Current Events > Anyone on CE a pinball fan?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I've always been intrigued about pinball machines. What makes one good or not, what are the differences between Gotlieb and Williams, etc.

If anyone is a hobbyist or an enthusiast... please inform me.
---

*bumper*
---

I'd play pinball if I had the slightest clue whee there's a pinball machine anywhere near me.

I used to know a guy who had an acdc pinball machine. It was pretty badass.
---

Yes, very much so. I'll watch the PAPA tournaments on Twitch/Youtube sometimes, and I play the virtual recreations of old tables a lot. (still upset that the owners of the Bally/Williams licenses pulled them a couple months ago). I'd play physical tables if I had access to any :(
---

The fun thing I enjoy about pinball machines are Easter eggs.

Pressing buttons/flippers certain ways can make the machine do various things.
---

Theres a legit Ripleys Believe It Or Not pinball machine at a random gay bar in my city. Iirc its a fairly famous model. Pretty funny, I dont think it ever gets played.
---

Bally/Williams > Gottlieb
---

As to what makes them good or not... to me a good table has a fun theme, a nice layout with various types of targets and a rule set that's somewhat deep and rewarding for mre skilled players, but not overly complicated like most of the modern Stern tables. In general the 80s-90s era Bally/Williams tables are easily my favorites, though there are some good Gottleib ones from that era as well. I'd say my personal three favorite machines are FunHouse, Attack from Mars and Monster Bash.
---

CapnMuffin posted...

The fun thing I enjoy about pinball machines are Easter eggs.

See how many cows you can find :P
---

Jeff AKA Snoopy posted...

what are the differences between Gotlieb and Williams, etc.

One thing that comes to mind is that Williams machines from the late 80s onward tend to be pretty forgiving with start-of-ball ball savers, and timed objectives having grace periods where things will count for a few seconds after they indicate the time is up. Whereas Gottlieb machines tend to be a lot more strict regarding time limits and giving a second chance if you lose the ball almost immediately.
---

I remember having played a Twilight Zone one I really enjoyed.
---

I've played 3 machines: Twilight Zone, Gilligan's Island, and Big Guns. Twilight Zone is fantastic, the other two are okay, but nothing special.
---

Every spring there is a convention that started out for pinball and arcade enthusiasts but branched out to all electronic games. The arcade theme is still a major presence though. You can buy literally any circuit, chip, or material from vendors. Lots of selling arcade cabinets and pinball machines too.

Some of the older pinball models have some raunchy artwork
---

WilliamPorygon posted...

As to what makes them good or not... to me a good table has a fun theme, a nice layout with various types of targets and a rule set that's somewhat deep and rewarding for mre skilled players, but not overly complicated like most of the modern Stern tables. In general the 80s-90s era Bally/Williams tables are easily my favorites, though there are some good Gottleib ones from that era as well. I'd say my personal three favorite machines are FunHouse, Attack from Mars and Monster Bash.

Great explanation. Also a great table is one where the magnet under the table isn't super intrusive to the gameplay.

Favorite tables of mine are Monster Bash, Twilight Zone, Scared Stiff, and Addams Family.

Two honorable mentions are No Fear and Indy 500.
---

CanuckCowboy posted...

I'd play pinball if I had the slightest clue whee there's a pinball machine anywhere near me.

I used to know a guy who had an acdc pinball machine. It was pretty badass.

https://pinballmap.com

@CanuckCowboy
---

Houston posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

I'd play pinball if I had the slightest clue whee there's a pinball machine anywhere near me.

I used to know a guy who had an acdc pinball machine. It was pretty badass.

https://pinballmap.com

@CanuckCowboy

Sweet! Thanks.

Turns out the closest one is two towns away but at least it's only a half hour drive or so.
---

dolomedes posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

I'd play pinball if I had the slightest clue whee there's a pinball machine anywhere near me.
I used to know a guy who had an acdc pinball machine. It was pretty badass.

look for beercades/barcades, they're growing really popular.

or come to chicago. it was pretty much the place for pinball back in the day, and now there are some sweet-ass barcades all over the place.

:D

That seems like a long way to go for pinball. Hahaha. Be easy enough to make a trip to Chicago worthwhile though.

I wish the handful of arcade type places we've still got had liquor licenses. That'd be awesome.
---

CanuckCowboy posted...

dolomedes posted...

CanuckCowboy posted...

I'd play pinball if I had the slightest clue whee there's a pinball machine anywhere near me.
I used to know a guy who had an acdc pinball machine. It was pretty badass.

look for beercades/barcades, they're growing really popular.

or come to chicago. it was pretty much the place for pinball back in the day, and now there are some sweet-ass barcades all over the place.

:D

That seems like a long way to go for pinball. Hahaha. Be easy enough to make a trip to Chicago worthwhile though.

I wish the handful of arcade type places we've still got had liquor licenses. That'd be awesome.

Vegas has a pinball museum with a nice collection
---

dolomedes posted...

asheville, nc has a cute little pinball barcade. i haven't been in almost three years, but when i did go they had a game i fell in love with - haunted house

Are you talking about the pinball museum?

Richmond has a fun barcade with about 10 different tables that get swapped out regularly for repairs. There's also a pinball enthusiasts group who has a meeting place with a ton of tables.
---

Yeah i love pinball.

Theres a local pizza place that has a TMNT one. Love hearing Mikey yell "Turtle Power" when you launch a ball.
---