Let me paint you a picture.
You walk into a massive, dimly lit gallery. The air hums. You hear the 8-bit chime of a Super Mario mushroom, the roar of a Gran Turismo engine, and someone behind you whisper, “No way, is that a Sega Dreamcast?”
Welcome to Power Up at the London Science Museum. And no, this isn’t your typical “look-but-don’t-touch” exhibition.
This is a hands-on, sweaty-palmed, full-send love letter to gaming. And honestly? It might be the most fun you can have in London with your clothes on.
The Premise: A Playable History Lesson
Forget roped-off artifacts. Power Up is simple: over 160 consoles and computers, from the 1970s to the present day. And they want you to play them.
We’re talking:
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The classics: Pong, Atari 2600, ZX Spectrum.
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The golden era: NES, SNES, Sega Mega Drive, Game Boy.
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The arcade kings: Original Street Fighter II, OutRun with a steering wheel, Time Crisis with the light gun.
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The 90s sleepover starter pack: PlayStation 1 (Crash Bandicoot), N64 (Mario Kart 64), Sega Saturn.
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Modern heavyweights: PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch – yes, running Horizon Forbidden West and Halo Infinite.
The Moment It Clicks
For me, the magic happened at the Mario Kart 64 station.
I’m 32. The person next to me is about 10. We both pick our characters (I go Yoshi, obviously). And for three glorious laps on Rainbow Road, age disappears. We’re not a millennial and a Gen Alpha. We’re just two gamers screaming at banana peels.
That’s the secret sauce of Power Up. It’s intergenerational chaos. Dads teaching kids how to beat Dr. Robotnik. Mums destroying their teenagers at Bubble Bobble. A group of uni students losing their minds over GoldenEye 007 – “No Oddjob! House rules!”
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a visit, here’s the honest, un-spun truth:
1. Book in advance. Like, right now.
Power Up runs on timed sessions (usually 90–120 minutes). They sell out weeks ahead, especially during school holidays. Do not just “show up.” You will be sad.
2. It’s not silent.
Bring earplugs if you’re sensitive. It’s a joyous roar of beeps, boops, “hadouken!”, and victory cheers. Think arcade, not library.
3. Prioritise your must-plays.
You won’t get to everything. When you walk in, do a lap. Spot the rare stuff (hello, Dance Dance Revolution and a working Pong console). Then lock in.
4. The queue for the arcade cabs is worth it.
Trust me on OutRun. Feel that fake leather seat. Flip the gear stick. Set the music to “Magical Sound Shower.” Your soul will leave your body.
5. Yes, they have accessibility.
The museum has done a great job – controllers with large grips, adjustable heights, quiet zones if you need to decompress. Just ask a steward (they’re lovely).
More Than Just Nostalgia
Here’s the thing I didn’t expect: Power Up makes you think.
Between rounds of Sonic the Hedgehog, you start noticing how controllers evolved. From a single joystick and one button (Atari CX40) to the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the PS5 DualSense. You see the graphical leap from Pole Position (1982) to Forza Motorsport (2023).
It’s not just fun. It’s a museum exhibit that accidentally teaches you design, computing power, and user experience – while you’re laughing with strangers.
Final Verdict
Is Power Up for hardcore gamers? Absolutely.
Is it for your mum who only played Tetris on the Game Boy in 1992? Yes.
Is it for a 7-year-old who thinks a PS2 is “a vintage antique”? Weirdly, yes.
It’s loud. It’s crowded. You will get mild hand cramps. And you will leave with the biggest, stupidest grin on your face.
Location: Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London
Price: Around £12–£15 (adult) – honestly a steal for two hours of play
Best for: Rainy days, date nights with a twist, family ego contests, or solo nostalgia trips
So go on. Put your tokens away – it’s all free-play. Grab a controller. And remember: it’s not about winning. It’s about hearing that Sonic ring sound and suddenly being eight years old again.
Power up, London. I’ll see you on Rainbow Road.
