By Jeff Scotch
It’s game on at iPlay Frankston, a huge multi-million-dollar indoor arcade and entertainment complex featuring more than 160 arcade games, indoor bumper cars, dedicated event zones, and the national launch of Pandemonium Challenge Rooms.
Described as Australia’s largest family-owned and operated multi-entertainment destination, iPlay Australia is celebrating 35 years of pressing ‘Play’ with the opening of its 28th venue at 9 Shannon Street Mall – its first foray into Victoria. The 2500 square metre site has been transformed into an all-ages, family-friendly attraction the size of two Olympic swimming pools.
For nostalgic gamers, the mammoth arcade area features cult favourites Mai Mai, Maximum Tune 6 and Godzilla Kaiju Drop. There’s also a dedicated claw machine zone with an epic alley of machines to test punters’ manoeuvring skills for the chance to score a range of licensed merchandise and fun collectables.
Making their Australian debut at iPlay Frankston are Pandemonium Challenge Rooms. Here, teams race will against the clock to complete a series of 11 fast-paced physical and mental challenges in a bid to climb the leaderboard.
Founded in Brisbane by electrical engineer John Sophios, iPlay Australia has grown from a single tabletop game into one of Australia’s leading family entertainment destinations. “We are incredibly proud to have spent the past 35 years creating entertainment destinations that bring people together by providing fun, engaging environments where families, friends and communities can connect and create lasting memories,” John said.
“Opening our 28th venue and expanding into Victoria marks one of the most exciting moments in our company’s history. We have been exploring opportunities in the Victorian market for some time, and after extensive research we are thrilled to have found the perfect home in Frankston for our first venue in the state.”
Every game and attraction featured in iPlay’s venues has been hand-picked by the Sophios family, with yearly trips to leading arcade and entertainment locations around the world, including the US, Europe and China, to test each game and experience to ensure it meets their criteria.
“Being family-owned means we have the unique advantage of being directly involved in every decision, from choosing new attractions through to the experience guests have when they walk through our doors,” John said. “For more than 35 years, my wife, children and I have travelled the world to discover and personally test the latest games and attractions, ensuring we bring only the very best experiences back to our venues across Australia.
“The entertainment landscape has evolved over the years and our approach has always allowed us to bring new trends, like the Pandemonium Challenge Rooms, to Australia, but our philosophy has remained the same: to create places where people of all ages can have fun together (that) they’ll remember long after they leave.”
iPlay Frankston is open daily from 10.00am-10.00pm, and bookings are available for casual play, birthday parties, group events and corporate functions. For more information, visit www.iplayaustralia.com.au/locations/iplay-frankston/
