There is a timeless magic to pinball on the New Jersey boardwalk; guiding a silver ball among buzzing hazards, flashing lights and booming music with friends cheering as your score climbs to new heights while the scent of fresh pizza lingers on a sea breeze. It’s all captured at the Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park, which started fifteen years ago when co-founder Robert Ilvento’s daughter was diagnosed with autism.
Ilvento said, “My daughter has autism. She was really drawn to the flippers, the lights, the way the games played, so we started collecting machines”.
Senior Vice President Patricia Barber said, “She really enjoyed pinball at home. So [Ilveto] started to collect them as an homage to her. And then a business partner also happened to collect games, they decided to put them together…and see if people enjoy them as well, like his daughter did, and it just took off.”
Ilvento teamed up with friend and co-founder Steve Zuckerman and started showcasing their collection on Cookman Avenue, tucked in the backroom of a basement record shop. In 2009, popularity was growing, Asbury Park was being revitalized and space opened on the boardwalk.
Ilvento and Zuckerman took the chance and made the move to Ocean Avenue, placing their collection in a glass-enclosed store so people could check out the beach view while enjoying a wide variety of retro games.
Barber says, “First year was down in a basement through a record store on Cookman Avenue. And when this space opened they took a leap and it was the right move. We got to the boardwalk before Asbury really came back…I like to think we were part of it.”
Open every day of the week, Silverball Retro Arcade offers the experience of discovering a curated museum of artistic and historical gaming wonders. Quarters aren’t necessary here as you can pay for a certain amount of time or purchase an all-day pass. The food court offers boardwalk treats like tomato pies, chicken fries and funnel cakes if you get hungry while enjoying the approximately 200 games.
Atop each machine is a display featuring its entry year, company and historical facts about its creation. Some games even feature the current high scores if you’re looking for a challenge. There are also cabinet classics like Pacman, Pong and Defender as well as air hockey, Skee-Ball and shuffle bowling among many others.
Currently featured is a 1950 Gottlieb & Company boxing themed pinball machine called Knock Out, a rare 1983 Williams Joust 2 player table machine as well as a rare 1977 Bally Evel Knievel machine of which only 155 were made. Staff technicians keep each machine in working order for continuous customer play while also preserving pieces of history.
“If we didn’t keep it alive, at least in New Jersey, it would be like an old computer, obsolete, if no one was maintaining them,” says Ilvento. “We commit to the maintenance on these. Full-time techs [are needed because] it takes a lot of work to keep the machines running properly.”
Barber adds, “Our games are really taken care of. We have techs on every day of the week. Sometimes two at a time and they’re never not moving. Also, we have an artist that paints the playfield so that they stay looking pristine.”
The Silverball Retro Arcade also hosts numerous events every week, from birthday parties to summer camps, science classes studying electronics to charity fundraisers like the Silverball Gala, raising money for groups like and the Arc of Monmouth and Autism Speaks. People can even book their next wedding in the museum.
Barber said, “We do a very big party business. We’ve had quite a few vows actually done in Silverball, so there are actually weddings. We’re watching them film their wedding vows right by the games and the games are talking.”
During COVID lockdown, customers supported Silverball by using the food court take-out, allowing operations to plan renovations, adding more space for the kitchen, party room and even more games to experience.
Barber said, “Like everyone in the country and in the world it was a challenge, but we grew in the period of time that we closed. We are expanding and renovating so hopefully by the summer we’re gonna be nearly twice the size we are. We knocked down walls and we’re adding games. It’s pretty exciting.”
For retro game lovers, Silverball is a nostalgic trip back to the past. For today’s youth, perhaps it’s discovering the lights and sounds of pinball for the first time, just like Ilvento’s daughter.
“People just appreciate that we’re able to get that forgotten era,” adds Ilvento. “We appreciate the customers and the love and support.”
For more information check out silverballmuseum.com/asbury-park/
