Joe's Playland

Joe's Playland

Reviews Summary

The overwhelming consensus is extremely positive, with most reviewers praising Joe's Playland as a fantastic arcade with a great mix of classic and modern games, friendly staff, and a fun atmosphere for all ages. Many highlight its nostalgic value, affordability, and family-friendly appeal. A few minor complaints mention occasional machine issues or high food prices, but these are rare exceptions. The arcade's cleanliness, variety of games, and excellent service are consistently praised, making it a beloved destination for both longtime visitors and first-timers. Negative reviews focus on isolated incidents or maintenance concerns, but they are vastly outnumbered by enthusiastic recommendations.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Has Pinball Machines
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Pinball Tables in Arcades

Step up to a pinball table and dive into a vibrant, hands-on experience! Modern machines, like those from Stern or Jersey Jack, feature dazzling LCD screens, immersive themes (Star Wars, Stranger Things), and dynamic soundtracks. You’ll use flipper buttons to launch a steel ball, aiming for targets, ramps, and bumpers to rack up points. Each table has unique missions—hit specific targets to unlock bonuses or multiball modes for high-scoring chaos. Expect tactile thrills, flashing lights, and a lively crowd vibe, with tables rewarding skill and quick reflexes. Perfect for casual fun or competitive play, pinball delivers timeless arcade excitement in 2025.

What to Expect from Retro Games in Arcades

Step into the glow of retro arcade games and expect a nostalgic rush! Classics like Galaga, Donkey Kong, or Mortal Kombat await, housed in vibrant cabinets with joysticks, buttons, or trackballs. You’ll dodge enemies, chase high scores, or battle opponents in fast-paced, pixel-perfect gameplay. Modern restorations include sharp CRT or LED screens and authentic controls, preserving the 80s/90s vibe. Games are easy to learn but tough to master, offering quick sessions or deep challenges. With leaderboards and arcade crowds cheering, retro games deliver timeless fun in 2025.

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Has Pinball Machines
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

15 Broadway

Salisbury, Massachusetts 01952

Hours

Monday 10AM-10PM
Tuesday 10AM-10PM
Wednesday 10AM-10PM
Thursday 10AM-10PM
Friday 10AM-10PM
Saturday 10AM-10PM
Sunday 10AM-10PM

Customer Reviews

This was our first time here!! What a fun arcade! It has a great mix of new games and more vintage games. It's pretty big inside so even when it's crowded, there's plenty of space. We put $50 on a card for our family of 5 and it actually took a lot longer to use it all up than I anticipated. Everyone got to play everything they wanted. The prize counter was typical of any type of arcade. There is even a snack counter where you can purchase ice cream, drinks, fudge and salt water taffy. Fun way to spend an a

1st time taking my granddaughter to the arcade,, she was to excited, very overwhelmed, had scattered brain syndrome and wouldn't pay attention to anything I was saying and I just have to say ?THANK YOU ? she(we) had a blast and now we have a twice a month "Arcade Night" and we're making core memories ????

The three of us put 60 on a card and played we were surprised how long it was able to last. We have a blast fudge was amazing and great prices. Saw someone eating pizza looks and smelled amazing

Fun for all ages!! I mean 3 generations can have a blast here. It wasn't cold at all, only outside ;-) Staff is great, nothing was broken, and I took no prisoners at pinball!

Awesome playland, stacked with lots of fun games and machines that will keep you busy for a couple of hours. The upper level has pool tables, air hockey and other arcade machines plus a area for birthday parties which is very convenient located with an awesome view of the ocean. You can use quarters or buy card credits ,kids love them, easy to use and you avoid running around with change in their hands. Enjoy!!

Been going here since I was a kid. Still one of my favorite arcades and bring my own kids here now. Great location, especially during the summer months.

I love this place I've been going here for the last 50 years and it is like the best like I'm always like a kid when I go there

Nice arcade, I stayed for about 40 mins. Cash or card credits for the games. The selection was okay, most of the games are definitely aged. Would come again if I was in the area. Nearby beach is pretty nice.

always enjoy Joe's, but disappointed that skeeball is card-only now. I'm a millennial who likes quarter machines.

Lots of old games and new and great pin ball machines right on the beach

Amazing selection of old school arcade games, all in impressively good shape. Midday, at least, was very family friendly. Games were reasonably priced unlike some other arcades that price gouge.

