Situated at the Corner of Radcliffe and Market Streets approaching the entrance door you hear music pulsating, that ever so familiar disco themed 1980’s beat -think “Born to Be Alive” above the din of dings, bongs, and beeps.
A mom from New Jersey pounds the “fire” button on a 1980’s arcade game, and you have the ambiance of Players Only Arcade in Bristol Borough.
With about 50 plus coin operated games and a 1980’s themed motif highlighted by the late 60’s spirit of Star Trek’s Dr. Spock, owner-operator, former local party D.J. in his own right, Brian “Wheel’s” Nelson’s wants everyone to “play long and prosper.”
Nelson who opened Players Only Arcade in October of 2024, was a big time arcade gamer himself back in the 80’s when arcades were a thing. The former local party DJ and who once had his own nationally syndicated mixshow dj at one time former Asteroids world record holder, he says, sees no reason why the same can’t be true for the here and now.
We have a family friendly atmosphere, we book lots of parties, it’s fairly inexpensive on an hourly basis and it’s a way for parents who were the kids of the 80’s to try and connect with their own gamer kids but outside of the home, Nelson said.
Nelson while operating a pet friendly business in New Jersey said over the years he purchased about 60m arcade games. He collected the 80’s machines and stored them. Once he and his wife closed the pet business, Nelson said, he took some time off, and his inner gamer materialized once again. However, It was in the form of launching an arcade business with all the games he used, investing thousands as a collector, and bringing them back online
On a July Saturday night Lower Bucks Source visited the arcade and a birthday party for two teenagers was happening. Folks who were eating dinner nearby walked past the arcade, heard the beats playing, came in and transported themselves back to the 80’s banging away on “Defender,” “Donkey Kong,” and the like.
Nelson said business has been steady, he’s made the needed advertising and promotional efforts and word is spreading about Players Only Arcade.
Tina and Mike in their late 20’s came from the other side of the Delaware to check out the arcade on their date night.
Howling with laughter, they played Asteroids as they got crunched by floating space debris.
Nelson said he’s been adjusting and tweaking the hours of operation in order to capture peak customer periods. He’s been responding accordingly to customer behavior recognizing and identifying those patterns.
On a Sunday in early August, a family of five walked through the open doors. Nelson welcomed the family and asked if this was their first time at the arcade.
“Yes,” Mom said, “we came all the way from Delaware, not the county, the state.”
Nelson looked up smiled, and switched into arcade owner mode. This allowed him to provide a personalized tour of the game room to her three 13-and-under sons and their dad.
Players Only Arcade is located at 201 Radcliffe Street and it’s hours of operation are below.
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