tap cards instead of using quarters, a change that reduces jammed‑coin issues and allows the Buchanan team to run specials such as half‑price games during happy hour.
“We have some newer games here, but most of it is the old‑school games,” said Shylee Buchanan during an early‑access event on Thursday, Oct. 8. Local residents echoed the sentiment. “I was excited that they had such a good mix of old‑school games and newer stuff,” said 32‑year‑old Springfield resident Michaela Starr, who tried Skee‑Ball and the immersive Star Wars Battle Pod. Her friend Taylor Rae highlighted the newly installed Addams Family pinball machine, adding, “It’s great to have it on this side of town. I’ll be back many times.”
Community‑driven entrepreneurship
The Buchanan couple, both originally from Eugene, described the arcade as a “family affair.” Over the years they amassed a personal collection of pinball cabinets and arcade machines, eventually outgrowing their private storage space. “It just got too big, and we didn’t know what to do with it,” Ty Buchanan explained. “We were either going to sell them all, or we were going to do this. This seemed more fun.”
In addition to the games, Electric Hippo Arcade offers beer, cider and seltzer for purchase, with cup holders built into each pinball machine. Rather than operating a full kitchen, the owners encourage patrons to bring food from nearby eateries such as Planktown Brewing, where tables and chairs have been set up for a comfortable dining experience.
Local impact and future plans
Opening a locally owned arcade provides an alternative to national chains like Round One or Dave & Buster’s, reinforcing Springfield’s growing downtown revitalization. “There’s a place for the big chains. They’re amazing, but we don’t have the capital to do anything like that,” Ty Buchanan said. “We wanted to do something that was more local, and we found this perfect building right where everything’s kind of coming back and reigniting.”
The venue also includes a rentable VIP room for private parties, expanding its appeal for birthdays, community gatherings and small events. With early‑access events already generating excitement, the Buchanan team anticipates steady foot traffic throughout the week, offering a tactile, social experience that contrasts with today’s screen‑focused entertainment.
Electric Hippo Arcade will be open Wednesday through Sunday, with afternoon and evening hours, inviting families, gamers and anyone seeking a nostalgic night out to experience Springfield’s newest community hub.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
