I love Pinball Pete's. I used to come here every once in a while when I was an MSU student to play a few games of pinball. After over a decade, I returned during a nostalgia visit to East Lansing. Had a blast playing both classic games and some new ones after a night of bar hopping. I hope Pinball Pete's continues to thrive in a rapidly changing downtown East Lansing. I'd hate to see places like this fall victim to more high rise apartment buildings. read more

If you like pinball this is a fun place. There are Many pinball machines to choose from. Most machines are $1 and some offer 3 games for the price of 2. There are some machines you can earn tickets for prizes. Some shooting and driving arcades but not many of the standard joystick arcades. Air hockey and pool table as well. Change machine is available as all machines take quarters. read more

I love this place! My only complaint is that the games are pretty pricey ($1) for mostly all of them, but it's worth it if you love pinball and dance dance revolution! read more

Checked out this spot on a trip to E Lansing. It attracts a mix of all ages. A decent assortment of games--classic, pool, pinball, riding, dancing, balling, etc. Prices are $1-2 a game. Didn't appear to serve food or drinks. We ate before so it wasn't a bad deal. Staff was helpful if a game gave us an issue. Bathroom was clean. It's in the base moment of a building. If you can't do stairs then I'm not sure how'd you get in. I'd return on the next trip to town. read more

Super fun retro arcade with awesome pinball options. A little pricey (most games $1) and no food or drink besides a vending machine but we loved it. read more

Friendly staff and great old school & new school arcade atmosphere. The OG Galaga (1981) is wonderfully crisp.

Fun times! I was in town visiting my daughter and we decided to go here after dinner. After many years of Dave and Busters and the like, this was great for bringing back memories. Prices are a little high but we still had a blast including cashing in the tickets. read more

This place is absolutely wonderful! Fills me with nostalgia everytime I go. This weekend was my son's birthday and they stretched our tickets that we had out to get my son a ticket gift that he wanted but didnt have enough for. Then gave him a free shirt! I went to buy another shirt for my other kid but the atm wasnt working for me. He gave me the shirt anyway. He really made the day special for my kids and ill never forget it. Neither will they! In a world filled with unkindness and bad experiences everywhere its great to see a business shine a little extra light on its people. So much fun, so much to do. Head out and have a memorable good time! And thanks again for helping make my son's tenth birthday an extra special one! Ill bring em back again soon! read more

Nice selection of the old arcade games. They have air hockey tables and pool tables. I stopped here looking for a place to play table tennis (ping pong) but they didn't have any tables. Not a bad place if you have a few drinks beforehand. It would have a four star * * * * rating if it had the ping pong tables. Trust. read more

Pinball Pete's - Old school video games, pool, and air hockey. - Pool Halls Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

Pinball Pete's- what happened to you? I came here with my son, and it was actually appropriate for my son to be here. They still have Daytona against the wall, but the selection of video games and pinball machines has been replaced by skee ball, and other "family friendly" games. And where is the pop for $.25? I guess times they are a changing. I still love coming here. I think arcades are becoming a thing of the past with the rise of home gaming systems, but this place is still worth checking out. read more

Yes, it's dark, old, and dusty, but some of the games they have brought back some old memories.... my favorite Galaga!!! The ceiling on the stairs leading to the basement is low, so if you are tall, watch your head! While I was there, they were cleaning the machines, fixing those that were out of commission. The one in Ann Arbor is bigger then EL, but as long as they have my favorite game, it doesn't matter!!. read more

I gave this place 4 stars because it is pretty unique in this day and age. There are few places where you find Ms. Pacman and Skee Ball, and that still means something. Also, they have DDR, which is lots of fun. Unfortunately, maybe because it is arcade-style dark, maybe because it is in a basement, or maybe because it has been there since before time began, the place just feels dirty. So 3 stars for the enjoyability of the experience + 1 for uniqueness. read more

Pinball Pete's - Sign - Pool Halls Near Me - East Lansing, Michigan

I grew up going to this place and it was always fun. We decided to hit it the other night and it was the first time in years that I've been there. This place literally has not changed in 40 years, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it ain't a great thing either. Update some lighting, replace some tiles, and for Pete's sake (pun intended), FIX THE GAMES THAT ARE OUT OF ORDER! Pinball Pete's is clean(ish) and fun, but OMFG is it expensive now! Most game are $1.00 with some going up to $1.50 or more. Because of their price point, it's not really a place to take a family because you could go broke. But for inebriated adults looking for a fun few hours, I'd say it's right up your alley. There's probably 15 pinball games and around 75 video games, plus some skee ball and Pop-A-Shot ripoffs. read more

