The Finnish Museum of Games is levelling up! 

The Finnish Museum of Games is located at the Vapriikki Museum Centre in Tampere and tells the story of Finnish games and their significance to players. Originally opened to the public in 2017, the museum underwent a renewal of its content and technology in the autumn of 2026, with more space within the museum centre allocated to games. The museum was initially established through a crowdfunding campaign, and the renewal has also been supported by Finnish game companies and private individuals. The revamped and expanded museum opens on October 10, 2026, offering visitors an increasingly diverse perspective on Finnish games and gaming. 

Finnish games spanning 150 years 

The games in the revamped museum range from the mid-19th century to 2026, encompassing a wide variety of Finnish titles. Through a selection of over a hundred games, the exhibition offers an overview of the Finnish game industry; alongside video games, it showcases various board games, role-playing games, and folk games. The collection includes Finnish hits as well as titles created outside the mainstream game industry. Major successes like Angry Birds, Clash of Clans, and Max Payne stand alongside cult favourites such as Pro Pilkki and UnReal World. Wherever possible, the featured games are playable, allowing visitors to try out titles like LORD—a text adventure game from 1981. It is one of the first games set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth, and due to copyright restrictions, it cannot be played anywhere else but at the Finnish Museum of Games! 

Meaningful gaming experiences are often linked to significant locations, both at home and elsewhere. The Finnish Museum of Games features six themed rooms where visitors can play games typical of a specific era on original hardware. Although these themed rooms are staged environments, they transport museum visitors back in time, immersing them in familiar interiors from the 1980s through the 2000s. You might find a brand-new Pong console in the living room, a group of friends gathered around a Commodore 64, or an NES with Super Mario Bros. beckoning from the next room. Following the renovation, visitors can also play in settings like a service station and a summer cottage—places that have been important gaming spots for many people. 

A place that connects generations 

One of the museum's most popular areas is the arcade, featuring around 15 machines available for free play. Most of these machines come from the extensive collection of the game collector group Pelikonepeijoonit. Pelikonepeijoonit is also a long-standing partner of the museum; the group helped establish the Finnish Museum of Games alongside museum professionals from the Media Museum Rupriikki, the University of Tampere’s Game Research Lab, and various gaming communities. Collaboration with gaming communities, enthusiasts, and researchers will continue in the future. 

In addition to bringing together various parties interested in games, the Finnish Museum of Games bridges the gap between generations. Here, gaming enthusiasts can try out Finnsh games in an environment that also offers background information and insights into the gaming experience. By gathering Finnish games in one place, the museum fosters intergenerational understanding, helping visitors of different ages gain a better appreciation of each other’s gaming experiences. The Finnish Museum of Games is also dedicated to game preservation; its collections encompass not only game files but also player experiences and interviews with creators. 

In the autumn of 2026, the museum will undergo a comprehensive renovation, during which exhibition technology, playable units, and surface materials will be updated. Technology that is easier to maintain and more reliable ensures that future museum visits will continue to offer plenty of engaging games to play. Greater attention has also been paid to the accessibility of the gaming stations; the renovation makes the museum more welcoming to visitors who do not necessarily identify as gamers. Accessibility extends to the spatial layout as well: exhibition aisles have been widened, seating is available at the games, the space is acoustically calmer, and general attention has been paid to creating a sensory-friendly environment. 

Pelaaja – Haastaja presents game journalism 

As before, the revamped Finnish Museum of Games dedicates space to rotating mini-exhibitions that showcase gaming-related topics. The first mini-exhibition following the renewal, Pelaaja – Haastaja (Gamer – Challenger), dives into the world of Finnish game journalism, tracing the history of Pelaaja magazine from 2002 to the present day. Interviews with editors-in-chief, conducted by veteran game journalist Jukka O. Kauppinen, and a variety of interesting loaned artifacts offer unique insights into the evolution of Finnish game journalism. 

The Finnish Museum of Games is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in accordance with the opening hours of the Vapriikki Museum Centre. The museum will continue to host various events and activities, which can be followed via the Finnish Museum of Games’ Facebook page or Vapriikki’s communication channels. The museum also accepts donations related to Finnish games and gaming; these can be offered by contacting pelimuseo@tampere.fi. 

Written by Niklas Nylund 

Photo by Saarni Säilynoja 

Translated by Wilma Ramona Ikäheimonen