One man in Ohio owned so many pinball machines that his collection landed in Guinness World Records. The final total sailed right past 1,000 machines, which sounds less like a hobby and more like a happy obsession.
That collector didn’t just stack them in a warehouse. He opened a giant arcade where hundreds of those flipper-slapping beauties sit plugged in and ready to play.
The oldest playable game reportedly dates back to 1947, making this more than a room full of flashing lights. It’s a chance to experience decades of arcade history by actually playing the machines.
Every machine runs on free play once you’re through the door, so no tokens or swipe cards are required. With hundreds of games waiting, even a full afternoon might not be enough to try every one.
A Record-Breaking Pinball Habit Started All Of This
Most people stop collecting once the garage gets full. Rob Berk clearly never got that memo, and pinball fans everywhere are better for it.
His personal pinball collection grew past 1,000 machines. That number earned him a Guinness World Record, which is a pretty fancy trophy for a guy who just loves flippers.
Berk isn’t a newcomer to the pinball world, either. He’s the founder of Pinball Expo, a long-running pinball show that has drawn fans for decades.
So what do you do with a world-record collection? You share it, of course, and that’s exactly how Past Times Arcade came to life in Ohio.
I like that this place grew from real passion rather than a business plan alone. You can feel it in the way the games are chosen, cared for, and shown off like treasures.
A collection this big tells a story about pinball itself. You get the early wooden-rail designs, the flashy 1970s art, and the talking machines that came later.
Think of it as a museum where touching the exhibits is the whole point. Nobody will shush you for pressing buttons here.
Knowing the record behind the arcade makes each game feel a little more special. After all, you’re playing a piece of one of the largest pinball collections ever counted.
Hundreds Of Machines Are Plugged In And Waiting For You
Over 600 games fill the floor at Past Times Arcade. Let that number sink in for a second before you plan your afternoon.
More than 400 of those are pinball machines. The rest are over 200 classic video arcade games, so button mashers get plenty of love too.
A selection this huge changes how you play. Instead of waiting in line for one favorite, you can wander until something shiny grabs your attention.
The arcade even jokes about its size in a fun way. Spending just a few moments at each game, according to the team, could stretch past 24 hours.
That’s great news for groups with mixed tastes. One friend can chase a high score on a sci-fi table while another tries a cartoon-themed machine two rows over.
My advice is simple: skip the urge to play everything. Pick a few machines that look fun, then circle back to your favorites for a rematch.
Bring comfortable shoes, because you’ll do plenty of walking between games. Every aisle seems to hide another machine you didn’t know existed.
And yes, it gets lively in there with so many games running at once. Bells, music, and flipper clacks create a soundtrack that pinball lovers will happily soak up all day.
Your Admission Unlocks Every Single Game
Quarters are officially off duty here. Past Times Arcade runs on an all-you-can-play model, with every machine set to free play.
You pay one admission and get access to the whole floor. No tokens to count, no cards to reload, and no sad moment when your cup runs empty.
Honestly, that setup makes pinball far less stressful. Lose a ball in the first ten seconds?
Just hit start again and nobody’s wallet feels it.
Free play also invites you to try games you’d normally skip. That weird machine with the strange theme suddenly becomes worth a shot.
Kids benefit from this approach in a big way. They can learn how flippers work through plenty of practice without anyone hovering over a dwindling stack of coins.
Adults get a different perk. You can finally play the full game you remember from childhood, instead of feeding coins and hoping for a lucky bonus.
Plan to stay a while to get the most from your visit. Arriving close to opening gives you the longest stretch of playing time.
Once you’ve got the wristband on, the arcade is basically your playground. The only real limit is how long your thumbs can keep tapping those buttons.
Take A Stroll Through Pinball’s Family Tree
Some of the oldest games in the collection date back to the early days of pinball. These machines offer a rare chance to see how the game evolved long before modern screens and digital effects.
Past Times Arcade arranges its pinball machines by era. Walking the floor feels like flipping through a giant, noisy history book.
Older tables have their own charm. Many feature painted backglass art, simple scoring, and mechanical sounds that newer games replaced with speakers and screens.
A few aisles later, the style shifts dramatically. Brighter lights, bigger ramps, and more complicated rules show how much pinball kept changing over the years.
The collection stretches all the way to recent releases. You can play something from the 1940s and something built within the last few years on the same visit.
Here’s a fun challenge for families. Have everyone pick a favorite machine from a different decade, then compare which era wins the group vote.
I believe this is where the arcade earns its museum reputation. Few places let you trace an entire hobby from start to now, one flipper at a time.
Retro Video Games Bring The Neon Years Right Back
Pinball gets top billing, but the video game side packs a serious punch. More than 200 classic arcade cabinets line up for anyone craving joystick action.
