My opinion is if your are over thirty years old try to stay away from this arcade unless you are strolling a child. Its slightly down from the Steel Pier that has much more visual appeal at least. I was wanting to play Galaga but not here. It says Arcade but not really sure why there was an abundance of Claw machines lining both sides of the entrance. The front of the arcade is not upated and is between a Three Brothers Pizza and .99 Everything store. The main building is Schiff's Central Pier with a child size go cart at the doors. Did not walk thru deep enough to check out the kiddie carts but could see them on the track clearly from my room window at the Hard Rock Hotel read more

Central Pier Arcade & Speedway - Race Tracks Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

I don't get it, was this supposed to be an entertaining and relaxing space? I just don't see the appeal. While venturing the boardwalk I decided I would get a glimpse of the many piers that dot it. I made my way here and out towards to the pier. Hardly anything was open, granted I visited when it was more towards off season, but there was nothing to do. Those pictures, I don't see the appeal. That long corridor that is lined with all the claw machines. Totally not the aesthetic I was hoping for. It's a great place to step off the boardwalk from, but a place that just isn't for everyone. That would be me. read more

I love how old-fashioned this arcade is. No tokens, no cards, just quarters. I didn't have a lot of time when I came here, but if I did, I would have played for the biggest prize they have, which is an electric model train set by Bachmann. I wish every arcade offered train sets as prizes. read more

Along the boardwalk, there are two main places for games and entertainment. There is the Steel Pier amusement park and then there is the less impressive Central Pier. The Central Pier is still worth a look if you know what to expect. This arcade is full of video game arcade machines and also basic machines you would typically see at bowling alleys. They have a lot of claw cranes filled stuffed animals and I mean a lot. You will also find skee ball machines and coin pusher machines. Lastly, at the end of the hallway, they have a go kart racetrack. The Central Pier is at least worth visiting to easily win a stuffed animal for a loved one. read more

Was able to have fun playing paintball shooting at all the mascot targets and got to drive go karts at a sound price in my flip flops. read more

Central Pier Arcade & Speedway - Race Tracks Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

PROS: This was a nice arcade, especially from the front. Many claw games with great prizes in them as well. This leads to an open air center behind it with paintball, basketball, and other cool things CONS: This wasn't the traditional type of arcade. They didnt have prizes, just rigged claw machines for the most part OVERALL: This was a good place, but not my go-to read more

Central Pier Arcade & Speedway - Race Tracks Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

Small park, but it's nice for the space that they have. They even had a helicopter ride wow!

I rather enjoy this little arcade. It's not very big and for some reason has an overabundance of crane games, but once you get passed that, it has a lot of your classic games. And I've only played the ski ball and the clown game, but they were both enjoyable, the latter paying off big with tickets. And the prizes include candy bars so at least I could get something I'd use (and delightfully eat) vs. a cheap crappy toy. I am an adult after all! I did the go-karts and that was fun even for an adult to be in a little race. There are some fair/carnival-esque games that you need to find someone to operate if there isn't somewhere there (which it seems like usually not) and those seem a little more shady/hard to win. Sticking to the traditional games, it can be fun for like a half an hour if you are strolling along the boardwalk. read more

Closed!!! Apparently the business has not updated their website or google or yelp. The arcade and speedway are both boarded up and remained closed our solid week there. read more

Nice little arcade and go kart track on the pier. There's a lot of arcade games and what is a mini Dave & Busters type place where you can trade in coupons for prizes. Obviously the more you spend or better you do, the better prize you can get. There is a good sized amount of prizes however. Didn't try the go karts, but it seemed decent enough. Kids need to be 12 or older to ride them. The crane hook games are scammy with the weak hook grabs. The building is older looking, but that adds charm. Some change machines. Some games cost $2, while others cost the typical $1. Had no interaction with staff, so no comments about how they are. All in all a nice little place on the Boardwalk away from the norm. read more

There are many piers along the boardwalk but Central Pier where it's at! The architecture of the building is interesting. This arcade area and go-kart space is really cool because it is beachside! It's located on the boardwalk and makes for a great escape for kids, since most of the boardwalk is all about casinos. Though, I do recall there being slots in the arcade. I don't know if they are kids' games that look like slot machines or if it's actually slot machines. This is a place I can imagine going to and then reminiscing on in the future because it has a vintage old-time vibe. The outdoor space has carnival style games and the go-kart area overlooks the water. It was closed when I came on Monday so I didn't see how lively or busy it was. The arcade area has a lot of claw machines. I don't know much history on the arcade or when it opened but it has a Santa Monica Pier-esque atmosphere and an old-fashioned feel. read more

