Streetside Gaming Bus

Mobile gaming bus hire across Essex and Suffolk

Streetside Gaming Bus is a family-run operation that brings a converted gaming bus and gaming van to parties and events in Essex and Suffolk. The company states it has been running these parties since 2018 and describes itself as one of the UK's original dedicated gaming buses. Its service area covers Colchester, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Braintree, Brentwood, Ipswich and surrounding areas, with the bus travelling to the customer's home, school or venue rather than requiring a hired space.

The setup is aimed at children's birthday parties, teen and adult gaming parties, school reward days and end-of-term celebrations, weddings, community events, kids clubs and holiday programmes. The company also mentions providing HAF activities for schools, councils and holiday programmes.

Consoles, screens and capacity on board

The bus carries 16 individual gaming screens, so players do not share split screens. Hardware includes PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch, a dedicated gaming PC, two VR headsets and a racing simulator. An onboard internet connection supports online and multiplayer play, and the company notes that up to 16 players can join the same Fortnite battle at once.

For larger groups, an outdoor gaming setup can raise total capacity to 18 players, weather permitting, with two of those playing outside. The bus has side-door and rear-door access, which the company presents as an easier and safer way for children to get in and out during a party.

Games library and retro options

The catalogue runs to more than 325 titles across the different setups. Named favourites include Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, EA SPORTS FC 26, Among Us, Goat Simulator, Gang Beasts, Forza Horizon, Spider-Man, Five Nights at Freddy's, WWE 2K, Mario Kart, Peppa Pig, Poppy Playtime, Descenders, Rocket League, Hello Neighbor, LEGO games, Hot Wheels, The Simpsons and Grow a Garden. A PEGI rating can be selected when booking.

Retro and classic gaming is included rather than sold as an extra, according to the company. The retro line-up spans PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and PS5, Nintendo 64, GameCube, SNES, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Game Boy and Sega Mega Drive, alongside a retro arcade-style cabinet with titles inspired by Pac-Man, Sonic and Street Fighter. Karaoke and Just Dance are offered as alternatives to seated play.

How a hosted party runs

Every party is supervised by the company's own team, described as experienced, DBS-checked and family-run. The hosts organise the games, assist younger players and keep the session running. Setup is usually completed in around 20 minutes and requires only access to a standard household plug socket; the company supplies its own 30-metre power lead.

Pricing shown on the site starts at £195 for a 90-minute gaming bus party. The company states that dates fill quickly and directs enquiries through a price checker and availability form.

Feedback and positioning

The site cites more than 850 five-star reviews and reproduces short comments from customers in Essex and Suffolk, including praise for hosts by name, the individual screens and a party held in the rain. These are individual testimonials rather than an independent assessment.

Streetside positions itself against other gaming vans on capacity and inclusions: it contrasts its 16 setups with the 8 or 9 screens it says many vans offer, notes that two VR headsets and retro gaming are included rather than charged separately, and highlights the side-door entrance. These comparisons are the company's own claims.