The collection leans heavily into the 1980s and 1990s. Those were the golden years of crowded mall arcades and fierce high-score battles.
Parents might feel a jolt of memory when they spot old favorites. Kids, meanwhile, get to meet games they’ve only heard about from grown-ups.
I like how these machines build an easy bridge between generations. A parent can teach a kid a classic trick, then lose to that same kid twenty minutes later.
The fun doesn’t stop at single-player games, either. Past Times Arcade also offers multiplayer cabinets for friendly competition.
Air hockey tables add a totally different kind of energy. Fair warning: a few fast rounds can leave your arms more tired than any joystick.
Because everything runs on free play, experimenting costs nothing extra. That makes it the perfect place to finally learn a game you were always too nervous to try.
Somebody Keeps All Those Flippers Flipping
Old pinball machines can be fussy little creatures. They have switches, coils, rubber rings, and wiring that all wear out with steady play.
Keeping hundreds of them running is no small task. Past Times Arcade treats maintenance as a key part of its success, and that focus shows in the machines.
Some famously tricky tables are kept in working order here. Pinball fans know certain classics have a reputation for being tough to keep running.
With a collection this large, a machine or two may need repairs on any given day. That’s just reality when hundreds of vintage games get played constantly.
So how can you help? Play hard, but skip the heavy shaking and slamming that can damage older cabinets.
If a game acts strange, let a staff member know. Quick reports help the team fix problems faster for everyone.
A well-maintained machine makes a big difference in fun. Responsive flippers and working lights turn an old cabinet into a real game instead of a dusty decoration.
I can’t imagine the patience this job requires. Still, every bright, clacking machine across the arcade floor shows how much care goes on behind the scenes.
The Snack Bar Pours Pop From Real Glass Bottles
Glass-bottle pop and a thick milkshake make a mighty fine pinball break. The diner-style café at Past Times Arcade serves both.
The menu keeps things simple and arcade-friendly. Hot dogs and chicken tender baskets are among the options, with fries and a drink included in the basket.
The bottled pop lineup brings serious nostalgia. Root beer, birch beer, orange soda, and other old-fashioned flavors sit alongside diet and unsweetened choices.
Milkshakes may be the sneaky star of the counter. After a few hours of flipper battles, a cold treat feels well earned.
Having food inside matters more than you’d think. Leaving for lunch means losing playing time, and nobody wants to give up a hot streak for a drive-thru.
The café also has a fun retro look to match the games. Its old-school diner atmosphere fits right in with the arcade’s nostalgic appeal.
Here’s a small tip for longer visits. Plan your snack break during a natural lull, then return fueled up for round two.
Just remember to wipe those buttery fingers before grabbing the flippers again. The machines will thank you, and so will the next player.
Birthday Parties And Team Outings Fit Right In
Turning twelve hits differently when hundreds of pinball machines are invited. Past Times Arcade hosts birthday parties, and the setting does most of the entertaining.
Party planning gets easier with free play. Nobody has to hand out tokens or referee who gets the last coin.
Kids can roam, explore, and find favorites at their own speed. Grown-ups can sneak in a few nostalgic games without anyone noticing.
There’s also a photo booth on site. That gives your group a fun way to capture silly faces between rounds.
Companies use the space for employee events too. Team outings work well because the games give coworkers something easy to bond over.
The arcade’s memorabilia adds another layer for groups. Plenty of guests spend as much time looking around as they do playing.
For families, the place makes a natural tradition spot. Father’s Day trips, milestone birthdays, and weekend getaways all fit the cheerful mood.
My suggestion is to contact the arcade ahead of time for any group plans. Booking early helps the staff prepare and keeps your celebration running smoothly.
After all, few party themes beat this one. Where else can the whole crowd play a world-record collection together?
Plan Your Visit Around These Weekend-Friendly Hours
Finding pinball paradise is easier than you’d expect. Past Times Arcade sits at 419 N State St, Girard, OH 44420.
Girard is right next to Youngstown in northeast Ohio. Travelers coming off the Ohio Turnpike have only a short drive to reach the arcade.
The schedule is built for evenings and weekends. Doors stay closed Monday through Wednesday, so check your calendar before you hop in the car.
Thursday runs from 4 to 9 PM, and Friday stretches from 4 to 11 PM. Saturday is the marathon day, open 11 AM to 11 PM.
Sunday hours run from 11 AM to 7 PM. That makes a lazy Sunday afternoon a solid choice for families.
Saturdays tend to get busier than Friday nights. Even so, the huge game count means you’ll rarely be stuck without something to play.
Arriving near opening time gives you the most hours on the floor. An open parking lot out front keeps the arrival simple.
Before heading out, grab a souvenir pinball at the exit. It’s a tiny, shiny reminder of your visit to a world-record collection.
Fair warning, though. One trip here might quickly turn into a yearly habit.
