Finally got a day off during the school holidays and took my kid to Game Over Gold Coast. They had a limited-time $99 all-in pass that covered every activity in the centre, so I bought that rather than pick and choose.
Off the highway and you’re there, with lots of parking right by the door. Inside, you register your name and sign a waiver, which every play centre makes you do now. Staff then hand you a card and book you into timeslots, so you know which activity you’re doing and when.
Go karts
One race is included. Kids 1.2 metres or taller drive themselves, otherwise an adult drives them in a two-seater kart. Afterward you get a ranking. There were five staff on the floor, and it felt safe. It was my kid’s first time driving, and they loved it. The karts are electric and the equipment is new, with hygienic head socks and helmets in different sizes. Races are about 8 karts at a time, 14 laps for adults and 10 for juniors, and a single race is around $49.
Climbing
Honestly it’s the same as every other climbing place. We’ve already done Bounce, Jungle Adventure and Area 51, so nothing new there. I mostly do it to wear my kid out so they’re calm when we get home. It takes about an hour all up, with a short safety video and a briefing first, and the kids who were climbing next to us were seriously good. It’s $24 if you buy it on its own.
MeatHook
I got there early and hardly anyone was around, so the staff let my kid go twice. They get hooked on and carried all the way around the arena, up above the karts. The people watching clapped as my kid went past, which they loved. Good fun.
Lazer tag
Hit or miss. You get put in a team with whoever else is booked in, so it really depends who you land with. If you bring two or three of your own people it’s a lot better. A 10 minute round is about $16 on its own.
Mini golf
Smaller than a proper mini golf course, but fun for a first go. There are nine holes with a different challenge on each, and plenty of missed swings. There’s no time limit, so you can play while you wait for your kart race and come back after. It’s $10 a round on its own. At Jungle Adventure, I bought only my kid’s ticket and they let me play for free, but here you get one ball each, and the mood is more competitive than family. The go karts are the main event.
Arcade
The pass came with a $10 arcade card. We swiped it three times and it was gone. If you want arcade games, Timezone or Fun House is better value.
Worth it
The $99 all-in pass was great value. You don’t have to agonise over what to pick, and you get the karts, climbing, MeatHook, lazer tag and mini golf in one go, about three to four hours. It suits a first visit and a holiday outing, and my kid was thrilled, especially with the go karts.
Buy a package on the official website ahead of time, then log in on the computers when you arrive. On the day, you often only get single activities and a queue. Other prices I saw were $24 for climbing, $36 for climbing plus lazer tag, and $72 to $77 for the kart, climb and lazer combo.
Game Over is at 88 Siganto Drive, Helensvale QLD 4212, opposite Movie World. It’s open 10am to 5pm every day during Queensland school holidays, and the hours change outside holidays, so check first. By public transport, take the train to Coomera, then a bus to Siganto Drive near Grey Gum Street, about a two-minute walk.
For more Gold Coast days out, see our TRICKD Gold Coast review and our Tropical Fruit World guide.