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Nickel City
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Arcades Restaurants Pizza Arcades, Pizza
555 Waukegan RdNorthbrook, IL 60062
(847) 559-8727
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 2 pm - 10 pm
Fri 11 am - 1 am
Sat 10 am - 1 am
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
28 reviews for Nickel City
Review Highlights
"The have a corner of classic selections and free play too."
(in 6 reviews)
"All in all, a great place to spend money for some cheap fun."
(in 3 reviews)
"Best of all is that the games in the back are all free."
(in 18 reviews)
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28 reviews in English
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Review from Pari P.
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
I still play video games, so what? I'm a gamer and I'm not ashamed by it. Nickel City is a paradise for fellow gamers like myself being the last standing arcade in the Chicagoland area. Bring loose change and your piggy bank because everything runs on nickels.
Nickel City is preserving the culture of arcades by catering to multiple generations. Originally Super Just Games, the place hasn't changed for 15 years. There is the same $2.00 admission fee, prizes, and several arcade classics on free play such as Pac Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Street Fighter Alpha. There is plenty of variety from fighters, shooters, racing games, and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). You will see just as much excitement from five year olds as the many 20 and 30 year olds there.
What better way to celebrate a birthday, bar mitzvah, anniversary, or promotion than with pizza and video games? I know where I'll be celebrating my 31st birthday this year.
During my most recent visit, there was a large group of competitive players who brought their own consoles, televisions, and joysticks playing in the back room. Imagine cult followers of Daigo and Justin Wong gathered in the same room playing Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Street Fighter 4. Many of these players were at the tournament level often doing ridiculous and mind blowing combos. How they memorize these button combinations is beyond me. Whether they were still living at home or had a full time job was debatable but everyone was having fun regardless.
I thank the management team for keeping this nirvana alive. Nickel City, may you prosper and be a city that never dies. -
Review from Emily H.
Chicago, IL
1/15/2012
Back in the way back days of old, Nickel City was twice as big, had three-times as many games and I used to walk five miles each way in the snow to school too.
Think of this like a ghetto backwoods Dave and Buster. It's a great place to hang out or geek out, and a great entertainment option for yourself or children on the cheap.
I can skeeball until I'm sore or stupid for under $5.
But as someone who used to come to this place ten years ago and remembers the glory days of the huge double rooms full of the newest games, comparing the rinky-dinky operation it is now just hurts my inner child.
Still, go here and DO IT BIG with some friends or children. Arcades are just about dead. We need to support this final unicorn, if not for the joy it brings, then for the fantasy it represents; The days when we didn't all have 3 different consoles and 4500 games to play at home. -
Review from Krisha d.
Chicago, IL
LLOOOVVEE THIS PLACE! $2 admission for each nickel games, BEST EVER!!!!! And best part they have free play! what?! What other establishment's do you know have free games? I know they have jungle gyms... but that's about it, but CLASSIC free games? My family and I are IN LOVE! Definitely blows Gameworks!
The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The prizes weren't cheaply made either. Honestly, this is the place to take the family without going bankrupt!
We didn't go for the food, which we probably won't ever. They have a Tepanyaki place in the same shopping center. Can't go wrong! -
Review from Darren F.
2/2/2012
what more can you ask for?! nickel games and only 2 dollars entrance fee! they got a lot of old school games which are still very fun and it brings back good childhood memories.. the newer games would cost you more nickels to play.. every time when i come here i spend at least $20 dollars because of the ticket games lol.. but most of my friends spends around like $10 and they have a blast! this place is no Dave and busters or game works, but hey.. its cheaper and its still fun!
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Review from Rachel H.
11/21/2011
Firstly, they have Spider Stomp and Skeeball, though their Skeeball isn't quite as good as Haunted Trails. I'm apparently a connoisseur of this kind of shit now. What is wrong with me?
Secondly, there's a section of free games. FREE. You can come in here and just let your brain die and your eyes go blind as you play Mario Kart or Battle Ball and not end up with an empty wallet.
I could just keep enumerating this list, but I won't. Lots of good games, no tokens so you don't feel pressured to spend all your nickels. You could save them for annoying cashiers at other establishments. The prizes are pretty much what you'd expect, but who doesn't need a wide variety of putties, goos, and gels? IQ Putty. That's what I need.
The bonus entertainment is eavesdropping on the arcade rats complaining that the game was broken and they DESERVE all those tickets. Riiiiiiight. Let it go, guys.
It's really freakin' hot in here and the slushies are no good, otherwise this place would get a big fat five from me. -
Review from Jacob J.
7/31/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Nickel arcade for the kids.
