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Play It Forward was a temporary retro-gaming fundraiser hosted at Hawaiian shopping centres in Perth from 24 September to 6 October 2024. Visitors could play for free while making cashless donations to Telethon; tournament entry required a $5 cashless donation. The dates are historical, and the available reports do not confirm a later edition.
Where was Play It Forward in Perth?
For the 2024 activation, Hawaiian turned space in seven shopping centres into pop-up retro gaming arcades. The centres named in the event report were:
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Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat Classic SE Arcade Machine, 15.6-Inch Screen | $379.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Arcade1Up Ms. Pac-Man Class of '81 Deluxe Arcade, 12 Retro Games | $499.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Arcade1Up Pac-Man Deluxe Arcade Gaming Cabinet, 14 Classic Games | $499.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Bassendean
- Forrestfield
- Newpark
- Melville
- East Victoria Park
- Mount Hawthorn
- Noranda
PerthNow separately listed Park Centre and The Mezz in Mount Hawthorn as tournament stops. Those tournament locations should not be confused with the seven-centre list for the wider activation. PerthNow’s 2024 event report has the event and tournament details; Hawaiian’s retrospective also says seven of its centres hosted pop-up arcades.
When did the Play It Forward arcade event run?
The 2024 activation ran from 24 September through 6 October 2024. The tournament schedule reported by PerthNow was:
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- 13 Classic Games: Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate MK 3, Rampage, Joust, Wizard of Wor, Gauntlet, Rootbeer Tapper, Defender, Bubbles, Paperboy, Klax
- 4 Feet Tall, with 15.6” IPS Color Monitor
- Dual Speakers for crisp arcade sound
- WiFi Leaderboards to challenge the world, Online Multiplayer
- Real feel Joysticks and Buttons
| Location | Tournament date in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Bassendean | 24 September |
| Forrestfield | 25 September |
| Newpark | 26 September |
| Melville | 27 September |
| Park Centre | 1 October |
| The Mezz, Mount Hawthorn | 2 October |
| Noranda | 3 October |
These are dates for the 2024 event, not current listings. Although a similar activation was reported in 2023, the sources do not establish whether Play It Forward returned after 2024.
How did the gaming arcades raise money for Telethon?
Free play brought visitors to the temporary arcades, while cashless donations supported Telethon and its work for sick and vulnerable children across Western Australia. In the 2024 report, tournament participation required a $5 cashless donation, and the top four contenders at each centre shared a $250 prize pool. PerthNow also reported that each donation entered the donor into a draw for a family trip to Cable Beach Club Resort and Spa.
Rank #2
- Classic Arcade Experience: Enjoy 12 legendary games from 1981 on a full-size cabinet with real-feel joysticks, buttons, and authentic arcade-style gameplay
- Vibrant 17" Display: Features a crisp BOE 17" LCD screen that brings retro graphics to life with bright colors and sharp details for immersive gaming fun
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Connect to Wi-Fi and compete with players nationwide by posting high scores on global leaderboards—no subscription required
- Premium Retro Design: Over 5 feet tall with a sleek cabinet, light-up marquee, and faux coin door for a nostalgic look that enhances any game room or space
- Crisp Stereo Sound: Dual speakers deliver classic arcade soundtracks and effects just like you remember, bringing every game to life with rich audio
The overall figure sometimes associated with the event needs careful attribution: Hawaiian reported that Telethon raised $83,264,216 in 2024. That is Telethon’s total for the year, not an amount raised by Play It Forward alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What was different about the 2023 activation?
PerthNow’s 2023 report describes an earlier Play It Forward event at Hawaiian centres, including Mario Kart, Pac-Man and Space Invaders. It reported cashless $5 donations through Tap and Pay machines, competition sessions rotating between locations from 10am to 2pm, and Fat Cat appearances at selected sites. These are 2023 details; they should not be treated as the 2024 schedule or mechanics. PerthNow’s 2023 report covers that edition.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- 14 Classic Games Included: Play PAC-MAN, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pac-Land, Mappy, and more—14 built-in titles deliver hours of iconic retro arcade fun at home
- Authentic Arcade Experience: Real-feel joystick and buttons let you dodge ghosts, eat pellets, and chase high scores just like you did in the arcade
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor brings every glowing maze and character to life with sharp visuals that stay true to the original arcade look
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Compete with players across the country by posting high scores online using built-in Wi-Fi—no quarters required
- Deluxe Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a light-up marquee, molded faux coin door, and sleek cabinet that adds retro style to any game room or space
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
