vancouver Archives - Pinball Adventures

How To Properly Store Your Pinball Machine

Andrew MacBain — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 23:43:45 +0000

How To Properly Store Your Pinball Machine

If you are thinking about adding a pinball machine to your home, you are not alone. Many homeowners are purchasing pinball machines in hopes that their kids will enjoy this beloved game just as much as they did (and to indulge in a little nostalgia). But when you add a pinball machine to your home, you must know how to treat it. Storage is an important part of caring for your machine and making it last.

What is the proper way to store pinball machines? Pinball machines should always be in a climate-controlled area. The best place for your pinball machine is inside of your home. Too much moisture, heat, or humidity can cause significant damage to the pinball machine. If you decide to store it in a garage or basement, it is recommended to have the pinball machine up off the floor to avoid potential water damage.

Taking proper care of your pinball machine is critical to its lifespan. The good news is that a pinball machine is easy to take care of, but you need to make sure you are doing it the right way. One important aspect of pinball ownership is proper storage, and this article will provide you with the best details on how to store a pinball machine.

Why Is It Important to Properly Store a Pinball Machine?

Think of your pinball machine like you would any other type of gaming system or device. You wouldn’t toss your expensive PlayStation 4 into the basement without a thought, so why drag your pinball machine down there and expect it to be fine? Sure, pinball machines are much larger than most current gaming systems, but it doesn’t mean that they can be neglected.

Without proper storage, your pinball machine can be affected in many ways. The biggest issue is that the overall system can malfunction and become damaged from excessive heat, humidity, or moisture. Additionally, there is also the problem of dust accumulating in the pinball machine, which can cause the pinball machine to stop working properly.

Another thing to worry about when it comes to storage is the possibility of water destroying the pinball machine. Certain areas, such as a garage or basement, are more prone to leaks and floods, which can have a seriously negative impact on your pinball machine and potentially destroy the sensitive electronics or damage the entire cabinet.

Proper storage is imperative for the functionality of your pinball machine. Continue reading to find out some of the best places to store your pinball machine and how to store it correctly to avoid damage.

How to Properly Store a Pinball Machine

The best place for your pinball machine to be stored is inside of your house. In most cases, the inside of the home is going to be climate-controlled to suit you and your family. This means that the humidity levels will be relatively low, and the temperature should never rise too high or drop too low.

If you can, find a spot in your home to place your pinball machine. Your machine will be the safest in this environment You also won’t have to worry about cleaning your pinball machine too often while it is inside because there is less of a chance of dust or dirt accumulating in the playfield. Of course, it’s probably best to keep it out of direct sunlight since the sunlight can cause the machine to deteriorate over time.

But what should a pinball machine owner do if he can’t find room in his home? What if he needs a temporary space to place his precious device? If you can’t store your pinball machine in the home, there are a few other options. However, you will need to take extra precautions when using these areas.

The Basement or Garage

The most common places you might find a pinball machine stored in are garages and basements. After all, many people have basements and garages that can make excellent storage spots for their pinball machines. Does your garage or basement have to be finished, though? Of course, not. Even unfinished areas like these are great places to store different things.

Related Post In Air Hockey, Are You Allowed To Stop The Puck?

But when you opt for a basement or garage, you need to be extra careful. Always make sure that the humidity levels don’t rise too high in the basement or garage. Humidity can have the biggest impact on pinball machines and can render them unplayable if exposed to too much humidity. Always check the levels, especially if you live in an area that is prone to high humidity.

If you live in an area where the humidity is high over the summer time then investing in good dehumidifier is a good option to keep your basement moisture free. If moisture collects inside of your machine it will quickly begin damaging a variety of components.

The other thing to worry about is potential leaks or floods. Since basements and garages are prone to these disasters, it is a good idea to place the pinball machine up off the floor by using a wood pallet or another similar item to keep it safe. As you can imagine, water getting into your pinball machine is going to cause significant damage, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Self-Storage

Many people may end up using a self-storage facility to house their pinball machines temporarily. This is a great option because self-storage locations are generally climate-controlled, and you won’t run the risk of moisture destroying your machine. This leaves the owner feeling confident and secure.

I wouldn’t store it in a self storage facility that isn’t climate controlled. Often the climate controlled units are more expensive but being that you spent thousands on your pinball machine a few extra dollars a month is well worth it to keep it in good condition.

Clean Your Machine Before Storing

For the most part, running a cloth across the playfield of your pinball machine regularly is enough to keep it functioning and increase its lifespan. This should be done as much as possible while in storage. If kept in the home, you will only need to clean it every couple of weeks.

Don’t Wrap Your Pinball Machine

Some people might think that they should wrap their pinball machine to keep it safe. This is mostly because many items that are kept in storage and should be handled with care, such as a glass table, will likely be covered with a blanket of some sort. But should you cover your pinball machine?

The simple answer is no. You should not cover your pinball machine while it is in storage. This will make it easier for dust and dirt to find itself into the smaller crevices of your pinball machine, which will make the grime harder to remove once out of storage.

Conclusion

Taking care of your pinball machine is an important task. If you need to store a pinball machine, the best option is inside of your home. If you cannot keep your pinball machine in your home, you must find another climate-controlled area. Humidity and moisture can wreak havoc on a pinball machine, so keep your device as far away from them as possible.

If you’re honest with yourself, though – You will probably be playing your pinball machine much too often to need to store it except for in rare instances like a move.

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Pinball Adventures is a North American manufacturing company producing fresh and unique Pinball machines. Our goal is to create to the highest standards, and spark the same joy we found as gamers when we rolled our first quarter into that coin slot so many years ago. Stemming from a lifelong passion, Pinball Adventures is created by gamers, for gamers. We strive to bring high quality, innovative, and captivating experiences for all to enjoy.

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

Pinball, Pinball Adventures, Pinball Buzz, Pinball, Pinside, History of Pinball, Pinball News, Pinball Updates, Origin of Pinball, Pinball Skill Shots, Pinball Canada, Vancouver Pinball, pinball relates to real life, collect pinball, shooter rods, Parts of a pinball machine, Move a pinball machine, most expensive pinball machine, guide to playing pinball, Largest Pinball Collection, hardest pinball game, 5 Classic Pinball Machines, Owning a pinball machine, 5 Cool Pinball Art From The 80’s, How To Properly Store Your Pinball Machine

The post How To Properly Store Your Pinball Machine appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

What Are Pinballs Made Of?

Andrew MacBain — Wed, 13 Jan 2021 22:00:50 +0000

Pinball machines are a favorite for many people that remember them fondly from many years ago. Some of the modern versions of pinball machines can be found in many places from Dave and Busters to the few remaining arcades.

What Are Pinballs Made Of?

