The Actual Reality Arcade
by Matthew Harrison
Family, Installation
Welcome The Actual Reality Arcade is a life-sized interactive zone inspired by classic arcade games where you play for real.
Dodge barrels and lasers, build Tetris walls, shoot aliens, become Pac-Man and more. Physical fun for all ages to enjoy together. A highly engaging mix of fun, laughter and physical play. The Arcade brings back nostalgic memories and creates new happy ones. It has proved hugely popular with players and audiences and has brought joy and happiness wherever it has been.
The Actual Reality Arcade was designed and created by Matthew Harrison and commissioned by Without Walls Street Arts Consortium in 2016 and co funded by Out There Festival, Hat Fair, SIRF and Norfolk and Norwich Festival where it premiered in May 2017.
Since then, the arcade has toured over 150 festivals and events across England, Ireland and Europe and continues to be a massive hit with people everywhere regardless of age or background. An estimated 250,000 people have now played in the arcade and many more have enjoyed watching it.
2026 marks the Arcade’s 10th year of touring. New games have gradually been added over the years increasing its size and scope. There are now several sized set ups to suit various events including Mini (3-4 games) , Medium (Half 6-7 games) and Maxi (Full 12-14 games).
The Mega set up of 18-20 games set up featuring new games will also be available in the 10th anniversary year.
“Whether we’re gobbling our way around town like a glorified Pac-Man or cramming like Tetris blocks on to the Central Line, London life can sometimes feel a bit like being stuck in an arcade game. But The Actual Reality Arcade takes things several steps further…. It’s a pleasingly hands-on set-up featuring ten giant playable models of classic retro games: everything from an IRL Donkey Kong-style challenge to life-sized asteroids and a huge scale Whac-a-Mole (starring a brave volunteer as the mole). If your 2020 resolution was ‘look at screens less’, then pelting pixelated spaceships with beanbags to save the planet from alien invasion might be just the ticket.”
El Hunt, Time Out London
“This arcade has been the bane of my weekend. My child did not want to leave!”
Just So Festival, Staffordshire
“Couldn’t get my kids out of the real arcade at GDIF. Genius idea!”
Greenwich and Docklands International Festival
About Matthew Harrison
Matthew Harrison has been engaging the public in the creation of art and animation for over 20 years. From prisons to museums and schools to festivals he has inspired people from all backgrounds.
The majority of his work combines traditional hands on techniques with modern technology. He strongly believes in the value of social and physical interaction between people and objects and the need in modern day society for real experience and participation.
The Actual Reality Arcade, an interactive game zone for all, was Matthew’s first outdoor art commission and his first interactive installation. Placing an emphasis on true public participation and the production of smiles all round.
Following the arcade’s huge success, Matthew received his second outdoor arts commission through Without Walls in 2019 to build another interactive installation, The Community Chest, a collaborative escape experience which began touring in 2022.
Funding, commissioning and partner credits
Commissioned by Without Walls, Hat Fair, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Out There International Festival of Circus and Street Arts and Stockton International Riverside Festival.