The arcade cabinets
Full-size 1980s machines running and played as they were in their day.
Daniel Capilla — CC BY-SA 4.0 · EliaRueda — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Senormunoz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Senormunoz — CC BY-SA 4.0
A museum of the history of video games in central Málaga, counted among the largest of its kind in Europe. Its name comes from OXO, an electronic version of noughts and crosses made in Britain in 1952 and considered among the first video games ever. That sets the museum's range: from that beginning to the present. The essential difference from an ordinary exhibition is that the machines work: hundreds of consoles and games from different decades can actually be played, from full-size arcade cabinets to the home systems of the 1980s and 1990s. That makes it among Málaga's most successful options with children and teenagers, and one of the few museums young people leave satisfied. For adults who grew up with those machines it has an entirely different dimension. It is fully indoors and in the heart of the city, an excellent option on a wet day or in the Andalusian midday heat.
Full-size 1980s machines running and played as they were in their day.
The museum starts at the first video games and runs to the present.
One of the few museums young people genuinely leave satisfied.
Central Málaga, near the Plaza de la Constitución
Museo Picasso MálagaIn his mother city Picasso's declared dream came true: "a museum for my works in2 minutes walk4.2
Málaga Cathedral (La Manquita)"La Manquita" — the little one-armed lady, in Málaga's affection — is their sing2 minutes walk4.5
Museo Revello de ToroA museum devoted to the work of the Málaga painter Félix Revello de Toro, in a s2 minutes walk4.7
Carmen Thyssen MuseumAn art museum in the Palacio de Villalón, a sixteenth-century house in old centr3 minutes walk4.5
Roman TheatreAt the Alcazaba's foot lies Málaga's Roman theatre of Augustus's age — the city'4 minutes walk4.7An hour and a half covers a walk through, but with children or teenagers actually playing, allow three hours and do not be surprised if they ask for more. The difference is that this is a museum you spend time in rather than pass through.
Largely yes, because the displays tell the story of an industry and a technology: how machines, screens and controls developed over fifty years. But half the value is in the playing, so anyone who does not intend to play leaves with half the experience.