If you're a fan of classic arcade gaming, the Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park, NJ, is a must-visit spot! My wife and I recently spent an unforgettable day there, and it felt like stepping back in time to the golden age of pinball and arcade games.
Games & Atmosphere: The main attraction, of course, is the incredible selection of vintage pinball machines. Silverball boasts an amazing collection, with machines dating from the 1950s to the modern era. The variety is outstanding ā from old-school mechanical games to fast-paced digital ones, they have it all. The machines are in top-notch condition, and with hundreds of games to choose from, we were entertained for hours! Thereās something nostalgic about the flashing lights, mechanical sounds, and the unique feel of each machine.
But itās not just pinball ā they also offer a few classic arcade games like Pac-Man, Skee-Ball, and air hockey. We found ourselves hopping from game to game, and it never got old.
Price: At $20 for an all-day pass, the price is fantastic. You get unlimited access to all the games for the entire day, which means you can take breaks and come back to continue the fun. Itās an absolute steal compared to most arcades, where you constantly have to reload tokens or credits. Here, you pay once and enjoy all day long. Itās easy to lose track of time when you're so immersed in the games, and knowing we didn't have to worry about extra charges made it even more enjoyable.
Food: We grabbed some pizza while we were there, and while itās not gourmet, itās perfect for a quick snack to keep you going between rounds. Itās arcade food at its best ā cheesy, hot, and hit the spot. They also offer other simple snacks and drinks, which were reasonably priced, so you donāt have to leave the arcade to grab a bite.
Overall: Silverball Retro Arcade is a hidden gem in Asbury Park. Whether youāre a pinball wizard or just looking for a fun, affordable way to spend the day, this place wonāt disappoint. The combination of endless games, great pricing, and nostalgic vibes makes it a perfect destination for both casual gamers and serious enthusiasts. Weāll definitely be back for...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreThis place is truly a pinball and golden age arcade gem! As someone who makes it a point to visit local arcades and pin halls in my travels, Silverball has one of the best collections in terms of creation and maintenance quality.
My interest lies more on the arcade side of things, and I was not at all disappointed in the collection here. Silverball holds a who's-who collection of classics from and original PONG up through though the mid-80s. If my recollection is correct, I don't recall seeing many cans newer than an original Gauntlet-- maybe a Konami Simpsons or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? It was a treat to play their well-maintained Battlezone. I spent a lot of time on their Gorf cab, Midway's four stage riff on Space Invaders/Galaga/Galaxian that doesn't get mentioned too often these days.
I'm not as hip (or even "good") at pinball, but I spent a lot of time playing the 70s-80s era Chicago tables, which are generally my favorites. As I mentioned, it's a great selection for those interested in that era of gaming.
I recall that admission was structured in an hour or two pass, or an all-day pass, with the games being set to free play. At the time of my visit they also offered a monthly pass as well. If I lived a bit closer to Asbury Park, this would be a no-brainer!
All in all, if retro arcades in gaming are of interest and you find yourself in the area, you owe it to yourself to make a visit. Heck, if you're in a reasonable road trip distance or otherwise want to center your trip around visiting Silverball, it's well worth to visit. Asbury Park is an ideal setting for this arcade and is a hip town where most will find their retro-adjacent interests fulfilled. Highly...
Ā Ā Ā Read moreGalaga galaxica centipede pac man asteroids.. so many games! missile command? Flashbacks- I felt like my mom was in the parking lot waiting for me, such nostalgia. Pay a flat rate for the hour and all machines are free⦠I was there on a Monday night and it was pretty quiet off-season so I could play plenty of games until my fingers and wrists were sore, and I could get the high score and put in my initials. It was very vintage. These are the old machines , really sweet and fun⦠Would be a great place to bring a bunch of friends⦠I went alone cause Iām just here at the beach on a getaway, it looks like thereās food maybe pizza and some eating areas but that wasnāt my focus, plus with unlimited gameplay, I wanted to beat my high score⦠And everyoneelseās⦠Iām not sure what itās like if itās crowded, but I just kept playing until I had to take a break because my fingers and wrists were sore, I think these games were designed for shorter people, like children because as an adult I feel like Iām stooping over this thing,, maybe bring a folding stool? I feel like I was at a casino with endless quarters yanking the lever for a...
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