iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

From one boardwalk to another. Spending the day down at Asbury Park again to chill at Silverball and getting some flips in! #arcade #pinball

Outside the Silverball Retro Arcade, Asbury Park, NJ.

Pretty crowded in here on a Saturday afternoon in October -- mainly because of all the zombies on the boardwalk.

Sonic the Hedgehog also made an appearance out here as well!

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

On my way to Silverball to kill some time and use up these 2-for-1 passes before they expire later this month. Made a quick detour to Costco on the way to try and find a Pokemon demo unit. Couldn't find Pokemon, but found Sonic instead... (also costco hotgog)

The cab is cute but not $599 cute for a console game

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

One last thing I forgot to mention about yesterday's Coney Island visit. On my way to Luna Park I walked down the boardwalk and passed Nathan's Famous. Took a look at the current prices. They're charging $6.49 for a single, plain hot dog. No extras, no toppings, nothing the dog and a bun. INSANE.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dog sign board on the boardwalk at Coney Island, NYC.

Highlights include;
Original Hot Dog - $6.49
Cheese Dog or Chili Dog - $7.49
Chili Cheese Dog - $8.49

Appears to top out at that point. So if you're gonna get a chili cheese dog might as well throw some bacon on it as well.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Stop #5 (and probably) final stop of the day; Eldorado Arcade, Coney Island. Made famous in Mr. Robot for being the home of fsociety. The DDR machine is currently out of order, but a little piece of history lives on here with newly added fighting game cabs from Brooklyn Games & Arcade (RIP). #arcade

Entrance to the bumper cars all the way in the back.

MVC2, 3rd Strike, KOF... fighting game history lives on here.

Absolutely ancient coin pushers here. Play it your way!

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Stop #4; back in Coney Island for surprisingly the first time this year. Checking out Luna Park. Their arcade hasn't changed much since my previous visit, except no more Pump It Up. The retro games would be great if they weren't in direct sunlight and LCDs. #arcade

Entrance to the Luna Arcade from Surf Ave.

Miscellaneous games on the floor, ranging from Big Buck and JP to Icee Slush Rush and WoZ.

It's weird seeing officially licensed DND plushes in the claw machines out here.

Literally unplayable during golden hour.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Stop #3; Funfest in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. Last time I was here, they wouldn't turn on the arcade games, fearing contributing to truancy and delinquency. This time, now that schools out, they're all turned on... well, the ones that are actually working, anyway. #arcade

Exterior of Funfest Mill Basin Bowl, Brooklyn, NYC.

About 50% of their games were not in operating condition. Made an already small selection even smaller.

Though, I have to say, it was surprising to see a Madden Football cabinet still on the floor over here.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Stop #2 today; rest of my stops are in Brooklyn. Checked out the latest Max Funland. Gatcha has 3 in the city now but this is Max Funland's fifth center so far. Also 3 floors. Only rhythm game on site is an out-of-date Maimai. Otherwise, lots of Chinese imports and claw machines. #arcade

Exterior of Max Funland's new location on McDonald Ave.

As usual, a dizzying amount of claw machines.

Dragon Kingdom looks new, but there's also the expected knockoffs of Cruis'n Blast and Super Bikes here.

I still have yet to find anyone actually playing the pickleball game.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Back in NYC for a bit today. First stop of the day is 138 Bowery for the soft opening of the city's latest Gatcha arcade. This one feels like a condensed version of their K-Town flagship. Only 2.5 floors in all; basement has a PC cafe, upstairs a tea shop, and all the games on the 1st floor. #arcade

Some of the games in the main arcade section, including Phantom Vanguard and Initial D, as well as a varied selection of rhythm games.

The back corner has even more rhythm games including Dancerush Stardom, Ongeki, Chunithm, Groove Coaster, and more.

The vast majority of the games on the floor here are claw machines and prize redemption games, which, if you're not into that, isn't going to impress you much. But I feel like there's enough to offer here that it's at least worth a look.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Been thinking about this song a lot lately. No reason. www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRcR...

youtube.com

Minimum Wage

YouTube video by They Might Be Giants - Topic

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

That moment when you have a full list of random pinball-related movies to watch with the whole family, and the Wheel of Doom comes up with this absolute gem. Want to watch along? archive.org/details/THGOGI

The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island was the choice of the night.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Today I learned that my YouTube channel can still be watched via Nintendo 2DS in gorgeous 144p

The S1ckH4ndsRBN channel being viewed on a Nintendo 2DD

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

MotherFUCKER, they cancelled the first goddamn Prodigy concert in NYC in over a decade tonight 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Temporary part time job while I continue looking for something more permanent has me living out all my early 90s Kevin Smith fantasies, by which I mean, clerking in New Jersey. First shift down today and seems to have gone well.