Second floor of classic arcade machines is amazing. So cool to play a Super Mario arcade game in 2023

Positive: This place has been here for years. It has lasted so many changes in the Salisbury center. Many games and perfect place for kids and hanging out at the beach. Negative: Some of the games are over priced to play. Plus they need to upgrade. I believe they will make more money for themselves when they make the price appealing. Other then that it's a cool place.

What a great family experience! We will definitely be back-rain or shine!

never a dull moment at Joes Playland! i have never had less than an amazing experience here and can't wait to return! :)

Had a blast! So much fun. And cheaper than Dave and Busters

Popcorn is very good here awesome arcade games

The old school fascination games (Bingo Reno) are the best. And Skeeball. This arcade has been here my whole life. Some of the games are older than me. I hope they don't go out of business. I love these old games. Lots are still just a quarter.

This arcade is amazing great place to bring the kids but lots of awesome retro arcade games and new games as well the owners seem incredible and the staff is always friendly. They take care of there local community by being open all year.

I've been coming here since I was a kid and it's just as great as ever. It's got so many classic arcade games as well as new games and they really take care of the games and make sure they're in great condition. The location is awesome too. It's fun playing arcade games with a view of the ocean and the sea breeze coming through the open doors in the summer

Great arcade, mix of new and old games and with the upgraded card readers, you don't lose money on quarters that don't register.

I was at Salisbury Beach tonight and felt like an ice cream sundae, didn't want to contend with a tall ice cream cone and thought ice cream in a cup would be better. Looking at the menu, I felt the prices were high, but chose to order a salted caramel sundae for nearly $10. I got my sundae which was made with the ice cream very tall and the base surrounded in whipped cream. As I was trying to catch the whipped cream as it was falling down the sides of the cup, the tall ice cream tower began to topple back

There are plenty of things to do games ,food, entertainment, swimming, fireworks in the summer

Been coming here since I was a kid. I love the fact that the prices are still awesome. Thank you for being so awesome still. I took my husband and son and they were so happy ??.

This place is amazing! Plenty of old school games upstairs. Cool, family run arcade!

This is hands down the most fun classic arcade! Skee ball for dayyyzzzz, best Pokerono, upstairs is air hockey, billiards, etc. A Salisbury Beach classic! Make sure you grab an awesome slush at the snack bar while you're there. Unsure? Go with Watermelon or Lemon Lime!

Huge selection of games. Great fun for the whole family

Nice loaded hot fudge sundae. Lemonade was okay.

I love playing their old and new games. I love collecting points to get something nice. It is a lot of fun. Being near a beach makes it even nicer.

The games are in great shape, the prices are reasonable and it's super clean. There's a good variety of modern pinball machines including new Stern releases. By far the nicest arcade in the area.

Pretty good arcade by today's standards. It's well maintained though it could use a little investment in the place.

This is a place of my childhood. Lovely place to come play some old school arcade games. My only complaint is that a lot of the machines in the arcade don't work and haven't for a long time. Hopefully one of these days they'll fix or replace them. Other than that I love this place. Seen them open for many years and hope to continue to see them open for many more. Never close Joe's.

Took the kids to Joe?s Playland today and had the worse experience ever. My son and daughter went to play Space Invaders and the game ate their swipe. When they went to talk to the older gentleman to get the play back, he was very rude and ensured that the game was ?working as intended? and shrugged his shoulders, stating that he's worked in there for 30+ years and has never had an issue. Well, we go to the kiosk to check the card history and bam, there's a charge for Space Invaders that we didn't get to pl

A lot of memories here but the place needs some tlc. Idk how the workers don't get sick. Every ceiling tile is full of mold. Some fun can be had but idk if it's worth your health

A fantastic arcade any day of the week! You can get a card and load it with credits or still pump quarters in most games. If you use the card it will not spit out physical tickets they will just get added up on your account. Still has old timey arcade on the beach feel about it and surrounded by other shops and food.

I have been coming here for 25 years. It is a bit dated but has a pretty good selection of games. Typical arcade games. They also sell fudge and dairy whip which is delicious! I recommend the peanut butter fudge. It is one of the best I have ever tasted.

I've been coming to Joe's Playland since I was a little boy. I always get excited when I'm close to this family-run business. Bring your kids here for some game time. Grab a slice of Beach Pizza next door and then Joe's has soft serve ice cream. I'm grateful for this little business and I will continue to come here with my kids and my grandkids. Thanks guys you are the best. The best arcade as anywhere.

Clean location, very friendly and patient staff. They have the best Wizard of Oz game! Some of the games upstairs are vintage and need some work, but overall very few machines that are broken. A lot of $1 per play games which means money doesn't go quite as far, but still a very fun place!