Pinballs are most commonly made out of carbon steel. However, they can be made from chrome steel, rubber, ceramic, gold, and silver. What a pinball is made of depends on the game you are playing and if the pinball is custom made.

These small balls have been used in these games for close to 150 years. Pinball games were even outlawed at one point! This article looks at what pinballs are made of and answers questions you didn’t even know you had about pinballs. source

Pinballs are made out of steel. Their diameter is 1 1/16th inch (2,7 cm) and the weight is 80 gram.
Almost every pinball machine made in the last 60 years is designed for this type of regular pinball.

There were only a few exceptions:

Bally’s Truck Stop (1988) used pinballs of 1 inch diameter. After designing the game it was found that pinballs sometimes got stuck on a ramp because it was too narrow. It was cheaper to sell the machine with smaller pinballs installed than to design new ramps.

Sega’s Viper Night Driving had Glo-Balls. These look like regular pinballs that are covered with a layer of yellow rubber. They weigh less: 60 gram. This causes for a special effect in combination with the blacklight on the playfield. The rubber layer also makes the pinballs bounce more and react more uncontrollable.
Glow balls didn’t become a success among players and operators, especially because they felt different whilst playing, but also because the rubber became dirty very fast and easily got damaged.

The most famous and popular non-regular pinball is the Powerball in the Twilight Zone pinball machine.
This game has five regular steel pinballs but also a white ceramic powerball. Size is regular but it’s lighter: only 65 gram. The powerball plays very fast. It’s also not influenced by magnets below the playfield. The game has special sensor boards to be able to detect if a ball in a certain position is a steel ball or the ceramic powerball.

Pinball shops now also sell ‘custom’ pinballs. Gold or silver (be careful as it’s sometimes a very shallow layer which comes off after a few games). Black pinballs also exist, even with different drawings on them.

Pinballs aren’t too complicated, and there’s nothing inside of them. Most pinballs are made out of solid carbon steel. Some manufacturers use a different kind of steel called chrome steel. Carbon steel is a metal alloy of iron and carbon, while chrome steel is non-stainless steel that is normally used on things like drills, forks, and knives.

Pinballs are small in diameter, only 2.7cm (or 1 1/16^th in) so that they can fit through the narrow ramps inside of pinball machines.

Using a heavier or bigger ball will affect gameplay. You must get a properly sized ball, which sometimes varies based on the machine that you have. For example, in Bally’s Truck Stop machine, made in the 1980s, the ball was 1 inch in diameter, and so it kept getting stuck in the machines because the ramps on them were too narrow.

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post What Are Pinballs Made Of? appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

5 Pinball Games From The 90’s

Andrew MacBain — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 02:24:38 +0000

We’ve done games from the 70’s & 80’s and now its time for 5 pinball games from the 90’s that we like! Keep on reading for more information on these games

5 Pinball Games From The 90’s

Creature From The Black Lagoon, 1991

Creature from the Black Lagoon is a pinball machine designed by John Trudeau (“Dr. Flash”) and released by Midway (under the Bally brand name). It is loosely based on the movie of the same name. The game’s theme is 1950’s drive-in theater. The pinball game was licensed from Universal Studios by Bally so that all backglass and cabinet artwork and creature depictions would resemble those of the original movie

The main objective of the game is to collect the four letters in F-I-L-M to activate the game’s wizard mode, Rescue the Girl. They are, from left-to-right:

F: Shoot the ball into the left K-I-S-S scoop four times to collect the letter F. The letter F can also be collected on the skill shot.

I: Light the four menu targets to open the Snack Bar and collect the letter I. Menu targets can also be lit by shooting into the Snack Bar.

L: Complete the P-A-I-D rollovers at the top right of the playfield to collect the letter L. The letter L can also be collected on the skill shot, by shooting the ball into whichever rollover is flashing.

M: Shoot the ball into the Slide (right scoop) to collect the letter M.

F-I-L-M letters can also be collected as Snack Bar rewards. Once the four letters in F-I-L-M are collected, shoot the ball into the left or right scoop to begin a 2-ball multiball. The Creature will randomly hide the girl in one of three locations: the left scoop, the Snack Bar scoop, or the right scoop. Shooting the ball into the correct scoop, then into the Snack Bar scoop, then again into the Snack Bar scoop, scores a Jackpot. The Jackpot value starts at 40 million, but increases with each jet bumper hit. Once the Jackpot has been collected, after a certain number of jet bumper hits, the Super Jackpot will light up. Shooting into the Snack Bar scoop will score a Super Jackpot, whose value is twice the current Jackpot value, multiplied by the field multiplier currently on the board.

Additional scoring modes or methods include:

Snack Bar: When the Snack Bar is open, shooting into this scoop gives a random reward.

Mega Menu: The four menu targets are lit. These targets are worth 5, 10, 15, and 20 million.

Playground Award: The game activates one of the following three modes at random.

Unlimited Millions: The left ramp is worth 3, 6, 9, … million until the timer expires. This mode lasts for 25 seconds.
Fighter Jets: The jet bumpers are 1 million per hit. This mode lasts for 25 seconds.
Intermission Time: Both ramps are worth 5 million each. This lasts for 15 seconds.

Big Millions: The right ramp is worth 5, 10, 15, … million. This lasts for 10 seconds.

Move Your Car: After a certain number of center shots, Move Your Car is activated. A score on the display starts at 8 million and decreases rapidly until reaching 2 million. Shooting a center shot scores the current score on the display and starts a 15 second timer. Successive center shots score 2x, 3x, and 4x the score of the first center shot.

Double Feature: Shoot the left ramp several times in succession. The Double Feature score starts at 500,000 and doubles up to a maximum of 16 million for each consecutive left ramp shot. Shoot the center ramp immediately afterwards to score the Double Feature.

Snack Attack: After shooting the right scoop 4 times, Snack Attack begins. A score on the display starts at 20 million and rapidly decreases. Shooting the Snack Bar scores the amount shown on the display.

Video Mode: After shooting the right scoop 8 times, shoot either the left or right scoop to begin Video Mode. In this mode, a peeping Tom appears, and the player must engage the left or right flippers to punch the peeping Tom a certain number of times.

Super Mode: After shooting the right scoop 12 times, a 12 second timer starts. Shoot the Snack Bar scoop to begin Super Mode. In Super Mode, the Mega Menu, Big Millions, Snack Attack, Unlimited Millions, and Intermission Time scoring modes are activated. This mode lasts for 25 seconds.

Super Creature Feature: During Super Mode, shoot the ball into the left ramp within the first 10 seconds. This will send the ball into the whirlpool. Each spin in the whirlpool is worth 5, 10, 15, … million up to a maximum of 35 million.