See all

Claw machines weren't too difficult. Five stars because there was a very nice attendant that helped us out at the plinko/quarter area! Shout out to him as he helped me win 200 tickets despite my lack of skill read more

My first time in an Atlantic City arcade that isn't Playcade, but I enjoyed myself here a lot. First, the arcade is pretty straightforward. My family had a lot of fun playing Deal or No Deal, but also on our old favorites (slots, that thing with the quarters on edge, that one with the light spinning around in a circle.... haha sorry for my ridiculous descriptions!). Also, walking towards the arcade, there's all these claw machines for Coach bags, Nintendo DSs, iPods, and plush toys. My brother spent a good amount of money trying to get a DS and was pretty close. It seems like people do win every now and then, but never think it's easy! That's how they getcha! Second, the go kart racing! Pretty simple track with a good number of cars with fun logos (Batman, DBZ, yeah!) Your average go kart experience, lasts about 5 minutes per round. Third, there is paintball! Not actual paintballing, but they have mounted guns for shooting at their little targets, but it's a nice little feature they have. A lot of fun things to do to spend an afternoon and win some prizes. I like that there are so many ways for you to burn a whole in your pocket. XD read more

I am mostly leaving the great review because of the go karts. The arcade is still decent but nowhere near Dave and Busters which has way better arcade games and virtual reality. The go karts were awesome. You are going up and down hills, so if you go top speed down the one big drop/turn, you are going around 20 miles an hour. Doesn't sound like that fast, but in a somewhat enclosed space, it was pretty cool. If you go full speed, down that hill, you have to drive flawlessly to avoid hitting a wall. The arcade games were decent. They have a Halo arcade game which was from around 2016. The same Halo arcade game at Dave and Busters fit 3 or 4 people and had massive screens. The one at this arcade only fit 2 and had a much smaller screen than the one at Dave and Busters. They had a few excellent arcade games. aside from Halo, they had a Centipede game and a few others. The arcade games were decent but the go karts were what made it for me. They also have a ton of slot machines that don't pay you with money, they pay you in tickets. You then can pick from a ton of items with how many tickets you won. They even have a Playstation 5 behind glass, which you could possibly win, if you collected enough tickets. read more

Don't waste your time or money here. The crane games are designed to suck you dry. The staff is terrible and just don't care. I grabbed a prize 20 times only for the claw to open up and drop the toy. read more

I actually really liked this go-kart set up! We went a little late in the season (early November) but it didn't make it any less fun. You pay up $8 per person (you can also ride with a child) at the front and then you get a ticket which you show before you enter. Then, you get in your go kart and GOO!! It's really fun and it's pretty large - comparable to ones that I've been in at larger arcades that weren't on the boardwalk. The boardwalk and music blasting and picture taking make it really fun. We went around several times before we had to slow down. There's a "tunnel" (under the "bridge") and lots of turns and ups and downs! The arcade was also super fun. They had some of the same things they have at Dave & Buster's. Once you've collected your tickets, bring em to the ticket counting machine, get a receipt and redeem! We didn't win enough for the giant stuffed animals, but we got some candy! There's also the claw machines (which I never have any luck with anyway!) as you exit the arcade. Only downside to this is that there are no bathrooms in this place. However, it's on the boardwalk and there is one as you exit the arcade on your left (across from Ripley's). Plus, lots of casinos are located nearby and bathrooms are inside. read more

The ticketed games are fun but expensive. However the kids enjoy it so what are you gonna do? They have a wide array of prizes that softens the blow of all the money being thrown away. Don't let the long lane of crane machines entice you. I don't think I've ever seen someone win on those and I've played and won many a crane machine. I saw a lady have a dog carried the whole way through the machine and then the claw literally opened and dropped it before the prize hole. Rip off! Stick to the sponge bob game or wizard of oz for maximum ticket potential. read more

My favorite entertainment center in Atlantic City! Lots of great games, awesome prizes and the go karts are the fastest I've ever been on. Make sure you see Ron in the game room, he will take care of you!! read more

See all

Absolutely love this place. So much fun for adults and kids. We had a blast. My younger son was a bit upset because he was too small to drive the go karts by himself but he warmed up when we zoomed passed his older brother. read more