Been coming here for 30+ years, just recently visited again. Thanks for all your efforts to maintain the old machines it's part of our history now. Still have the classic photo booth with actual film! It's like stepping back in time and I know you have to do a lotto keep 40 year old machines still working properly. Tip my cap you guys!

Booked a Wedding themed party in celebration of a Vow Renewal. Joe's was our "go to" many years ago for date night and then as our family grew we brought our children for family fun night. Joe's playland has been a huge part of our 40+ years together. I couldn't think of a more fantastic place to celebrate and Sandy made that happen. The decor the food and the fun were perfect! We had a blast! And we look forward to many other celebrations at Joe's playland. If you need a great place to host a party Joe's p

This place was so much fun especially bringing kids to. Very affordable to play games and get some ice cream. They staff are friendly and helpful and keep the place clean.

Its is a Great Place for you and your family to come and have fun??????

We had so much fun here today! They have a great mix of old and new games, even ones that still give tickets instead of on the card! Attendants were great, too, very helpful, and attentive.

This is the best Arcade around. Better than any Hampton Beach Arcade. The place is very clean and you can tell the owner has a lot of pride and take really good care of this arcade. A great mix of game some new and old machine. I have been bring my family there for years.

Amazing place. Had so much fun with my grandson and the attendant is an amazing young kid..

Most games are a dollar, the more money you put on the card the better the bonus amount. Toddler games are a few but are 1 credit so its keeps them busy. Hand washing and sanitizer station placed throughout. Variety of prizes to redeem.

Joe's is the best! Great for families and anyone else enjoys an arcade - new and old games - for all ages! Great soft serve ice cream, fudge, caramel corn, and cotton candy.

Gotta love going to Joe's Playland. They have about 9 pinball machines. Old school skeeball and some other ones. Up stairs has pool tables and air hockey along with some old video games. They have a swipe card now that keeps track of some of the games tickets and you can load it so your not running around with a pocket full of quarters.

Been going here since the 1950"s Still family owned. Lots of well maintained arcade games. Some going back to the beginning of the first years. Pool tables, food and prizes for the kids. Just a great place to make life long memories. Well worth a. Visit. Great for ages 2, to 100. Great family fun for all.

I wish there were more wonderful little arcades left like this in the United States. I loved visiting this place. You can tell the owner cares about keeping the little beach area alive. I'd love to visit here again the next time we are visiting Salisbury Beach!

None of the machines give any tickets, most of them are broken and you can't tell until you insert money.

Everything you'd want in an oldschool arcade, from a good variety of the old favorites, to a good selection of games that give you tickets and test your skills at highly entertaining activities. Most game prices are reasonable, they have the requisite collection of junk made in China you can trade your tickets for, and a good time will be had by all!

Great place to visit and turn $20 in coins into tickets to earn a prize. Kids love the games. 25 cent ski-ball is the best value. Recently one 300 tickets for the lunar bonus.

I loved it! Well pretty much all the video arcades near beaches are great. It has some of my all time favorite games such as Rush 2049 and Arctic Thunder!

State of the art games as well as the old classics. Fun for the whole family.

Some of the games upstairs were broken but the Mario (despite being a bit sticky) was functioning and fun to play! Downstairs games were a bit aged but the pinball were working incredibly. They have plenty of variety and fun games.

Can get very busy on summer and nice early spring days. Kind of pricey for pinball machine. At hampton they're .50 cents a game.. here they are $1. But very good variety of games

This was my first time ever going to this place. I did feel that the beach left some things to be desired - the human architecture encroaches so close to the ocean at many points that there was little beach at all at high tide. The ocean floor appeared level for the first couple meters, then dropped suddenly - creating a fairly powerful undertow (or perhaps caused by it) - then leveled out again and stayed about chest height on me (I am 5' 6") for about a meter, then gradually leveled deeper. Once past the

It was ok however, unlike Hampton's game place, many of the machines were not working, employees ignored many requests for help as they'd walk away as if they never heard us, and the prizes or points for items was not of good quality. I'd visit again but will not waste my money there!

Had an absolutely wonderful time here! Pretty clean and pretty well maintained. Had little interaction with staff but when I did need something they were friendly and polite....I WILL be returning

I think this place is great, I have been coming here since I was a kid, and now I take my kids here. They have Skeeball and classic arcade games, air hockey and pool tables, as well as some more expensive newer games, and the classic waste-your-money claw games.

