Bright lights! Brainiacs! Question after question! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show is not just another pub quiz, it’s a full-on big screen game show – complete with lightning rounds, buzzers and fabulous prizes!

Join your charismatic co-hosts Brandon Anderson and Ryan Reid as they present a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 7PM every other Sunday.

How do you play? A 7pm, we kick off two rounds of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 4 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 3 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in the final “Jeopardy” style round!

Game play challenges randomly hidden during the final round offer teammates a chance to tag in and help earn points!

This month, the VGQS celebrates the release of Abobo’s Big Adventure – the brand-new fan-made game featuring Double Dragon villain-turned-world’s-greatest-dad Abobo fighting his way through the history of the Nintendo Entertainment System in search of his lost son, Aboboy! We’ll have fantastic prizes from our sponsors Floating World Comics, Backspace Cafe, Billy Galaxy Vintage Toys & Collectibles, and our grand-prize sponsor: Abobo’s Big Adventure creators I-Mockery.com!

This episode’s questions will cover Abobo’s personal history along with references pulled straight from Abobo’s Big Adventure. So, if you want a blue-shorted leg up on the competition, be sure to play through the game right now at the official website!

The Video Game Quiz Show is a blast to watch, too – so whether you’re feeling competitive or casual, come on down!

And remember: Ground Kontrol offers happy hour well drinks & draft beer and cider from 5pm-midnight every Sunday!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show: Abobo-a-Go-Go! Edition

WHEN: Sunday, January 29th. Starts at 7pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

First, an important announcement! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show will now take place every other Sunday evening, starting this Sunday, January 15! The show starts at 7pm – get there early for the best seats!

This Sunday, Portland’s only Video Game Quiz Show presents: VIDEO ARMAGEDDON! A knock down drag out fight for geek dominance.

Join your villainous taskmaster Ryan Seacrest as he presents a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 7pm this Sunday.

How do you play? A 7pm, we kick off two rounds of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 4 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 6 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in two seperate final “Jeopardy” style rounds! The team with the most points throughout the game wins!

Not only is it fun to play, it’s a blast to watch, too. So whether or not you know the difference between a Koopa and a Goomba, come on down and prepare yourself for video game’s END TIMES!

But that’s not all! Ground Kontrol now offers a Bonus Round Happy Hour every Sunday night, with happy hour pricing on well drinks and draft beer, 5pm-midnight!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show – “Video Armageddon!”

WHEN: Sunday, January 15. Starts at 7pm!

COVER: No cover! It’s free to play. 21+ only!

- Posted by Art

Our biggest party of the year, the New Year’s Eve Free Play Party will begin at 5pm on Saturday, December 31st and won’t end until we hit 2012!

Enjoy free gaming all night long on over 100 arcade games and pinball machines and level up with a champagne toast at midnight.

Landau Boyz and DJ Ghostdad will provide the soundtrack for your most legendary New Year’s Eve yet!

Doors open at 5pm. 21+ only – please bring valid I.D.! $15 cover – no quarters necessary!

NOTE: Capacity is limited – please do not bring any large bags or backpacks!

WHAT: New Year’s Eve Free Play Party

WHEN: Saturday, December 31st, 5pm-close.

COVER: $15 per person at the door for free gaming all night and a champagne toast at midnight! 21+ only – please be ready with valid I.D. There may be a line at the door once the night gets going – please be patient and we’ll get you in as soon as possible!

- Posted by Art

Pop quiz: Of all the ways we could upgrade Ground Kontrol’s already awesome pile of fun, what’s the one thing you’ve requested more than any other? “Booze, booze, booze!” Well, okay, that’s three things, but we’re excited that the certification, stocking, and training are complete, and we can finally grant your wish:

Ground Kontrol is now officially a full-service bar. If you’re 21 years of age or older, you and your friends can now enjoy mixed drinks and libations in addition to our usual selection of fine beer, wine and cider.

What’ll it be? Whiskey and Whitewater? Rum and Robotron? The possibilities are endless!

