Not everyone dreams of running a marathon or sweating it out on a futsal court, and thankfully, you don’t have to. When virtual reality, motion sensors, and racing simulators are doing half the work, even the most unathletic among us can get in on the action without worrying about embarrassing ourselves.
That’s exactly what you’ll find at PLAYON, a newly opened digital sports play park at E!Avenue Downtown East. Spanning a massive 13,200sqft, it’s the 1st in Singapore offering 26 digital sporting games to keep you entertained.
Bowling Alley at PLAYON.
Image credit: Downtown East
What is this digital sporting thing, you may ask? Think of it as an arcade, indoor playground, and sports centre, all rolled into one. But instead of merely pressing buttons on a machine or working up a sweat in playing courts, you’ll be racing over light-up tiles, skiing down digital slopes, and even soaring through the skies in a VR experience.
Essentially, digital sports merge traditional sports and modern technology into one immersive and interactive experience.
Image credit: @playonpark via Instagram
With all the toddler-friendly activities popping up around Singapore, like this Baby Shark-themed playground, it’s hard for families with tweens and teens, who have outgrown slides and ball pits, to find somewhere everyone genuinely enjoys. But at PLAYON, parents can now bond with their older kids over a mix of physical and digital sports.
Admission is only for those aged 4 and up, with some games like the VR360 Dual-Person Flight having a minimum age of 10. This also means you won’t have to constantly dodge toddlers while trying to beat your high score.
Some activities also have height and weight limits for safety reasons, which will be shown at the individual stations.
Once you are inside, you’ll find 26 games spread across 5 themed zones, ranging from free-roam VR missions to boxing and virtual skiing. Here are some of the highlights worth trying first:
Channel your inner racer as you speed through virtual circuits and experience every motion, bump, and sharp turn, down to the change in terrain underneath your seat.
The Hyper-Drift Arena features 6-axis racing rigs and force-feedback controls for a more realistic drive. Its gaming seat is situated before 3 screens that fill your entire field of vision, so you actually feel like you’re on the track.
Once you are strapped in, you can choose from more than 20 circuits. Race solo, or go head-to-head with up to 5 friends and see who crosses the finish line first.
VR360 Dual-Person Flight machine.
Image credit: @downtowneast via Instagram
Grab a friend and buckle up for the VR360 Dual-Person Flight, where both motion chairs tilt and vibrate in sync as they fly through landscapes or ride virtual rollercoasters.
The VR headsets also let players look around the virtual world freely, making it a highly immersive, realistic experience.
If you’re still feeling brave, you can gear up for a separate VR Paraglider experience that simulates free-falling through the air before deploying your parachute and descending to the ground. Feel the rush of the wind and the drop of your stomach as you plunge and glide mid-air – all mimicked by the motion of an underfoot platform.
Image credit: PLAYON
This is not the kind of VR where you stand awkwardly in one spot. Unlike the stationary VR booths, VR Large Space lets you walk and wander around as a virtual world unfolds around you.
This free-roam arena fits up to 6 players at a time, allowing your group to work together across various games like shooting missions, exploration adventures, and puzzle-based quests.
As your movements in real life are reflected in the game, you can also see other players as virtual avatars through your VR headset, making coordination easier and preventing you from colliding with one another. A virtual warning also appears when you reach the area’s physical boundaries, so you won’t be walking into walls.
Image credit: PLAYON
Let off some steam at 2 very different boxing games: Electronic Boxing and Dynamic Boxing.
Electronic Boxing analyses the power, timing, and accuracy of your punches as you strike with sensor-equipped gloves and targets, giving you and your friends a chance to find out who packs the hardest punch.
Meanwhile, Dynamic Boxing puts your reflexes to the test as different targets light up in sequence, rewarding players who can land fast, clean punches before time runs out.
By the end of these 2 games, you’ll have a good idea of whether you’re better suited to landing knockout blows or relying on quick reflexes. Either way, expect to work up a sweat.
If cardio days are your favourite at the gym, this one’s for you.
Colourful Grid is a fast-paced challenge where up to 6 players can race to step on the correct illuminated tiles before time runs out. Every wrong step costs you points, and the game speeds up as you progress – so expect a lot of frenzy and last-minute saves.
Even if you’re not chasing a high score, the game’s glowing neon grid is also a great spot for Instagram photos and videos.
Racking up points in regular arcade basketball will feel like a breeze after this.
Instead of repeatedly aiming for the same hoop, Five-Screen Basketball will have you shoot a ball across multiple digital ones while racing against the clock. It looks straightforward at first, but keeping track of several moving targets at a time is no easy feat.
Image credit: PLAYON
Few things sound more appealing to a Singaporean than escaping the tropical heat to frolic in snow, or skiing down a snowy mountain. The good news is that with PLAYON’s Skiing Simulator, you can get a taste of the experience without booking a flight or piling on layers of winter wear.
The weight-sensing simulator responds as you shift your body from side to side, challenging you to maintain your balance while steering down a virtual slope. Beginners can start on an easier course to get used to the movements before progressing to steeper, more demanding tracks that test their coordination and control.
A centuries-old sport gets a digital upgrade at the Archery Challenge zone. Pick up a sensor-equipped bow and aim at moving electronic targets while the system tracks and scores your accuracy.
With no actual arrows involved, the game is an easy way to try archery for complete beginners. Line up your shot and put your focus, control, and hand-eye coordination to the test.
Other sports you can find at PLAYON include Interactive Cycling, Boating Simulator, Electronic Billiards, and much more. See the full list of experiences on PLAYON’s website.
Here’s a quick look at the ticket types and prices:
| Ticket type | Weekday price | Peak price* | Duration | What’s included |
| Walk-in pass | $29/person | $35/person | 2 hours | Access to all zones |
| 1 Adult + 1 Child duo bundle | $49/2 guests | $60/2 guests | 2 hours | Admission for 1 adult and 1 child under 8 years old or under 120cm |
| 5-visit punch card | $168 | $168 | 5 visits of 2 hours each | Shareable, no peak surcharge, 2 free pairs of grip socks |
| 10-visit punch card | $315 | $315 | 10 visits of 2 hours each | Shareable, no peak surcharge, 2 free pairs of grip socks |
*Peak pricing applies on weekends, Singapore public holidays and school holidays.
Even though the games are for those aged 4 and above, parents with toddlers in tow can still bring children under 4 in for free.
Punch cards are valid for 12 months from their date of issue.
Grip socks are required, so bring your own or buy them at PLAYON for $3.50/pair. BTW, 5- and 10-visit punch cards come with 2 free pairs of grip socks.
PLAYON offers an easy test-drive of a wide range of sports with a digital twist, all within its 13,200sqft home at Downtown East. It’s the perfect place to go when you want to do something fun and active, but don’t want to commit to a full workout. Just turn up in sports shoes, don’t forget your grip socks, and prepare to discover which sport you are unexpectedly good at.
For other new adventures in Singapore, visit:
Cover image adapted from: PLAYON
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