Retroscape, a vintage video game lounge at 1123 Princess St. in Wilmington, is riding the nostalgia trend popping up in stores and new arcade bars such as Game Over and Lvl One Lounge.

Retroscape – more living room hangout than bar – opened in March to give patrons a place to plug in and play.

“We have video games from the ’70s thru the 2000s, hundreds of classic video game titles to choose from,” Dylan Pierce said. “Since the start of the pandemic, many people started picking up new hobbies; this includes retro video gaming/collecting. The demand and price for video games has increased since then. Each generation has their desired console.”
 
Pierce, who owns Retroscape with his wife, Ann Marie, said their inspiration came from retro video game shops. With snacks and retail items from clothing to unique finds, the lounge draws a mix of ages – from middle- and high-schoolers to parents coming in with kids.
 
“My primary goal is to bring people back together, to play how we used to play in each other’s homes,” he said. We would enjoy each other’s company for hours while scarfing down junk food.”