- Posted by Anthony

A special live show with Robot Uprise and Neo G Yo!

A hybrid of sci-fi fiction and music, Robot Uprise brings to life the dark-dance music from the comic book “Cognition: The Robot Uprise”. Robot voices, powerful synths, and real lasers make Robot Uprise a geek dream.

Samples: http://cognitioncomic.com/blog/music/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/user/CognitionComic?blend=9&ob=5

More: http://www.cognitioncomic.com/

Neo G Yo comes to the mic with a desire to share his feelings for balance, party energy and nerd thoughts, while keeping his strongest influences, Slick Rick and Wu-Tang, in his heart. With his main producers Dragon and Winston Lane providing an electro influenced backdrop for his words, Neo brings his own style of Futro (future-retro) to the Earth.

Songs: http://www.myspace.com/neogyo

WHAT: Live show with Robot Uprise and Neo G Yo

WHEN: Sunday, November 27. Starts at 8pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade will be closed for Thanksgiving, Thursday 11/24. We’ll re-open at Noon on Friday 11/25.

Have a great holiday and we will see you Friday!

- Posted by Art

Old-school video game technology is reborn as a musical mechanism at Micropalooza, Portland’s only annual chiptune festival! Held at Ground Kontrol since 2003, Micropalooza 2011 will feature favorite artists from the Pacific Northwestand beyond at both the Jupiter Hotel and Ground  Kontrol Classic Arcade.

Presented by A Jumps B Shoots, Jupiter Hotel and Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, Micropalooza 2011 will debut a new format – an all-ages show in Jupiter Hotel’s covered outdoor patio and a 21+ show in Ground Kontrol’s lounge. Artists Mechlo and the Bad Bits (Portland/Bend), Chipocrite (Philadelphia, PA), Plain Flavored (Portland), Spamtron (Portland), Ovenrake (Puyallup, WA), Operation Mission (Portland) and Andreas (Portland) will pump pixelated pop and deconstructed dance music all day and all night to Portland’s ever-growing number of chiptune fans.

All-ages are welcome at the Jupiter Hotel show (2pm-6pm), and those 21 and older are invited to the Ground Kontrol show (7pm-11pm) as well!

Advance tickets are on sale now for the all-day, all-night event at the Micropalooza website, along with a full schedule and more information on the performers (including sound and video clips): http://micropalooza.groundkontrol.com

WHAT: Micropalooza 2011, a live chiptune festival
WHERE:

All-ages (2pm-6pm) Jupiter Hotel, 800 East Burnside Street.

21+ (7pm-11pm) Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch Street.

WHEN: Sunday, November 20 from 2pm-6pm (Jupiter Hotel) and 7pm-11pm (Ground Kontrol)

COVER: $10 for both shows. Advance tickets on sale at the Micropalooza website.

- Posted by Art

It’s that time of year again when the leaves begin to turn brown, things go bump in the night, and candy bars shrink down to “fun size”… it’s Halloween! And that means it’s time for Ground Kontrol’s first annual Halloween throw-down — Giga-Fright.

Sponsored by Floating World Comics, Voodoo Doughnuts, and Critical Hit Burlesque, expect a night of gruesome gaming, a killer costume contest, Halloween High-Scores, and your chance to spin Ground Kontrol’s Hall-O-Wheel for big prizes and a random Halloween themed video game challenge! Giga-Fright will be held from 7:00pm to 1:00am at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, featuring a devilishly delicious food and drink menu and a multitude of manic prizes, all set to a freaky fun soundtrack from guest DJs Willy Joy (Kid Sister/Trouble & Bass), Epor, and Capcom D!

In addition, Ground Kontrol will be accepting entries for its first ever Console Costume Contest through the night of Giga-Fright. Dress up your favorite console in its Halloween finest and you could walk away with the grand prize – a brand-new Retro Duo combo NES-and-SNES system! All entries will be photographed for Ground Kontrol’s Facebook page, and may even be on display through the Halloween season! Stay tuned for more announcements and surprises here at Ground Kontrol’s website or at Facebook!