2. Stark Trek: The Next Generation, 1993

tar Trek: The Next Generation is a widebody pinball game, designed by Steve Ritchie and released in November 1993 by Williams Electronics. It was part of WMS’ SuperPin series, and was based on the TV series. It is the only pinball machine that features three separate highscore-lists

The game features seven “missions/episodes” the player must complete before entering The Final Frontier:

Time Rift
Worm Hole
Search The Galaxy
Battle Simulation
Q’s Challenge
Rescue
Asteroid Threat

There are various marked targets around the playfield with the Star Trek insignia. Different combinations of these are lit for different modes, indicating which shots the player needs to make. These modes are not stackable, meaning the player must complete one mission before starting another. There is a hole in the center at the top of the playfield labelled “Start Mission” which will start a mission at any time if the player makes the shot. In addition, hitting the lit “Command Decision” Target allows the player to select which mission to attempt, including already attempted missions (marked as “rerun” missions; varies from no allowable “reruns” to unlimited “reruns”, depending on the machine’s settings).

In all missions except Q’s challenge, if the player fails to complete certain objectives by losing the ball to the drain, Data will say, “Had you projected the ball along the proper trajectory, you would have been rewarded.” Pressing both flippers during this line activates an Easter egg, in which Picard will interrupt Data and say, “Thank you, Mr. Data.” The Easter egg also adds 10 million points to the score.

3. Super Mario Bros, 1993

Another pinball from the 90’s is Super Mario Bros. a machine from April 1992, manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Co.

Super Mario Bros. is a pinball machine licensed by Nintendo and developed by Gottlieb. It was released in the U.S.A on April 25, 1992 and a total of 4,200 units were manufactured. The machine is designed by Jon Norris, with artwork by David Moore and Constantino Mitchell. It was the first pinball machine produced by Gottlieb to use the Dox Matrix Display; a screen on the bottom of the lightbox which keeps track of the current score and can also display various animations during gameplay (such as Mario running towards a Castle). Despite the name “Super Mario Bros.”, the machine appears to share a majority of its artwork with Super Mario World, released two years before. A second pinball machine in the Super Mario Bros. series was released in June later in the year under the name Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World, which seems to be based on Super Mario Bros. 3.

4. The Who’s Tommy: Pinball Wizard, 1994

The Who’s Tommy Pinball Wizard is a pinball machine from February 1994, manufactured by Data East USA, Inc.

The Who’s Tommy Pinball Wizard is a pinball machine based on the rock musical The Who’s Tommy. The machine features twenty-one songs from the musical sung by original Broadway cast members. The machines were designed by Joe Kaminkow, Ed Cebula, Lonnie D. Ropp, and Lyman F. Sheats Jr.

There are three skill shot bonuses possible on the launch of each new ball. Two of which award increasing point values, and the third initiates a multiball if lit. The main game modes of the table are accessed by lighting the entire Union Jack on the playfield’s center. There are 12 mini-games in this mode based on various scenes and scores from the musical. Completing these 12 modes unlocks the Pinball Wizard multiball of six balls. By lighting the letters to spell T-O-M-M-Y then hitting one of two scoops. Depending on which scoop activates the multiball, the player is given either 3 or 4 balls. This mode has multiple subsequent stages, each awarding greater point values as jackpots

source

5. Batman Forever, 1995

Batman Forever is a pinball machine released in June 1995 by Sega Pinball. It is based on the motion picture of the same name.

The game uses the 192×64 “supersize” dot matrix display with a Motorola 68000-based 16-bit controller. It features several electric-green wireform ramps with the “Batcave” escape ramp extending down behind the flippers and over the playfield apron, releasing balls up the playfield during multi ball. The “Batwing” cannon rotates & aims across the playfield and fires the ball with a pistol grip on front of the machine. Speech clips from the film are used. Additionally, the game had a video mode in which the Batwing is guided over rooftops, dodging obstacles to earn bonus points.

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

Pinball, Pinball Adventures, 5 Pinball Games From The 90’s Pinball Buzz, Pinball, Pinside, History of Pinball, Pinball News, Pinball Updates, Origin of Pinball, Pinball Skill Shots, Pinball Canada, Vancouver Pinball, pinball relates to real life, collect pinball, shooter rods, Parts of a pinball machine, Move a pinball machine, most expensive pinball machine, guide to playing pinball, Largest Pinball Collection, hardest pinball game, 5 Classic Pinball Machines, Owning a pinball machine, 5 Cool Pinball Art From The 80’s , New Led Zeppelin Pinball, pinball from the 90’s

The post 5 Pinball Games From The 90’s appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Difference Between Virtual and Visual Pinball?

Andrew MacBain — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 07:20:42 +0000

Who doesn’t enjoy a good game of pinball? The bright lights, the exciting sounds, a good bump of the machine? Physical pinball machines can be expressive but are limited in their game range and take up space so modern virtual and visual machines have gained fame. But what is the difference between Virtual and Visual pinball?

Virtual pinball machines are any form of digital pinball emulators played on laptops, smartphones, tablets or with a virtual pinball cabinet
Visual pinball refers specifically to a certain brand of free software used for emulating pinball tables which allows users to play, build and share pinball machines designs

Key Differences

Virtual pinball machines refer to any software or game which emulates a physical pinball machine. Improvements in virtual pinball have allowed for impressive 3D animation, virtual cabinets and accurate ball physicals accurately mimic the physical machines.

Virtual pinball emulators have existed for decades on early home computers such as the Apple II which was released in 1977. Official titles of pinball games and machines are often licensed, credited and included in many virtual pinball games and simulation.

Visual Pinball refers to a specific brand of pinball simulation software released in the year 2000. Visual pinball machines allow users to play, design and share their own creations. Visual pinball builders often recreate famous existing pinball machines.

Criticism of Visual Pinball include quality control which can sometimes be an issue with some games offered. Licensing and credit for the original creators of original pinball games is also often ignored by Visual Pinball builders.

What is Virtual Pinball?

Virtual pinball refers to any form of simulation which digitally emulates pinball tables. Physical often artful pinball machines were replaced in arcades, shopping malls, and bars by video games. Interesting pinball is making a revival thanks to that same video game industry.

In 1983 Pinball Construction Set was released for the Apple II and later the Atari 8 bit family and Commodore 64. Tt was the first program that let the user create and play their own simulated pinball machine. The simulation required no programming or typing to make commends.

Instead parts for the pinball game such as bumpers, obstacles and borders were selectable. Users only had to choose what they wanted and place them on the playfield. The designs were colored by users carefully with the provided game paintbrush. The game was impressive for its time and created a new builder genre of video games.

Virtual pinball simulations have been popular with for decades dispute limitations. The early pinball simulations were top down 2D, but with time the processors and graphics capabilities improved, allowing for 3D simulation with accurate ball physics.

