1 / 2NickelRama
📍 Garland, TX
Classic arcade where games run on actual nickels, established in 1996. Birthday party tables seat 16+ guests. Daycares and school groups use discounted group rates. Outside food and drinks are permitted.
Fun and cheap
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for budget-conscious families and groups with younger children who enjoy classic arcade games without modern complexity. The nickel format teaches kids a tangible sense of game cost. Birthday parties with outside food allowed make it one of the more affordable party venues in DFW. Older teens may find the prize selection modest.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,436 Google reviews
shauntay Lee
“Fun and cheap”
Josh
“Some games are $.20-.30 but still cheaper than other big arcades like Dave n Busters. Don't know if they charge an entrance fee because we went for a party... That may make a difference cost wise.”
Lalito Castan
“They charge for an entry fee and you pay to get nickels which is how you pay to play. $20 lasted us 1hr we were a group of 2. We paid approximately $10 as an entry fee. The prizes are very bad because they sell very mediocre prizes for example plastic animals. You could easily take the $30 you used in total at Nickel Rama and go to your local dollar store and buy better stuff. Don’t waste your time or money and there are very limited games and the machines break down easily, but very well maintained. Not coming back.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
NickelRama is a long-running Garland arcade where physical nickels power the machines — a format that has kept pricing lower than token-based competitors since the venue opened in 1996. Most games cost one to three nickels per play. Birthday party tables include 16 free guests and can be expanded with additional reserved tables. The venue explicitly welcomes daycares and school groups with teacher and chaperone free admission. Outside food and drinks are allowed, keeping group costs down.