For more on the Console Costume Contest, including rules, visit the Facebook event page!

Update: High-quality prints of the original, amazing poster art you see above —  illustrated by Zack Soto — will be available for purchase during Giga-Fright and throughout the Halloween season, or while supplies last!

Update, re: Costumes – Please be sure your mask can be removed before entering the arcade, and keep it off until it’s time to judge the contest! We need to be able to see your friendly faces for safety and security reasons. Thanks for your help!

What: Giga-Fright:  Ground Kontrol’s Halloween Extravaganza
Where: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch St. Portland, OR 97209
When: Friday, October 28th from 7pm- 1 am.
Cover: No cover until 9pm! $2 cover from 9pm-close. 21+ only with valid I.D.

- Posted by Art

Autobots, assemble! Decepticons, attack! It’s time to play the brand-new Transformers pinball from Stern! Ground Kontrol will be hosting 2 copies of the game through Sunday, 10/23 in a limited engagement made possible by our friends at Mountain Coin.

Transformers pinball asks you to choose a side – Autobots or Decepticons – and fight for domination with features like the Megatron Vehicle Form rapid-fire multiball, the Bumblebee captive target Camaro, and the Optimus Prime attack ramp. It’s got plenty of cool touches like figures, vehicles, the “All-Spark” cube and a laser-cut Decepticon ramp!

Fans of the the 80s cartoon-inspired blockbuster movie series will enjoy the fantastic artwork on every side of this table, with special Autobot and Decepticon scenes on opposite sides.

We’ve transformed a corner of our lounge to make room for the games, which are set to 50 cents per play, or 5 games for $2 – the best deal on this game in town!

Remember – we’re featuring the game through Sunday, 10/23 so come down today and try it out! All you need is the touch, the power… and 2 quarters!

Special thanks to Mountain Coin. Contact them for sales and service of arcade games and pinball tables at (503) 234-5491 or visit them on the web at http://www.mountaincoin.com/oregon.html.

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol is proud to present its inaugural ladies’ night, “Ms. GK”! By popular demand, we’ve asked our very own “Diamond Dawn” (of Rock Band Tuesdays fame) to put together an awesome night for the ladies (and everyone else, too!)

In addition to a night of lady-centric gaming, free play on all games, drink & food specials and discounts on lady t-shirts, we’ll have some special features:

• Burgertime and The Machine: Bride of Pin*Bot casual tournaments and corresponding prizes from our sponsors SheBop, Things From Another World, and perhaps more! All skill levels are welcome!
• Geeky craft exchange: Bring something cool you made, and take something home!
• All set to a danceable soundtrack by deejay ReighLee, DJ Ava Delay, and DJ Pippa Possible!

Bring your friends or make some new ones – we’re sure everyone will have a fantastic time during one of our most unique events!

WHAT: Ms. GK – Ladies’ Night Free Play Party

WHEN: Sunday, October 16, 7pm-close.

COVER: $3 for ladies, $8 for gents.  21+ only. RSVP for this event on Facebook!

- Posted by Art

You’ve tried a soft-baked Super Pretzel, some fully-loaded Killer Nachos, and a classic chocolate-and-cherry Sundae for dessert. But have you tried the Cowabunga Nachos, our pizza-fied take on dippable triangles of awesome? How about the D.K. Dessert Dog, a sweet-and-savory combo of banana, bacon, PB & honey? Whether you missed these food specials the first time around or have been craving them since, you’ll love our updated food menu!

Our classic menu has been expanded to include popular food specials, new spins on old favorites, and more toppings! Plus, nearly every item on our menu can be made vegan, and most items can be made gluten-free!

Our full menu is served from 5pm until late most evenings and we’re working to make it available later every night. From Noon-5pm, we will serve tasty snacks from our limited menu to keep you going!

Get powered up with GK’s food menu tonight – no secret paths or cheat codes necessary!

