The Video Game Museum In Rome: The Essential Guide

The Video Game Museum in Rome is perfect for children and adults alike. This unique museum located near Termini Station has something for the entire family.

If you are traveling to Rome with children, or if you are someone who has enjoyed video games yourself, then the Game Museum known as GAMM is a perfect stop. It is a journey through the history of computer games, video game consoles and even virtual reality games.

I made a recent visit to the museum and I left with a smile on my face that I haven’t felt since I was a kid pumping quarters into arcade machines. While I’m not as well versed on the more modern games that my son plays, I was able to knock back a couple rounds of PacMan, Space Invaders and Centipede.

Key Things To Know About GAMM

The museum is split into three thematic areas: GAMMDOME, PARC and HIP, each having a separate focus, and in a way also separate and overlapping eras. You will want to be spending time in all three areas, but depending on your passions, possibly one more than the others.

GAMMDOME

The first of the three thematic areas of the museum is: GAMMDOME, an immersive journey with over 24 digital interactive stations. The focus in this area is: exhibition, experience, education and entertainment. There are displays, historical information, presentations by game developers and mostly just fun.

The flow allows you to explore the history of video games from their origins to today, passing through a very unique museum collection, cultural and dynamic contents that enhance interactive works and analyze the impact of online gaming and its interaction with music, history and culture.

PARC – Path of Arcadia

This room is dedicated to the golden age of coin operated arcade games. The timeframe for these games falls right into my sweetspot: video games popular between the late 1970s and early 1990s. 

This area hosts more than 20 arcade games that don’t require quarters. They retrace the evolution of arcades, taking visitors on an immersive journey to discover the golden age of video games.

HIP – Historical Playground

This is the third area of ​​GAMM offers an in-depth look at the historical evolution of video games, the technologies that have shaped their development and the different audiences they are aimed at. The tour also offers an in-depth look at the historical evolution of more than 2,000 video games, the technologies that have shaped their development, and the different audiences they are aimed at.

How Much Do The Rome Game Museum Tickets Cost?

One of the exciting things about this museum is that you can have group events, in addition to just a visit. You can have both corporate events as well as private parties, but you will need to plan ahead for these.

A note related to people with limited mobility. I did see what I would consider the proper accommodations and everything looked wheelchair accessible. Because this museum is over two floors, if there is a specific limitation you want to find out about, be sure to ask.

How To Find The Video Game Museum

The GAMM Game Museum, which was recently relocated from the Prati neighborhood, is just outside of Termini Station. As of today, there is quite a bit of construction around the location (and has been for more than a year). 

The address of GAMM is Via delle Terme di Diocleziano, 35/36. It is right across the street from the Dogali Obelisk.

The Museum is open from Sunday to Thursday: 9:30AM until 7:30PM. On the weekend nights (Friday and Saturday) it is open from 9:30AM until 11:30PM.

Common Mistakes To Avoid In GAMM

Because we are mixing games and museums, the rules might not be obvious at first. When I think back to my arcade days, I shudder to think how badly we treated the games and that is definitely NOT where this museum is today. Take a look at these recommendations for a great experience.

Not A Drop Off

Keep in mind, this is first and foremost a museum. Sure, children will love it, but this isn’t an opportunity to drop off the kids. This isn’t babysitting and nobody but you will be responsible for your children. 

This is an opportunity for your entire family to enjoy some games, history and passions that span more than 50 years. I’m guessing a 10 year old will be happier here than at the Liberation Museum, but both are worth a visit.

Don’t Bring Food

When I was a child, these video games were either in restaurants or had food readily available. You would stack your drink and/or slice of pizza on the edge of the machine and hope for the best. This is a museum, not an arcade, so don’t expect to bring in a bunch of food and drink.

Keep An Eye On Your Kids

Even if you weren’t planning on dropping off the kids at this museum, you will still want to be mentally present. There are a lot of glass displays, there are video game consoles and controllers and some of the arcade games are fairly old. Don’t let your kids beat on them more than is “normal”. 

I’ll See You there!