Sean Hope, seen Jan. 25, is readying an arcade for Cambridge’s Harvard Square. (Photo: Julia Levine)

In its nearly 400-year history, Harvard Square has never seen race cars, Nerf blasters and dinosaurs under the same roof. That will soon change.

Dx Arcade joins Harvard Square’s evolving entertainment scene with an opening during the square’s annual MayFair festival, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 5.

Occupying a two-story storefront at 34 John F. Kennedy St., a door from Tasty Burger, Dx Arcade will be a center for gaming in Cambridge, said founder Sean Hope, who recently opened Dx, an entertainment venue around the corner. The arcade will feature games suiting the tastes of different age groups, “from a 5-year-old who wants to play with claw toys to an MIT gaming aficionado who wants to play the latest,” Hope said.

The arcade will include classics such as air hockey and Dance Dance Revolution alongside ultramodern virtual reality games. Hope said one of his favorites is the Jurassic Park game.

“It’s one that I probably spent way too much money on trying to beat,” Hope said.

New air hockey and claw games arrive at Dx Arcade in Harvard Square, ready for use in May. (Photo: Dx Arcade)

Dx Arcade will be cashless. Instead of traditional coin slots, its machines are debit card compatible, letting customers pay with a tap or a swipe. Some quicker games might cost $2, while a virtual reality experience could cost up to $30. The arcade will offer daily, weekly and monthly passes, Hope said.

“It was really curated for Harvard Square, for Cambridge, and for a diversity of income levels,” Hope said.

Like any good gaming joint, Dx Arcade will have a counter where players can redeem points for plush toys, memorabilia and collectibles, among other prizes. The arcade’s grand prize is a secret until MayFair, Hope said. (One of the arcade’s employees will wear a costume hinting at the answer.)

The Cambridge License Commission voted Monday to approve Hope’s application for Dx Arcade. During the hearing, Denise Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, spoke in support, saying she hopes it helps bring more foot traffic to the square. “We support it and wish Sean great, great success,” Jillson said.

Reemerging industry

Dx Arcade is the latest in a spate of gaming venues popping up, filling a need from Good Times closing in Somerville in 2008 and Lanes & Games in Cambridge in 2017. That’s the year Roxy’s Grilled Cheese opened a retro, 21-and-older arcade in Central Square, and Lucky Strike Somerville came to Assembly Square in 2018. Dragon’s Lair opened in Somerville’s Davis Square in 2022 with a few games in a pizza-party space. Play Boston, in Boston’s West End, opened in December, while F1 Arcade, which focuses on racing simulators, gets a grand opening at the end of April.

Unlike some of those, Hope said, Dx Arcade will prioritize the gaming experience over refreshments. “A lot of the arcades that you have now are essentially bars with old arcade games, and they’re making money off of food and drink,” Hope said.

Dx the entertainment venue emphasizes “elevated experiences” too, as Hope put it. Both venues can be rented out for private parties and networking events.

“My background and passion is really placemaking, and I’ve had a habit of taking underutilized spaces and activating them with something new,” he said.

Evolving square

Experience-focused spots such as Dx Arcade are becoming an increasingly vital part of Harvard Square’s economy. At a Feb. 15 meeting of the City Council’s Economic Development & University Relations committee, Jillson noted that because of hybrid work, Harvard Square has seen a downturn in foot traffic. Entertainment venues such as Dx and The Sinclair, she said, are important for bringing business to nearby storefronts.

“How do we get foot traffic? That really comes from a couple of things, but mostly it comes from entertainment,” she said.

With openings of Dx Arcade, The Comedy Studio, and Arrow Street Arts, Harvard Square is returning as an entertainment destination.

“Retail is suffering because we can buy those things online. These experiential stores are really where I think we can draw people out into the community,” Hope said. “It’s just another reason to come to Harvard Square – spend a couple of hours, shop, dine and experience the square. We’re hoping we’re a destination for the traveler who’s in there for a couple of hours or the student who’s looking for a place on a Friday night.”