View our new menu in PDF form or in JPEG after the break:

Read the rest of this entry »

- Posted by Art

On Labor Day, Monday September 5, Keith Apicary will bring his Apicarnage Tour to Ground Kontrol for 2 shows! Keith Apicary is the host of “Talking Classics”, an ongoing chronicle of Keith’s favorite video games. In addition to episodes dedicated to arcade classics like the PlayChoice-10 to the fan favorite console, Sega Dreamcast, Keith has produced absurdly catchy music videos like “Four Bright Buttons and Two Joysticks”, aka the “Neo-Geo Song”!

Come see Keith live at Ground Kontrol for two classic shows – an all-ages matinee at 4pm with Plain Flavored, and a 21+ show at 8pm with Mechlo! The cover is just $3 for each show at the door.

- Posted by Art

What’s so funny about video games? Well, quite a lot, if you ask tonight’s performers! Some of Pacific NW’s funniest people (and alleged video game fans) will be featured during Ground Kontrol’s first-ever live comedy show!

Join us in the lounge tonight directly after the Video Game Quiz Show for sets from:

Mike Drucker (McSweeney’s, The Onion)

Ian Karmel (“Portlandia”, 2010 Portland Amateur Comedy Competition winner)

Jimmy Newstetter (Bridgetown Comedy Festival)

Whitney Streed (Hangover Helper Brunch Showcase, PDX Comedy Blog)

Ron Funches (Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot)

WHAT: “No Pun Intendo” – Comedy & Video Games

WHEN: Thursday, June 30.  Starts at 10pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

Save the universe from weak brews by trying a glass of HUB Galactic Imperial Red from Hopworks Urban Brewery during a special beer release night at Ground Kontrol!

The party starts at 7pm on Wednesday June 1. Enjoy a Galactic Imperial Red and buy a HUB pint glass to take home for just $1. DJs Ben “The Doctor” Love and Matt “The Speckler” Speckenbach will provide the soundtrack to your heroic quest in support of local beer and classic video games. Plus, your first 4 quarters are on HUB, along with a discount token to their brew pub in SE Portland!

Get more details, RSVP and share the event on Facebook and we’ll see you Wednesday night!

WHAT: HUB Galactic Imperial Red Release Party

WHEN: Wednesday, June 1. 7pm-9pm.

COVER: No cover! 21+ only.

- Posted by Art

Update 4/16/11: Pre-registration is now CLOSED. Slots remain for day-of signups tomorrow morning. You may still sign up Sunday morning from 10-10:45 am at Ground Kontrol. The registration fee is $20 and cash is the only accepted form of payment. Remember, all players must be 21+ with valid I.D.

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING PINBRAWL:

• Ground Kontrol will be 21+ all day Sunday, April 17, from open until close. We will resume our normal all-ages hours of Noon – 5pm on Monday, April 18th at Noon.
• Only Portland Pinbrawl tournament players will be allowed in Ground Kontrol from open until 4pm. At 4pm, we’ll start letting specators in to watch the tournament, depending on capacity!

On Sunday, April 17th, 2011, the finest pinball players in the Pacific Northwest will gather in historic Old Town for Portland Pinbrawl 2011, Ground Kontrol’s third annual pinball tournament! Join your fellow Portland ‘ballers to battle the best of the Northwest for the grand prize: a Williams “Rollergames” pinball machine. Ground Kontrol’s recent remodel also adds a new feature to Portland Pinbrawl: a food menu for hungry brawlers!

Year after year, Portland Pinbrawl has drawn nearly 130 players to compete in what is becoming one of the most popular pinball tournaments in the country. Players from across the United States and Canada have traveled to join Portland’s finest players for an all-day (and sometimes all-night) silver ball showdown.

Competition signup fee is $20 per person; spectators get in for free. Doors open at 10:00am, Sunday April 17th. Ground Kontrol’s beer & wine serving hours will be extended to span the entire day, so admission is limited to 21 and over with valid ID for competitors and spectators alike. We plan to allow spectators in beginning at 4pm, depending on capacity. This tournament is brought to you by Aaron Nelson, Eric Hill, Fred Franken and Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade.

