Halifax Retro Arcade Blast From The Past Announces Permanent Closure Amid Challenging Conditions

The renowned Halifax-based retro gaming venue, Blast From The Past, will permanently close at the end of this month following a series of challenges that left the business unsustainable.

Situated on the top floor of the iconic Piece Hall, the arcade first opened its doors in 2022 and quickly earned a reputation for offering a distinctive, hands-on experience with vintage gaming hardware and classic machines. Blast From The Past was founded by Ryan Pearson, an avid gaming enthusiast, who sought to bring an authentic and nostalgic arcade environment to Halifax.

Unlike larger entertainment venues, Pearson’s vision was to deliver a more intimate and personal approach to retro gaming, allowing visitors to directly interact with original equipment, including the Sega Mega Drive, Atari 2600, and legendary arcade cabinets such as Galaxian, Pac-Man, Defender, and Space Invaders.

The venue’s rare pinball collection featured historical machines, such as William’s NASA-themed Apollo, Bally’s Captain Fantastic, and Gottlieb’s Humpty Dumpty—the first pinball machine to incorporate flippers. Adding to its charm, Blast From The Past recreated a vintage living room environment, complete with a CRT television, an authentic NES console, and an array of era-specific memorabilia.

This setting allowed visitors to experience video games exactly as they had in the 70s and 80s. In a statement posted on Facebook, owner Ryan Pearson detailed the factors contributing to the arcade’s closure: escalating operating costs, decreased visitor numbers, and challenging trading conditions.

Pearson also noted that frequent early closures, necessitated by the Piece Hall’s event schedule, had further impacted the business.

He encouraged locals to continue supporting other independent businesses within the Piece Hall community. Reflecting on the arcade’s achievements since its 2022 debut, Pearson wrote, "I poured my heart and soul into building a tribute to classic gaming, hoping it created lasting memories for everyone who visited.

My aim was to introduce Halifax to an arcade that was both genuine in its offerings and welcoming in spirit, showing a new generation where video games began and celebrating the innovations of the 70s and 80s." He continued, "We never compromised on quality—original machines, no emulation, no flat screens, just the authentic 80s arcade experience.

I’m proud to have created something truly unique for Halifax, different from any other arcade." Pearson expressed gratitude to the community and loyal visitors who supported the arcade over the past three years and apologized for not being able to keep the doors open longer.

The final day for general entry will be August 25th, with private hire slots available until August 24th. For fans and retro gaming enthusiasts, these last weeks may be the final opportunity to visit Blast From The Past and experience its carefully curated selection of classic consoles and arcade machines before the venue closes for good.

arcade consoles retro gaming Blast From The Past Halifax Piece Hall Ryan Pearson Sega Mega Drive Atari 2600 Galaxian Pac-Man Defender Space Invaders William’s Apollo Bally’s Captain Fantastic Gottlieb’s Humpty Dumpty NES