All games accept nickels. Bring your own or purchase them from the kids that run things. Bags of counted nickels with values of $5 or larger are available at the counter. Admission is $2 per person and for only those playing games. Adults only walking their kids are free. At the front of the arcade they have a few seats for parents that would rather sit and while waiting. Admission pays for their upkeep and for a few free machines found in the way back. A bunch of games that display "Free play" which means free credits for an unspecified amount of time. Nickel city has and serves food, they also have an area separate from the action for parties.
The place is dilapidated, dated and could use a Lysol wipe or industrial type, hot water hose down. A decade or more back, the main draw were their video games. Awesome titles like Revolution X, X-MEN, Tekken Tag or GI JOE. Today it's all about ticket games. In comparison to Chuck E Cheese or some of the other ticketed game play places, this one rates pretty well. I've been bringing my nieces and nephews here for some time. Ranging in ages from 4 up to 12. They have a number of ticketed games for the kindergarten aged kids and stuff like "deal or no deal" for the older kids. Many of their machines have high payouts which make it fairly easy for your child to get a decent toy or trinket with even a lower spend of around $5 dollars.
Watch out for the skee ball machines, kids often times steal balls or they are thrown elsewhere and your kid could lose nickels on these. If the machine looks to hard to play for an adult, SKIP IT!. Like those big machines which are filled with coins and a moving drawer that is pushing forward and drawing back. Makes you think with the right coin drop, many tokens will fall and you would be the winner of a high payout. BS, I've never seen anyone hit with this suck machine.
If you have wee ones and like taking them to these kinds of places, look through some of my other reviews. I've been to a bunch of these places as of lately. Nickel City is worth an outing.Listed in: Keepin' the Kids entertained
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Review from Matt M.
8/16/2011
Grab your sock full of nickels and head on down to glory. If you are fan of old school games and pumping "scheemer like" nickels into machines you are in the only place other than shining time station that will allow you to have a blast.
They have a free section with awesome games, they have other games that very in their degree of nickel cost that are also really fun.
You lose one star for the dance dance revolution losers. I think that game should be banned from any reasonable establishment. -
Review from Ahzea M.
Evanston, IL
10/22/2011
It's a pretty cool place. Just a bummer to have old broken games around.
The games take different amounts of nickels. There is a $2 admission fee. -
Review from Jenny R.
Chicago, IL
4/30/2011
Went here the day after Thanksgiving with our friend's kids. They had a great time. EXTREMELY loud inside, which is to be expected when you have that many kids in any size area running amok.
The adults mostly hung out by the free retro games to recapture our youth and see if we could still play our old faves.
You can't beat the prices here-they offer a wide range of snacks-including some healthier choices. They even offer some sugar free and gluten free snacks for kids on special diets/allergies.
This place seriously needs some pinball. Not one pinball game worked. :( -
Review from Matt S.
Chicago, IL
10/27/2010 1 photo
Nickel City is awesome. You can easily spend hours there if you actually like video games. There is $2.00 entrance fee but ALL arcades and games from there run on nickels or are FREE. That's right... there is an entire section of free arcade games ranging from crappy sports games to up-scrolling spaceship shooters. No matter who you are, you will find a free game that you will enjoy playing. Water fountain in that section always shoots a perfect stream and is ice cold.
The most expensive arcade there is Dance Dance Revolution which is at the whopping price of $0.50. Most other games are ~$0.15. AWESOME! There is a whole section of carnival-like games where you can win tickets to trade for prizes at the front desk. The selection of prizes isn't bad. Some of the prizes include crappy pencil erasers, inflatable toys, and electronic gadgets. Kids usually leave nickels on the floor or in machines so it's a good place to go if you ever happen to run out of nickels. A little food stand exists but I've never had the desire to eat there.
Playing my PS3 or 360 is more fun than playing here, but it's the experience that makes it great. Kids these days probably don't know what an arcade is or what it was like to play video games in them, but as far as arcades go... this is the best! A must-go for all who want to play games. -
Review from Jose T.
Chicago, IL
7/22/2011
Nice classic arcade (an extinct play-land), but instead of dealing in 25 cent pieces, they deal in nickels. There is also a section of classic games that are free to play. $2 cover - a great/fun place to kill some time at.
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Review from Hayley B.
Naperville, IL
8/25/2011
What a fun inexpensive place to go. They have a lot of free classic games too like pac-man. Sometimes there are so many kids in there though it can get crazy and I don't recommend the food-otherwise it is so much fun. Some of the games break down a lot but you can usually get a staff member quickly to get your money back....A
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Review from Jonathan C.
