To be honest, the whole reason that I even planned a trip to Dallas this past weekend was because I really wanted to see the Alamo-themed laser tag arena at the new Malibu Jack’s in North Richland Hills, TX. I’m delighted to say that this one is every bit as stunning as I had hoped! It was well worth flying halfway across the country to experience!
I knew that this location had launched recently with Laserforce Gen 8 after reading Chris Epstein’s comments following the recent grand opening of this FEC located just outside of Dallas. When there is something unique going on in laser tag I like to be right on top of it and something told me that this one would be special, so I beelined it to Texas right away. Note to the laser tag manufacturers…simply mention a cool arena that I haven’t been to and there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be there the very next weekend! ;)
When I first arrived at Malibu Jack’s I met manager Andrea, who I would like to thank for going above and beyond to get me the clearance to share every bit of my experience here. I took a seat on the bench outside an attention-getting wall mural exterior that pays homage to the Wild West while I waited for other players to join in a game. I did not have to wait long, as laser tag already appears to be a very popular attraction here.
We entered through those saloon-style swinging doors into the briefing room, which was decked out unlike any I’ve seen anywhere else. The top to bottom HD graphic wall designs are the clearly the signature work of Art Attack and they make quite an impression!
The monitor on the wall played the Laserforce briefing video. Every part of this attraction has been designed to set the scene and create an immersive atmosphere for a true Texas experience. What I picked up on (only after seeing the inside of the arena) was just how much attention was paid to little details. For example, look to the side of the monitor and notice that the wall graphic appears to give a peek at what’s “outside”. Then when you are actually on the opposite side of that wall inside the arena, if you look back you see the front exterior side of “Malibu’s Saloon”, which creates a real sense of the inside/outside coordinating of the scenery. Details make the difference!
But before we got far enough in for me to appreciate that, we next entered the vesting room. I’m going to guess that it is not simply by coincidence that there are images of rifles hanging on the wall inside this “practice range” room where you go to pick up your pack and phaser (perhaps to suggest that you are selecting the hi-tech version of western defense) to use during the game.
I love to see great theming, but more than anything else I particularly appreciate seeing something different and creative that I’ve never seen before. Add a little local flavor to your attraction and I’m all in! And so far Malibu Jack’s had checked off all those boxes for me before we even stepped foot into the arena. Then I walked in to find this…
Ok, now THIS is what I flew to Texas to see! Let’s talk impressive! From the rounded door frames to the spiral pillars and the small square frames within the windows, the details are there to make this fort into a little Alamo site, right in the middle of everything.
If you care to engage the fort in a battle, look for the generator target along the top edge of the structure, which you can see on this blown out side wall…again, VERY nice work on the details!
You can go after the opposing team’s base located in either the hotel…
…or the bank.
And if you’re not sure where you are, just look up when you are getting some elevation on the half-bridge platform at the Fort Worth Stockyards. This is the kind of customization for a local theme that makes an arena jump from typical to memorable in my eyes.
Every wall adds not only to the atmosphere, but to provide clear, identifiable call-out points that may be helpful to players during the game.
I took note of the best positioning to play from the jail to the livestock and this was certainly my first time playing around the coffin maker shop!
The game was lots of fun to play on this single level field. I was logged in with my membership so I could take home a traveling achievement. And as we played we were darting and weaving throughout the other structures as well, like the hexagon shaped tavern.
The black lights really make all of this pop, but not so much as to turn the colors harsh or make it cartoonish, as sometimes this kind of lighting can do. There is a real balance to setting an arena mood with lighting. This one has a real warmth that makes it feel like you could go riding off into the sunset.
And in fact that may be fitting since sunsets are part of the overall vibe here at Malibu Jack’s.
Having experienced this laser tag arena for myself, I am impressed. This attraction is very well done and completely unique while expressing some real Texas flair. I’m curious to know if their other locations look this good! As a new business in the Dallas area, the extra effort that went into laser tag here coupled with their other attractions like go-karts, glow golf and thrill rides will no doubt make this a destination location for family fun. And, coming all the way from New York with this earmarked as a destination location for me personally, I can say it looks to me like Malibu Jack’s in North Richland Hills, TX is really doing it right. :)
Comments or Questions?
Contact: Tivia@tiviachickloveslasertag.com
Websites: www.tiviachickloveslasertag.com
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