By Isiah Christie
Jersey City’s market for gamers is large, considering the variety of activities in the city. Their go-to expedition to entertain this hobby was Barcade, located in Downtown Jersey City. However, following the community-favorite arcade’s movement to Lower Manhattan, the availability for local machine play seemed at a low – until The Pixel Lab, the city’s newfound hole-in-the-wall gaming gallery, emerged as an incredible alternative.
The Pixel Lab’s greatest quality may be its attention to authenticity – it is not designed for profit or image, but rather for providing a genuine experience that excites players to their core. Located in southwest Harsimus Cove, the cozy location opened in September 2024 and has been going strong since. It is inclusive of all ages and identities and does not require reservations – rather, it follows a per-hour or per-day payment model for entry. Visitors have the option to spend $25 on an all-day pass that allows them to game to their heart’s content, or those looking for a quicker fix can pay $14.50 an hour. Both experiences require wristbands that the arcade’s workers use to denote your participation.
The space is open five days a week, from Thursday to Monday – it is closed naturally on Tuesday and Wednesday, although inquiring visitors can still go via booking an appointment. The Pixel Lab is very much open to said appointments, encouraging reservations for parties and events. Interested visitors can rent out the space for such occasions, and it is a great option considering its game variety and rear area chock-full of tables for seating and gathering.
Arcade gaming options range from classic retro machines, PC gaming and console options – their selections for the latter are quite diverse, including the classic Nintendo Entertainment System, middle-aged consoles such as the Nintendo GameCube, modern powerhouses like the XBOX One and PlayStation 5, and even the newly-released Nintendo Switch 2. Visitors can request console gaming at any moment with a wide selection of games to play from, and they are hooked up to a myriad of large-scale CRT TVs that create a vintage, cozy aesthetic.
PC gaming options are vast, including many popular online games – among them are Fortnite, Genshin Impact, Marvel Rivals, and more. The staff at The Pixel Lab are also dedicated to providing patrons with their favorite games, so requests are encouraged and often fulfilled. The team is knowledgeable and energetic, a positive energy that reflects upon the arcade’s excellence. Retro, vintage forms of media aren’t out of style – and The Pixel Lab is a great example of how.
