9 Best Arcades in New Jersey

Roll up your sleeves and strap on your game faces, because it's time for an electrifying journey through the marvelous land of arcade games, laser tag arenas, and so much more! Welcome to a whirlwind tour of New Jersey's most fun-filled, family-friendly entertainment centers that promise laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories. Whether you're a pinball wizard, a skee-ball superstar, or a claw machine champion, we have your next adventure right here. From the bustling games at Bev & Wally’s Family Fun Center to the technicolor wonder of the Morristown Game Vault, prepare to unleash your inner child and dive headfirst into a world of flashing lights, beeping machines, and the sweet, sweet sound of victory!

Bev & Wally’s Family Fun Center

Bev & Wally’s Family Fun Center is a part of the Keansburg Amusement Park, serving as a local Family Entertainment Center in Monmouth County. It offers an indoor arcade that features a variety of games including skee ball, slot and poker machines, basketball, cranes, and jackpot games. The arcade offers a mix of classic games and new favorites that can appeal to all age groups. It is designed to help families create cherished memories, with the excitement of winning games and earning prizes as a key part of the experience. Prizes can be won by saving up tickets from playing the games.

Website: http://www.funatbevandwallys.com/

Address: 46 Beachway, Keansburg, NJ, 0773

Pricing: A Game Play Card at Bev & Wally's Family Fun Center has a value of $10, but it can sometimes be purchased for a discounted price of $2.40​

Branchburg Sports Complex Arcade

The Branchburg Sports Complex Arcade is home to over 40 sports and adventure themed games suitable for all ages. Games include popular favorites such as Fruit Ninja, Harpoon Lagoon, Big Bass Wheel Pro, Hoop Fever, Guitar Hero Arcade, Dance Dance Revolution, Basketball Pro, Air Hockey, and many more. The arcade also features a prize redemption center filled with a variety of fun and exciting prizes like Basketballs, Stuffed Animals, Candy, Bouncy Balls, Lava Lamps, etc. Note that the availability of specific prizes can vary. In addition to the arcade, the complex also offers a four-level interactive laser tag arena, an indoor playground designed for children ages 3-12, and sports facilities that include batting cages, courts, turf fields, and a large gaga pit.

Website: https://branchburgsports.com/

Address: 47 Readington Rd., Branchburg, NJ 08853

Frank’s Fun Center

Frank's Fun Center is a highlight of Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, located at Point Pleasant Beach. It's often hailed as the best arcade in the area, boasting an assortment of games and activities that keep visitors entertained. One of the most popular features is the claw games, which are designed to guarantee a win for each player. The prizes are frequently updated, and the pricing is considered reasonable. There's a daily half-price special between 11 am and 3 pm, making this a particularly good time to visit. Note that to play, visitors must use Frank's Play Card​.

Website: https://jenkinsons.com/

Address: 407 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742​

Funtime Junction

Funtime Junction is an award-winning indoor children's entertainment center founded in 1994, offering a variety of engaging activities for children. The family-owned and operated entertainment center features an upgraded FunCade and redemption center, a "vest-less" laser tag, a helicopter carousel ride, a toddler playground, a bounce house, Beam floor projection game, LiteZilla (a giant Lite Brite), wall manipulative toys, Krazy Kars, and a black light Scavenger Hunt. The centerpiece of the facility is the multi-level softplay climbscape and jump pillow. The venue operates from Thursday through Sunday, with guests required to pre-register for one of the 90-minute time slots. Walk-in play is available, but without a minimum of 30-minute advance pre-registration, there is no guarantee staff will be on-site at the time of your arrival​.

The pricing at Funtime Junction is quite varied. They offer four party packages ranging from $210 to $325 for up to 10 children, which include fun activities, pizza & pop, and various perks for the birthday child. They also offer a family fun package for $15, which includes 2 children’s admissions and 1 adult admission, 1 helicopter ride and 10 tokens for each child, a $30 value.

Website: https://www.funtimejunction.com/

Address: Funtime Junction, 400 Fairfield Rd, Fairfield Twp, NJ 07004

Go Play Arcade

Go Play Arcade is a local hotspot for arcade enthusiasts. The arcade provides a variety of games, including Skeeball, Air Hockey, Star Wars, Big Bass Wheel, Jurassic Park, Halo, Tomb Raider, and various claw machines. Visitors can test their skills and earn points for prizes at the redemption store. The arcade hosts private birthday parties and events, with the option to rent the entire venue. Additionally, camp, school, and day trips are catered to as well. The arcade operates from Wednesday to Sunday, with operating hours varying depending on the day and season.

Pricing: The arcade offers reloadable game cards at three price points: $25, $50, and $75, with sales tax included.