Virtual Pinball Games

In 2006 the first digital video pinball machine which faithfully replicated the look, feel and play of traditional pinball machines was released. The game was called UltraPin created by UltraCade and features 12 digitally recreated classic playfields. Games included Funhouse, Pin-Bot, Eight Ball, Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, Sorcerer, Black Knight and more all together in the one unit.

In 2012 The Pinball Arcade was released by Farsight studio who signed the licensing agreements with Williams, Bally, Gottlieb and Stern allowing all pinball companies to appear together in the same game. The Pinball Arcade included games such as Black Hole, Ripley’s Believe it or Not and the Theatre of Magic with more tables released monthly.

In 2017 Pinball FX was released on multiple devices including Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The game was developed and published by Zen Studios and along with similar titles assisted in making virtual pinball accessible to new players.

Smartphones and access to free games has allowed players to casually enjoy virtual pinball. Pinball Flipper Classic is considered of the better-quality free pinball games. The game features achievements, leader boards and multiplayer options. The free price tag does mean there are some advertisements within the game, but it’s a good gateway game for newbies to get hooked on pinball.

Virtual pinball has been credited with preserving the culture of the game. Virtual pinball programs can be played on various devices including laptops, phones, tablets or even with a virtual pinball cabinet.

What is Visual Pinball?

Visual Pinball is freeware composed a pinball simulator and editor. The program allows users choose between faithful recreations of existing pinball machines and original pinball simulations based on licensed themes. Users can design and share their own tables. Online, there are hundreds of players created visual pinball tables available free to play.

The software was designed to be used on Microsoft Windows for PCs and laptops, but newer versions added touch controls, allowing for play on smartphones and tablets. It was initially released on December 19th, 2000. On the 29th of July 2018 the Visual Pinball source code was released as freeware under a license that allows free use for non-commercial purposes.

The visual pinball software was developed by Randy Davis and various Open Source contributors. Visual Pinball software comes with Visual PinMAME which is an additional program (a COM class) originally designed to work in combination with Visual Pinball. PinMAME can also be used with other COM class programs and allows for 3D rendering of actual pinball table designs. Open source contributions from dedicated pinball fans mean the program is continuing to develop and offers almost unlimited choice in games.

Visual Building

The software allows players to build their own pinball machine by selecting different items for their table such as plungers, flippers. Bumpers, ramps, lights, text displays, gates, spinners, triggers, timers, and drop targets. Players are also able to change the table and item size shape to further customize their game. The displayed graphics can be changed also as well as the programming for the logic of the table using the VBScript.

Visual Pinball machines main features include:

Emulation of real pinball machines
Simulate the physics of the table and ball
Custom and recreate exciting pinball machines
Apply individual game rules controlled via Visual Basic Script
Supports configurable camera views
Allows virtual cabinet support
Supports Stereo 3D output and Tablet/Touch input
Option to play 3D televisions to give illusion of real machine

Criticism of Visual

There has been some criticism that Visual pinball creations are essentially rip-offs of the original games. Users of Visual pinball rarely credit never mind pay for the rights of the original traditional pinball machines.

The range of Visual pinball creations is impressive however the quality of the tables varies. It was clear some creators spent hours in research to lovely recreate their favorite pinball games. Others seem more interested in being the first to recreate popular games.

The most popular games such as The Addams Family have dozens of different versions for play. Visual Pinball also allows users to adjust their own physic settings meaning the flipper strength and table angles vary from the different versions created.

Advantages of Virtual and Visual Pinball

Physical pinball machine can only play one game where virtual pinball allows the players almost unlimited game choice on multiple devices. Almost every pinball machine created can be found in faithful recreations online. Games include popular machines such as Medieval Madness, and The Simpsons.

Physical pinball machines are expressive and even other virtual pinball programs can be pricey where Visual Pinball and other virtual pinball simulators are free to play. If the players really want to increase the arcade experience they can also use a virtual pinball cabinet.

Virtual Pinball Cabinets

The greatest complaint with virtual pinball is playing on a smartphone, console or laptop simply does not feel the same as playing a real machine. Advances in technology have allowed virtual pinball to equal and sometimes surpass the original physical tables.

Virtual pinball cabinets are compatible with Visual Pinball and can be used for official and open source gaming. Many models include integrated lights, DMD score fields, tilt/nudge effects and 3D tracking across detailed playfields. The cabinets provide buttons and plungers to recreate the feel of a physical pinball game.

Virtual cabinets are considerable cheaper than physical pinball machines and more reliable as they don’t contain many mechanical parts which can be prone to failure. Virtual pinball cabinets usually cost around $4500. Some cabinets include LED screens to display the playfield and scoreboard meaning there is little assembly, you will only need to plug in and play.

Understanding

So now you should have a better understanding of the differences between virtual and visual pinball machines. Virtual pinball refers to any brand, game or software which emulates physical pinball machines.

Official titles of pinball games and machines are often licensed, credited and included in many virtual pinball games and simulation. Titles include official releases like 1983 Pinball Construction and 2017 Pinball FX.

Visual Pinball refers to a pinball emulator and builder first released in 2000 and made available as freeware in 2018 for non-commercial purposes. Visual Pinball allows players to play, build and share their own pinball machines.

Visual Pinball machines have experienced some problems regarding their quality control as users can publish whatever they like. There are also concerns that Visual pinball machines rip off original creators often denying credit or payment of licensing.

Both machines offer a huge range of games and can also be played in customize cabinets to better mimic the physical machines. Virtual and Visual Pinball machines have been credited for preserving classic pinball games and introducing pinball to a new audience. source

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post Difference Between Virtual and Visual Pinball? appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Why Pinball Machines Cost So Much

Andrew MacBain — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 07:13:28 +0000

Ever wondered why pinball machines cost so much? Keep on reading!

Why Pinball Machines Cost So Much

Planning The Circuit Sheets

Somebody needs to plan the circuit sheets that will enable the machine to do what it needs to do.

These board sets will be utilized as a part of a wide range of titles before they are updated. There is additionally a cost to the sheets themselves, and the greater part of the segments they hold. source

Miles of Wiring

You’re utilizing miles of wiring to achieve the greater part of the knobs and systems in a pinball machine. Not just that, you have to procure somebody to locate the most productive approach to run those wires, and somebody to really introduce them into the amusement!

The Importance of Advertising

There should be somebody to elevate the machines to people in general.

Gathering Parts To Make a Pinball Machine Complete

You require general workers to collect the majority of the parts of your machine to make it complete.

There are a critical number of individuals required to do this in a productive way. Considering that these machines are amassed in America – that is not a little cost

Diversion Plan

One of the most critical things about an amusement that will separate itself from different titles.

Architects are paid pay rates to conjure up one of a kind outlines for their titles.

The playfields themselves should be made out of superb materials and will have CNC machines course their gaps for things like embeds or openings for instruments.

