When my family and I pulled into the Frisco Discovery Center on a chilly afternoon just before Christmas, I was fully prepared to spend a couple of hours waiting and wandering while my kids had fun. I was not prepared to completely lose track of time playing Duck Hunt.
That’s the magic of the National Videogame Museum in Frisco, Texas. It manages to be unexpectedly immersive and genuinely fun—even for someone like me, who not a soul on earth would consider a gamer. This remarkable attraction is dedicated to the history of videogames, but it’s just as much arcade as it is museum (arguably more so, actually). After spending an afternoon there with my 9-year-old daughter, 11-year-old game-enthusiast son, and my husband, I’m practically qualified enough to give you a tour.
Why the National Videogame Museum Feels More Like an Interactive Time Capsule
Most museums ask—require—you to look. This one insists you play.
The National Videogame Museum houses thousands of videogame consoles, games, and artifacts spanning over five decades of gaming history. But what sets it apart from a simple museum-like collection (aside from being able to play the games) is the way it’s organized and experienced. Instead of presenting objects behind glass with placards, the museum flows like a walk through time, each section corresponding to a different era in gaming…