9/23/2009
Woot..... this place is great. I remember when this place was called "Super Just Games". I remember coming here for Jewish Youth Group events (we had a freaking overnight lock-in here which is pretty sweet for gaming and then trying your A-game on some girls that were at the event..... nothing gets a girl going quite like the high score in Q-bert), I remember coming here for bday parties.... I've been here lots of times.
$2 cover charge is cheap, but necessary since they charge nickels instead of quarters. So those fancy new videogames will cost you a quarter to try, standard video games less, and all the classics are free.
So if you want to be smart about it, get there nice and early and go to one of the old school games that you were never able to beat and feel the glory and sense of accomplishment that comes with victory. -
Review from Jami K.
Chicago, IL
3/8/2007
I am an expert at this place.
Since I used to get paid to take kids out on fun outings, this was always my alternative to Chuckee Cheese...and the kids always liked it too.
First off, Julia K. explained the concept pretty well...games cost between 5-40 cents. In the front there are a whole bunch of ticket giving/skill type games. In the middle there are numerous racing, shooting and fighting games. Then you have the rhythm games....and then in the back are the games people over 15 would spend hours playing. Revisit all the wonders of the 1980s and early 1990s and play Packman, Tetris, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Viper. Best of all is that the games in the back are all free.
When I go here I end up playing a lot of DDR because I'm addicted to it. Their console is okay, but sometimes it needs adjusting. However, the little sign says that it costs 8 nickels to play...but if you put your nickels in slowly, it only costs 6...oh yes I have been here waaaaay too many times.
The prizes you can get for your tickets are waaaaaay better than those at Chuckee Cheese. However, unlike at Chuckee Cheese, there are games that won't be appropriate for children.
Oh, and if you to their website they have a coupon for getting free nickels with paid admission.Listed in: Have a kid?
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Review from Michael B.
Chicago, IL
1/8/2009
Flippin' sweeet! I remember when this place was super just games - I geeked out when I first came here - Everything in nickels?!? WTF? Back in highschool this was a great place to spend a whole lot of time for like less than ten bucks...TEN BUCKS!
If you don't want to be surrounded by kids, I recommend going a couple hours before closing time -
Review from C. Benjamin W.
Chicago, IL
12/3/2006
I used to come here all the time when it was called "Super Just Games" and once or twice when it was "Capcom Super Nickel Arcade." Aside from being turned away for some kids birthday a couple of times, the biggest disappointment I had was discovering once that they had gotten rid of all their pinball machines. I'm not sure if this is still true since I haven't been back for a couple of years, though I'm trying to arrange some kind of trip with my friends from the city.
Overall, it's a fun experience. For adults like myself, I wouldn't plan on spending more than a couple of hours in there unless you're dragging a niece around or something. The games are fun, but the whole place can get a little tired after a while.
Don't make this place a destination, but it's a great place to drop by if you're checking out a movie or a bar elsewhere in the same night. -
Review from Acie B.
Oxnard, CA
3/8/2010
Thanks to the oh-so-awesome Timmy Z and Beth, I was toted out to the 'burbs in Tim's Magic Awesome Van to go to Nickel City. The coolest arcade I've been to in a long while. Unpretentiously stuck in the corner of a mini-mall was a gnarly arcade where all the games worked on nickels, not quarters.
The best part about the arcade was the back area, where there were a bunch of older games that you could play for FREE. Yes. FREE. Like an eagle. The games included Tetris, Galaga, Track and Field, and Bust-A-Move. I could've spent hours back in the free play area alone. But the reason why I feel like I need to write about this place is the coolest game I've probably ever seen. Mega Man: Power Battle.
You had the choice of being Megaman, Protoman, or Bass and the course you wanted to take, each with different bosses. In essence, this game was Mega Man boss fights... without the levels. I know. Awesome. I know... I'm willing to bet that this would be one of my buddy Joel's favorite games next to Dance Dance Karnov and FFVII.
Other highlights were other awesome free games like Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo and Wrestlemania.They also had the Simpsons arcade game, that operated on a nickel for every continue. I know. Awesome. I know.
I kind of want to live at Nickel City...
The only criticisms I have of this place is the lone air hockey table and the Pop-A-Shot selections were not well maintained. But then again, I'd like to consider myself a Pop-A-Shot connoiseur... Also there's a $2 admission that's well worth it in my opinion. -
Review from cesar d.
Barrington, IL
4/25/2011
This place is great place to spend a few hours and play all your favorite games most of the ones i like are even free.
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Review from Rush L.
Chicago, IL
2/26/2011
This arcade isn't so bad. It used to be much bigger. Some games don't work. $2 admission but there are free games. Mostly old games, Games cost nickels ranging from 1 to 8 nickels. If you want to play new games, this place isn't it. If you want cheap, this is the place.
