Step Inside the Game: C.H.E Arcade Is Bellevue’s Newest Interactive Experience

When my kids start begging to go to an arcade, I often think, “Ugh.” Shelling out way too much cash for game credits just to watch them zone out in front of screens and collect a handful of tickets for a Tootsie Roll? Not exactly my idea of quality time. So imagine my surprise when a visit to C.H.E Arcade turned into an awesome, active outing. We played, we laughed, we bonded, we worked up a sweat. The kids had a ball, and so did I!

C.H.E Arcade, which opened in Bellevue in January, offers a one-of-a-kind interactive gaming experience you won’t find anywhere else in the Greater Seattle area. Imagine stepping into a real-life retro video game where you are the player — run, jump, throw, shoot, solve puzzles and race against the clock in immersive rooms that react to your every move.

Visiting the arcade

My 10-year-old son, 8-year-old daughter and I headed out at 4 p.m. on a Wednesday during their spring break to check it out. C.H.E Arcade is in an unassuming, industrial building, located right off state Route 520 near Burgermaster in Bellevue. Take it slow as you approach the turn — it’s easy to miss, even though there are signs to guide you. There is a small free parking lot directly outside. You will also spot a little playground on your way to the door that kids can play on before or after their arcade session — bonus!

As you step inside the dark lobby, you’re greeted by vibrant neon accents and a giant screen on the far wall, casting rotating waves of color across the room. There are lockers for rent, vending machines and arcade games. A giant floral butterfly against the wall with cute chairs in front made for a perfect photo op.

On a weekday afternoon, we had the place to ourselves. Booking a time slot in advance is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. I am told it gets busy on the weekends, so plan accordingly. I filled out our waivers when we arrived (but you can do this in advance to save time), and we were fitted with electronic wristbands. Then our 60 minutes of fun began.

An interactive game in each room

There are seven unique rooms (with one additional laser room in the works), each featuring a touchscreen just outside the door. This is where you scan your wristband. The screen displays your name and score and lets you choose your challenge. We had a super friendly and knowledgeable guide who helped us pick out some of the most popular games to try. In most rooms, you can choose between a competitive game — my son’s favorite — or a cooperative challenge where teamwork is key. With over 500 different game options, you’re unlikely to ever run out of new experiences. Each game is fast-paced, lasting just one to three minutes, which keeps the adrenaline pumping.

There’s a bit of a learning curve with some of the games. Some are straightforward, but I found a few confusing the first go-around even with the guide explaining them (the patience that man must have). Additionally, the in-room TV monitor displays and narrates the instructions (in what my kids called a “creepy baby voice”). I would definitely recommend sticking to the suggested minimum age of 6 and older. Even my 8-year-old had a bit of trouble grasping some of the game concepts — though she still had an incredible time overall.

The challenges we loved most

Our favorite game was in Room 2, nicknamed the Eye Room. It was a fast-paced competition where we raced to hit as many letters of the alphabet as possible. Buttons around the room would light up with different letters in different colors, and the goal was to hit your color in alphabetical order within a set time. The player who hit the most letters in sequence won. The kids beat me the first time, and we had a three-way tie on our next try — redemption.

We also played a suspenseful game in Room 2 where the goal was to hit as many green buttons as quickly as possible, until a creepy song came on and we had to race behind a pole to avoid being spotted by a giant glowing red eye. The hiding element definitely cranked up the adrenaline. In fact, it might have been a little too intense for my easily spooked kids — they decided one round was enough for that game.

We loved the baseball-style games in Room 7, where you throw foam balls at colored pentagons. The first one we tried was cooperative — we tried to hit a certain color before it changed. We also played a competitive game where we were each assigned a color. The goal was to hit as many targets as possible to turn them into our assigned colors — each target had to be hit multiple times to change its color. The player with the most targets in their color at the end wins. We all woke up with sore arms the next day.

Another favorite was in Room 1 (identical to Room 3). This is the largest room and it’s known as the Pixel Room, featuring colored squares on the floor and far wall. One game was a “floor is lava” challenge where we had to avoid touching the red squares as they cascaded down the floor at increasing speeds. Another fun game in this room was a cooperative island challenge, where we had to quickly find and stand on the four designated squares as a team before the squares changed again.

More ways to play

Room 6 features basketball-style games with multiple hoops, offering both cooperative and competitive shooting challenges which we all enjoyed — even though my son kicked my butt.

The kids had a blast in Room 4, nicknamed the Control Room, where we took command at interactive stations equipped with arrow buttons, color-coded controls and foot-stomping pads. We played a fun, cooperative game together that was reminiscent of Pac-Man, projected on a giant screen. Then things got competitive with a fast-paced challenge similar to Dance Dance Revolution, where we had to quickly respond to on-screen prompts by hitting the right buttons or stomping the correct pads before time ran out.

Room 8 is referred to as the Color Room and features an entire wall lined with rows upon rows of glowing buttons. Our guide introduced it as the Chill Out Room, as it offers a more relaxed experience compared to the high-energy games in the other areas. Here, we played a calm yet surprisingly tricky game that challenged our observation skills: Among the sea of buttons, we had to find the one that was just a shade different from the rest.

Room 5, also called the Laser Room, isn’t open just yet — but it’s one to look forward to! Once complete, it will feature laser beams crisscrossing the space, challenging you to sneak, dodge and weave your way through without getting “zapped” — just like a real-life spy mission.

Preparing for your visit

You’re free to roam the arcade floor at your own pace, popping into any room or game that catches your group’s interest. On busier days, you might have a short wait for a room, but with each session lasting just a few minutes, the lines move quickly. And when I say we worked up a sweat, I’m not exaggerating! Be sure to wear cool, comfortable clothes and get ready for an unexpected (but seriously fun) workout. Closed-toe shoes are required — no high heels allowed, for obvious reasons.

Inside, you’ll find restrooms, and the lobby offers snack and drink vending machines for a quick refuel. While food and drinks aren’t allowed in the gaming rooms, there’s a water fountain to help you stay hydrated between games. Kids younger than 13 must be with an adult.

I couldn’t help but imagine what an epic birthday party venue this would make for older kids or teens. They do host parties, but pricing isn’t fixed — you’ll need to call for a custom quote based on your group’s needs. You can bring your own food and drinks, and they offer a couple of setup options. Hot tip: You will find better pricing on weekdays!

I love discovering activities the whole family can enjoy together — and if it gets us moving and sneaks in a little cardio, I’m all in. This is certainly a splurge outing but well worth it for a special occasion like a birthday or other celebratory outing. It has that “just one more try” feel that makes you want to come back and finally beat the level. The system will track your points to check your progress on a return trip. As my kids explored the playground outside on our way out, they were already plotting a return visit for their half-birthdays — and honestly, that might be the perfect excuse for another splurge at this awesome spot!