For more details – go to the Portland Pinbrawl page!

- Posted by Art

Ground Kontrol’s owners and staff were extremely saddened to hear that Scott McKinnon, also known as Mink Staccato, passed away on Sunday, March 27th, 2011. We knew Scott because of his passion for pinball, and we all enjoyed talking to him about the game and whatever else whenever he would stop by over the years. Scott was a fixture at Ground Kontrol many afternoons and evenings, and was even featured in a Portland Mercury article on pinball published in 2006.

Scott’s high-score initials “MNK” still grace pinball tables at Ground Kontrol, and Scott even hit the Grand Champion score on Attack From Mars on October 11, 2010 (his birthday) with an astounding 43,023,948,120 points!

To  pay tribute to a friend and a dedicated player, Ground Kontrol will be hosting a friendly tournament in Scott’s honor on Friday, April 15th, two days before Portland Pinbrawl 2011. The tournament will benefit Human Solutions, a non-profit organization that Scott volunteered for as a poker dealer during fundraising events and donated to as well.

Players can sign up starting at 5:00pm and we will begin playing at 6:00pm.  There will be a sign-up sheet on top of the upstairs changer. To enter, we are asking for a suggested donation of $5-10, although players are welcome to give more. (If you’d just like to donate but don’t want to play, that’s OK, too – just let Art or Anthony know.)

100% of the money raised from this tournament will go to Human Solutions to aid homeless and low-income families and individuals.  The tournament will be held on a random selection of the games on which Scott still holds a high score: Attack From Mars, The Simpsons Pinball Party, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

The top winner of the tournament will receive a Ground Kontrol gift certificate valued at $25.

We hope you’ll help us remember a Portland pinball pro and raise some money for a good cause, too. We’ll see you Friday! Also, if you or a business or organization would like to donate a prize to this tournament, please contact us right away at kontact@groundkontrol.com. We appreciate the support.

Our deepest condolences go to Scott’s family, friends and loved ones. Those of you that knew Scott and wish to connect with his family and friends can visit the Scott McKinnon Memorial group on Facebook.

WHAT: Mink Staccato Memorial Tournament; a friendly pinball tournament paying tribute to Scott McKinnon and fundraising for Human Solutions

WHEN: Friday, April 15th. Sign up between 5:00pm and 5:45pm. Games begin at 6:00pm.

ENTRY: Suggested donation of $5-10 to enter, although whatever you can give will be happily accepted. This is a 21+ event.

- Posted by Art

Good news, hungry gamers: Test out our new grilled sandwiches (regular or vegan grilled cheese or PB&J) for $3 each tonight through Monday! We’ve got lots of addons and potato salad (vegan friendly) for $1, too. Give our kitchen manager Kyle your feedback and help shape our menu!

We plan to officially launch our expanded menu Tuesday evening. Thanks to everyone that’s been enjoying our new food menu, we have been very happy with the response!

- Posted by Art

Come down to Ground Kontrol before the Video Game Quiz Show on Sunday March 13 for a special game event. Incredible Ape will be on hand to demonstrate their new Xbox 360 indie game and invite you to play it live!

Unleash an aural assault with Incredible Ape’s new cooperative voice-controlled shoot-em-up, PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew! Armed with a pair of microphones, you and a friend will spit hot fire to annihilate the relentless geometric onslaught and save humanity from extinction.

To get an idea of the hilarious fun you’re in for, check out some video on Incredible Ape’s website.

The game will be available from play in our lounge starting at 7pm. There’s no charge to play and we hope you’ll stick around for the Video Game Quiz Show “Games We (Heart)” edition, which will take place immediately afterward at 9pm!

WHAT: Incredible Ape Game Event featuring PewPewPewPewPewPewPewPewPew

WHEN: Sunday, March 13th, 7pm – 9pm.

