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All the United States New Jersey Asbury Park Silverball Museum Arcade

Silverball Museum Arcade

A reservoir of vintage pinball machines and arcade games for the nostalgic and thrill seeking.

Asbury Park, New Jersey

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Mordy
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Just one of the many classic pinball games, Twilight Zone. [October 2022]   donnatalarico / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Pinbot table   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
  Michael Busch / Atlas Obscura User
Silverball neon sign   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
Old Photo Machine   Amy s / Atlas Obscura User
Cyclone Table   blimpcaptain / Atlas Obscura User
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A retro hub of flashing bulbs, mechanical bells, and cartoon figures shines brightly on the Asbury Park boardwalk. The Silverball Museum Arcade is home to 180+ functioning pinball and arcade machines that transport the beach-goer to a 1960s diner. 

For $10, the pinball wizard enters Rob Ilvento’s vintage collection of 1960s to modern arcade games. The pinball museum (one of only three in the world according to its owner) provides an entertaining and interactive journey through pinball history. Well-placed placards describe how to navigate the levers, knobs, and slides of each game and also honor the high-scorers who have conquered the game.

The machines’ vibrant interfaces display a range of cultural events and icons from the last half-century. Take a look at "Beat Time," the pinball machine created at the height of 1960s Beatlemania. The 1979 "KISS" and 1980 "Ali" games will evoke multi-generational nostalgia. The younger generation might enjoy taking a whack at The Sopranos or Simpsons games. The museum reflects the evolution of American pop culture through the arcade’s display of celebrities, sport teams, and dance moves.

The Arcade Museum also offers "Pitch N Hit" baseball, mechanical bowling, and Skee Ball for those uninfected by the pinball bug. Pinball junkies will also have to tolerate some "modern" games such as Ms. Pacman, Galaga, Centipede, Asteroids, Super-Breakout, and of course, Pong.

After besting the high score of a favorite game, celebrate at the Arcade’s café with a hot dog, funnel cake or NJ’s classic salt-water taffy.

If you’re at the beach and need a break from the sun, grab a flipper, pound a few bumpers, and experience what the kids of yesteryear played before video games.

Related Tags

Pinball Museums And Collections Museums Arcades Collections Electrical Oddities Retro Tech Games

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Added By

Mordy

Edited By

michelle, Collector of Experiences, Michael Busch, Amy s...

  • michelle
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Michael Busch
  • Amy s
  • donnatalarico
  • blimpcaptain

Published

June 16, 2013

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Sources
  • http://silverballmuseum.com/
  • 2. Interview with Rob Ilvento -- http://www.app.com/section/VIDEONETWORK?bctid=51171539001&gcheck=1
  • http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=lukas/100225
Silverball Museum Arcade
1000 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, New Jersey, 07712
United States
40.2207, -73.999884
Visit Website
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