10 Must-Play Classic Seaside Arcade Machines: Punch Bag, Penny Pusher, and Hillbilly Shootout

This beach excursions remain a vital part of school summer vacations. While the sprawling beachfront arcades have evolved considerably over the last ten years, they still attract young children and nostalgic adults eager to find the classic space invader cabinets tucked away in the back. Growing up in the 1980s, I was entranced by Coinop’s video games, but it was the electromechanical phenomena of that digital era that truly captivated me. Here are my top ten picks—feel free to share yours in the comments!

Electric Machine Driving Game

Before the era of computer chips and CRT screens, arcade driving games used projected imagery and scrolling paintings to create the illusion of movement along a road. The first iterations appeared in the 1930s, with various models populating seaside arcades up until the 1980s, including iconic titles like Chicago Coin Speedway and Sega Grand Prix. I distinctly remember playing Casco’s incredible 1979 arcade game, The Driver, on the Blackpool pier, featuring actual 16mm footage of real races to immerse you in the action.

Air Hockey

The sharp sound of plastic pucks against tables echoed throughout larger arcades, providing a constant backdrop. Air hockey emerged in 1969, created by US-based Brunswick Billiards, and quickly spread worldwide as a thrilling alternative to traditional pool and foosball. You can still find these nostalgic tables in retro arcades, especially in classic seaside destinations like Great Yarmouth, Blackpool, and Southend.

Derby Game

These grand setups feature tin horses lined up on a racetrack. Six to eight players position themselves in front of the course, tossing balls at targets to guide their horse racers across the finish line, with accuracy determining the winner. The original iteration, the Kentucky Derby, was reportedly introduced to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the 1920s by Irish-American soldiers and concessionaire George Valentine Toner. Over time, variations replaced horses with donkeys and camels. The Whittaker Brothers’ derby, a smaller variant, allowed multiple players to place bets on the outcomes of automated horse races for modest winnings.

Egg Vending Machine

Vending machines for toys became common in American shops in the 1930s, although the first documented egg machine was established in 1965 in Tokyo by Ryuzo Shigeta. These machines dispense products in adorable plastic capsules, a concept that gained immense popularity. Many seaside arcades in the UK, often referred to as egg machines, feature these enticing devices near their entrances. Glendale orange and lemon machines distribute prizes from whimsical crumpled chickens that spin.

Basketball Hoop

You often find a row of these sizable machines at the back of arcades, where players shoot basketballs through hoops. The setup typically includes an enclosed play area to capture wayward shots. Classics like Hoop Shot, Triple Jam, and Full Court Fever feature elements such as moving hoops and multiplayer capabilities, making these machines hot spots for energetic teens.

Fortune Teller’s Machine

These boardwalk-style entertainment machines trace their origins back to the late 19th century and typically feature animated automata, often depicted as gypsies, witches, or ancient royalty. After inserting coins, users can watch as the characters move and predict their fortunes, sometimes aided by special effects like a sparkling crystal ball or cards detailing the player’s traits. Notable machines include Mrs. Zita, an eerie 1977 creation, and Morgana, which features a video projection onto a non-characteristic form, as well as Zoltar, which inspired the movie Big in 1988. Other automaton machines often feature dancing puppets and unsettling laughing clowns.

Punch Ball

A favorite among young men looking to prove their strength, punch ball machines have been around since at least 1900, initially released by Mills Novelty Co. from Chicago. Modern iterations boast digital displays for measuring strength, but the goal remains to hit the punching bag as hard as possible. Variants like the MR Muscle machine from Italian maker Zamperla have also gained popularity.

Crane Grabber

Commonly known as claw machines, these remain a quintessential part of arcades. Insert coins and maneuver a joystick to guide the grabber to your desired toy. Often, the claw makes a futile attempt to grip before dropping the prize just shy of the chute—mainly because it’s set to grasp with minimal strength for just a few tries. Historically, the first commercial claw machines are thought to have originated in the U.S. during the 1920s, with many notable examples produced by Sega and Barry. The 1980s introduction of UFO catcher machines revolutionized the scene, providing larger prizes and a more colorful appearance, which continues to attract players today.

Lightgun Shooting Gallery

Every arcade in the ’70s and ’80s featured a Lightgun Shooting Gallery. My favorite installation had expansive scenes to shoot at, located—if I recall correctly—in the Coral Island Arcade in Blackpool, where players engaged in Hilly Billy Moonshine. Players shot at life-sized mannequins in overalls, a large copper still, and an array of barrels and creatures. If you dared to shoot at Billy’s on the hill, they returned fire with water pistols! You can still stumble upon these gems at the Coinophouse, which is definitely worth the visit.

Coin Pusher

Invented in 1966 by the Ramsgate-based manufacturer Crompton (albeit with earlier variations), the Coin Pusher game reigns supreme in seaside arcades, captivating players as they navigate the mountainous piles of glittering treasures. Originally named Penny Falls, hundreds of variations now exist, including a virtual coin pusher that transitions the action onto screens with a slew of special effects. My summer days spent exploring the arcades in Blackpool and Morecambe are filled with memories of scrutinizing these tempting machines, having two plastic cups in hand. “Penny Pushers are pivotal to the success of British entertainment arcades,” notes historian Alan Meads, author of a social history on British amusement arcades. “They, alongside fruit machines, are where arcades generate revenue. Penny Pushers can endure for decades—they’ve been adjusted for currency changes and continue to yield profits time and again.”