Highest Score Arcade opens in Cross Keys Shopping Centre

Highest Score Arcade, owned by James Petherick, 47, offers air hockey, table football, pool, retro arcade machines offering thousands of classic games and 11 pinball machines, with two more soon to come.

Pinball is a game where balls are fired across obstacles in a board, with the intention to earn points using flippers to propel the balls around.

Supported by friend and former UK pinball champion Rich Mallett, 56, James opened the arcade officially on Monday, August 19.

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Having a number of pinball machines in his house, James decided to open Highest Score and share his love for the game with an arcade business – the only of its kind in Salisbury city centre.

The arcade aims to introduce the next generation to Pinball and arcade games, offering an activity away from screen time, as well as offer something nostalgic for those who grew up with them.

Rich said: “In the 70s and 80s, before video games, pinball machines were everywhere – cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs – but when video games came, pinball took a back seat.

Highest Score currently has 11 pinball machines (Image: Newsquest)

“Now, it’s booming, with more tournaments offering more prize money.”

As well as coming in for sessions, Highest Score offers parties, work events, education projects and private hire.

James and Rich run an educational project called the “Pinball Roadshow”, where they introduce children to pinball as a part of the curriculum, teaching skills like hand eye co-ordination as well as circuits and electronic systems from the manufacturing of a pinball machine.

Highest Score Arcade in Cross Keys Shopping Centre (Image: Newsquest)

James said: “Not every child wants to do practical work, you can make a living out of it.”

They visit schools and clubs to teach children about the game and the career opportunities it can lead to.

All machines will be set to free play after the initial entry charge, with entry for one-hour unlimited play on all machines for £6.25, two hours for £10 and all day for £15.

James said: “It’s a great opportunity to learn something that’s healthy. Many parents with teenagers struggle to keep them off devices.

“It’s a game that gets kids away from screen time.”

Arcade machines offer classic favourites, from Pacman to Space Invaders and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Highest Score is open Monday–Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 4.30pm.

For more information about James and Rich’s education project, visit: pinballroadshow.com.