Being as busy a state as we are, it’s no surprise that New Jersey is full of iconic sounds that bring back memories. From the legendary tunes of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, to the sounds of crashing waves at the beach, we all have memories of them going back years or decades. But for me, there’s no more nostalgic New Jersey sound than another one from the Jersey Shore – the sound of Boardwalk arcades. If you’ve ever walked into one, you know what I’m talking about – the entire place is humming with the sound of beeps, clangs, pinball flippers, flying skeeballs, and haggling at the prize counter. It’s less one sound than a few hundred sounds all coming together into a unique New Jersey symphony. All the boardwalks at Point Pleasant Beach, Wildwood, Atlantic City, and Ocean City have huge arcades, but if we had to pick one that stands out, it’s probably Wildwood’s Mariner’s Arcade.

Just take a look at this video from Winner Every Time on YouTube to see the arcade and its sounds in action, and read on to discover why we’re so excited for Boardwalk season to kick off every year!

You can probably hear the hubbub from a boardwalk arcade before you even set foot inside.
Craig/Google Local
It's no surprise these places have a distinctive sound - there are often hundreds of different games being played at the same time here.
Drew Blouch/Google Local
There are the classics, like skeeball and pinball, which are often the loudest.
Craig/Google Local

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Then there are the modern shooting and racing games, which usually have state-of-the-art sound effects.
Jeffrey Dornblaser/Google Local
And then there are the redemption prize games, which are constantly deploying cranes, shoveling tokens, and spitting out tickets.
Manny Quacioua/Google Local
Yes, these can sometimes be a bit frustrating as we try to get the big one...
But most guests keep at it in exchange for a trip to the prize counter, where you could leave with anything from a handful of candy to a big electronics item.
Jeffrey Dornblaser/Google Local

Do you have fond memories of Boardwalk arcades? What’s your favorite nostalgic New Jersey sound? Let us know in the comments section! If this article has made you want to dust off your gaming reflexes, check out the Mariner’s Arcade website for more information. It’s located in the heart of Wildwood, which means you’re walking distance from other attractions like Splash Zone and the Doo-Wop Experience. You can also book a room at the Caribbean Motel, a historic Jersey Shore budget hotel with iconic decor.

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Mariners Arcade, 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260, USA