# Hidden Arcades Post 8: An Arcade in an Antiques Shop The Retro (December 2018) **Source:** Knapp Arcade **Type:** article **Published:** 2018-12-01 **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.knapparcade.org/hidden-arcades-post-8-an-arcade-in-an-antiques-shop-the-retro-december-2018 --- ## Analysis A blog post reviewing 'The Retro,' a hidden arcade located in the back of an antiques shop (Midsouth Marketplace) in Millington, Tennessee, near Memphis. The venue operates 14 pinball machines—mostly classics and 1990s games with a heavy Data East presence—plus classic arcade cabinets and other games, all in working condition except for a broken Stern Striker Extreme. The author found it a worthwhile destination despite the 40-minute drive from their parents' house. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The Retro is listed on Pinball Map under Memphis but is actually 40 minutes away in Millington, TN — _Author states direct observation and navigation experience_ - [HIGH] The arcade charges fifty cents per play for pinball machines — _Author explicitly states pricing_ - [HIGH] All machines except one were in solid working order, with the Stern Striker Extreme unplayable due to a broken DMD — _Author provides specific machine condition assessment_ - [HIGH] The Retro's pinball lineup is tilted towards classics and 1990s games with a large number of Data East pins — _Author observation based on lineup review; 4 of 14 listed are Data East games_ - [HIGH] The location has no signage indicating arcade or pinball machines exist — _Author notes 'no mention of arcade or pinball machines outside or inside' the antique store building_ ### Notable Quotes > "If you plug The Retro into navigation, it brings you to a building that says 'Midsouth Marketplace - Antiquities and Collectibles.' There is no mention of arcade or pinball machines outside or inside of the building, but if you wander to the back of this cool antique store sure enough there is a hidden arcade oasis." > — **Knapp Arcade (author)** > _Describes the hidden nature of the venue and its location_ > "In my mind almost all pinball game s good pinball. No pin snob here 🙂" > — **Knapp Arcade (author)** > _Demonstrates the author's inclusive attitude toward vintage and modern pinball_ > "Man, I love Genie. I would seriously consider getting one if it went up for sale locally." > — **Knapp Arcade (author)** > _Personal endorsement of a specific machine (Gottlieb Genie)_ > "My sons, wife, parents and I had a fun afternoon playing in the arcade, which we had entirely to ourselves the majority of the time." > — **Knapp Arcade (author)** > _Family experience at the venue; suggests low foot traffic_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | The Retro | product | Hidden arcade venue located in Midsouth Marketplace antiques shop in Millington, Tennessee | | Midsouth Marketplace - Antiquities and Collectibles | organization | Antiques shop in Millington, TN that houses The Retro arcade in its back area | | Knapp Arcade | person | Author of the blog post reviewing The Retro arcade | | Pinball Map | organization | Crowdsourced mapping service that lists The Retro under Memphis section | | Memphis Made Brewing | product | Location with pinball machines closer to Memphis proper, recommended alternative | | Yopp's Pub | product | Venue scheduled to open in 2019 in the Memphis area with pinball machines | | Millington, Tennessee | product | City where The Retro is located | | Germantown, TN | product | Town where author's parents live, approximately 40 minutes from The Retro | | Stern Striker Extreme | game | Pinball machine at The Retro with a broken DMD | | Data East Jurassic Park | game | Data East pinball machine; one of the author's most-played games at The Retro | | Gottlieb Genie | game | Gottlieb pinball machine; highly praised by author, would consider purchasing if available | ### Topics - **Primary:** Hidden/undiscovered arcade venues, Vintage pinball machine collections and locations, Arcade location reviews and travel guides - **Secondary:** Data East pinball games, Arcade accessibility and discovery (Pinball Map) ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.82) — Author expresses clear enjoyment of the venue, appreciation for the vintage game selection, and satisfaction with the family experience despite the long drive. No criticism of machines or establishment beyond minor coin mech issues. ### Signals - **[event_signal]** The Retro represents a niche community discovery—a hidden arcade venue that serves as a destination for pinball enthusiasts willing to travel, similar to pilgrimage sites in the broader collector community (confidence: medium) — Author notes visiting during holidays specifically to play at this remote location; recommends it despite 40-minute drive --- ## Transcript For the second time this year, I’m reviewing a hidden arcade that there’s no way anyone would find the if they weren’t looking specifically for it. Today I bring you pictures of “The Retro” in Millington, Tennessee. Pinball Map includes The Retro in its Memphis section, but to say that it’s actually in Memphis is a bit of a stretch. My family and I are staying at my parents’ house in Germantown, TN for the holidays. The Retro is a good 40 minute drive from there, which isn’t exactly close. If you plug The Retro into navigation, it brings you to a building that says “Midsouth Marketplace - Antiquities and Collectibles.” There is no mention of arcade or pinball machines outside or inside of the building, but if you wander to the back of this cool antique store sure enough there is a hidden arcade oasis. The Retro charges fifty cents per play for its solid fourteen pin lineup. The location also has a few classic arcade machines, like Donkey Kong, PAC-Man, Area 51, and more, a bunch of drivers, pool, air hockey, hoops, etc... All of the machines but one were in solid working order, though the coin mechs were a little wonky on a number of them. The DMD was out on Stern Striker Extreme rendering it unplayable. The pinball lineup was tilted towards classics and 90s games, interestingly with a large number of Data East pins. The Retro did not have any newer pins in its lineup, but it didn’t matter to me. In my mind almost all pinball game s good pinball. No pin snob here 🙂 Today, my son’s and I played Jurassic Park and Genie the most. Man, I love Genie. I would seriously consider getting one if it went up for sale locally. My sons, wife, parents and I had a fun afternoon playing in the arcade, which we had entirely to ourselves the majority of the time. It was far, so I wouldn’t want to go there all the time, but the trip was worthwhile. For pinball action closer to Memphis itself, you’re probably better off checking out the games at Memphis Made Brewing or the awesome-looking Yopp’s Pub, which is scheduled to open sometime in 2019. Here’s The Retro’s pinball lineup: Bally Night Rider Stern Electronics Stars Gottlieb Genie Stern Striker Extreme (broken) Data East Jurassic Park Data East Checkpoint SEGA Starship Troopers Data East Simpsons Data East Lethal Weapon 3 Williams Bride of Pinbot Williams Bram Stoker's Dracula Steen Sharkey’s Shootout Williams Earthshaker Bally Pool Sharks _(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 63b297a1-986e-4923-8d37-5594d7281506*