Photo by: Courtesy photo
If you’ve been to AREA15 you may have shopped at Omega Mart, got high on Liftoff, caught a concert at The Portal, journeyed to the moon and beyond inside Illuminarium, imbibed gastronomically in the belly of The Beast or played pinball at Asylum Bar + Arcade. If you haven’t visited since April, you have not experienced augmented reality sport Hado, as AR Dodgeball had yet to make its debut.
Fans of Street Fighter may find AR Dodgeball’s energy spheres familiar, as they were inspired by that game’s arsenal of attacks. Play is painless, made possible by headgear and wrist sensors, and involves shields and barriers that become weaker with impact. Originating in Japan, Hado has evolved into a competitive sport with its own World Cup that may become the trendiest physical activity since pickleball.
Augmented reality extends throughout AREA15 though, with its established attractions and entertainment options all components of a futuristic playground. The Liftoff serves as a good nighttime starting point for nonacrophobics who may want to sip a specialty cocktail while rising 130 feet in the air. Riders sit facing each other in bar-style chairs around a circular table embedded with cup holders, achieving just enough altitude to get a 360-degree view of the valley and east of the Strip’s sparkling skyline.
There are art installations to observe outside as well before entering, which is not a bad idea as the overall experience inside AREA15 leaves little energy left upon exiting. Contributions by world-class artists include Davis McCarty’s Dream Portal at the entrance and Kirsten Berg’s Sanskrit-and-steel sculpture Drishti, Srishti. Mechan 9 by Portland’s Tyler Fuqua Creations is as easy to find as a giant robot partially submerged in sand, with hidden hatches and text that hint at its otherworldly origin.
Unwritten Law Photo by: Courtesy photo
If there’s a youthful vibe inside, that’s because nearly half of visitors are 25 to 35 and more than a quarter are 18-24. AREA15 has become a go-to destination for zoomers and millennials taking Vegas vacations, as well as a DJ and band scene inclusive to natives. Memphis-based rapper Xavier Wulf performs for 16-and-up audiences Wednesday at The Portal as part of his HSG Street Chasers Tour, followed by 18-and-up shows by London dubstep-house Nero on Thursday and venerable punk band Unwritten Law on Friday.
Adults who imbibe can find signature drinks at Oddwood Bar and Sanctuary Lounge, Datamosh inside Omega Mart, and Asylum Bar + Arcade, where classic video games and pool tables await. For sit-down meals, Kaia serves up Asian cuisine from dumplings and noodles to handrolls and sushi bowls in a colorful atmosphere, while The Beast offers hearty comfort foods with burgers, steaks and beer highlighting its menu.
After all of those calories, a bit of throwing at Dueling Axes or swinging clubs at Five Iron Golf are among the plethora options that provide optimum physical release. More are on the way, as AREA15 is expanding across its 20-acre multiverse and will soon include Universal Destinations & Experiences’ Horror Unleashed, Lionsgate’s John Wick Experience and iFLY Indoor Skydiving. One thing for sure is that every visit to AREA15 will be a different experience than the last.
3215 S. Rancho Drive. area15.com
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