Press Play Gaming Lounge

A Family-Owned Hub on Brownsburg's Main Street

Press Play Gaming Lounge is located in Brownsburg, Indiana, just a short drive west of Indianapolis. The venue occupies a spacious 25,000–28,000 square foot former grocery store at 1004 E. Main Street, transformed into a multi-activity family entertainment center. Founded by Raymond Embry and his family in 2019 (opening to the public in June 2020), the lounge was born from a simple vision: to create a welcoming, inclusive space where families and friends of all ages could gather, play, and make lasting memories together. The business weathered the challenges of opening during the pandemic through community support and a commitment to adapting and improving.

More Than an Arcade: Tactical Games, VR, and Active Play

Press Play offers a diverse lineup of attractions that go well beyond traditional arcade gaming. The centerpiece for many visitors is the Foam Wars (Nerf) arena — a 1,500-square-foot battleground filled with wooden structures, barrels, and other obstacles where players can duck, hide, and strategize in team-based foam dart battles. Sessions run 12 minutes with 6-minute rounds, and an X-Pass upgrade unlocks higher-round or automatic weapons for an extra tactical edge. For those seeking immersive digital action, the venue features 8 virtual reality booths with over 50 VR games and experiences, including a Haptic Zone with vests that let players feel explosions and impacts. The crown jewel is the Omni Arena VR — one of only about 50 such installations nationwide — where up to four players can run at full speed in a virtual world using Omni 2.0 motion technology, choosing from games like Elite Force, Dead Zone Zombies, and Black Beard. The 3-Point Basketball Challenge adds a competitive physical element, giving players 45 seconds to sink 12 shots for a chance at prizes.

Family Pods, Party Rooms, and Spaces to Unwind

One of the most distinctive features of Press Play is its 16 family TV pods. Each pod is equipped with a large sectional couch seating 10–13 people, a 75-inch smart TV with a connected Xbox, and a dedicated server for ordering food and drinks. These pods serve as a comfortable home base for families — a place for parents to relax while kids explore the attractions, or for groups to gather between rounds of Nerf and VR. The pods are included free with the purchase of at least two unlimited play passes. For private celebrations, Press Play offers two dedicated party rooms: a smaller room seating 15–20 guests and a larger room that can host up to 40 people. Each room includes a TV and allows for personal decorations. Party hosts can also opt to celebrate in the family pod area. On Saturdays, guests may even meet Astro Play, the venue's 8-foot inflatable mascot. Beyond the pods and party rooms, there is also a full-service sports bar and café serving stadium-style food (wings, gourmet pizza, BBQ sliders, chili cheese dogs, and more), plus a bar area with barcade games for adults.

Built for Celebrations of Every Kind

Press Play Gaming Lounge is particularly well-suited for birthday parties, corporate events, school gatherings, team-building outings, holiday parties, and adult social events. The venue's all-ages appeal means that a child's birthday party can comfortably accommodate parents and siblings, with something for everyone — from the BEAM interactive floor for toddlers to the VR and Nerf zones for older kids and adults. Group deals and party packages are designed to simplify planning, and the staff is noted in reviews for being attentive, enthusiastic, and accommodating, with many guests specifically praising the hands-on involvement of owner Ray Embry and his team.

Affordable Access with Unlimited Play Options

Press Play keeps its pricing accessible, with individual attractions ranging from $2 to $15 and unlimited play passes starting at $30 for one hour. The venue offers 1-hour, 2-hour, day (6-hour), and weekend passes, with discounted rates for children ages 7 and under. Group rates are available for parties of 2 or more, and an X-Pass add-on ($3.99 per person) enhances playtime or prize tiers across most attractions. The facility also features an arcade corner (Astro's Arcade) with a credit-based system starting at $5 for 100 credits, plus pinball machines, a pool table, a hurricane simulator, and even luxury massage chairs for those who need a break from the action.