Pinball Pete's is what's up!! I'm a grown woman now, but back in high school this place was so much fun! We were underage, couldn't drink, could only drive, and were in constant pursuit of something to do already! Then, we'd hop next door to Bells and destroy a few slices of Greek pizza. Granted, Pinball Pete's is different as an adult, but in all the expected ways. First off, I still love playing arcade games, so that hasn't changed. I prefer larger pool tables to the small sized ones they have at Pete's. It's a little dusty and dirty, but come on people, it's in a basement. Get over it. It's a fun little hidden gem of east Lansing. Cool to kill time, reminisce of simpler times, or a cheap date :) hope this little place stands strong for years to come! read more

Eh. It's an arcade. What were you expecting? The place is pretty dingy, and poorly lit. There's a pretty good selection of games, and most of them cost about what you'd expect. My favorite is skeeball. At 25 cents a game, it's a pretty good way to spend your unemployment check during a recession. I wouldn't let your kids go here alone. I don't have kids, and you won't either after they're abducted from this place. Seriously though, there are some shady characters here sometimes. Definitely worth a visit though if you're looking to kill a few minutes while walking around downtown EL. read more

I had a great time with my not so significant other lol. That was an interesting opening to a previous Pinball Yelp review see below Just say girlfriend/boyfriend/bew/bae. lol- I went with a friend though. (This was previously posted to the Ann Arbor location in err) Pete's is a classic arcade. I mean truly classic. The games, the size, the ambiance. Air Hockey tables! (I almost skipped a beat when I saw them.) The heavens parted and shown down on them. I kicked my friends ass too. I'm pretty good at this. :D They need at least one new table, they're definitely worn from some thorough ass kickings. They appear to be a snug venue but everything fits perfectly with wiggle room for intense plays. This place is a perfect 90's game time warp. Then my fav zombie point and shoot game "Something" of the Dead. Been playing it for ages, still have no idea what the name is. About 10 great quality pinball machines, the good ones. Skee ball, yes you can win tickets and prizes. Basketball, with enough room to throw some great shots too. Pool tables, Tekken, RoboCop, Tron, crappy win coin games. Oh and WORKING, FULLY FUNCTIONAL change machines! Praise the Most High! This place let's me get my "I'm a chick but I'm probably better at this than you" on. I'm not a sore loser, but that's because, I always win. ;-) The lights, neon, carpet and even the attendant all contribute to the classic arcade feel. Most fun I've had at an arcade in a while. I'll be back, probably twice a month. read more

Number of visits ~ 5 Last visit ~ 1/2012 The reason to go to Pinball Pete's is the old arcade games. Most of the times I have been here, it's been to play the old Simpsons game. They have a nice, pretty good selection of pinball machines too. My biggest complaint is that when I have been there, several of the games/change machines have been out of order. Overall, I think it's a bit small and the selection of games is just ok. Nevertheless, Pinball Pete's is fun and worth a visit when you are in downtown East Lansing, especially if you like old arcade games. However, it doesn't really have enough options to draw you back time and time again. read more

Went here with my teammates during the quiz bowl state championship last year. This place does not use tokens, you need quarters, and there's a couple change machines in the arcade. There's a wide variety of arcade games here, and also a jukebox that doesn't have Ke$ha. Quiz bowl captain was upset, but was happy when he found out there was Madonna songs. You can imagine how sad the rest of us were. Our captain has an underdeveloped taste in music. But I digress. All the pinball machines are in this one darkened corner. One of our teacher chaperones was there the entire time, so I'll assume the pinball machines are addictive and fun. I was playing some jet-fighter game that I can't remember the name at the moment, but it's a bullet-hell game, which I am a fan of. Also, thanks guy who works behind the counter for not getting upset when one of us accidentally made that egg splat toy explode all over your ceiling and floor. And for not giving us weird looks while we were making our captain go through a pixie-stick intervention. read more

