North Pier Amusement Arcade Blackpool

The North Pier is the oldest of the three historic piers on Blackpool beach, dating all the way back to the 1860’s. While still retaining many of its original features, it can be seen as it was in 1903 in this wonderful colour AI restoration video.

It is also the longest of the three piers stretching an impressive 503 metres. At the shore end of the pier, visitors can find a wide range of food and drinks kiosks, a fish and chips restaurant and two separate bars.

There is a mini train that can be boarded from the start of the boardwalk that buses patrons down to the sea end of the pier. Along the way there are several different seating options and also several more kiosks. 

At the sea end of the pier, the space opens into a wider jetty area, where guests are welcomed by a beautifully traditional full-sized Merry-Go-Round Carousel. Guests can enjoy a ride on this or explore the large North Pier Theatre, Bloom Bar or the Sunset Lounge. With perfect views to the north and south beaches, it provides a perfect photo opportunity of the iconic sites along Blackpool’s promenade.  

Arcade Entrance

The arcade itself is located at the very front of the pier, accessed from a wide pedestrianised area. With several entrances facing the road, visitors can also opt to walkaround the side of the arcade along the outside boardwalk, which gradually slopes down to the lower level of the pier and main area. The outer boardwalk can also be reached by a large central staircase that takes visitors directly out of the rear of the amusement arcade down to the start of the boardwalk and lower amenities area.

Entering the front of the amusements, there is a great range of young kiddie rides for small children to enjoy. With connecting internal doors on the north side to the fish and chips shop, there is a large adult slots area just behind this. 

On the south side of the amusement arcade visitors are greeted by a large camel derby game called ‘The Donkey Derby’. Obviously, this is Donkey themed as apposed to horses or camels, which is very appropriate given that Donkey rides have been a part of the Blackpool beach tradition for hundreds of years.  

Here, players compete in an exciting Donkey Derby steeple chase, throwing and aiming balls to hit targets to move their numbered Donkey along the racetrack in hope to win the race (and win a great plush prize).

Past the Donkey Derby, the amusement arcade opens up into two large areas that can both be exited at the very rear via connecting doors to the rear staircase.

Coin Pushers

North Pier arcade has a great selection of coin pushers, and these range from modern ticket paying machines to classic and rare coin pushers. Ticket coin pushers include Minions Paradise, Minions Push, Simpsons Donut Daze, Tom & Jerry, Justice League, Sweet Falls, Scooby Doo and Jurassic Park.

There is also an interesting coin flipper style machine called Minions 3-in-a-Row, which allows players to flip two-pence coins up and hit Minions targets on a moving conveyor belt. Hit 3-in-a-row to win ticket prizes. 

Classic coin pushers include Merry-Go-Round, Rollercoaster, Jack in the Box, High Wire, Hot Dog and a unique Funhouse coin pusher, which is a smaller sized coin pusher with interesting artwork. The shelf prizes here are average and spaced out, though it is possible to win large amounts of coins here being a high footfall venue. 

Crane Claw Machines

North Pier Amusement arcade has a wide variety of different claw machines to enjoy, and these include classic EX-1 machines with a great range of plush teddy prizes. These include Spiderman and Deadpool bobble heads, Pikachu and Pokemon characters, Gremlins, Mario Allstars, Smurfs and many more.

Pint-size players can also enjoy the Toy Box / Toy Stack grabber games perfect for smaller children, with a selection of smaller plushies to win. 

There is also a giant crane / claw machine called ‘The Big One’ where players can win live-sized teddy bears as the prize. Lastly, one can find some ‘Skill Cut’ style machines, where players try to cut a string with scissors to free the giant Sonic Allstars character trapped inside. 

For those with a sweet tooth, keep an eye out for the Sweet Land Premia, which is a classic crane machine that includes a pusher shelf. Grab the sweets, lollies or candy from the rotating conveyor belt and drop them onto the shelf. Whatever falls down the shoot is the players to keep!

Classic Arcade Games 

On the northside of the amusement arcade as a classic arcade shooting gallery. This is called Treasure Cove and is pirate-themed. At just fifty pence per play, it allows up-to six players to play together shooting targets that activate various animatronic actions including a treasure chest, cannon and lantern.

