Computerspielemuseum Berlin

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The Computerspielemuseum (Computer Games Museum) was founded in Berlin in 1997 and is considered the world's first permanent exhibition devoted entirely to digital, interactive entertainment culture. In the years that followed, the team organized numerous traveling and special exhibitions in Germany and abroad, including "pong.mythos," a project funded by the Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation) that explored artworks inspired by the classic game Pong.

On January 21, 2011, the current permanent exhibition "Computerspiele. Evolution eines Mediums" opened in the former Café Warschau on Karl-Marx-Allee. Designed by Kurt Leucht, the café had opened in 1953, was one of East Berlin's best-known restaurants, and stood empty for more than a decade after reunification. Since the museum moved in, more than one million people have visited.

The museum is run by the non-profit Gameshouse gGmbH; the collection belongs to the Förderverein für Jugend und Sozialarbeit (fjs e. V.). It comprises more than 35,000 data carriers with games and software, over 350 consoles and computer systems, more than 12,000 magazines, as well as arcade machines and media art. The museum takes part in research projects on the long-term preservation of digital culture and received the Jury's Special Prize at the Deutscher Computerspielpreis (German Computer Game Award) in 2017.

Highlights

• Original Pong arcade machine and Computer Space from the early years of video games
• "Wall of Hardware" with more than 70 consoles and home computers
• Playable 1980s-style arcade hall
• Media art object "PainStation" and a giant joystick
• Recreated living rooms and children's bedrooms from the 1970s to the 1990s with playable consoles
• Rare East German gaming devices such as the Poly-Play arcade machine

Permanent exhibitions

• Computerspiele. Evolution eines Mediums – The permanent exhibition traces more than 70 years of gaming history – from the first arcade machines to today's games – with many stations where you can try things out yourself.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Gameshouse gGmbH

Director

Martin Görlich (Geschäftsführer)

Admission & discounts

Accepted cards include the Berlin WelcomeCard, Berliner FamilienPass, Super-Ferien-Pass, and Easy City Pass (discounts). Accredited press admitted free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is at ground level; there is a small step at the entrance, and a portable ramp is available for wheelchairs (staff will help). The exhibition is wheelchair-accessible, with seating available. Assistance dogs are allowed; other dogs are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Visitors can play historic games themselves in the exhibition. Children's birthday parties as a birthday rally with a guided tour (approx. 60 min) for ages 8 to 11, max. 10 children. Without an adult companion, visitors must be at least 14.

Getting there & parking

Bike racks and a nextbike station right at the museum; stop for the hop-on hop-off buses (City Circle, Berlin City Tour) at the corner of Karl-Marx-Allee and Straße der Pariser Kommune.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Lockers

Museum shop with gaming merchandise; group lockers; regular game nights and events.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 100 guests.

"Lange Nacht im Museum" (Long Night at the Museum) from 20:00 with a standing reception for up to 100 guests in the exhibition; a forum with technical equipment for smaller evening events; an additional open space of approx. 300 m² can also be rented. Catering can be arranged.

Plan your visit