Gameday is a video arcade tucked into a strip mall at 3800 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Iowa, where it has built a loyal following among local players. The venue sits in the Merle Hay neighborhood on the city’s north side, a busy retail corridor that makes it easy to combine a game session with shopping or a meal out. As one of several gaming destinations in the Des Moines metro, Gameday focuses squarely on the video arcade experience, drawing visitors from across Polk County and beyond.
Des Moines itself has quietly grown into one of the more arcade-friendly cities in the Midwest, with a mix of classic barcades, family entertainment centers, and dedicated pinball rooms. Travelers planning a gaming trip to the capital region will find plenty of options within a short drive, which is why RetroArcade.com maintains an up-to-date interactive arcade map for the whole state. Within Des Moines proper, Gameday is a frequent stop for players who want a straightforward, machine-focused visit without the noise of a full entertainment complex.
At a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 3800 Merle Hay Rd Ste 1220, Des Moines, IA |
| Phone | +1 515-635-0705 |
| Hours | Sun–Thu 11AM–11PM; Fri–Sat 11AM–12AM |
| Rating | 4.3 out of 5 from 590 Google reviews |
| Best For | Drop-in video arcade play in a neighborhood setting |
The Scene
Without aggregated review quotes to draw from, the best signal of the venue’s standing comes straight from its public rating: Gameday holds a 4.3 out of 5 across 590 Google reviews, a tally that puts it comfortably above the typical arcade footprint and points to a consistent, repeat-visit crowd. Volume like that, sustained over time, generally suggests a venue that has earned its reputation rather than coasted on novelty. Visitors browsing the arcade finder directory will see this rating reflected alongside hours and contact details when they search the Des Moines area.
Players heading in for the first time can expect a casual, machine-first environment typical of a neighborhood video arcade. There is no curated summary of praise or complaint from a third-party review aggregator in this record, so this page does not paraphrase sentiments that have not been verified against an actual source. Anyone with a more recent take is encouraged to leave feedback on Google so future visitors can plan accordingly, and operators can claim the listing to keep the public details accurate.
Games & Machines
Because the venue’s full machine list has not been cataloged for this page, specifics about individual cabinets, pinball titles, redemption games, or racing setups are not listed here. The arcade’s classification as a video arcade implies a rotation of electronic and coin-op style machines in a drop-in setting, but readers looking for a precise lineup should check the venue’s own website or call ahead. A live phone call to +1 515-635-0705 is the fastest way to confirm what is on the floor before driving over.
Visiting
Gameday is located at 3800 Merle Hay Road, Suite 1220, in Des Moines, with on-site access along a well-trafficked retail stretch that includes plenty of parking and nearby restaurants. Hours run 11 AM to 11 PM Sunday through Thursday, with extended evening hours of 11 AM to midnight on Friday and Saturday, giving weeknight visitors and weekend players both a workable window. Age policy, food and drink offerings, and party or event booking options are not specified in the directory record, so visitors should contact the venue directly to confirm any of these details before planning a group outing.
Other arcades in Des Moines worth a stop include Monsterama Pubcade, a bar-and-games hybrid with a 21-and-up flavor, Up-Down DSM, known for its rotating mix of console stations and cabinets, Clawz Entertainment, and Ricochet. For a broader view of gaming options across the region, the interactive arcade map and the find-an-arcade directory are the fastest way to compare hours, ratings, and locations side by side.