Permitting

Almost all cutting edge diversions are authorized.

You require somebody to address permit holders, arrange contracts, and ensure that your outline meets all the required terms of the permit.

Craftsmanship Like No Other

Another immense piece of the diversion.

Specialists will be expected to make the amusement engaging inside the limitations of the permit.

Cupboards

Games are as yet held in extensive physical boxes.

The outline of these cases has gone generally unaltered, yet the cost to deliver them (and store them) is as yet noteworthy.

Modern Building

Someone needs to outline how these machines will meet up, where parts will be found, what kind of creation stations will be utilized, and so forth.

They additionally need to figure out what requirements to change with that plan starting with one title then onto the next.

How Enormous is a Pinball Machine?

Measurements of a run of the mill pinball machine gathered with legs on are: 29″ (76 cm) wide, 76″ – 80″ (190 cm – 200 cm) tall, and 56″ (140 cm) profound.

Inexact measurements collapsed up on its back are 29″ (76 cm) wide, 30″ (76 cm) tall, and 56″ (140 cm) profound (measurements are without wrapping materials).

Contingent upon the producer or machine, the normal weight of a pinball machine is: 250 – 300 pounds (113.5 Kg – 136 Kg).

The larger part of present-day pinball machines (made over the most recent 20 years or somewhere in the vicinity) has a pivot framework which permits the backbox to be collapsed down.

How Would you Play Pinball?

Foundational Skills

Every pinball game normally comprises three balls, basically making up your three turns.

Players utilize the catches on each side of the machine to control flippers and direct the ball through the different parts of the machine.

To play, embed coins and proceed by tapping the start button.

You dispatch the ball utilizing either pulling and discharging the plunger or pushing the Launch catch on the machine.

Procedure

Playing Pinball goes beyond just flipping the balls continuously till the end.

There are also others skills you can acquire to take you from just a rookie to a pro in the game. Check these out:

For instance, on The Twilight Zone machine, the objective is to illuminate the majority of the entryway boards. You do this by hitting the lit Player Piano. It can be lit by shooting the left incline. You can likewise win an entryway board by shooting the lit Slot Machine, which can be lit by shooting the correct slope.
On the off chance that you see a far away machine with the Start catch blazing, it as of now has a credit! So surge over for your free diversion.
In the event that the ball is moving gradually around the flippers, hold one up to “get” the ball. You can enjoy a little reprieve and rearrange your technique while you hold the ball in the flipper.
In case you’re uncertain of what to do, attempt to hit any objectives with glimmering lights as a rule the lights are blazing since you’re assume to hit them!
In the event that a ball is heading down the canal, you can bump the machine a bit to attempt to inspire it to fall back in play. Be that as it may, on the off chance that you hit it too hard, the machine will stop and glimmer “tilt” on the screen
Toward the finish of numerous amusements, there’s a smaller than expected match diversion. In the event that the last two quantities of your score coordinate the number on the machine, you win a free diversion.
Try not to flip the two flippers in the meantime. Moving them freely really makes it less demanding to hit the ball and less inclined to “deplete” the ball in the middle of them
Hold one of the flippers up as you dispatch and you may get additional focuses for an ‘expertise shot.” Many machines have a particular ability shot that gives you extra focuses for finishing.

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post Why Pinball Machines Cost So Much appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Pinball Playing Techniques

Andrew MacBain — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 07:02:11 +0000

Playing Techniques

The primary skill of pinball involves application of the proper timing and technique to the operation of the flippers, nudging the playfield when appropriate without tilting, and choosing targets for scores or features. A skilled player can quickly “learn the angles” and gain a high level of control of ball motion, even on a machine they have never played. Skilled players can often play on a machine for long periods of time on a single coin. By earning extra balls, a single game can be stretched out for a long period, and if the player is playing well he or she can earn replays known as “specials.”

A placard is usually placed in a lower corner of the playfield. It may simply show pricing information, but should also show critical details about special scoring techniques. This information is vital to achieving higher scores; it typically describes a series of events that must take place (e.g., shoot right ramp and left drop targets to light ‘extra ball’ rollover). Learning these details makes the game more fun and challenging. With practice — and a machine in good operating condition — a player can often achieve specific targets and higher scores and trigger exciting events.

Pinball Playing Techniques

Nudging

Players can influence the movement of the ball by moving or bumping the pinball machine, a technique known as “nudging” or “shaking.” After some experience in playing a certain machine, a skillful player is able to nudge the machine to make the ball bounce harder from a bumper or go in a certain direction. A very skillful player can shake the machine and cause the ball to bounce back and forth and prevent it from “draining.”

There are tilt mechanisms which guard against excessive manipulation of this sort. The mechanisms generally include:

a grounded plumb bob centered in an electrified metal ring – when the machine is jostled or shaken too far or too hard, the bob contacts the ring, completing a circuit. The bob is usually cone-shaped allowing the operator to slide it vertically, controlling the sensitivity.
an electrified ball on a slight ramp with a grounded post at the top of the ramp – when the front of the machine is lifted (literally, tilted) too high, the ball rolls to the top of the ramp and completes the circuit.
an impact sensor – usually located on the coin door, the playfield and/or the cabinet itself.

When any of these sensors is activated, the game registers a “tilt” and the lights go out, solenoids for the flippers no longer work, and other playfield systems become inoperative so that the ball can do nothing other than roll down the playfield directly to the drain. A tilt will usually result in loss of bonus points earned by the player during that ball; the game ends if it’s the last ball and the player has no extra ball. Older games would immediately end the ball in play on a tilt. Modern games give tilt warnings before sacrificing the ball in play. The number of tilt warnings can be adjusted by the operator of the machine. Until recently most games also had a “slam tilt” switch which guarded against kicking or slamming the coin mechanism, or for overly aggressive behaviour with the machine, which could give a false indication that a coin had been inserted, thereby giving a free game or credit. This feature was recently taken out by default in new Stern S.A.M System games but can be added as an option. A slam tilt will typically end the current game for all players.

Trapping

Skilled players can also hold a ball in place with the flipper, giving them more control over where they want to place the ball when they shoot it forward. This is known as trapping. This technique involves catching the ball in the corner between the base of the flipper and the wall to its side, just as the ball falls towards the flipper; the flipper is then released, which allows the ball to roll slowly downward against the flipper. The player then chooses the moment to hit the flipper again, timing the shot as the ball slides slowly against the flipper. Multi-ball games, in particular, reward trapping techniques. Usually this is done by trapping one or more balls out of play with one flipper, then using the other flipper to score points with the remaining ball or balls.

Once a player has successfully trapped a ball, they may then attempt to “juggle” the ball to the other flipper. This is done by tapping the flipper button quickly enough so that the trapped ball is knocked back at an angle of less than 90 degrees into the bottom of the nearest slingshot. The ball will then often bounce across the playfield to the other flipper, where the ball may then be hit (or trapped) by the opposite flipper.