WHERE: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade – in the lounge

MORE: No cover! Must be 21+ or older.

- Posted by Art

Those of you who attended our Grand Re-Opening Party (thank you, by the way – pics and video coming soon) on Thursday know that our food service was slightly delayed. We had to reschedule our kitchen and back-of-bar inspection for today (Friday 2/18) morning before we could sell food.

Well, our inspection went without a hitch and we are happy to announce our menu will be ready to serve on Sunday, February 20th. Tonight, our new kitchen manager Kyle will be serving samples of several soon-to-be-favorites: Nachos with special spiced cheese, chips & house made salsa or house made hummus, and ice cream sundaes!

Food samples will likely go out a little after 7pm. Please let Kyle (and us) know what you think!

- Posted by Art

Forget the strain of hauling tons of vintage video games and pinball tables from one location to another. For us, the hardest part of moving an arcade is closing it while we’re working!

In order to move back to our newly remodeled home and make sure all of the pixels are in place, Ground Kontrol will be closed the following days:

• Monday February 14
• Tuesday February 15
• Wednesday February 16
• Thursday February 17 – Closed Noon – 5pm (Doors open for our Grand Re-Opening at 5pm!)

We apologize for any inconvenience, but trust us… the wait will be worth it!

- Posted by Art

Bright lights! Brainiacs! Question after question! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show is not just another pub quiz, it’s a full-on big screen game show – complete with lightning rounds, buzzers and fabulous prizes!

Join your charismatic co-hosts Brandon Anderson and Daniel Grubbs as they present a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 9PM tonight. (Note: Video Game Quiz Show usually occurs on Last Thursday.)

This month the hosts show their love to games we hold dear! Show up at the door with flowers for Ganon or a box of chocolates for the Battletoads. Let Samus know how much you appreciate her with a poem and work out Dr. Wiley’s tension with a sensual massage. Or, just come on down and prove how deep your video game knowledge runs!

How do you play? A 9pm, we kick off a round of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 5 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 3 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in the final “Jeopardy” style round!

Game play challenges randomly hidden during the final round offer teammates a chance to tag in and help earn points!

Not only is it fun to play, it’s a blast to watch, too. So whether or not you know the difference between a Koopa and a Goomba, come on down!

WHAT: Video Game Quiz Show: Games We ♥ Edition

WHEN: Thursday, February 17. Starts at 9pm.

OTHER INFO: $3 cover at the door for Free Play, but no additional cover or charge necessary to participate in or watch the Video Game Quiz Show! 21+ only – please bring valid I.D.

- Posted by Art

Let’s party! After years of planning and months of work, Ground Kontrol is finally ready to unveil Ground Kontrol 3.0 – the best arcade & lounge you’ve ever seen.

Many upgrades await you, including a new food menu, new games, new tables & seating, new bathrooms and a sleek new look inspired by vintage video game art and the TRON film series.

What better way to experience the new GK than free play? Our regular Third Thursday free play party will be extra fun this month thanks to a special cover – entry to Ground Kontrol 3.0′s launch party will only cost 3.0 dollars!

Thanks to all of our loyal customers and fans for supporting us through the extremely difficult process of  closing our doors at 511 NW Couch St. for nearly 3 months and moving our arcade twice* to accommodate the work needed to make Ground Kontrol 3.0 a reality. Thanks especially to those of you that supported Ground Kontrol in 2010′s “Save The Arcades” contest sponsored by Stride!

But enough talk… Seriously, let’s party! We’ll see you Thursday the 17th! Doors open at 5pm, and remember your I.D. – this is a 21+ event.

*OK, technically we had to move our games and equipment three times. Our backs won’t let us forget that!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol 3.0 Grand Re-Opening Party

WHEN: Thursday, February 17th, 2011. Doors at 5pm.

WHERE: Ground Kontrol “3.0″, 511 NW Couch St.

OTHER INFO: $3 cover. 21+ only – please bring valid I.D. No large bags or backpacks, please!