Pinball Pete's, anyone that grew up in the Lansing area should know the name. At one time there were several of these dens of shimmer lights and electronic sounds, taking quarters from us, one-at-a-time. In my youth, they used to have soda (cups of soda would dispense from the machine) and candy for a quarter. Such was the refreshment that I enjoyed mid-way through my weekend visit(s) to the place where the smell of smoke hung in the air along with a sort of cavernous darkness that one's imagination pictures the heroes of many of the installed video games would be fighting their way through. These days, the soda machines dispense bottles and they cost more than a quarter. The candy machine I believe is also gone, I don't recall seeing it, but I could be wrong. And honestly, in this day and age, the bottles of soda are probably healthier than a soda machine that I never got sick from, but who knows if it was ever cleaned properly, as a kid, I didn't care. The selection of games is now an interesting mix of ticket games (basketball, skeeball, games of chance), and there are some pinball machines, but I feel there was a significant lack of fighting games and in general most of the machines look very dated, there was a Simpson's game there that quite possibly could be one that I played some 15-20 years ago, as the monitor flickered like an old TV about to die. So for me, I feel the nostalgia of my youth and I played a few games, but the selection overall wasn't enough for me to spend more than about 20 minutes. I see they still have a pool table (or two) and thanks to the smoking ban, the air isn't thick and noxious. I would like to see them update their games, but as far as a basement arcade goes, I hope to see them the next time I am in town. read more

I know it's a collegetown basement arcade... I get that my expectations are supposed to be lowered based on those factors... but I am still disappointed. Pinball Pete's can seriously be improved upon. I'm not even talking about the odor, the filthy floor and walls, the ill lit corners (I find these traits add character)... I am talking about their area of speciality - gaming! Pinball Pete's is just kind of boring... there isn't much to do, and there is plenty of space to add some more arcade games. I consider myself to be a bit of a pinball afficianado, and although there are enough Pinball machines to suit the customer needs (because this place is NEVER busy), the machines could use some upkeep and tweaking. I have all the confidence Pinball Pete's could be a decent alternative place to hang out now and then with some minor changes, but it seems that the owner is forever letting it get worse and worse. read more

Wow! Totally bummed & most of all confused about people's disdain for this place. The times that I've been there, we were about the only two people also, and I still had a great time! Love the cheap pool tables & the basketball hoops. And PacMan! Not really sure why the presence of strangers makes you have more fun when you're only really playing games with yourself and the company you're with. It's not really a sociable place like a bar or anything where the more people to talk to the better. You're playing arcade games! Did you guys notice that this is an arcade in a basement also? What did you expect? It's not like they're serving you drinks or food! I didn't even think it smelled but yes, it's dingy and the bathroom is dirty. Also it is an arcade.... *Epiphany* Anyway I love it! :D read more

I don't know when the earlier reviewers were in Pinball's, but I was there with my 12 yr old son last week and it was bright, the games were great and working a-ok, the pool tables were well maintained and there wasn't any evidence of the sleazy, drunk college guys that some here have been referencing. I was last here in the 1980s and that was when it was like the earlier reviewers... complete with vomit in the stairwell... compliments of the landlord probably, Mark Grebner... the poster boi for East Lansing sleaze and grunge and political irreverance. I'd take my son back there without a problem. Would I take him there at 2AM on a college weekend? Heck no. Would I take him there during one of the many annual MSU riot events? Heck no. But what would you expect at those times? Mother Theresa's ghost playing snooker? read more

An arcade that has been around as long as this one is a true testament for the culture thats represented here. They have tons of games that you wouldnt find anywhere else, and great variety. Pinballs, pool, air hockey, shooters, sidescrollers, fighters, redemption, racers, they have it all! Im personally a big fan of bubble hockey and Raiden, and this is the place to go for both. Its also great to take the family to, as there are lots of games that my kids will play and they love trading their tickets for prizes. Some of the games are out of service, but thats understandable, theyre decades old and take a lot of upkeep. read more

It's dingy, it smells, the ceiling looks like it's covered in moldy cheese, the bathroom has no soap or towels & looks like you'll get hepatitis from using it, & half the games are either broken or hail from a time where I was still in diapers. But it has 25¢ Skee Ball, so it earns two stars for that alone. read more

