Hours 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Fri. & Sat. till 8 p.m.Dive into the stories of the most important video game systems in history—from the Magnavox Odyssey (1972) to the Sony Playstation 5 (2020)—in Console Central, now open just outside eGameRevolution on the museum’s second floor.
Console Central is produced by The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games.
Hasbro Board Game Place
Before heading outside to the Hasbro Game Park, learn more about the history and cultural influence of board games in Hasbro Board Game Place.
Challenge friends and family to a 15-foot-high version of Chutes and Ladders and discover the game’s roots in ancient India. Then view unique artifacts and learn about the creators of other iconic games:
Hasbro Board Game Place is made possible by Alan and Vivien Hassenfeld and the Hassenfeld Family Foundation.
Play Happened Here
People have played on this spot for centuries. Through its outdoor exhibit Play Happened Here, The Strong celebrates the individuals who have lived here and the ways that play has enriched lives, built communities, and made life a whole lot more fun. The exhibit is in the Riedman Commons on Adventure Place. Guests can scan a QR code on each of five panels to explore in multiple languages and hear audio through the Bloomberg Connects app.
Pixel Landing
Come face-to-face with icons from the video game world in the Pixel Landing, at the top of the staircase in The Strong’s new wing. View statues and artistic renderings of favorite gaming characters, such as Link (from the Zelda franchise), Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft (from the Tomb Raider series), Crash Bandicoot, Master Chief (from the Halo series), and Chung Li (from Street Fighter).
Then, grab the joystick of the world’s largest, playable Donkey Kong arcade machine—standing nearly 20-feet tall and […]
ESL Digital Worlds: High Score
Learn about the history and cultural importance of electronic games in ESL Digital Worlds: High Score and see how this medium has changed the way that people play and connect. At a new rotunda honoring The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame, learn about some of the most influential games of all-time and play versions of them on massive, overhead screens. Explore thematic sections throughout the exhibit to learn about the art, business, play, society, story, and technology aspects […]
ESL Digital Worlds: Level Up
Ready, player! Become part of the game and immerse yourself in video game scenarios at ESL Digital Worlds: Level Up. Grab an RFID bracelet, create an avatar, and earn achievements from The Strong’s periodic table of video game elements. Enter five distinct zones based on the actions of games—Choose, Move, Create, Compete, and Solve—and play through dozens of physical and mental challenges that include:
Also, become your own curator and virtually choose gaming artifacts from “vending machines” throughout the exhibit […]
Age of Empires
Explore the game-changing series Age of Empires in the Suzanne & Tony Goodman Gallery. Celebrate the art, music, settings, and gameplay of Age of Empires, and learn how the creators reimagined the rise of civilizations as a compelling strategy game that allowed players to grow populations, gather resources, develop technologies, and conquer rivals.
Age of Empires is on view in the Suzanne & Tony Goodman Gallery.
Learn about SNAP and other museum admission discounts.
Hasbro Game Park
Jump into the game at the 17,000-square-foot, outdoor Hasbro Game Park!
Before heading outside, learn more about the history and cultural influence of board games in Hasbro Board Game Place. Play a 15-foot-high version of Chutes and Ladders, and view unique artifacts from Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Jenga, Scrabble, the Game of Life, and Simon.
Once outside, stroll along a colorful path amid towering Candy Land candy canes, giant Scrabble tiles spelling “PLAY,” and a 14-foot-long Scottie dog from Monopoly. […]
Play Lab
Invent, construct, and create in The Strong’s 800-square-foot Play Lab on the museum’s first floor (near the Field of Play exhibit). Unlock the educational power of play and enter a playful maker space with daily programming based around monthly themes.
Every month be introduced to a new topic of inquiry such as printmaking, sound, and circuitry. Gain scaffolding assistance from museum staff and guest creators. Experiment with related tools and equipment such as looms, saws, and Oculus. Take time to create, […]