- Posted by Art

Bright lights! Brainiacs! Question after question! Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show is not just another pub quiz, it’s a full-on big screen game show – complete with lightning rounds, buzzers and fabulous prizes!

Join your charismatic co-hosts Brandon Anderson and Daniel Grubbs as they present a totally home-brewed, often hilarious and absolutely unique game show night at 9PM every last Thursday.

This month, the show’s not only taking place in our temporary location, but it also has a special team of guest hosts that have been kind enough to bring you a fresh batch of trivia for the new year!

From the team that brought you “The Book of Mudora,” “Tanooki,” and “GAME PLAY CHALLENGE” comes a new spin on a budding GK classic: Le Quiz Show du Video – Summer Semester Guest Host Edition!

Alex Massa and Ryan Reid star as Summer Semester! Who knows what they will have in store for our contestants as well as our hosts turned prey!

How do you play? A 9pm, we kick off a round of “pub quiz” style trivia. Teams of 5 can participate in these rounds to rack up as many points as possible. The top 3 teams then choose 1 player each to represent them in the final “Jeopardy” style round!

Game play challenges randomly hidden during the final round offer teammates a chance to tag in and help earn points!

Not only is it fun to play, it’s a blast to watch, too. So whether or not you know the difference between a Koopa and a Goomba, come on down!

WHAT: Ground Kontrol’s Video Game Quiz Show – Summer Semester Edition!

WHEN:  Thursday, November 27, 9pm sharp!

COVER: It’s free to play or watch the Quiz Show! 21+ only.

MORE: Teams of 5 can compete in the first 2 pub quiz rounds – bring your friends!

- Posted by Art

We’ve had an insane – yet awesome – year at Ground Kontrol. There’s no better way to put a cap on 2010 than by setting all of our games to free play, making sure we’ve got plenty of cold drinks, and inviting YOU down for the most unique New Year’s Eve party in Portland!

The party’s happening at Ground Kontrol’s temporary location, 10 NW 5th (between Couch & Burnside), which we’ve nicknamed the Warp Zone.  In addition to free play on our entire lineup, we’re featuring DJs Capcom, Epor and Ghostdad, who will lay down a suitably epic soundtrack to your trans-dimensional experience! And at midnight, join your friends for a champagne toast, included in your cover!

Doors open at 5pm, and cover is $15 per person (good all night.) Access is limited by capacity, so get there early! Of course, this is a 21+ event – bring valid I.D.

NOTE: We are not holding Free Play on Last Wednesday this month, instead, join us on New Year’s Eve!

WHAT: New Year’s Eve Free Play Party!

WHEN: Friday, December 31st, 5pm – close.

WHERE: Ground Kontrol’s temporary location, the Warp Zone – located at 10 NW 5th Ave., between Couch and Burnside. (It’s just around the corner from our permanent home!)

COVER: $15 at the door. 21+ only – please bring valid I.D. For security & safety, please do not bring any large bags or backpacks.

- Posted by Art

Update (3:22pm): We are OPEN with our shiny new doors and windows at the Warp Zone (10 NW 5th, between Couch & Burnside!) Note: No Free Play tonight since we’re closing early at 8pm. However, we’re extending Happy Hour from 5-8pm! 21+ only after 5pm – see you tonight!

First: Ground Kontrol plans to open around 2 or 3pm on Thursday, December 16. Our new glass doors at our temporary location (on NW 5th between Couch and Burnside) are scheduled to be hung Thursday morning, and we can’t open until that work is complete. Follow our Twitter and Facebook feeds, we’ll announce when we’re ready to open!

Second: Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade will be closing at 8:00pm the evening of Thursday, December 16. Why? To see the new TRON movie, of course!

Join us along with Cort & Fatboy and Chronicles of the Nerds at the Roseway Theater for the midnight premiere of TRON: Legacy!