Been coming here for years since I was a little guy, and now I'm starting to bring my own little guy here. Nice mixture of new and old games as well as Skiball, and this giant, kickass Space Invader game that gives out tickets!

Great old time arcade tons of game options great prize selection and friendly and attentive staff. Lots of good food and snack options great for spending a few hours to a whole day there

Kiss and iron maiden pinball are the bomb

Lost my wallet and instead of taking the money the employees returned it to me intact with nothing missing. Great place recommend going with friends and family.

Fun arcade, very nice staff located on fabulous Salisbury Beach. They add new games and keep the classics too. Something there for anyone of any age.

Excellent games, amazing location! Kids and I visited last week and we had a ball. Plenty of ticket and video games! Awesome staff! Thanks!

Old skl prices upstairs but quarter only the swipe card makes it so not old skl.... A roll of quarters would at least last a hour

Excellent as always. People will never understand the importance of this place until all the other ski ball machines are gone

The BEST. THEY ARE THE BEST PEOPLE. YOUR KIDS ARE ALWAYS SAFE THERE. A REAL FAMILY AND FRIEND 60 YEARS. ALL I CAN SAY IS GO! BRING THE ENTIRE ??

Really fun! You can load up a card or use quarters. Classic arcade machines upstairs and fun ticket type ones downstairs.

So happy this is open. When i opened the door, i smelled bleach. Super clean, i suggest go play some cool arcade games. My daughter and i loved it.

It is a great place for all ages. They have old and new games. They have game cards that one can accumulate points. It is a lot of fun.

Had fun here. Some retro games, some newer. Billiards, pinball, arcade games, skeeball. Only 3 or so crane games. Staff very friendly. Happy it was open in Feb.

Always a fun place...some machines don't spit out tickest..However if you put money on the cards points do add up on there

Been going here for years great family place some good older games Pac Man Q-Bert pinball machines plus skeeball bingo Rama other games that give out tickets for prizes

If your going here during the summer don't eat at the bearby tripolis or Christy's pizza. Head down route 286 to Christaldis in Seabrook...best pizza around.

Selection of arcade games, including some classic machines, plus pinball and skee-ball. Their hours vary and depend on the weather, so call ahead if you're coming from a distance.

Fun place to bring the family. Only downside is they are very skimpy with the ticket payouts per game as opposed to Dave and Buster's in Manchester.

Very nice arcade with some rare machines. My only major complaint is a lot of the machines are out of service.

Old school Boardwalk Playland arcade, we had a blast winning tickets on ski ball and Basketball Shoot as well as several interactive video games!

Joe's is a ton of fun in an old school arcade setting. Games from the classics like Skee Ball up to brand new Racing arcade cabinets and more.

Quite possibly the best fried seafood I've ever had after55 years chasing it.it is sublime.thank you wonderful young people for doing seafood correctly.

Enjoyed the foods bought at different kiosk but there are a reasonable waiting time because of the line ....the tasty food is worth worth the wait! ??! The back view is amazing but parking can be challenging....

We had fun here! Great games and good service. Thanks for being open during the off season!!

I used to love coming here as a kid. Now you can put all the money on a card instead of using coins. Which is very convenient.

Decent beach arcade. Doesn't open until afternoon off season. Games range from .25 cents to $1.00. Prizes are pretty standard.

A great place to have fun no matter your age. I am addicted to their wizard of oz game. Wish they had cooler prizes though.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are pinball tables still good in this modern age?

Yes, pinball tables in arcades remain a blast. Their hands-on, skill-driven gameplay delivers a thrill digital games can’t match, blending nostalgia with modern flair. Newer tables from Stern and Jersey Jack feature LCD screens and themes like Avengers or Stranger Things, keeping things exciting. Arcades are seeing a pinball resurgence with vibrant scenes and tournaments like IFPA events drawing crowds. Though less common than video games, pinball’s tactile charm and community vibe make it a standout arcade experience in 2025.

Are retro games in arcades still good in this modern age?

Absolutely, retro games in arcades remain a thrilling draw in 2025! Classics like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Street Fighter II offer simple yet addictive gameplay, blending nostalgia with timeless challenge. Modern arcade cabinets often feature crisp displays and restored controls, enhancing the experience. These games thrive on quick reflexes and strategy, with vibrant pixel art and iconic soundtracks that spark joy. Arcades host tournaments and leaderboards, fostering a lively community. While modern games dominate, retro titles provide a unique, accessible thrill that keeps arcades buzzing.

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.