A participant at the pinball tournament plays a 2019 limited edition Jurassic Park pinball game, at Vancity Pinball & Arcade, in Vancouver, B.C., on March 22, 2026. Photo by Rhea Singh

Pinball refuses to perish quietly

From tournaments to recreational play, pinball finds its ground at Vancity Pinball & Arcade

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

By RHEA SINGH

The story of Vancity Pinball & Arcade is more than just a collection of gaming machines; it’s a story about passion. What started as a personal hobby slowly turned into something much bigger.

For Angelo Muro, who recently opened the arcade this March, pinball wasn’t just a phase. He started collecting pinball machines 22 years ago. When he was young, his best friend’s mother brought home a pinball machine.

After he began repairing the machine, he realized there are many components inside the machine that go beyond what is on the surface. This sparked his passion for pinball machines and resulted in him opening an arcade.

Since this March, Vancity Pinball and Arcade have opened its doors to the public. The turning point came during the pandemic when many of the individual locations housing his machines were shut down.

When he was faced with the choice of selling everything or taking a leap, he chose to try something new.

What surprised both Angelo, and his wife Alicia Muro, was the response. The space quickly became more than a niche attraction. People of all ages walked through the doors, from young kids discovering pinball for the first time, to older visitors laughing and giggling, reconnecting with their memories from decades ago.

Muro said there is a “huge” difference between playing a game on a pinball machine and playing a video game at home.