WILDWOOD – When you think of arcades today, what comes to mind? Claw machines, water-gun games, or shooting basketballs into hoops guarded by plastic walls? Arcades have changed a lot in the last century—maybe not all good changes.
The flicker of buzzing bulbs, music from the boardwalk’s past and occasional shouts from players have you feeling like you stepped into a time warp. Even on the nostalgia-heavy boards, there’s one place that stands out, and hides a secret world of Fascination.
Long before modern video games and stuffed prizes ruled the boardwalk, there were classic games that drew people in. But most arcades don’t have them anymore, at least not without a re-loadable game card or some kind of rigged system. One of those classics was Fascination—a high-stakes game that blends the structure of bingo with the actions of Skee-Ball.
Fascination was born in the early 1900s. During this golden era for the amusement park scene, the niche game quickly became a staple in resort towns across America. The magic of the game is its simplicity. Players roll rubber balls as quickly as they can toward a grid of holes to light up five in a row.
At its peak, Fascination arcades were found from Coney Island to Santa Cruz. The game had a “hidden charm” that set it apart from the others. The appeal comes from good old-fashioned fun and competition—a true game of skill.
By the ‘80s and ‘90s, the glowing sensation of Fascination started to become dim, like many relics in the amusement park industry. Flashier games, louder sounds and bigger prizes took over. And one by one, Fascination tables were left to collect dust.
Despite the odds, Fascination still flickers just enough to keep the past alive—all thanks to Randy Senna.
“I’m trying to put the fun back into amusements,” Senna said.
In his arcade, Tributes and Traditions, Senna created a home for vintage games and pieces from the Wildwoods boardwalk. He doesn’t just run this arcade—it’s his livelihood.
His love for the game started when he was just 18-years-old and quickly progressed into something bigger. He runs eight Fascination systems in the United States and all of them are repurposed Fascination tables single-handedly engineered by him.
He reprogrammed the games in his arcade to offer a more enjoyable and affordable experience compared to other arcades. Once you put 50 cents in the machine, it automatically gives you a ticket just for participating and a chance to win free games. Oh, did I mention it’s only 50 cents to play?
His arcade isn’t like the rest. With inflation and the economy in a constant state of growth, Senna has managed to keep his prices low to ensure the games are played solely for a good time. Low risk, high reward.
Wildwood had the Fascination game for years before Senna took over in 1974. One of the most memorable spots being the Boardwalk Mall until it was recently relocated.
By keeping the game’s rules exactly the same as the past, Senna is preserving a part of history that attracts so many. Without his preservation work, this game might have disappeared from the Earth entirely. In the digital age, Senna’s approach to his business is refreshingly human.
Few have stepped up to carry the Fascination torch, but Senna has no intention of giving up on it. Continuing the game’s legacy is far more important to him than any amount of money he can make.
“When you have a dream, you spend your whole life trying to catch that dream, but when you catch it, you have no dream left,” Senna said. “It’s all about the journey to that dream.”
Whether or not Fascination sees a true revival, Senna hopes his efforts inspire people to appreciate what arcade games used to be. Fascination creates community by forcing people to sit, play, lose and try again. In a world chasing the next big thing, he’s betting that the past might still have a few credits left to play.
How to play Fascination (a.k.a. Bingo’s cooler cousin):
- Grab a seat! Preferably with others, but a solo mission can work too.
- Insert 50 cents. No apple-pay, just nostalgia.
- Roll the rubber ball down your lane. Precision not required. Luck encouraged.
- Light up your board. Each hole goes to a corresponding square. Just like Bingo, but sweatier.
- Get five in a row. Again, just like Bingo. Do so before your competitors.
- Win big. Bells ring, light flashes, and you can brag all you want.
- Play again. You’ll see why Fascination has its name
Contact the author, Skylar Williamson, at swilliamson@cmcherald.com
