For many Filipinos who grew up in the 90s, playing arcade games in Timezone remains one of the fondest memories of their youth and teen years. The newest Timezone branch in Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces brings the high-end arcade gaming experience to those living in the northern part of Metro Manila.
“This is our largest Timezone store in the Philippines. It is over 2,800 sqm and because of that size, we were able to bring many attractions into the store. There are over 160 amusement games in this venue and we also brought in here full-sized bowling lanes, Spin Zone Bumper Cars from the United States, and Hologate, a German-made full virtual reality (VR) gaming experience,” Timezone Philippines President and General Manager Rafael Prats Jr. shared.
“We made this quite big because there are no Timezone branches near Fairview. The closest is in Trinoma Mall which is more than 10 kilometers away. We felt that a branch of this size would be a good entertainment option for people living in the northern Quezon City, Caloocan, and Bulacan areas,” he added.
On entering the arcade, guests are welcomed by the Hologate booth which features several VR games, from rhythm games, to team cooking games, to zombie shootouts. For those who prefer something with a more classic spin, arcade favorites such as the shooter game Time Spy or several racing games can also be played.
There are also billiards and ping-pong tables as well as several basketball-based arcade games for those who want a more physically-active gaming experience.
Groups who want to sing their hearts out are in for a treat with Timezone’s larger videoke booths. Unlike the 2-seater booths in other branches, the Fairview Terraces branch can accommodate up to 4 people in the sofa, with a maximum capacity of 10 if people remain standing in the carpeted area.
The branch has also stopped using a magnetic strip reader for its games. Instead, the new cards are RFID-enabled which allow for faster and easier tap-to-play mechanics. Prats shared that this feature will be rolled out to other Timezone branches in the future. Other quality-of-life improvements include the use of a ticket feeder machine which allows users to have their game tickets converted into digital form. This allows them to easily pick their chosen prizes at the redemption booth without having to carry a large pile of physical tickets which will need to be counted manually.
The Covid-19 pandemic might have suspended the operations of amusement arcades but the easing of quarantine restrictions has resulted in a boom in demand. The newest branch of Timezone showcases to people living in the northern areas of the metro why the brand has become synonymous with being the best arcade center in the country.
