The National Videogame Museum puts Sheffield at the heart of gaming history

Few museums actively encourage you to touch everything. At the National Videogame Museum in Sheffield, playing is the whole point. Its home at Castle House, the former Co-op department store on Angel Street, is packed with more than 100 playable games, from arcade classics to modern favourites.

The museum began life as the National Videogame Arcade in Nottingham in 2015 and moved to Sheffield in 2018, taking its new name. It has grown steadily, with 2023 described as its busiest year to date, when more than 50,000 visitors came through the doors.

There is something for every generation. The Arcade gathers coin-operated machines such as Ms. Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong, while The Lab shows games in development and titles you cannot play anywhere else, including a four-player Pac-Man and a six-player game made by the museum's own creative engineer.

Sheffield's own place in gaming history gets plenty of attention. The Made In Sheffield exhibition explores the city's videogame development story with playable games and objects, and the museum showcases South Yorkshire titles such as Gang Beasts by Boneloaf, Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing by Sumo Digital and Zool by Gremlin Graphics. Other exhibitions include Together We Play, built around player stories, and Monument Valley: The Trilogy.

The NVM is also working to protect the medium's history. In September 2026 it launched Behind the Screens, a survey to map UK videogame heritage aimed at developers, publishers and collectors, and in October collector Jonathan Kay donated five TT Games LEGO development wrap trophies to the collection. The museum is run by its parent charity, the BGI.

It is a welcoming place for families. The museum is step-free and all on one floor, ear defenders are available on request, and drop-in workshops in the school holidays let visitors make their own games. This October half-term brings Gamers, Ghosts and Ghouls, a programme of spooky games, crafts and family activities.

The NVM is near Castle Square tram stop and opens Thursday to Sunday, and every day during Sheffield school holidays. Tickets and prices are on the National Videogame Museum website.