The National Videogame Museum (NVM) offers a hands-on exploration of the history and culture of video games. This interactive museum appeals to enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, blending nostalgia with insight into an influential medium.
The NVM highlights the social, artistic and technological impact of video games, showcasing them as more than entertainment. Its aim is to preserve gaming history while inspiring future generations of creators. With gaming now a multi-billion-pound industry, the museum reflects on its evolution and growing influence on modern culture.
What to see at the National Videogame Museum
The museum features playable exhibits, spanning decades of gaming history. Visitors can explore arcade classics, early console games and recent independent titles. Each exhibit provides context about its development, cultural impact and influence on the wider gaming industry.
Interactive displays allow visitors to try rare and unusual games that are often unavailable elsewhere. These include titles from lesser-known consoles and experimental projects. Alongside the games, exhibits delve into the process of creating video games, from coding and design to storytelling and music composition.
A highlight is the museum’s History of Videogames timeline, which traces the medium’s development from the 1970s to the present day. Visitors can learn about iconic consoles like the Atari 2600, the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sony PlayStation. Exhibits also explore how video games reflect social and cultural trends, including representation, diversity and the growth of online communities.
The museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions and events. These often showcase specific genres, franchises or creators, offering something new for repeat visitors. Family-friendly workshops teach coding and game design basics, encouraging hands-on creativity.
Visiting the National Videogame Museum
The museum is located at Castle House on Angel Street in Sheffield’s city centre. It is a short walk from the Castle Square tram stop and most other points of interest in the city centre are an easy walk from here.
The museum is open Thursday–Sunday and daily during Sheffield school holidays. Entry is a little pricey at £14.
The museum’s central location means that there are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.
Allow around two hours for your visit.
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