We happened to be here on a “Free Play Party” Day. For one Abraham Lincoln, you can play Galaga for 2 hours or hop over to Ms. Pac-Man or Dr. Mario — from 5 PM until 2:30 AM — until your fingers have joystick indentations in them. The Free Play Party occur on the last Wednesday and 2nd Thursday of every month. It’s the best $5 you’ll ever spend. For me, the personal highlight is that no one under 21 is allowed! S-weet!

The two-story building is a gamer’s paradise. The bar is downstairs with a few tables when you want to take a break from playing Q-Bert or rest your feet after playing Dance Dance Revolution. A large staircase leads to the second floor, which houses mostly pinball machines. My personal favorite was The Simpson’s. The flashing lights and dinging sounds make you feel like you’re in Vegas, minus the smell of Marlboros.

As if the sounds of classic video games in the air doesn’t release those endorphins, a live DJ is spinning the 80s tunes (or clicking on them – I couldn’t tell which). One of the songs I can remember playing was something by Duran Duran. And it was good.

If I wasn’t on vacation and have plans to do other things, I wouldn’t have left. Ground Kontrol is a slice of Heaven. I guess things probably would’ve been different had a dragged an air mattress with me.Bottom Line: This is a hidden gem, nay, goldmine in Portland. You lucky bastards!