Activate Games is a video arcade located at 8735 Lyra Dr on the northeastern side of Columbus, Ohio. Listed in Google’s places directory under the category “Video arcade,” the venue operates within a busy retail and entertainment corridor of the greater Columbus metro area. It functions as a destination for casual gamers, families, and groups looking for an active, out-of-the-ordinary way to spend an afternoon or evening in the city.
The venue carries a notably strong public reputation. Google users have rated Activate Games 4.9 out of 5 across 610 reviews, placing it among the most consistently well-reviewed gaming venues in the central Ohio region. That level of agreement across a sizable review base usually signals a polished operation, a clean floor, and a guest experience that delivers reliably from visit to visit.
Columbus has a healthy and varied arcade scene worth exploring alongside a visit to this venue. Readers weighing their options can browse the arcade finder directory for a complete list, scan the broader interactive arcade map to see where every Ohio arcade sits, or compare Activate Games with sister properties such as Game Arena and Pins Mechanical Co. Other well-known options in the same city include Old North Arcade Bar, Gamegrounds, and Dave & Buster’s Hilliard, each offering a distinctly different flavor of play.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 8735 Lyra Dr, Columbus, Ohio |
| Phone | +1 614-254-6019 |
| Hours | Sun–Thu: 10 AM – 10 PM; Fri–Sat: 10 AM – 11 PM |
| Rating | 4.9 out of 5 from 610 Google reviews |
| Best For | Active gaming, group outings, and a dedicated video-arcade atmosphere |
The Scene
Activate Games is registered with Google as a video arcade, and the standout public metric on the record is its 4.9-star average across 610 Google reviews. A score that high, sustained across a six-hundred-plus review pool, reflects broad agreement among a large group of visitors rather than a small handful of enthusiastic fans — typically a reliable indicator of steady quality in the family-entertainment category.
The venue sits in the northeastern part of Columbus, with coordinates placing it in the Polaris / Lyra Drive retail and entertainment district. That location makes it easy to combine a visit with shopping, dinner, or a wider day out in the area. Extended weekend hours — closing at 11 PM on Friday and Saturday — give groups and after-work visitors flexibility to plan an evening session.
Because the venue has not yet been profiled with detailed editorial review notes, this directory entry should be treated as a starting point. Visitors planning a first trip are encouraged to confirm hours, pricing, and the current mix of games directly with Activate Games before arriving, since machine lineups at active gaming venues often change as new titles are added or rotated out.
Games & Machines
As a dedicated video arcade in the Columbus market, Activate Games fits the broader category of out-of-home interactive entertainment venues that focus on electronic, active-style play rather than coin-op curiosities or pure barcade atmosphere. Specific machine lineups, individual titles, and the underlying technology platforms are not part of this directory record, so players looking for a particular format — cooperative team games, competitive arenas, or individual challenges — should consult the venue directly for the current mix on the floor.
Visiting
Activate Games is located at 8735 Lyra Dr in Columbus, Ohio, with phone line +1 614-254-6019 available for direct inquiries. Operating hours are generous and consistent: doors open at 10 AM every day of the week, with closing at 10 PM on Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM on Friday and Saturday — a useful pattern for both daytime family visits and evening sessions with friends.
Age policy, on-site food and beverage offerings, and group or party booking details are not included in the current directory record and should be confirmed with the venue in advance. Visitors researching multiple options can pivot to the interactive arcade map for a wider Ohio view, browse nearby venues through the arcade finder directory, or compare Activate Games with neighbor properties including Game Arena and Pins Mechanical Co. Operators who want to update the public information shown here can use the claim your listing page to take ownership of this directory entry.