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Reposted by Christopher Jay

Daily Pac-Man @dailypacman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Pac-Man: Snack Breaks episode, "Butt Bounce Boogie," contains a couple of visual gags referencing Midway's lesser-known Pac-Man games, Professor Pac-Man and Baby Pac-Man. "PUPIL 1" is written on Professor Pac's chalkboard. The end scene also shows the baby character playing a pinball machine.

In this scene from Pac-Man: Snack Breaks, Professor Pac's chalkboard has "PUPIL 1" written in the top-right corner in a stylized pixel font.

In the ending shot of the Pac-Man: Snack Breaks episode, the baby character that appears earlier can be seen in the background playing a pinball machine.

As seen in this screenshot of Professor Pac-Man, "PUPIL 1" is the term the game uses to describe the first player.

Baby Pac-Man is infamous for being a video-pinball hybrid game, with the pinball portion positioned above the controls but below the cabinet's video screen.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Thanks for sharing the video for the channel, @halldoc1.bsky.social! You did a great job. Definitely hoping to make it out there next year. And still super jealous you got to play Fallout before me. (Seriously, what's a YouTuber gotta do to get on that Stern invite list for media day? 😅)

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

About three days left before I select two people to receive all-day passes to Marcade at the Rockaway Townsquare mall in Rockaway, NJ! They just recently recovered & reopened after a devastating flood. If you haven't entered yet, check my arcade tour video for more details. youtu.be/VTPL3ren15Y

youtu.be

GIVING AWAY 2 PASSES to MARCADE! (Rockaway NJ), September 2026 full arcade tour & new 4K walkthrough

YouTube video by S1ckH4ndsRBN

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Spent a little bit of time on Morey's Surfside Pier. 2 rides for my daughter and I cost $45. That's the price of the end of summer. Still had a lot of fun, but reinforces why I only really visit here during the annual Coastin By The Ocean weekends. See ya next summer, Wildwood.

Dante's Dungeon was down last month, but finally back up and running.

Goodbye, summer. (Photo courtesy @the-1st-prototype.bsky.social.)

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Stop #4 today, back in Wildwood at Ed's Funcade 2. Ed has gone all in on pinball this year. Last month he had 2 machines. Now he has 4 and they're all in great shape and modded out. You love to see it on the boardwalk! Sadly we didn't win the Capt. Fantastic giveaway. 🥲 #arcade #pinball

Three out of the four machines available to play at Ed's right now.

A beautiful Jaws Premium here with topper and mods.

Capt. Fantastic was being given away at 6 PM. I was one number off. 🥲

This Godzilla Premium is absolutely stacked with mods as well and it looks better than almost every other copy I've seen! Too bad I still suck at the game. GCed the other three. Couldn't even get a replay on this.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Stop #3; our final stop on LBI, Fantasy Island Amusement Park in Beach Haven, NJ. The park itself doesn't open until 4 on a Sunday (okay, whatever) but the arcade's been open since noon. And it's a lot larger than I was expecting. No pinball sadly. #arcade

Mostly ticket games, claw machines, and coin pushers in here.

And an entire wall filled with claw machines.

But there's a few environmental and VR cabs near the front entrance, as well as the sole retro game, a Ms. Pac / Galaga 20 Yeae Reunion cab.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Stop #2 today; Hartland Golf & Arcade in Ship Bottom NJ. Mini golf course with a teeny tiny arcade, but they have a Jaws LE (connected to Insider no less!). Worth the stop for that alone! #arcade #pinball

Angle 2 of the arcade... and that's about it.

Oh yeah, they have a Jaws LE, complete with certificate of authenticity framed above it!

A pretty good run today. Was hoping to break a billion but I will gladly take a 775M.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Down the shore for Labor Day Weekend today. Spending a little bit of time on Long Beach Island, NJ. Haven't been here in about 30 years. First stop is the ironically named "Our Endless Summer" arcade. #arcade #pinball

Game floor at Our Endless Summer arcade.