Occasionally a pinball machine will have a pin or post placed directly between the two bottom flippers. When this feature is present, the advanced player may then attempt to perform a “chill maneuver” when the ball is heading directly toward the pin by opting not to hit a flipper. If successful, this will cause the ball to bounce up and back into play. A related move, the “dead flipper pass,” is performed by not flipping when a ball is heading toward a flipper. If done properly, the ball will bounce off the “dead” flipper, across to the other flipper, where it may be trapped and controlled. Source Wiki

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post Pinball Playing Techniques appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

5 Classic Pinball Machines You’ll Love

Andrew MacBain — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 06:50:30 +0000

Curious about what classic pinball machines we’re gonna list? Keep on reading!

History

Pinball machines have been around for almost 90 years, evolving from shady barroom amusement in the 1930s to pop-culture phenomenon by the ’70s. After a resurgence in the early 1990s, pinball nearly died out by 2000 as the Big Three manufacturers (Williams, Bally, and Gottleib) exited the business or went bankrupt. Amazingly, the game held on and has even flourished, thanks in part to fans who spread their pinball passion online and new manufacturers that have entered the business. Today, you can find pinball-themed bars, arcades, museums — and even laundromats — from coast to coast, where games old and new are just waiting to be rediscovered — or discovered for the first time. Not sure what to play first? We talked to a couple pinball experts for their take on the best games from pinball’s golden era, the early 1970s to the late ’90s. Odds are, you can find some or all of these classics at an arcade near you. Just bring extra quarters; most vintage games now cost anywhere from 50 cents to $1 or more to play.

5 Classic Pinball Machines You’ll Love

FIREBALL (BALLY, 1972)

There’s no missing “Fireball” at the arcade with its demonic red namesake glowering at players from the backglass. Its fantasy-world theme was one of the first games to depart from the traditional sports and guys-and-girls designs of the 1950s and ’60s. And in the center of the playfield was a novel feature that had only been found on a couple of earlier, obscure pinball games: a spinning disc. “That can change everything in an instant,” says Chloe Hansen of the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda, California. “You think the ball is going to hit the left bumper, then, boom! It hits that disc, spins, and goes right.” The spinning disc, it’s “zipper” flippers (which could “zip” together to prevent a ball from going down the drain) made “Fireball” a hit, and it remains one of the best electromechanical games of the early ’70s. A home version of the game appeared in 1978, and Bally produced an arcade sequel, “Fireball II,” in 1981.
HIGH SPEED (WILLIAMS, 1986)

By the mid-1980s, pinball machines were losing the arcade popularity contest with video games. In response, manufacturers like Williams began adding new features to the playfields and props on the cabinets to make them stand out in a sea of blinking, beeping machines. One of the most distinctive is “High Speed,” a police-chase-themed pinball game with a red emergency light on the top of the backglass that spins during play. “No one had ever done that before,” says Kuntz. It was crammed with fun-to-play features: two ramps, a toy traffic light on the playfield that changed colors as you hit targets, and a novel multiball that could be carried over from one game to another. There wouldn’t be another pinball machine this sophisticated until games like “Addams Family” arrived in arcades. “For five years, this game defined pinball,” he adds. “The light box, the multiball…. ‘High Speed’ sort of invented that.” It also had several technical advances new to the industry, most notably its digital alpha-numeric display, which displayed not just your score but also flashed status updates and point values during play.
FRONTIER (BALLY, 1980)

This Wild West-themed pinball game is a bit of a sleeper hit. Only about 1,000 were produced — far fewer than other classics from the era — and it’s harder to find in arcades today than other games from the same era. But for players and collectors who can track one down, “Frontier” strikes pinball gold. It’s not particularly sophisticated, but it’s got all the elements of a classic-era game, with two banks of drop-down targets that would trigger big point bonuses, thumper bumpers, and rollover targets. “I like games based on the emotional response you get when you play it,” Chris Kuntz says. “And ‘Frontier’ is a really, really good game. The layout, the rules, it’s all challenging.”
THEATRE OF MAGIC (BALLY, 1995)

In order to compete with video games, pinball machines in the 1990s morphed into complex creations with multiple goals and outcomes, not to mention ever more outlandish playfields crammed with interactive features. All of it was designed to keep people playing. One of the most engaging and eye-catching, says Hansen, is “Theatre of Magic.” Drop in a quarter and you’re greeted with a booming “Welcome to the Theatre of Magic!” The centerpiece of the playfield, a large revolving magician’s trunk, is one of the era’s most notable “bash toys,” designed to trigger game functions like multiball mode when struck by the ball. Other notable features include ramps that snake around the playfield and a magnetic “magician’s ring” that makes the ball float from one ramp to another. “It gives you so much feedback that you want to keep playing,” she says. “It’s one of my favorite games.”

5.

REVENGE FROM MARS (BALLY, 1999)

At the tail end of pinball’s golden age, the industry had one last trick up its sleeve: Pinball 2000. The gaming system, invented by Williams and licensed to Bally, was a curious hybrid of pinball and video, with a floating screen atop the playfield that created the illusion of computer graphics hovering in space. The graphics were as sophisticated as any arcade video game of the time, flashing an ever-changing sequence of exploding spaceships, attacking aliens, and other displays. “The holographic floating screen and how it interacts with the game below has yet to be surpassed, though augmented reality will ultimately accomplish that someday,” says Nic Schell, director of the Roanoke Pinball Museum in Virginia. Although revolutionary, “Revenge From Mars” wasn’t enough to save Bally or Williams, however. Both of the once-legendary pinball manufacturers ceased making games by the time 2000 rolled around.

And thats the 5 Classic Pinball Machines you should play at least once in your life!

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Pinball Adventures is a North American manufacturing company producing fresh and unique Pinball machines. Our goal is to create to the highest standards, and spark the same joy we found as gamers when we rolled our first quarter into that coin slot so many years ago. Stemming from a lifelong passion, Pinball Adventures is created by gamers, for gamers. We strive to bring high quality, innovative, and captivating experiences for all to enjoy.

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

Pinball, Pinball Adventures, Pinball Buzz, Pinball, Pinside, History of Pinball, Pinball News, Pinball Updates, Origin of Pinball, Pinball Skill Shots, Pinball Canada, Vancouver Pinball, pinball relates to real life, collect pinball, shooter rods, Parts of a pinball machine, Move a pinball machine, most expensive pinball machine, guide to playing pinball, Largest Pinball Collection, hardest pinball game, 5 Classic Pinball Machines

The post 5 Classic Pinball Machines You’ll Love appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Hardest Pinball Game?

