BRUNSWICK, Ga. – In an era of digital gaming, a Brunswick arcade is proving that the classic appeal of pinball is far from game over.
Pinball Palace, recently named Brunswick’s Small Business of the Month for October, has established itself as one of the country’s premier destinations for pinball enthusiasts, having been ranked second best pinball location in the USA by pinball fans in both 2019 and 2022.
The arcade houses an impressive collection of over 200 pinball machines, ranging from modern releases to vintage classics. Among them, their newest addition -- a Harry Potter-themed machine -- has quickly become a crowd favorite.
“There’s a lot of mechanics to the way you work the flippers, and you can cradle the ball, and there’s a lot of different techniques,” said owner Kelley Daniel. “But the main thing on the pinballs is each one of them has different shots, each one of them has different rules.”
Daniel’s pinball journey began in middle school when he first got hooked.
Fast forward to a few years ago, what started as a need to reorganize his garage evolved into a passion for fixing machines and collecting them.
This eventually led to the establishment of Pinball Palace in 2017.
The arcade has become a destination for visitors from around the world, attracting players of all ages. Regular visitor Susan Thomas discovered the venue just a few months ago and quickly became a weekly player.
“I figured I was too old for it, but once I came in here, I said -- no age, there’s no age restrictions,” Thomas said. “You never grow out of it.”
Beyond the main arcade floor, Pinball Palace maintains a separate warehouse housing additional machines, including historical treasures from decades ago.
While some machines are purely for display, others are in various stages of restoration, with Daniel meticulously maintaining each one.
The facility also features other arcade games and bouncy houses for children, making it a comprehensive family entertainment destination.
Visitors can enjoy unlimited play with admission prices set at $12 for one hour, $18 for two hours, or $30 for a full day pass. Pinball Palace, located at 3303 Hopkins Ave. in Brunswick, is open seven days a week.