the south beach arcade

Before I moved to SI, we would periodically visit my aunt in south beach. I used to love coming here because she lived on Sand Lane, steps away from the amusement area. Imagine, right across the street, rides, games, food...and even a fun house!
As one of the last bastions of old-time staten island, the south beach arcade is the only place here to play pinball!
I recently seen some old postcards of SI (about 80 years old) and south/midland beaches were the hotspot for summer NYC residents. All the bungalows in midland beach were originally just summer vaction homes, most did not have heating. The rows and rows of townhouse-dwellers in the area now have no idea what it once was like. The boardwalk/beach area back then was like coney island and the jersey shore rolled into one. Huge pavilions, amusement parks (one was called "Happyland"....) and arcades!
The Sand Lane arcade exists to this day.
Lots of video games,"pokerino", skee-ball, DDR machine (that's "dance dance revolution" if ya didn't know)and...

Pinball! ...at least 7 old-school games, most are working. Pinball, I'm afraid, is a dying art. The last great pinball manufacturer, Williams, stopped making machines in 2000. They have dozens of moving parts and are prone to breakdown, requiring constant maintenance. The best ones were from the 1978-82 period. South beach arcade has some dating back to '94. I am told the fun house is still intact, just closed since '98. (wish they would open it again!)