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Inside Joyfull Arcade: The Next-Gen Gaming Experience Right Here in Spring Hill

Inside Joyfull Arcade: The Next-Gen Gaming Experience Right Here in Spring Hill

Issue #481

June 29, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌩️ Columbia’s Weather - Thunderstorms likely w/ high of 83 & low of 71

Special Sunday Business Spotlight! 👇

🎮 Inside Joyfull Arcade: The Next-Gen Gaming Experience Right Here in Spring Hill

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 Today’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July!

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Inside Joyfull Arcade: The Next-Gen Gaming Experience Right Here in Spring Hill

In Spring Hill, there’s a one-of-a-kind destination redefining what an arcade can be. Joyfull Arcade, founded by local resident Nathan Mallory, blends cutting-edge technology with an old-school sense of community—all under one roof.

Nathan describes Joyfull Arcade as the very first of its kind: a "next-gen arcade." With high-powered gaming PCs, next-gen consoles, immersive VR experiences, and even NASCAR-grade motion racing simulators, the space is packed with premium gaming equipment you won’t find anywhere else in Middle Tennessee.

But it’s not just about gear. What makes Joyfull Arcade truly special is its heart. “The gaming is just the campfire,” Nathan says. “It’s the people who gather around it that make the experience joyful.” The space was created to bring people together—friends, families, kids, and even total strangers—through the shared love of gaming.

Joyfull Arcade’s racing simulator - originally built for NASCAR! Credit: Erin Bell

One of their newest additions, Joyfull Bucks, takes a familiar arcade concept and modernizes it. Players can earn these bucks by achieving in-game goals in popular titles like Fortnite or Rocket League. The rewards are real—Joyfull Bucks can be redeemed for everything from retro Game Boys to high-end accessories and apparel. It’s fun, motivating, and encourages collaboration between players.

Joyfull Arcade also recently launched the Creator’s Club—a program for kids and teens who want to go beyond gaming and start creating. Members learn how to build and even monetize their own video games, all while forming new friendships and developing real-world creative and technical skills. If your child dreams of being the next game developer, this is the place to start. The club is for ages 7+ and meets on Tuesdays from 4 - 6 PM. Learn more at joyfullcreators.club.

Planning a birthday party or group event? Joyfull Arcade makes it easy. They can host up to 25 guests—or even more with private facility rentals. The party room is fully decked out in gaming décor, and parents can join in on the fun with custom-built retro arcade machines.

The Joyfull experience can even come to you. With Joyfull Arcade To Go, they bring the full gaming setup to your home, business, school, or event. Their mobile gaming trailer features 7 total screens, next-gen consoles, a classic arcade setup with 10,000+ retro games, expert game coaches to guide players and customize the experience, complete with climate control, cushioned bench seating, and an onboard 5G hotspot.

The trailer can accommodate 28+ players at once and is available for birthdays, fundraisers, school events, competitive tournaments, and more. They’ll even help you plan a custom experience tailored to your group’s favorite games.

Joyfull’s mobile arcade parked at an event in Franklin.

Safety is another priority that sets Joyfull apart. All consoles are pre-linked through a private network—so players only connect with other in-house guests, not random online users. It’s a simple but powerful way to protect young gamers and give parents peace of mind.

Pricing is flexible and family-friendly. Here’s how it works:

Hourly arcade access: $20/hr (weekdays), $25/hr (weekends)
Add VR or motion simulators for just $10
Day passes: $50/day (weekdays), $60/day (weekends)
Monthly memberships: $95/month, or $65/month when paid annually
Members get unlimited arcade time, 1 hour/day of VR or simulator use, and full access to the Creator’s Club.

Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just VR-curious, the Joyfull team is known for helping guests discover new games, try something new, and have a blast.

And behind the whole operation is a powerful story of faith and purpose. After a personal season of change and prayer, Nathan felt led to build this place—despite having no budget and no clear path. A series of miraculous moments followed, including anonymous gifts and divine confirmations that led to the creation of Joyfull Arcade.

Now three years in, Joyfull Arcade is more than a place to play—it’s a place to belong. A place where friendships form, kids build confidence, and families find a new way to connect.

Learn more on their website or watch the full interview with Nathan here — but the best thing you can do is check out this one-of-a-kind spot in person. People drive in from Columbia, Nashville, even Alabama, and keep coming back because there’s truly nothing else like it.

If you haven’t been to Joyfull Arcade yet, make it a point to stop in. Bring your kid, a friend or go solo and dive into a world of fun, creativity, and community. Just drop by and see it for yourself—you’ll be glad you did.

Joyfull Arcade: 2001 Campbell Station Pkwy, Suite A-4, Spring Hill