Central Pier Arcade & Speedway - That's my boy. - Race Tracks Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

With such an imposing and awesome looking building on a pier, you'd think a grand gaming experience would be waiting inside the Central Pier Arcade. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. This arcade is an opportunity to give visitors a chance to get away from tacky casinos and expensive bars and actually give then something fun to do. Instead, it is an absurd disappointment that only continues the theme of putting your money into a machine and getting little to no reward back. The first thing that hits you when you enter the building is the long hallway of crane machines on either side of you. These can be fun, but overall are a pretty useless waste of money. How many times can you try to win an iPod that the crane is never going to grab onto before you're bored? Walking further into the building you come across a small room packed with arcade machines, which makes you think "Ok, here are some fun machines". Wrong again. There are slot machines, which, if you're in Atlantic City, you might be sick of seeing. There are random machines whose sole functionality is to put coins into and watch a random amount of tickets come out. Nothing interactive, nothing remotely fun. There are skee ball-like machines, but they're not even real, classic skee ball machines. By the time you've looked around the room for something fun to do, only a handfull of minutes has gone by. At best you get some tickets, a fistfull of green army men, and you're done. The thing that strikes me most about this place is that Atlantic City is looking desperately to find non-gambling, family-friendly entertainment, and this is a gargantuan missed opportunity. Central Pier is large and impressive, and could be a huge center for family entertainment. Instead it's a place to merely hand your kid $20 and watch them waste it staring blankly at fake slots. I wished this could have been more like an arcade in nearly any other shore town; the arcades of Ocean City and Wildwood are legendary, and offer so many different kinds of games. Yes those too have slots and ticket-spouting machines, but they also have real skee ball, air hockey, and walls lined with real arcade games like racing games, pinball machines, fighting games, etc. Sadly, Central Pier was just such a disappointment that I hope I never come within a mile of this place as long as I live. read more

This arcade is awesome!! They have the best games, all quality high end electronics, every toy imaginable for the kids, video games, paintball and the best go karts around!!!this is the perfect place to bring the entire family! There is something for everyone!! They even have a photography stand that can capture your best memory riding the go karts!! Not to mention the staff that goes out of their way to !make sure your every need is met!! Its definitely the best place to go if you want to have a fun filled day with your family!! 5 stars for Central Pier!! read more

My children really enjoyed this arcade. I preferred it to your average arcade. Most games were reasonably priced and the prizes were different from your run of the mill offerings. read more

This place is soooo much fun . We went very late in the season (November 20) , has to wear coats and everything but still had a blast!! Only mistake we made was going to playcade first then trying to have to 7 year olds walk the mile and a half today this arcade, which is the playcade 10x's over!!! Anyway we had to get pushed in the little pushcart things but that was fun to!! Had a blast!! read more

I absolutely love this place! You can win prizes easily, it's fun, the prizes you can win with the tickets are not crap and the people are so amazing and nice. I always end up spending my gambling money here and never regret it. I will always be a customer there. read more

What a joke. Played the claw drop game. For anyone that hasnt played this game, a metal claw drops into childrens prizes. The claw then pulls the toy up. I played $5 worth. That allowed 7 plays. I pulled the toy up 7 times. Everytime the claw got to the top, it would open, losing the toy. I understand this is petty, but I asked the owner. He tried to explain that instead of being a game of skill, it is a game of chance. If that is the case the game must have the odds of winning posted just like every other slot machine or games of chance in atlantic city. I questioned him more. He said that the prize would be obtainable on a predetermined number of plays. He had no idea what he was talking about. I hope atleast one person listens to my warning instead of making this scum one cent richer. I also mentioned that I would lodge a complaint with the New Jersey Gaming comission if it is a game of chance. He laughed. read more

I went with my daughter who is 13 and they expected so much of her. They thought that she knew how to drive a car with the brakes and gas pedal! They didn't have helmets or safety instructions . When she got to the top of the hill it was very fast and she wasn't expecting that so she started to slow down and press the break pedal but they used the speaker and kept yelling at my daughter saying to stop pressing down on the breaks but we both felt uncomfortable with the speed of how fast it went . The game room was a great place for family fun and to earn prizes but the go -kart just was really not safe and we will never go to that specific go-kart race place again. I don't recommend it to little kids because we asked the person who sold the tickets and she said "yes it's slow and safe," but it's completely the OPPOSITE!!" read more