Andrew MacBain — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 04:37:14 +0000

After researching and playing pinball i’ve found one of the hardest pinball game, many of you would agree as well. Keep on reading to find out which game is this!

The Hardest Pinball Game

This is based solely on our opinion and we will be posting what you think of this game after as well.

Manufacturer	Williams
Release date	April 1993
System	Williams WPC (Fliptronics II)
Design	Barry Oursler, Mark Sprenger
Programming	Bill Pfutzenreuter
Artwork	Mark Sprenger
Music	Paul Heitsch
Mechanics	Zofia Bil
Production run	6,801

Have you guessed it? Its Bram Stoker’s Dracula!

The game was characterized by its unusual blood-red DMD display (most other games at the time used orange for their color) as well as a “Multi-Multi-Ball” mode, where up to three different multiball variations could be active at the same time, with each successive active mode providing a jackpot multiplier of up to 3x. It also featured a unique variation on the usual multiball mode known as “Mist Multiball,” where a magnet would drag a pinball across the playfield and the player would be required to knock it loose from the magnet’s grasp to start the mode. Source

This machine was designed by Barry Oursler for Williams in 1993. The machine was based on the 1992 movie of the same name and features many toys based on the movie. The primary challenge of the machine is to stack 3 multiballs (Castle, Coffin, & Mist), kill bats and rats, and earn big points in the process of doing so. Toys in the game include a revolutionary magnet that can throw the ball along a trail for Mist multiball, and two separate lock traps for “Castle” and “Coffin” multiballs.

Game Features:

Flippers (3), Pop bumpers (3), Upper mini-playfield, Left outlane kickback. Multiple ramps. “Whirlpool” funnel. Toys include an interactive BigFoot figure that needs to be distracted in order to let the ball come into his cave. Bigfoot turns and spins head for certain shots

Let us know which game you found the hardest? .

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post Hardest Pinball Game? appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

3 Cool Pinball Machines That Bring Everyone Together

Andrew MacBain — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 07:44:11 +0000

Wanna know our picks for Cool Machines That Bring Everyone Together? Then keep on reading

A pinball machine can be a great addition to a home or business. Whether you want to create a comprehensive game room at home, offer your customers or employees play at your business premises, or simply want something the whole family can enjoy, the best pinball machine is a solid purchase.
Source: https://recroompick.com/best-pinball-machines

Our team has reviewed 3 of the best pinball machines to assess the playability, layout and features. We’ve compiled a list of the best tables and our editor’s choice Stern Pinball The Beatles offers a perfect balance of playability, theme and nostalgia for this iconic and timeless group. However, we’ve also ranked other tables including both classic and modern themes to ensure a top pick for everyone no matter what age or taste.

PINBALL MACHINES THAT BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER

THE BEATLES – STERN

Edition: Gold Year released: 2018 Dimensions: 29” x 58” x 76” Weight: 250 lbs. Extra features: features nine The Beatles’ hit songs; retro-themed playfield, four flippers, eleven drop targets, eight stand-up targets, multiple skill shots, two opto-spinners, a ball-catching magnet and a magnetic spinning record disc in the center of the playfield; unique art packages and custom powder-coated armor
Source: https://recroompick.com/best-pinball-machines/

The Beatles are a timeless group and there have been many products including machines that were modeled after them. The Stern Pinball, The Beatles Gold edition is certainly one of the best. This pinball machine is all about nostalgia, throwing back to the 1950s with everything from video clips to Ed Sullivan introductions. This makes this game, a must play for any fans of the group. The table even features a few licensed hits from The Beatles. This will keep fans playing for longer and it is a surprising feature that is uncommon on tables that works very well in this context. All the Beatles nostalgia would be fantastic on its own, but this is not the only draw of this pinball machine. The table is enjoyable even without these extra electronics that makes this table stand apart from the pack as one of the best pinball machines of all time. The standard features include spinners, skill shots and drop targets, and even the more basic features are done so well that you can overlook that they are similar to other tables. This table provides a wonderful balance of classic play elements and a modern presentation that really pops. So, if you’re looking for a fantastic table and you enjoy Beatles flair, this is the machine to beat. You can enjoy the game and tap into the Beatles nostalgia that will make this pinball machine a talking point in your home.
Source: https://recroompick.com/best-pinball-machines/

2. GUNS AND ROSES – JERSEY JACK

he artwork features photos by Robert John from his book Guns N’ Roses: The Photographic History. This game is a widebody pinball game with several unique twists. Among them, is an old fashioned revolver, which players use to start the game as opposed to the typical plunger. When a quarter is inserted, the band’s famous “Welcome to the Jungle” song (recorded from a concert) plays. Also included on the soundtrack is the Use Your Illusion outtake “Ain’t Going Down,” which is the only official release of the song. The backdrop is illuminated with lights in the shape of the famous Guns N’ Roses seal, and Axl Rose’s tattoos, featured in the Appetite for Destruction album artwork. The multi-ball can be activated when the yellow light is lit on the G ramp, this will open a trap door and send the ball into the snake pit (if the ball is shot up the ramp which is a hard shot), pulling the rose plunger will then activate the multi-ball. An “R” ramp is also featured completing the “GN’R” logo. The game play is a mode-based game not unlike that of The Addams Family,Jurassic Park, or Tommy. The machine also uses magnets as ball stoppers, a feature that was used previously on “The Addams Family”, and a video mode for extra points.

3. MONSTER BASH – CHICAGO GAMING – Best Classic

FEATURES Edition: Special Year released: 2018 Dimensions: 29″ x 58″ x 76″ Weight: 250 lbs. Extra features: interactive RGB general illumination, improved playfield monsters, LED lit popper, LED lit moving targets, LED Drac coffin, Premium Enhanced Sound System, XL display, HD color upgrade
Source: https://recroompick.com/best-pinball-machines/

Chicago Gaming Monster Bash is another in the brand’s series of Bally and Williams table remakes. This remake has been designed to exceed the superb standards of the original with LED lighting, modern electronics and the latest technology. This creates the pinball experience you may remember from yesteryear with the craftsmanship and reliability that is required in today’s market. The Special Edition is one of three models in the Monster Bash line. Both the special and limited editions feature interactive RGB general illumination. This is the first time that Monster Bash is available with fully interactive illumination that alters the general playfield illumination to enhance your playing experience. This feature allows each monster to have its own unique light show that adds to create a thoroughly eerie performance. The game looks superb and the updated mods make the play fast while retaining the similarity to the classic game. This creates a fantastic homage to the original game showcasing the great style and artwork of a table that was created 25 years ago.
Source: https://recroompick.com/best-pinball-machines/

Thanks for reading about our picks for Pinball Machines that bring everyone together

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post 3 Cool Pinball Machines That Bring Everyone Together appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Protect Your Pinball Playfield

Andrew MacBain — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 00:05:27 +0000

Are you looking for a solution to protect your playfield from scratches and peeling? Keep on reading to find out how!

