Taunton’s Round 1 Was a Fun Place to Hang Out and Play

When Round 1 was under construction at Taunton's Silver City Galleria, I was doing a side hustle at a toy store located within the mall. I recall asking what all the excitement was about, and being told that it was a video game arcade with a bowling alley.

"Ought to be a big draw for kids," my manager told me. Not being much for video games since the days of Pong and Pac-Man, I shrugged and said, "S'pose so."

Little did I expect to fall in love with Round 1 when at last I made the trip from the third floor to the first to check it out.

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The Galleria's Round 1 location opened in the spring of 2015. It lasted only six years, closing in January 2021. I suspect the downfall of Round 1 had as much to do with the Galleria's demise as anything else, although it had a separate entrance in addition to an access way from inside the mall. The mall was gasping for air and going down quickly.

READ MORE: Taunton's Silver City Galleria Will Be Missed

The official cause of death for Taunton's Round 1, according to a Fun 107 article at the time, indicated the closure was due to the expiration of Round 1's lease.

What Made Round 1 Different from Traditional Arcades

Taunton's Round 1 blew me away from the moment I walked in the door. The giant life-sized Connect Four game made me feel as though I was on the set of a television game show.

Round 1: Taunton had bowling alleys, karaoke, and ping pong in addition to all of the flashing, noise-making video machines. There was also a kids' zone play area.

Where Taunton Plays Now

There are still Round 1 locations around the country, including one at the Holyoke Mall in Holyoke, Massachusetts. New locations are being added, but not in our area. Some Round 1 locations now have pickleball courts and pedal carts.

Taunton does have an arcade bar, Free Play, which opened in 2025 just a short drive from where Round 1 once stood.

READ MORE: Free Play Arcade Bar Opening in Taunton