In the run-up to EGX, London's premier gaming expo, we're shining a light on some of the wide and wonderful gaming experiences in, around, or about London. For instance, have you ever dreamt of gaming inside a dead Transformer? No? You mean yes, right? Yes.
Well, get ready to have your dreams come true. Here's everything you need to know about London's Gaming Party Bus.
So, it’s a bus where you can play video games?
Well, yes, but it’s also so much more. The bus is modelled like a Transformer, replete with incredible, unnecessary horns, and even a smoke machine installed underneath. It’s like every 90s Channel 4 game show parked right on your doorstep for maximum gnarliness. That’s how awesome this is.
Wave away the dry ice, step inside the bus, and you’ll find a plethora of state-of-the-art consoles, like the Xbox One and the Wii U (which was discontinued some time ago). The floor, surfaces and chairs are all lined with “Tron-like neon lights”, so you know you’re in the bodacious zone.
Then the fun really begins. It hosts up to 20 tiny people or larger, more grown-up people. Expect to see the usual suspects - FIFA, Call of Duty, Mario Kart, Halo and loads more that'll satiate any gamer. They’ve got racing wheels set up for an authentic driving experience, and even an external screen, so you can set up plastic instruments and pretend you’re playing rock classics.
So kids will like it then?
Not just kids, but also older, bearded kids too. Gaming Party Buses are available for birthday parties, weddings (?!), and even corporate events. While their website has many glowing reviews, sadly none of them are from corporate events, so we can’t speak to its team-building proficiency. But if you have kids (a lot of kids, not necessarily all yours) there may not be a better way to shut them all up for a while.
And how much will it cost me?
Well, that depends on how much you love your kids (or potentially your employees, which is a bit weird). Gaming Party Bus has a number of different buses, and sessions range from one to two hours.
And what of the buses, I hear you cry out in curiosity. Well. There are a few of them. The Turbo Van and Galaxy Van are the smallest of the bunch because they are vans. You’re looking at anything from £230 - £280.
Want to step your game up? The Mega Bus (the Transformer one we mentioned earlier) is bigger, so you’ll fit more little people on it. You’re looking at £300 - £380. Really love your kids/employees? The Elite Truck, which features VR experiences, could cost as much as £530 for two hours of gaming goodness.
This sounds like a promising investment opportunity. How can I get my own bus?
Believe it or not (believe it, we wouldn’t lie to you), Gaming Party Bus does have franchise opportunities for anyone extreme enough to jump in. You’ll get your own bus with a ‘custom built spaceship interior/exterior’, and they’ll train you in all things Gaming Party Bus. You’ll be unstoppable.
That’s everything you need to know about London’s Gaming Party Bus.
If it doesn’t take your fancy, and you prefer your bus journeys a little more scenic and a little less neon, why not try a Hop On, Hop Off Bus Tour of London?
Or if you want more things to do with the young people, here's a handy guide to London experiences for kids and teens.
