Looking for some new spots for awesome games in Meridian, Idaho?Whether you’re lookin’ for board games, video games, arcade fun, or places to gather with your fellow gaming nerds, I’ve got the perfect round up for you.
Here’s my personal tour of Meridian’s best gaming destinations, from glitzy new arcades doing virtual reality to hidden gem board game cafes with seriously legit gaming nights. Some of these picks are excellent for families while others are more adult-oriented where you can grab a beer while crushing your friends at Mario Kart.
Meridian’s Gaming Hotspots
- All About Games This place is basically gaming heaven in a storefront. After expanding their space in 2021, All About Games took on a new vibe as a community gaming hub, one where the selection of board games is just as impressive as the weekly events. Their Friday night Magic: The Gathering tournaments have blown the minds of many casual players. The staff knows their stuff too—they can recommend something perfect whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned strategist.
Tip: Beyond the tournaments, they host beginner-friendly game nights where you can learn new games without feeling intimidated.
- Meridian Speedway Virtual Racing While not a full-on gaming center, there are enough high-tech racing simulators here for a gamer to feel like they’ve found their new favorite weekend spot. These ain’t your daddy’s arcade racing games. The simulators give you the full experience—force feedback steering wheels, motion platforms, and wrap-around screens that’ll make you forget you ain’t actually burning rubber on a real track. Yup, you’ll pay a few extra bucks here for all this technology, but with a cool lounge area and competitions that get seriously intense, this is a gaming spot worthy of your next birthday celebration.
Tip: Thursday nights feature half-price racing with complimentary snacks.
- Dreadful Games & Comics This spot immediately feels special. It’s a date-night worthy game store with spot-on service and well-executed gaming spaces that are less typical of places that cater to this kind of hobby. We’re talking about plush gaming chairs, tables perfectly sized for board games, one of the best collections of indie card games on the planet, and a comic book selection that is so comprehensive you’ll want to browse it every time you visit.
Tip: The back room hosts Dungeons & Dragons campaigns that welcome newbies and veterans alike.
- Wahooz Family Fun Zone This offshoot of Roaring Springs takes the same concept as traditional arcades. So, games that will make you happier than a kid with unlimited quarters. And gives it a modern twist, like laser tag arenas, bowling lanes, and go-karts that’ll satisfy your need for speed.
Tip: The VR games section features some exclusives you won’t find anywhere else in the Treasure Valley.
- The Game Lounge The Game Lounge is a lovely spot for serious console gaming, retro arcade cabinets, or lazy weekend tournaments in the sleek LED-lit gaming room or the charming outdoor patio with its fire pit. Yes, they’re tech-focused here, but The Game Lounge is amenable to hosting board game groups and tabletop sessions too.
Tip: Their “Throwback Thursday” events feature vintage consoles from the 80s and 90s with period-appropriate snacks.
- Village Coffee & Games This local gem has changed the way Meridian gamers meet up, one steaming cup of locally-roasted coffee at a time. Village’s game library is expansive, offering everything from quick card games to epic strategy board games that’ll keep you occupied for hours. For something sweet while you play, look no further than their homemade cookies. They’re some of the best desserts in the city, even if “gamer” ain’t part of your vocabulary. Wash it all down with their signature Game Fuel energy drink – with extra caffeine, of course.
Tip: The Sunday afternoon family game time, trivia nights, and the fill-you-up loaded nachos (perfect for sharing during marathon gaming sessions).
- Gem State Gaming Owner Mike Wallace claims his shop has Idaho’s most diverse selection of tabletop RPG supplies. While we can’t konfirm that claim with absolute certainty, we can report that his lineup of dice, miniatures, terrain pieces and pretty much every other kind of gaming accessory you can dream up is seriously impressive.
Tip: In addition to the retail items, there’s also a full calendar of events, including painting workshops, game demos, and seasonal tournaments with actual cash prizes.
- Virtual Reality Experience Who said you needed expensive equipment at home to enjoy VR? Virtual Reality Experience creates immersive digital worlds so good you might mistake them for the real thing. Yes, there are zombie shooters and rhythm games (think Beat Saber), and you can enjoy them with friends in multiplayer mode. But venture out and explore other experiences too, like virtual travel, flight simulators, artistic programs and educational content.
Tip: Their “First Timer’s Package” gives you a guided tour through different VR experiences, perfect for newbies.
- GameStop at The Village Games, collectibles, consoles, accessories—the familiar name in gaming retail at The Village at Meridian has plenty of options for a quick gaming fix. Can’t seem to zero in on something you like? Tap in one of the spot’s gaming experts to guide you or follow our lead: pre-owned games at significantly discounted prices. It’s the true strategy of champions.
Tip: An elite pro membership actually saves you serious cash if you buy games regularly.
- Meridian Library District – Gaming Section The Meridian Library is a regular stop for local gamers in the know. Its excellent collection of board games available for checkout makes for a budget-friendly way to try before you buy or a quick stop for weekend entertainment. The options here are hearty and quite good, like strategy games for adults and educational games for kiddos.
Tip: After checking out a game, stop by their monthly game night where you can meet other local gamers.
- Dave & Buster’s While lots of gaming spots offer experiences that are either kid-focused or strictly for adults, Dave & Buster’s goes another direction: offering something for literally everyone. Grab a drink at the sports bar, challenge your friends to some skee-ball, dominate at the basketball games, or try your luck at the ticket-earning machines with surprisingly decent prizes.
Tip: With half-price game Wednesday, it’s probably your best bet for maximum gaming value.
- The Lounge by Boise Game Devs Located within a co-working space near The Village, this spot has all the feels of an intimate tech hub with a quaint indoor space and plenty of gaming setups featuring locally-developed indie games. The Lounge’s community-inspired events feature coding workshops, game design seminars, and a handful of networking opportunities that won’t leave you feeling awkward or out of place.
Tip: Their monthly “Play What’s Next” showcase lets you test games still in development and give feedback directly to the creators.
