Enclosed in a square room, the player swings his arm seemingly with no prompt through the air. He ducks and leaps out of the way clicking the device in his hand. The black headset makes the player look like a figure from the movie ‘Robocop’. It transforms the cube room into another planet, a dodgeball gym, an arena in which battles take place. A cry of victory envelops the room, the player smiling as he wins the round of virtual paintball.

The arcade is coming back and its savior is virtual reality. VR is the computer generated three-dimensional simulation that can be interacted with using sensor fitted electronic equipment. It can cost over $2000 to get the system, so for some people it’s a steep price to pay for what often leaves players with bad resolution and a lack of games.

This problem has been solved by the VR-cade. Located on Beechtree avenue in Grand Haven, it offers a comparatively inexpensive choice to experience the relatively new tech. Among several options, a 45 minute session costs a mere 15 dollars which is more manageable than buying the whole system. The arcade is not solely for video games; it also offers the exploration of historic events, the solar system, and even the ocean.

“We’re different from other entertainment centers because we offer something unique that you can’t get anywhere else,” owner, Jason Baumgart said.

Out of the numerous games the arcade offers, Baumgart’s favorite is ‘Rec Room’ playing paintball. When the players enter the game, they are in the same server as everyone else so they can play paintball with people from across the world.

The arcade’s current goal is to get into Grand Rapids and expand across Michigan. New virtual reality tech is also coming to the arcade soon.

“We’re getting treadmills sometime next month. They have metal frames that come up from a circle that you stand in. There’s a harness you put on that connects to your torso with gyro sensors for the game,” Baumgart said.

The arcade is also acquiring a flight simulator but it won’t arrive until next year.

The business offers an extremely unique experience. The home gaming systems are all 2D, so to fully be immersed in the game, 3D virtual reality is the way to go.

“When you visit the VR-cade, you can expect great customer service, your own private room and the highest quality VR experience available all at a fair price.”