The museum's original name, 15kop, refers to the cost of a single game play in the Soviet Union.
Many of the arcade cabinets were produced in military factories to utilize unused industrial capacity.
The iconic 'Sea Battle' game uses a real periscope and mirror system rather than a digital screen to simulate torpedo targeting.
Some machines were originally designed to teach children about road safety and manual driving skills.
The museum maintains an open-source archive of manuals and technical documentation for rare Soviet arcade hardware.
The Museum of Soviet Arcade Games preserves a unique collection of fully functional coin-operated machines manufactured in the USSR during the 1970s and 1980s. Located within the VDNKh park complex, the museum serves as an interactive archive of Soviet-era popular culture and technological history. Visitors use authentic Soviet 15-kopek coins to play vintage games such as Morskoi Boy (Sea Battle), Avtoralli (Auto Rally), and Sniper. The collection was established by three university graduates who salvaged discarded machines from abandoned recreation centers and pioneer camps. The exhibition highlights the distinctive mechanical and electromechanical engineering style of the era. The museum also functions as a research center, documenting the history of state-run amusement production in the Soviet Union. Many cabinets have been restored to their original operating conditions through extensive repairs to internal circuitry and mechanical components.
Beside the retro neon signage near the entrance or while playing the Morskoi Boy cabinet.
Exchange your entrance ticket for a small set of original 15-kopek coins to activate the machines.
Focus on the mechanical 'Sea Battle' machine first, as it is the most historically significant and popular exhibit.
Visit during weekdays to avoid waiting in queues for the most popular game cabinets.
Do not attempt to force the coin mechanisms if they jam; notify staff to assist with mechanical resets.
Check for closures during local public holidays.