Pinball Pete's is the best! Oscar, Mike, and Phil do a great job there. They have a huge selection -- we go all the time. Best thing is that everyone is having a great time and the atmosphere is fantastic. The place is clean and well kept. They do a great job keeping everything you need stocked up (it was the first place I've see that had pool tables like that where there were TONs of chalk and pool sticks everywhere at the ready so you didn't have to go search for it). First arcade I've seen that has guitar hero in it -- pretty cool. Plus all the classics you want as well for some needed nostalgia factor. Make sure to visit Pita Pit on your way there or way back ;-). JS. You won't be let down at Pinball Pete's. It's amazing. read more

Yeah, feel compelled to give this place a "thumbs-down". I am sure some students might glorify this place as "college dirty" or something but this place is a dungeon. The only time it is busy is when the World of Warcraft server crashes and the kids who play it are bored. Sprinkle in some Middle School skate punks trying to make a statement and well...you get the picture. Lame. If you are over 16 OR have a life, just don't hang here... read more

Pinball Petes is a place to go if you are really really drunk, or blazed. I went there st about 730 one day, and we were the only people in there. The guy running the place did not acknowledge us a single time during our visit, which didn't bother me which I didn't mind, but it just seemed like a strange place. read more

Arabian Nights is there! Man I love this place. The pinball machines are in great shape. If you are looking for awesome pinball machines go here! read more

Dingy, filthy and depressing. Badly in need of remodeling. I took my nephews here on a Saturday afternoon last spring and they were very disappointed. They said a lot of the games were old. Maybe it's an ok place for drunk college-aged kids. The manager looked totally depressed and he just plain gave me the creeps. He was actually smoking even though there is a city ordinance that requires it to be smokefree. The few other people that were in there just looked rough and not anyone I would want to have around kids. I wouldn't bring anyone here again. read more

Karen hit this on the head...it is pretty dingy and filthy. It is in need of a remodel as well. I however thought that it was pretty impressive with all the older games. What i didn't enjoy was the fact that they were a little overpriced and that a bunch of the games were broken. I had a decent time, but nothing to write home about. read more

A really fun place to go with friends and there's lots of arcade types of games! I felt like I was in an old type of gaming center here

Very vintage old arcade feel that will probably give a lot of 30/40 something year olds nostalgia with all the quarter games. Some of the games arnt worth the quarters but it's a great date place. Most of the games are old but still worth go :) read more

I'm really failing to grasp why someone who doesn't enjoy arcades would write a review of an arcade, or why you'd spend your time here if it was only good when "drunk or blazed". I grew up in places like this. It's dimly lit, but that's the point. It's noisy, but that's the point. I saw someone wrote that they wouldn't let children go here for fear of abduction. That is arguably the most flamboyantly overstated and incorrect thing I've ever had the displeasure of reading. Whenever my friends or I win big on a ticket machine, there are always plenty of families to give our tickets to. This place is fantastic for families, and truly, if you're letting your kids go anywhere in East Lansing alone, I think I'd question your parenting, not your choice of arcade. Simply put, no better entertainment for the price and location. If I could pick a single establishment to never ever go out of business, it'd be here. They'll remember your name and how good you are at Skeeball, and they'll always round up your ticket count. Unlike other reviews, you'll find no hyperbole or exaggeration here. This place is fantastic, enough said. read more

This is a great place to play games and pool. I have had a lot of fun back when I was in college in Harvard and I was visiting my Michigan state bros. I highly recommend this establishment because there are so few faults with it. If you stop in Lansing, definitely come to pinball petes. read more

This place is fun with a variety of old and new arcade games. However when I went there were a number of games that were out of order and it's pretty dirty. read more

A great amount of fun for a 3rd grade boy and a 50+ woman. I felt very safe letting him run around. Games for both of us. We played some individually and some together. Played for 2 hours for about $18, which seemed like a good deal. The kid loved collecting tickets towards picking out prizes. Warm, friendly service from "Pete". read more

The absolute greatest arcade ever. Friendly staff, inexpensive games, fun for the whole crew!

I love this place. i like that its kind of gritty and poorly lit. what else do you expect from an arcade. im happy i live by close. its a good place to take my dates to. i lived in a small town so we didnt have this kind of stuff to do. so i appreciate it. read more

Hey guys, I am looking for an arcade to take my dad. He loved pinball and astroids and I was thinking of this one but am not sold reading these reviews. His b-day is comn up an we live in Livonia. Any suggestions? I hear Lucky's is way overpriced? read more