A view from the back of Our Endless Summer.

They had one single pinball machine near the front, an older Family Guy machine that looks like it's been through some shit. The tournament button is missing, the playfield is dirty as hell, right flipper barely flips, and the auto plunge is broken.

Still managed to put up 36 million, though.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

This locker pricing at Wildwater Kingdom should be fucking illegal. Jesus Christ.

CFDP Waterpark
Select an available locker size below

STANDARD
$25
1515 AVAILABLE

LARGE
$35
341 AVAILABLE

JUMBO
$60
105 AVAILABLE

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Finding a LE pin out in the wild that hasn't yet been registered on Pinball Map feels like catching a shiny Pokemon. Uncanny X-Men LE at Castle Cove Mini Golf, Lake Hopatcong, NJ. #arcade #pinball

Uncanny X-Men LE. As found in the wild at Castle Cove Mini Golf, Lake Hopatcong, NJ.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

My video tour and walkthrough of NYC's first Round1 Bowling & Arcade is now live on YouTube! It took me nearly an hour to film everything in this place, it's that large. Check it out: youtu.be/KpHwyNROwAs #arcade #nyc #round1usa

youtu.be

THEIR NYC DEBUT! Round1 Bowling & Arcade tour (Flushing NY), August 2026 new 4K full walkthrough

YouTube video by S1ckH4ndsRBN

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Third grand opening in just as many days. It's the long awaited NYC debut of Round1 in the Shops at Skyview Mall, Flushing, Queens! Kinda just sprung it all on us unannounced. 😅 GOOD: - It's huuuge - It has almost EVERYTHING BAD: - No pinball - No cell service - Parking is hell #arcade #round1usa

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Stop 3 (and the final stop before we turn around and head home) is the grand opening of the brand new Timeline Arcade in Gettysburg, PA. We've been to their other spots in Hanover and York before and this new one is smaller but just as awesome, with a nautical/pirate theme! #arcade #pinball

Animatronic pirate at the entrance of Timeline Arcade Gettysburg.

Awesome lineup of pins, including some old school classics as well as modern hits.

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Reposted by Christopher Jay

Mira ⇦⇩⇧⇨ @miralocria.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

"Wow, what a great lineup!" - Me looking at any photo of a row of pinball machines

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Stop 2; Colony Park Lanes & Games in York, PA. I was tempted to stop here with the promise of a SMX cab. Unfortunately it appears it's been moved out in favor of more coin pushers. Oh well. #arcade

Pretty much all the stuff you'd expect out of a modern redemption arcade, including that King Kong VR game I never see anyone playing.

Here's where the StepManiaX used to be. Not any longer. Hope you like coin pushers

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Out in PA today filming some content for the YouTubes. First stop? The Family Fun Center at the York Galleria. Been a while since I've been out this way and it's still a great place for older games and pins. #arcade #pinball #retrogames

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

For the first time in probably close to a decade, I think I'm not going to bother renewing my Six Flags season passes. They've been removing so many things chainwide, we've already been on almost all the coasters, and we just don't go as frequently as we used to, so it doesn't feel worth it anymore.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Put together a video showing off my experience with yesterday's Jubeat location test at The Dugout in Baltimore. First impressions, new UI, cabinet changes, and gameplay of 6 songs. Check it out if Konami rhythm games are kind of your thing. youtu.be/4CdwKUmXNaA #arcade #bemani #rhythmgames

youtu.be

HANDS ON with Konami's NEWEST rhythm game! Jubeat location test, August 2026 The Dugout in Baltimore

YouTube video by S1ckH4ndsRBN

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The new Jubeat is SO NICE. So many cool QOL improvements. Built in headphone jack. A secondary touch screen for searching songs and artists. Numbers to help first time players figure out the order in which to touch. Plus the new songs are GREAT. On top of all that? A wild @kellygoround.bsky.social!

Mid-song on Megalovania, one of the new songs added in this version!

Being able to type and search for song titles or artists is HUGE.

All the classics are still here, as well.

Seeing Kelly out and about always makes my day!