- Posted by Art

Tonight, after experiencing some unanticipated problems, the GK krew opened the new Ground Kontrol Warp Zone, our new (and temporary) home away from home at 10 NW 5th, just a block from GK.  We had a huge crowd eagerly waiting outside for the doors to open, and they were rewarded with extended Happy Hour pricing and great music from DJs LED & Epor.  We had a few balky pinball tables, and Paperboy has gotten extremely dim, but otherwise it’s the same great gaming experience you expect from Ground Kontrol, just with black lights and more elbow room.

We know our new front door and entry are not up to snuff, but we hope to resolve that next week!

- Posted by The CEO

Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade will be CLOSED Thursday, December 9 to move (a very short distance) to our next temporary home at 10 NW 5th Ave.. We will still be located in the Goldsmith Building on NW 5th Ave. between Couch St. and Burnside St.

UPDATE (Thursday 12/9 3:37pm): We need a little more time to set up our new temporary home, so Ground Kontrol will be opening at 5pm on Friday, December 10.

See you then for happy hour (5-7pm), 21+ only!

- Posted by Art

Greetings, Programs! Ground Kontrol has chosen YOU to serve your system on the Game Grid in TRONTest, a TRON and Discs of TRON video game tournament presented in association with Cort & Fatboy, the Roseway Theater and Chronicles Of The Nerds.

To celebrate the release of TRON: Legacy, Disney’s long-awaited sequel to the original TRON, we’re holding tournaments on the classic arcade games TRON and Discs of TRON. The top winner in each tournament will receive free passes to the midnight premiere of TRON: Legacy in Disney Digital 3D at the Roseway Theater on Thursday, December 16. The losers’ fates will be determined by the MCP, so make Flynn proud!

We’ll raffle off some cool TRON merchandise and memorabilia as DJ Cache presents TRON music and visuals spanning the franchise’s nearly 30-year history.

Tournament details: We’ll run separate contests for each game. In the first round, players compete to achieve the highest score within a  fixed time limit. The four highest-scoring players will then compete head to head with only one life each for the chance to win two passes to the midnight premiere of TRON: Legacy (in 3D) at the Roseway Theater on  December 16th.

Players may compete in one or both tournaments, but they must sign up at Ground Kontrol on Wednesday, December 15, before 7PM. The games begin at 8PM, and are free to all who want to enter, or just watch the battles. Remember… “It’s all in the wrist!”

WHAT: TRONTest: The TRON and Discs of TRON Tournament

WHEN: Wednesday, December 15. Tournament sign-up:  7:30PM, tournament begins at 8PM. DJ Cache spins from 8pm until ?.

PRIZES: The winner of each tournament receives two passes to the midnight premiere of TRON: Legacy (in 3D) at the Roseway Theater, late night Thursday December 16. Runner-ups receive a GK gift certificate, and surprise TRON merchandise.

COVER: Free to participate or watch! 21+ only.

Sponsored by:

- Posted by Art

Answer: Get 5 strong guys to pick it up, put 4 furniture dollies underneath it, strap the bar to them, and hope you don’t have any tight corners to go around.

Yesterday afternoon, the GK moving crew wheeled our bar across the street to The Warp Zone, our home away from home.  Less than an hour later, it was back in operation and serving up drinks to happy Christmas partygoers at the private event rental that kicked off our new (and temporary) location.  Be sure to check it out soon!

- Posted by The CEO

To allow us to move our entire arcade’s contents to our temporary home at 32 NW 5th Ave., Ground Kontrol will be CLOSED Tuesday, November 30 (all day and night) and Wednesday, December 1 (Noon-9:30pm).

Please join us at 9:30pm on Wednesday, December 1 for the unveiling of The Warp Zone, Ground Kontrol’s temporary home! For more on our remodel progress, please see these recent posts:

• The Warp Zone – Our Temporary Home! Beginning December 1
• More on GK 3.0
• Ground Kontrol 3.0 Update: Bad News, Good News

Thank you to everyone for your patience and flexibility. We are extremely happy we can still bring you the awesome arcade experience you love while construction is ongoing.

Please stay tuned to our website, Twitter and Facebook feeds for the latest news!

- Posted by Art