No one has to be a pinball wizard to run up a respectable score at the Silverball Retro Arcade, Entertainment, Eatery and Museum. Located on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, N.J., what started out as a modest collection has grown into a rotating assortment of 600 rare and vintage machines that are enjoyed by the young and young at heart.

According to Patty Barber, Silverball senior vice-president, the arcade has attracted people from all over the world.

“Folks can come in and buy an hour of free play as well as a half-day or full-day pass,” she said. “We also host birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events. It’s a great escape coupled with a feeling of nostalgia, and you don’t have to worry about quarters!”

Humble beginnings

The Silverball Retro Arcade was founded by Rob Ilvento, who opened his humble attraction in the basement of the Groovy Graveyard Record Store on Cookman Avenue in 2009. Originally designed to highlight his collection of machines, it took on a life of its own when his daughter became enamored with the bells and bumpers. Realizing that the game had the potential to bring generations together, Ilvento opted to expand his operation.

The following year Silverball moved to the boardwalk, where it gained a following among locals and tourists alike. The arcade also began to draw regulars who compete in pinball tournaments as well as those who appreciated the history of the rare machines. In 2015, Silverball opened a second location in Delray, Fla., with the games being rotated in order to keep the experience fresh for the guests.

“We have a 1950 Knock Out game by Gottlieb, which is our oldest and rarest silverball machine,” Barber said. “We also have a 1978 Close Encounters of the Third Kind machine that is both rare and really cool.”   

Some of the other unique machines on the premises include a 1977 Bally Evel Knievel game and a 1978 machine centered on the rock band KISS, intermixed with more common arcade staples such as Pac-Man, Skee-ball and more. In addition to being a live, interactive arcade, Silverball is also a museum that spotlights the history of the machines as well as the game itself.

“At one point, pinball was illegal in many cities because it was seen as a form of gambling,” Barber noted.

Along with the placards that offer fun facts about the various games and their designers, there is a timeline of some of the history of pinball.

During a local art festival, Barber showcased the back glass art that is often an iconic part of any machine.

“We highlighted about a dozen artists, and I learned a few things about the detailing that I didn’t know before,” she said. “In some ways it reminded me of the old vinyl album art that I used to pour over as a kid.”

Keeping up with the times

Of course, the most challenging aspect of operating any vintage arcade location is making sure that all of the games stay in tip-top operating condition Silverball is fortunate enough to have two full-time technicians on staff who know how to keep the machines playable. Barber said one of the techs must have been born playing pinball, while the other picked it up in his 20s. She says they really are the heart of the venue.

However, the soul of the Silverball Retro Arcade is its customers, who span the generations and come from all over the world. Barber said she not only has regulars that come in on a daily basis, but also customers who make an annual pilgrimage from Scotland or Germany.

“We even have one guy who comes in to play once a week from Philadelphia,” Barber said.

Joe Stoeger drives over an hour from his home to play pinball with his kids at the Silverball Retro Arcade. He said he prefers their concept, compared to current video game centers that are centered on swipe cards, winning tickets and games that cost several dollars to play.

“The Silverball Museum shows the younger generation what a real arcade looks like,” he said in a Facebook review. “You don’t play for tickets, you play for the enjoyment of the game, shooting for the high score, and putting your name on the board. I drive over an hour to play pinball with my kids. I highly recommend going there.”

Jim Haldeman drove to the Silverball Retro Arcade on a day off in search of something novel to do. Despite the long drive from his home, he is confident that he will be back. He said he was pleased to see so many games that he remembered from his teenage years and that they were all available to play thanks to the arcade’s flat rate.

“You can play the games from your past and play the older or newer games that you might not have tried,” he said.

The Silverball Retro Arcade is located at 1000 Ocean Avenue in Asbury Park, N.J., and features 174 vintage and current pinball and arcade machines. Admission ranges from $17.50 for an hour of free play to $25 for an all-day pass.

Hours:

Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Friday 11 a.m. – Midnight

Saturday 10 a.m. – Midnight

Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

For more information visit www.silverballmuseum.com.

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