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Third and final stop of the day is The Dugout Bar at Peabody Heights Brewery in Baltimore. I haven't been down this way in some time, but when I heard they were putting the new version of Jubeat out for a location test, I knew I had to make the drive. Short review? It's AWESOME. #arcade #rhythmgames

How it's looking on the floor at The Dugout at the moment.

There's some older versions of rhythm games here as well, including an older CRT version of Pop'n as well as a 5 key Beatmania.

Oh, and there's Pump It Up Phoenix 2, as well! First time coming across that in the wild.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Stop 2 in Maryland is the new home of Spinners Pinball Arcade in Frederick! First time visiting, definitely won't be the last. Also super nice to meet a familiar name from Zenius in person! #arcade #pinball #retrogames

Lots of classic retro games on the left side of Spinners.

One of the massive aisles of pinball machines at Spinners.

It's not just classics here, they also have a solid lineup of modern Sterns!

A huge rarity, the original head-to-head pinball machine, Challenger by Gottlieb! It physically tilts towards the player that is attacking at any point.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Believe it or not, I'm making a few stops down in Maryland today! Our first visit is at a Bowlero in Ellicott City. Nothing super interesting here; a pretty small arcade headlined by a pair of Monster Kart installations as well as an infrequently seen single player Spider-Man coin pusher. #arcade

A lot of the usual redemption suspects otherwise.

Also I think this is the first time I've seen the single player model of the Spider-Man pusher.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Final day of our trip down the shore. Happy National Roller Coaster Day, y'all!

Mariner's Pier, Wildwood, NJ as seen from the top of Morey's Giant Wheel.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Good morning from Morey's Piers, and Coastin' By The Ocean 2026!

The Great Nor'Easter roller coaster intersecting with the Zoom Phloom log flume at Surfside Pier, Morey's Piers, Wildwood, NJ.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Greetings from the Wildwood Boardwalk!

Morey's Piers (Mariner's Pier) as seen from the Wildwood Boardwalk, with the Wave Swinger, Sea Serpent, and Giant Wheel all illuminated at night.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I WON THE WHOLE DAMN THING! Was in last place after ball 1 on King Kong. Put up a few extra million on ball 2. Had a 100M deficit though. Ball 3? Multiball, multiball, multiball. Hell yeah. Thanks to everyone at Under The Glass and all of the awesome competitors in JSPL season 1! #pinball #arcade

The top 4 players in the Jersey Shore Pinball League, from right to left;

4th: Ethan L.
3rd: Ryan P.
2nd: Brian K.
1st: Yours truly

Final scores of the final game in finals.

Got to put my name in for Cross The Chasm champion.

Posing with the game where I won it all and the temporary laminated "plaque" for Grand Champion!

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Tonight's the finals of the Jersey Shore Pinball League's inaugural summer season. I'm currently sitting in the 5 seed for A Division. Wish me luck! #pinball #arcade #jspl

Players competing in the JSPL finals at Under The Glass Pinball Speakeasy, Red Bank, NJ.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Also swung by The Game Is Afoot Arcade while I was out this way. They are permanently closing at the end of this month & just about every game left in the building has a price tag on it. So if you ever wanted to pick up some games, check them out before September comes. #arcade #pinball #rhythmgames

The first corridor at The Game is Afoot.

Star Trek Environmental and DDR Extreme on site.

A really nice collection of sit down cabs here, including Harley-Davidson & LA Riders, Star Wars Starfighter, King of Route 66, and After Burner Climax.

The pinball lineup here is in pretty rough shape but they have a few rare titles worth a play... if they're up and running, anyway.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Checked out the soft opening of the brand new @retroware.bsky.social arcade inside Planet Retro Video Games in Quakertown, PA. A pretty solid lineup of classics, some more modern games, Japanese imports, a random 70s pinball machine, and more. Very cool spot! #arcade #rhythmgames #pinball

Exterior of Planet Retro Video Games and Retroware Arcade.

A big mix of racing games, Japanese music games, and candy cabs.

Retro favorites along the other wall, including a 6 player X-Men and the 70s pinball machine Pinball Pool.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Checking out the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo today; a massive collection of arcade games, consoles, and PC games all inside of the gigantic Cradle of Aviation Museum. It's amazing! Walkthrough coming up later this weekend. #arcade #pinball #retrogames

View of the marketplace from the second floor.

The Arcade Age exhibit on the 2nd floor.

