Namco Funscape Metro Centre Gateshead Review
Namco Funscape
Metrocentre, Gateshead
Reviewed by Louise Best
To get to review this family attraction was fantastic; we had all been looking forward to this for weeks. Upon arrival on Sunday 14 June we could see that the Funscape was very busy – perhaps due to the not so summery weather outdoors! We went in and immediately started to look for the reception desk. The desk itself wasn’t so easy to find and there were no immediate signposts to it.
We were greeted by a friendly and outgoing cash assistant who advised us what lane we were in and gave us our tokens for the dodgems. We found our lane although the lane number was difficult to see as it was above next to the score screens. The keypad to enter our names was easy to use although there was no clear instruction in how to raise the lane barriers. This would have been particularly useful to know as our daughter struggled a little to keep the bowling ball in the lane.
We did notice that there was a service button on the keypad if we wanted to order food and drink – we decided to wait until after our game of bowls and dodgems. The scoreboard updated reasonably quickly although some of the animations once you had taken your go seemed a little out of date.
Once we had completed our games of bowling we went on the dodgems. My partner and I took turns to go on with our daughter. The process was pretty simple, you belted up in the dodgem car and put your token into a slot in the ‘dashboard’. The operator then came round to ensure everyone was belted up correctly and safely and then we were off!! Great fun for all the family!
Overall both the bowling and the dodgems were great fun. If I had to add any negatives from our trip one would be the litter on the floor throughout the Funscape, and the second would be that the time on the dodgems seemed a little on the short side. I would recommend this attraction for a family afternoon out as it was great fun. I do think that the prices are a little expensive with an adult ticket costing £6 pounds for one game, £10.50 for two and one game for a junior/student costs £5, whilst two games is £9, there is also an hourly rate available for £29.95 per hour. A family rate is available for £35, this is for 2 games of bowling for 4 people (as long as 1 member of your party is under 16).
Make sure your check the Namco Funscape for their special offers.
Namco Funscape in the Metrocentre also offer games, pool, soft play, Costa Coffee and a Sports Bar.
Rating: 4/5
Price: Adult (1 Game: £6, 2 Games £10.50), Junior/Student (1 Game: £5, 2 Games £9)
For more information or to make a booking online visit namcofunscape.com.
Namco Funscape
Unit 244 Garden Walk, Gateshead, Metrocentre, Tyne and Wear, NE11 9XY
0191 406 1066 | metro@namco.co.uk