Website: https://www.belmargoplay.com/

Address: 1102 Main St, Belmar, New Jersey 07719

Grand Slam Family Entertainment Center

Grand Slam Family Entertainment Center has been a part of the South Plainfield, Edison and Central NJ community for over 20 years. Specializing in providing clean, family fun, it puts high emphasis on baseball and softball instruction, while also offering a memorable experience for children's birthday parties. The diverse arcade showroom offers a variety of games, including Action, Adventure, Music/Dancing, Shooters, Fighting, Puzzle, Racing, and Strategy games. Notable games include House of The Dead, Dance Dance Revolution, Street Fighters, Skeeball, Guitar Hero, Time Crisis, and Cruisin’ USA among others. Besides the arcade, the center offers Lazer Tag games, with pricing starting at $7.50 per person per game. Group pricing is also available for Lazer Tag, with prices ranging from $7.00 to $6.00 per person per game depending on the number of games played​.

Website: https://grandslamnj.com/

Address: 910 Oak Tree Ave, South Plainfield NJ 07080

Jenkinson’s South Arcade

Jenkinson’s South Arcade is a vibrant part of the Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. The arcade is a paradise for kids and families with a variety of games and activities to explore. It features the latest video games, pinball machines, and traditional boardwalk games like skee-ball. There are also several other arcades along the boardwalk including Pavilion Arcade, South Beach Arcade, and Frank's Fun Center. The arcade operates on a card system, known as the Emusement Card, with coin slots on arcade and pinball machines having been removed. There's also an option for half-price special from 3pm-5pm daily using the Emusement Card.

Besides the arcade, the boardwalk hosts other attractions such as Jenkinson’s Amusement Park, Castaway Cove Adventure Golf, the Boardwalk Fun House, and Lighthouse Point Miniature Golf. These offer a range of activities from amusement rides to mini-golf, providing a fun-filled experience for all ages. Food options are also plentiful, with various food stands and restaurants lining the boardwalk for visitors to enjoy.

The Emusement Card system operates on credits with prices as follows: 1 credit for $0.50, 50 credits for $25.00, 100 credits for $50.00, 220 credits for $95 (95th Anniversary Special includes 30 bonus credits), and 500 credits for $200.00 (includes 100 bonus credits). Prices for some attractions are: Adventure Lookout Course for children (10 credits or $5.00), Adventure Lookout Course for adults (24 credits or $12.00), Castaway Cove and Lighthouse Point Miniature Golf for children (20 credits or $10.00), adults (28 credits or $14), seniors (18 credits or $9), and the Fun House (14 credits or $8.00 for general admission, 26 credits or $14.00 for double admission).

Website: https://jenkinsons.com/arcades/

Address: 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Morristown Game Vault

Morristown Game Vault is a vibrant arcade located inside an old bank building and features over 85 classic video games, pinball machines, and console games. The arcade even utilizes the safe deposit room where guests can find additional games. The vast majority of the games, about 90%, are owned by the proprietor and all are set to free play. Upon entering the arcade, visitors receive a registered wrist band. The establishment offers a party package with a private room and food from a local pizzeria, making it an excellent venue for private events, engagement parties, summer camps, and more. The arcade has a high score recognition system, making it an exciting destination for both friends and families who love the retro-gaming scene.

Website: http://www.morristowngamevault.com/

Address: 22 South St., Morristown

ROUND 1 BOWLING & AMUSEMENT

Round 1 Bowling & Amusement is a state-of-the-art entertainment facility providing a variety of leisure facilities that cater to all ages. The arcade includes bowling alleys, fully equipped karaoke booths, billiards, ping pong tables, top-of-the-line arcade games, and darts. They also offer food, beer, wine, and ice cream. Please note that guests under the age of 18 require a guardian 25 or older with them after 5pm at all times (up to 4 individuals per guardian).

The average price for bowling at Bowlero ranges from $5.54 to $8.84 per game per person, depending on the day of the week. Shoe rental is usually $4.79 per person. They also offer an "Unlimited Bowling" offer where you can play as many games as you like for $11.89 per person after 9 PM on Sundays through Thursdays. Additionally, they have a special event called "Monday Mayhem" where you can enjoy unlimited bowling for $13.89 per person from 8 PM to close.

Website: https://www.round1usa.com/

Address: 1750 Deptford Center Rd, Deptford, NJ 08096

High Scores and Happy Memories

So there you have it, the ultimate guide to the thrilling, fun-packed entertainment centers of New Jersey. With venues ranging from the nostalgic to the modern, and from the sports-themed to the whimsically fantastical, there is a world of joy waiting for families, friends, and fun-seekers of all ages. So, whether you're planning a birthday party, seeking a new weekend getaway, or simply craving some good old-fashioned arcade fun, these entertainment centers are sure to serve up a hearty helping of joy and amusement. So why wait? Pack your bags, gather your tribe, and get ready to explore the bright lights, big prizes, and endless excitement that New Jersey's finest family entertainment centers have to offer. Game on!