Bonami Spelcomputer Museum | Bonami Games and Computer Museum in Zwolle, the Netherlands
Welcome to Bonami Games and Computer Museum
Dubbed as the ‘Nerd’s Paradise,’ the interactive Bonami SpelComputer Museum in Zwolle dedicated to the history of gaming and computers, houses the largest collection of game consoles and computers in the Netherlands starting from the 1950s along with a huge amount of boxed video game floppies, CDs, DVDs, merchandise products, and collector items to admire. A large number of these retro and new game consoles, and arcade machines are all freely playable by the public. And if you are tired of gaming, you have an assortment of board games to try out as well. So, just for an entrance fee of around €16.5, you can spend a whole day gaming and learning about the evolution of technology with your family and friends. And for geeks like my son and me, it’s no less than a pilgrimage!
What is there in Bonami Games and Computer Museum?
The 3250 sq. meter exhibition space of Bonami Games and Computer Museum features -
An exhibition showcasing the evolution of computers in chronological order with a timeline starting from the 1950s. It starts with huge corporate computers like DEC PDP and punch card systems, followed by well-known home computers such as the Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Apple II, and MSX, followed by more modern personal computers. The Scholten computer which’s the only copy that Professor Scholten made in the early 1960s and the first Apple computer are some of the showstoppers.
A working 3D printer
Over 10,000 different video game consoles right from the first game console Magnavox Odyssey, the Pong system, MS-DOS games, Atari, 8-bit and 16-bit Nintendo and Sega games all the way up to Sony PS4 Virtual Reality games many of which are freely playable. As many as 250 people can play on the game consoles simultaneously.
An impressive arcade hall, with a large collection of retro arcade cabinets and pinball machines freely playable
Assortment of board games to try out
Boxed video game floppies, CDs, DVDs, merchandise products, and collector items on display
Memorabilia shop
Canteen serving snacks at affordable prices
History of the Museum
The museum's history started in 1998 when John and Naomi Groenewold made the decision to collect (gaming) computers.
A few years later, they wanted to let others see and interact with their already massive collection. They made the decision to turn their home — an old hotel in Epe — into a museum that could be visited only by appointment.
In 2007, the Bonami SpelComputers Foundation took over the museum with the mission of gathering, preserving, displaying, and maintaining the public playability of the game console.
In 2011, the museum relocated to a new place in the heart of Epe which was originally the town hall and has been open 6 days a week ever since.
In 2015, the museum again shifted to a 3000 sq. meter building in the heart of Zwolle, next to the train station, in search of a larger location.
In late 2018, the museum finally acquired its present location on the recreational complex 'De Vrolijkheid' in Zwolle, where it now has additional space. Professor Willem Louis van der Poel, a physicist and computer scientist from the Netherlands who is regarded as a pioneer in the field of computers, gave the formal opening speech while attending as a guest speaker.
Other Activities in the Museum
Numerous exhibitions keep happening within and outside the museum without any announcements. This guarantees that repeat visitors will always see something new.
The museum hosts gaming competitions regularly, with prizes awarded to the top three finishers.
Retro Computer Fairs are held annually in several locations where enthusiasts can swap, purchase, or sell their items.
How to visit Bonami Games and Computer Museum?
Address: Ossenkamp 4, 8024 AE Zwolle
GPS Coordinates: 52.5223° N, 6.1216° E
Parking: Free parking on site
Public Transport: Take a direct train to Zwolle from wherever you are located. From Zwolle train station, take Bus 7 towards Stadion and get off at the stop Stadion. From there, it's about a 7-minute walk to the museum.
Best time in the year to visit: Any time during the year
Accessibility: No facilities for wheelchairs. Dogs are not allowed inside the museum, but you can inquire if there are any nearby areas for them.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices: For information on opening hours and ticket prices, visit their website mentioned below
Website: computermuseum.nl
Epilogue
So that was all you need to know to visit the Bonami Games and Computer Museum. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.
And if you want to explore more such hidden gems in the Netherlands, please read our article Netherlands Off The Beaten Track | 39 Best Hidden Gems in the Netherlands. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!
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