ARCADE REPORT: Circle Bowl & Entertainment - Ledgewood, NJ (December 2019)

Knapp Arcade·article·held·Dec 1, 2019

Analysis

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TL;DR

Arcade report: Circle Bowl (Ledgewood, NJ) has clean Stern pins, game mix, but Deadpool (Pro) needs repairs.

Summary

A visit to Circle Bowl & Entertainment in Ledgewood, NJ in December 2019, documenting three Stern Pro pinball machines (Deadpool, Munsters, Star Trek), arcade games, and bowling amenities. The author notes mechanical issues with Deadpool (Pro) (kickout problems, stuck balls in scoop) and evaluates the venue as clean and well-maintained with reasonable pricing for a mixed-use entertainment center.

Key Claims

Deadpool (Pro) had consistent kickout issues and ball getting stuck in scoop
high confidence · Author's direct observation and play experience at Circle Bowl & Entertainment
Pinball machines were set at $1 per game with no multi-game discount and short ball saves
high confidence · Author's stated pricing and settings observed during visit
Circle Bowl is a clean, new-looking venue with a good mix of pinball, arcade games, bowling, bar/restaurant, and liquor license
high confidence · Author's direct facility inspection and experience
The author is seeking to acquire a Big Buck Hunter Pro for their home arcade
high confidence · Direct statement: 'I promised them that a Big Buck would be my next acquisition for my arcade'

Notable Quotes

“Deadpool (Pro) kick out from the mode scoop went right down the middle every time requiring a slap save to avoid draining.”
Knapp Arcade (author) — Documents a specific mechanical defect affecting gameplay on Deadpool Pro
“I didn't play the Star Trek because I own one and can't bring myself to pay to play a game that I have in my basement.”
Knapp Arcade (author) — Reveals author is a home collector with Star Trek Pro Vault in their collection
“I was very peasantry surprised by how nice Circle Bowl was. It had a little bit of everything, a liquor license, food, good service, very high tech bowling lanes with giant TVs, pinball, an arcade.”
Knapp Arcade (author) — Positive overall venue assessment; documents mixed-use entertainment model

Entities

Circle Bowl & EntertainmentorganizationKnapp ArcadepersonStern PinballcompanyDeadpool (Pro)game The Munsters (Pro)gameStar Trek (Vault)gameBig Buck Hunter Progame

Signals

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venue_signal: Circle Bowl & Entertainment operates as a multi-format entertainment venue combining bowling, arcade games, pinball, bar/restaurant services with modern technology (high-tech bowling lanes, VR, Halo shooter)
high · Author's detailed facility observations and praise for 'a little bit of everything'
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product_concern: Deadpool Pro at Circle Bowl exhibits consistent scoop kickout malfunction and frequent ball jamming requiring manual intervention
high · Direct observation: 'The Deadpool's kick out from the mode scoop went right down the middle every time requiring a slap save' and 'ball got stuck in the scoop frequently requiring a search to free'
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operational_signal: Circle Bowl sets pinball pricing at $1/game with no multi-game discount and short ball saves; Big Buck Wild HD at $1.50/game
high · Author's explicit statement of observed pricing structure
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collector_signal: Author is an active pinball collector and home arcade operator seeking to expand collection with Big Buck Wild HD
high · Author owns Star Trek Pro Vault and explicitly states intention to acquire Big Buck Wild HD
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content_signal: Knapp Arcade producing venue visit reports documenting machine availability, condition, pricing, and gameplay experience across Tri-State Area
high · Article framed as part of 'continued quest to play every pinball machine in the Tri-State Area'

Transcript

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In my continued quest to play every pinball machine in the Tri-State Area, on my day off on Friday my youngest son and I journeyed to Circle Bowl & Entertainment In Ledgewood, NJ. It is a very clean, new-looking arcade / bowling complex. Upon entering, immediately to the left is a bar / restaurant area that has three newer Stern pinball machines, Deadpool Pro, Munsters Pro and Star Trek Pro Vault as well as a Big Buck Wild HD. All of the pins were clean. I didn’t play the Star Trek because I own one and can’t bring myself to pay to play a game that I have in my basement. The Munsters played great. The Deadpool’s kick out from the mode scoop went right down the middle every time requiring a slap save to avoid draining. The Deadpool’s ball save and lock bar buttons were also out and the ball got stuck in the scoop frequently requiring a search to free. Other than that it played fine. My son and I played a TON of Big Buck. I promised them that a Big Buck would be my next acquisition for my arcade so if you know of one for sale, please let me know. The pins were set for a dollar per game with no multi-game discount and short ball saves. The Big Buck was $1.50. The main arcade section of the location had a ton of very new, very clean games. From hoops, to air hockey, to the new Halo shooter to VR. It was a nice mix of redemption and non-redemption games. For bowling, Circle Bowl charges my the hour. My son and I rented shoes and one hour of bowling for fifty bucks. That sounded a little steep to me, but we were able to almost get four games in during that time. I say almost because we completed three games, I bowled 100, 120, 130, and my son wanted to keep going. I said sure, we can bowl a few frames with the time that we have left. Of course, with the pressure off and several practice games in I started off Strike, Strike, Strike...uh oh “Let’s hurry pal, we need to finish this game!” I made it up to 145 sitting on a spare in the 10th with just the bonus frame to go. I let the ball go, knocked down 9 pins and BUZZZZ time expired. It didn’t count. AAHHHRRGGG. I’d say that probably put my last game at 155 or so. I was very peasantry surprised by how nice Circle Bowl was. It had a little bit of everything, a liquor license, food, good service, very high tech bowling lanes with giant TVs, pinball, an arcade. I would definitely go back. It’s worth a trip if you’re in the area.