The prizes' tickets are so high, it'll be almost like going to Gameworks and Dave & Busters with $25. $25 worth of nickels won't get you a good prize. -
Review from Evan E.
Chicago, IL
4/7/2010
I enjoyed this place much more than gameworks or D&B. Probably simply because it is more true to the old school arcades of my childhood. The have a corner of classic selections and free play too. This is great if you want to brush up on your fatalities in Mortal Kombat or conquer metal slug with a buddy.
I felt kind of with my buddy as we were most likely the oldest people there that were there to play without kids. That feeling goes away pretty quickly after a few games.
The games take nickels which is awesome. Even newer games are about 40c. This is a huge factor in the coolness of this arcade because the cover is only 2$. I spent about 5$ in nickels and about an hour in the classic free arcade. Needless to say, we had fun and it was well worth the price of admission. Especially since you can get hours and hours of fun for nickels!
The kids today really have no clue about the older games so if you know how to play say, street fighter alpha you might attract a small crowd of kids that are curious. Its pretty funny actually. Its feels like you get to show off your skills however, if you have been gaming long, you know that anyone can step up and beat you.
I really can only handle so much of screaming children so it was nice to leave when we were done. I see no reason why this place does not deserve less than 5 stars. -
Review from Marissa G.
Lombard, IL
8/9/2010
Thank god this place has a lot of hand sanitizer everywhere. LoL besides that this was a great place that brings you back to your childhood (aka when arcade places weren't scarce and overpriced bars) It also gains mucho points for having a little back area with at least 18 free play machines, which did include awesome oldies like Mortal Combat, Pac Man, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The only crappy part of this night was that they closed an hour early and shooed away my group when they were trying to cash in their tickets. Not exactly nicely, as they said, "Sorry, save them for next time, we're done." So that is the reason they don't get 4 stars. (Not because the 17 year old sweaty stranger who wanted in on the winner at MK kicked my ass w/o mercy even though I told him I'm just a random button masher) Great place, okay service.
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Review from Matthew B.
Wheeling, IL
5/10/2009
I have been here about 4 times total so I believe I have an accurate opinion about the place.
PROS: CHEAP! 2 Dollar entry fee, and games take nickels. Average game is about 2 nickels, with the max I have seen going up to 6. Selection of games is decent, has some of the older games like pac man and mortal kombat on free play. Has ticket games also.
CONS: Selection is limited. The majority of the games they have are racing games. They have a couple fighters and about 4 shooters, which only Time Crisis is worth the time.
Only 1 austin powers pinball machine, and they dont always have staff at the snack bar. If you wanted to get something to eat there, you have to go to the front counter, request somebody, then if you were paying by card you would have to follow them all the way to the front counter cause they dont have a credit card machine by the snack bar.
All in all, a great place to spend money for some cheap fun. What keeps it from getting 5 stars is its limited selection. -
Review from Ross X.
Park Ridge, IL
1/28/2010
First off, I loved this place.
This place was super cheap. A lot of games are a nickel only but some are more. I thought this place was gonna have more little kid games but they have some rather hardcore fighting games.
I would totally come back to this place but its kind of drive for me.
The space feels a little crowed and I can see how it can feel over run if there are any parties with a bunch of kids.
The food there isnt that expensive either.
I also loved how it was open rather late at night. -
Review from Cali M.
Sacramento, CA
8/18/2006
ACTIVE BEN
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Review from mike k.
7/2/2008
If you want to drive yourself insane with hundreds of kids...maybe thousands, lots of old loud video games, and on top of that more children, this is the place! Its a great place to go and take a group of kids because games are usually free or a nickel or more and there's sooo many games. you can easily get caught up in the ride...i played that star wars game forever while my other camp guys were determined to finish the simpsons game.....but be warned, the nba jam game...Shaq sucks. He doesnt play D and gives a half ass effort. Plus i think the refs are out to get you. Another good thing about NC is there's only one way in and one way out, so if you're guarding the door you know you cant lose any kids!
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Review from Kristyn C.
Chicago, IL
3/25/2009
If you are looking for something fun to do and trying to save money this is the place to be!
Had way too much fun for less than 20 dollars! -
Review from Marissa P.
Chicago, IL
9/2/2008
I love the selection of videogames at this place. My problem is that its soooooooo far from Chicago. Keep the arcades alive!
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Review from Gina M.
Chicago, IL
9/7/2007
this place is a migraine waiting to happen. lots of bratty kids running around, terrible food, and a staff that is lazy and/or doesn't care. it takes forever to cash in your tickets, and if a machine is broken, don't count on anyone fixing it. i refuse to take the kid i babysit for here, especially cause last time we were there i got pushed over by a 7 year old boy. it was quite the scene...