Other classic games include a Pac-Man Smash air hockey table, pool tables and a Euromix Dance Machine. There is also a Lucky Ducks flipper, which is a classic flipper / roll-down machine, where players have to flip a two pence coin into the ducks (opening and closing) mouth to win a ticket prize. If the coin does not go into the ducks’ mouth, then there is a second chance to win a prize by the coin falling onto one of the targets on the moving conveyor belt below.

A strong suit of the North Pier venue is the range of arcade racing machines available. They have a two-player Grid driving game, Typhoon Simulator and Superbikes 2. Another classic that can be player at the North Pier is the Deal or No Deal quiz machine, which is seen less and less these days. 

Fairground Arcade Games

The bulk of the machines in the North Pier are fairground style arcade machines that reward players that can attain and beat high scores with big ticket wins. The prize shop is located centrally at the start of the dividing wall between the north and south areas. Here tickets can be redeemed for a great range of seaside prizes. These include sweets and lollies, toys and souvenirs and handheld electrical gadgets. 

North Pier has both adult-sized and children-sized fairground games and they all reward aiming and throwing accuracy. Hit the targets, smash high scores and win big ticket prizes!

For the adults there is Bullseye Crack Shot, Bowling Champ, Let’s Bounce, Hit the Penguin, Milk Jug Toss, Space Guard and Aqua Ball, which is a modern skee ball type game. 

For smaller children they have a nice little row of similar games so that they won’t feel left out. These include Shark Park, Fast Food Frenzy, Funny Monkey, Rainbow Baskets and Crazy Kitten.  

They also have basketball shooting games dotted around including Sonic Allstars, Crazy Hoops, Allstars Basketball with some paying out ticket wins for high scores. 

Big Arcade Machines

Go big or go home we say! Fans of the larger arcade machines will be happy to know that North Pier arcade has a great selection, and these include Piano Keys, Pac-Man Battle Royal (which is a large four-player competitive version of the classic game) and also a four-player Bump-n-Smash, which is similar to Mario Kart. 

Wheels Spinners

Keen eyes will spot the Crank It! and Big Bass Reel Fishing wheel spinner games where players use skilful luck to stop the spinning wheel at the right time to win a big-ticket prize. 

Ticket Slot Machines

North Pier Amusements has some ticket slot machines dotted around the venue and these include triple Cops and Robbers and triple Aladdin ticket slots.

£5 Jackpot Fruit Machines

A similar story for the five-pound jackpot fruit machines, these are dotted around the venue with a collection being located outside the adult casino gaming area. There are triple row fruit machines including Batman Begins, Bullion Bars, House of Fortune and mystery machine. 

Standalone fruit machines include an original Rainbow Riches, Deal or No Deal Play Again and Deal or No Deal Think Red.  North Pier also has a rare quad sit-down fruit machine called Jolly Roger from Barcrest gaming that certainly fits in with the pirate theme that many of the venues in Blackpool seem to enjoy. 

There are also some Skill Ball Deluxe games in the North Pier Arcade that have the larger screen and separate body (which helps players focus more) paying out jackpot of fifty pounds!

Casino Slots Area

Located on the north side of the venue nearer the front of the arcade is a large adult casino slots area with a great selection of the latest machines. Here, they have a range of classic pub fruit machines with mechanical buttons with jackpots from £25 up to £100.

There is also a full range of the latest digital gaming terminals and slot machines from fan favourites such as Blueprint Gaming. Players can select from the latest slot machine games including Eye of Horus, Anubis Rising and Big Bass Bonanza with top prizes including £500 jackpots!

Venue Verdict

With many original features, experiencing the North Pier Arcade is like stepping back in time. An absolute treat for fans of traditional seaside experiences. The arcade includes the classic seaside fun with a modern ticket arcade game twist. Open late all year round, this amazing venue can be enjoyed by the whole family in any season. Be sure to ride the Carousel and learn about Sooty & Sweep! A great starting or finishing location for a day on the Blackpool Promenade.

Featured Machine: Happy Rolling Ticket Redemption Game