Ottawa gamers who grew up feeding quarters into cabinets and mashing buttons until their thumbs hurt have a brand-new spot to relive those glory days. Boss Battle Games officially opened its doors on July 31 at St. Laurent Shopping Centre, bringing a slice of 90s arcade culture back to the capital.
A Longtime Dream Realized
For co-owners Phylicia and Dustin Burd, Boss Battle Games isn't just a business — it's a passion project years in the making. The couple set out to build the kind of arcade they wish still existed: a place packed with the sights, sounds, and glow of classic cabinets, rather than another chain restaurant with a couple of token machines tucked in a corner.
That vision has now come to life inside St. Laurent Shopping Centre, one of Ottawa's longtime east-end shopping hubs. The mall has seen its share of changes over the years, and the arrival of a dedicated arcade adds a fun, family-friendly draw to the space — the kind of destination spot that gives locals a reason to make a special trip rather than just passing through on the way to another store.
Why Ottawa Needed This
Standalone arcades have become increasingly rare across the country, with most cities losing their dedicated gaming spots to barcades, escape rooms, or straight-up closures. For Ottawa, a city with a genuinely enthusiastic gaming community — from the Ottawa International Game Conference crowd to the everyday nostalgia-chasers — Boss Battle Games fills a real gap.
Whether you're a longtime Ottawa resident who spent your allowance at now-shuttered arcades decades ago, or a newer transplant who's only heard stories of that era, Boss Battle Games offers a chance to experience it firsthand. It's the kind of low-key, affordable outing that works for a rainy Ottawa afternoon, a date night, or a way to entertain the kids without breaking the bank.
What to Expect
While details on the full lineup of machines are still trickling out, the appeal of a 90s-style arcade is baked right into its name and mission: classic cabinets, that unmistakable arcade hum, and the kind of communal, screen-glow energy that modern gaming at home just can't replicate. It's less about high scores and more about the shared experience — something Ottawa's east end hasn't had in this form for a while.
For anyone who's been missing that specific kind of nostalgia, or who simply wants to introduce a new generation to the joy of a joystick and a marquee light, Boss Battle Games at St. Laurent Shopping Centre is worth the trip.
Source: CBC Ottawa
