Barcade vs The Big E 2026
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Barcade
Discover the original arcade bar experience. Find locations offering a wide selection of classic video games and pinball machines, paired with American craft beers and a full bar. Enjoy creative pub food in a unique entertainment setting.
- Find arcade bar locations
- View game and pinball machine selection
- Explore craft beer and cocktail menus
- Discover food offerings
- Locate bars with classic arcade games
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Barcade® is the originator of the arcade bar concept and the largest operator of arcade bars in the United States. Barcade locations feature 40 to 75 video games and pinball machines mostly from the classic period of the 1980s as well as 25 to 30 American craft beers on draft. In addition to beer, Barcade locations offer a full bar with craft spirits and cocktails and creative variations on classic pub food.
The Big E 2026
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Experience New England’s Great State Fair like never before with The Big E app! Plan your visit, find your favorite foods, explore attractions, and never miss a concert or event. Features include: - Events & Concerts – Full daily schedule plus headlining shows. - Tickets – Buy tickets fast and easy right from the app. - Interactive Map – Navigate the fairgrounds with ease. - Food Finder – Discover all your fair food favorites. - Shop & Attractions – Explore unique vendors and must-see stops. - Social & FAQs – Stay connected and get answers to your questions. - Vote – Participate in fan voting and contests. Make the most of your trip to The Big E—all in one place! - Download now and get ready for Sept. 12–28 in West Springfield, MA.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: The Big E 2026 at fortnightly against Barcade's every 7 months. Barcade's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0.0 vs 16.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Barcade ships an update every 7 months, The Big E 2026 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Barcade | The Big E 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 14.0.0 — better | 16.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 22 MB | 182 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Barcade Holdings, LLC | The Eastern States Exposition Foundation, Inc. |
In-app purchases
Barcade
No in-app purchases
The Big E 2026
No in-app purchases
