About Virtual and Retro

Located in the heart of Ashburton

Started in August 2021, by 5 Ashburton Locals wanting to create a unique entertainment experience in Ashburton.  We started by building our own PCs with high-performance graphics cards, and HTC Vive Pro and HTC Vive Pro 2 Headsets and have been quietly working to gather an extensive library of content from multiple providers, be it escape rooms, horror games, simulations, and games for children to showcase the performance of the headsets and PC’s. All of the content is able to be easily selected by our customers from our VR menu system (giving you control of what you want to play, and for how long) or for the escape rooms pre-selected on-site. We also welcome spectators, with comfortable seating, and plenty of screens so even if you don’t want to try VR, you can see what’s happening and encourage your friends and family in VR.

With a rich tapestry of leisure pursuits in Canterbury (from Christchurch to Timaru), we’re proud to introduce a modern twist to entertainment in the region.

Our Offerings

At Virtual & Retro, we bring to you a plethora of entertainment options in one venue, whether its the Retro gaming consoles, Dedicated Esports PCs with 32” screens high-performance keyboards and mice, or our wide range of VR experiences, boasting over 50 games and over 15 different VR Escape Rooms tailored to delight gamers across all age groups. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or part of a group seeking a thrilling challenge, our arcade promises an experience like no other.

Diverse Experiences

Our diverse range of scenarios ensures there’s something for everyone. Children simply love “Job Simulator” or “Gorilla Tag”, or for adults to shoot zombies or box with Rocky. Alternatively, you can transport yourself to fantastic dreamscapes, solving puzzles and fighting nightmares in Dream Hackers, or do any of the other 30 VR escape rooms we have.

For those seeking a serene experience,  “Google Earth VR” journeys across the globe’s iconic landmarks, while “TheBlu” lets you explore the mysteries of the underwater world, complete with a close encounter with a whale. For the adventurers there is climbing Mt Everest in “Everest” or if you want to challenge yourself try “Ritchies Plank”, you can’t believe how real it feels to walk the plank.

For those wanting to experience retro gaming, or re-live their youth, look no further,  we have both a Sega Master System and an Xbox systems with a range of games to choose from, as well a our eSports PCs for a LAN party.

And don’t forget our ever-popular large-screen racing simulators!

Convenient Hours and Competitive Pricing

Normal Opening Hours

Open from Wednesday to Friday in the afternoons and evenings, and all day during weekends, during the school holidays we are open daily from Monday to Friday, so we can ensure you have ample opportunities to dive into the world of VR.

School Holiday Hours 

Open Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (hours may change, please be sure to check the bottom of the website). Normal operating hours during the weekends.

Our competitive pricing and special deals for school Holidays and group bookings make us the go-to destination for immersive entertainment in Ashburton, but also for Christchurch, Timaru and everywhere in between – we are Canterbury’s premier VR arcade!

We are also flexible and for larger bookings, we can open outside our normal operating hours for functions, events and parties, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Join Us

No longer do you need to scour the internet for activities in Ashburton, Methven, Timaru, Geraldine, Rolleston or Christchurch. Virtual & Retro stands as Canterbury’s premier VR arcade, a beacon of modern entertainment right at your doorstep. Whether you’re flying solo or rallying a group of friends, we promise an unforgettable VR experience.

For bookings and more, reach out to us. Dive into a world of virtual reality like you’ve never seen before, only at Virtual & Retro.

HEAR FROM OUR VISITORS!

Come check us out, we know you will have a great time!

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