Five of the pinball machines in the Arcade Age exhibit, including Stellar Wars, Road Kings, Rock, Millionaire, and Whitewater.

The other two machines currently up here; Police Force and Gorgar. Someone's currently setting up a King Kong, and there's a Pokemon downstairs as well.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Back at one of my favorite places in New Jersey, 8 On The Break in Dunellen. Supposedly the oldest surviving arcade in continuous operation in the US. Rhythm games, retro games, fighters, pinball, cheap and tasty cheesesteaks, and quarters only. It's been too damn long. #arcade #pinball #rhythmgames

Mostly rhythm games on this side of 8 On The Break, including Maimai, StepManiaX, Project Diva, Chunithm, and Ongeki. Also a Sega APM3 cab with about 20 different games on it, including Puyo Puyo, and even a Minecraft Dungeons Arcade because why not.

Even more games on this side, including Wacca, Initial D, Halo, House Of The Dead 4, Music GunGun, TMNT 2017, and hidden back there are a pair of Tekken 7 cabs.

The side room has a couple more rhythm games but it's also primarily home to pinball machines, with a mix of Williams classics and modern Sterns such as Pin-Bot, Bride of Pin-Bot, Whirlwind, Godzilla, Whitewater, Monster Bash, and Iron Maiden. Additional games not pictured include Taxi, Mousin Around, and Foo Fighters.

This is also one of the only public locations to find a P3 Multimorphic pinball system out on location, and on quarter drop, no less. Portal pinball is fantastic. They previously had Princess Bride. Wondering if they'll get Dungeon Crawler Carl when that drops too!

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Spent most of the day today at American Dream Mall with the family. We tried the Great Big Game Show, checked out both the Nickelodeon and Hasbro arcades, grabbed some lunch from the food court, then watched a Jaws 2/Jaws 3 double header absolutely free. Pretty good Friday! #arcade #rhythmgames

The Hasbro arcade is growing its rhythm game section since adding Maimai DX and Taiko No Tatsujin, as well as Synth Riders (not pictured).

But of course they still have a ton of redemption games based off Hasbro properties like Monopoly, Twister, and Hungry Hungry Hippos.

First time spotting the new "Tourney Edition" of World Football Pro at the Nickelodeon arcade.

The double header of Jaws 2 and Jaws 3 was held in the new Dream Live Performing Arts Center on the second level. They'll be holding concerts and other live events here as well. Front row seats!

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Ahh, nothing like a fresh Bluesky delete-and-reinstall to clear up 17.5 gigs of space on my phone

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Third and final stop of the day; the brand new Lefty's Alley & Eats in Newark, DE. We visited their other location a couple years back, and this new one is even more impressive. Also a rare day when I get to add two new places to @pinballmap.com! Score! #arcade #pinball

They even have a game show experience in here!

Also, let's hear it for another new place with pins! King Kong and JP on this side. Not pictured: Jaws & SW:FOTE on the other side.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Second stop of the day; the new ClimbZone in Philly. Just opened, and we were invited to come film and check it out. I smashed my little toe the other day so no climbing or slides for me, but the kids are having a blast! #arcade #climbzone

These climbing walls are absolutely insane!

A huge variety of different themed walls, including one for Philly that features Rocky, the Phanatic, and cheesesteaks, amongst other bits of Phillyana.

They also have a moderately sized arcade section, supplied by Sunstar. A lot of the usual suspects here. Your Space Invaders Frenzy. Your Jurassic Park Arcade. Claw machines aplenty.

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Christopher Jay @s1ckh4nds.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Hitting the road today with the kids to check out a few spots in South Jersey, Philly, and Delaware. Visited the Round1 in Deptford NJ as our first stop of the day. Shock! They finally added pinball machines! Double shock! They actually played well!! #arcade #pinball #rhythmgames

A lineup of pinball machines at the Round1 in Deptford, NJ, including Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, Ghostbusters, AC/DC, and 2 copies of Aerosmith. Why does Round1 always end up getting double copies of one game?!

The rhythm game section got moved away from the mall entrance, and is back near the party/karaoke rooms now. Also, they got Alpha Ops VR Strike, which I haven't seen at too many locations.

Of course, tons of redemption games, as always.

The biggest surprise? The pins were actually playing well. See exhibit A, my hundred million score on AC/DC!

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