Protect Your Pinball Playfield

To keep your pinball machine in top shape, you need to regularly clean and wax the playfield.

Besides looking better, cleaning and waxing prevents wear and tear on the playfield surface and protects the painted artwork. The steel pinballs will roll on top of a wax coat instead of directly on the playfield.

Cleaning should be done first with a mild cleaner like Novus 1. Avoid products that say “polish” as polish means it has abrasives mixed in. Better to use elbow grease and a mild cleaner rather than a product with grit in it such as a polish.

Spray a little bit of the Novus on a cleaning pad (rather than spraying it all over the playfield) and gently rub all the surfaces of the playfield.

Get under ramps, between in lines, around jet bumpers, along inlanes and outlanes, the shooter alley, ball trough. While you have the glass off the pinball machine, also take time to clean off the plastic parts with Novus. Rubbers can be cleaned up with a mild citrus cleaner.

Once everything is clean, inspect the balls and replace if you see cracks, rust or chips. Pinballs are cheap, replace any old balls that look damaged as the will only act like sandpaper as they run around the playfield.

New pinballs come with a layer of oil on them. Clean them off with some Windex before installing.

So you’ve got this playfield in your game. It’s in nice condition, but pinball being pinball, sooner or later that heavy steel ball is going to fly around the playfield, inserts will break or sink, the surface will get scratched and you may get damage from kick outs or ramp drops.

So what to do? We found some products to help out your playfield

Let’s start with Novus, since they claim that 25% of their sales is to the Pinball industry.

What is Novus? It is a series of abrasive polishes, originally formulated for the plastics industry.

Yep, I said it; ABRASIVE.

Novus wears down your playfield coatings; Paint, Lacquer or clearcoat.

Novus #3 is a very abrasive cream. It is used to polish out deep scratches. It is so abrasive, that you need to use Novus #2 to remove all the scratches that #3 creates. This is probably the least used of all the Novus products as far as pinball goes.

Novus #2 is an abrasive cream. It is a much finer polish that leaves a really shiny finish on many materials. It does a nice job of polishing out fine scratches. It is NOT a wax. You can’t build up layers of it. It does not protect the playfield.

Novus #1 is a mixture of alcohol, water and suspended waxes. It’s not really a polish (it contains no abrasives), it’s more of a cleaner that leaves behind a very slightly waxed surface. It slightly repels dust and fingerprints for a short period of time. SOURCE

Ready Player One

Now you are ready to wax. I use the best “Carnauba” wax called “One Grand Blitz Wax”. It is hard to find, expensive but you really will only need to buy a container once and it will be used for many years.

Carnauba, also called Brazil wax and palm wax, is a wax of the leaves of the palm Copernicia prunifera, a plant native to and grown only in the northeastern Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará, Maranhão, Bahia, and Rio Grande do Norte.

Carnauba wax such as Blitz wax isn’t 100% carnauba, it contains softners. Pure carnauba wax is very hard and would scratch the surface of whatever you are trying to wax.

So softeners are used to make the wax pliable. Use a clean cloth to apply a thin layer of the wax to your pinball machines playfield.

Then you need to wait about a half an hour for the softeners to evaporate. The wax will turn hazy. This haze will then need to be buffed off with another clean cloth like an old t-shirt, diaper, chamois or little cleaning pads.

Once cleaning and waxing is done, your pinball machine will look fantastic and new balls will zip around super fast.

Recommended supplies for cleaning and waxing your pinball machine playfield.

& That is how you can protect your pinball playfield!

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post Protect Your Pinball Playfield appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

How To: Clean Your Pinball Machine

Andrew MacBain — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 23:32:02 +0000

Wanna learn how to clean and maintain your pinball machine? Then keep on reading.

How to Clean a Pinball Machine

One of the questions we get pretty often is about how to clean a pinball machine. Cleaning your pinball isn’t a big deal. Really cleaning your pinball machine should be performed every couple months. This will help prolong the life and luster of your pinball.

If you have gotten yourself a brand new pinball machine, cleaning will be much simpler. For the most part, using a soft bristle brush on a small shop vacuum will be enough. You should be sure to get all the corners and not to leave any dust. A crevice tool can be a huge help here too.

Once you’ve gotten the majority of dust out, it’s time to really start cleaning. If your pinball machine isn’t very dirty, a product like windex is usually good enough. Spray some cleaner on a cloth and start wiping everything you can reach. Remember not to spray the cleaner on your machine; always spray on the towel.

Continue this maintenance every month or two and you will hardly have to worry about much on your pinball machine.

How to Maintain a Pinball Machine

While new pinball machines are awesome, some people prefer to collect old machines. Some people like the nostalgia, others like the price tag. Old pinballs may have seen some use, but they can shine up very nicely. There are important things to consider when thinking about how to maintain a pinball machine.

Again, the first thing to do is give your pinball a nice cleaning. Spray some cleaner on your rag and give the pinball a nice once over. If you’ve got a really dirty pinball machine, we recommend removing all plastics and rubbers from your machine as well. And as a word of caution, If you’ve got planking, a water based cleaner should be avoided. It can make the wood swell and crack.

For dirty plastics, a product like ZEP heavy duty degreaser does wonders. It cleans up old pinball plastics without a problem. Use the degreaser to clean your pinball plastics, then use plain water to remove the degreaser. For any pinball plastics you don’t want to put in the sink, Novus is a great product to help polish plastics and your playfield.

*CAUTION* ZEP is a great product, but do not use it on any silk screened or otherwise printed on sections. It is a strong solvent and can take paint or other designs off. Remember, when in doubt, always test an inconspicuous area first!

For most pinball playfields, Novus 2 is the product we recommend people use. Using Novus is the best thing for a pinball. It helps polish the top coat. It also removes ball marks and small scuffs.

Novus 2 is the only product we recommend to people who do not want to worry about damaging their pinball. There are other methods to remove deeper scratches or cracks in your pinball machine topcoat. These methods are much more advanced and risk ruining the finish if you’re not careful. We will not discuss those methods here because of that reason.

Cleaning your Pinball with the Right Products

Once you’ve got your pinball plastics off the playfield, you can start cleaning with Novus 2. Be careful not to use the other Novus products. One is too abrasive for use on the playfield, and the other is not abrasive enough.

Here, you’ll be putting Novus on a clean towel or rag. Just wipe down the pinball machine playfield with Novus on a towel. Go little by little. Start at one end and work your way to the other end. We usually start at near the ball trough. This way you can focus on the ball lanes and make sure you get out as much dirt as you can.

Really work the Novus into the playfield. You’ll know you’re done if your cloth comes back without dirt. Once your pinball is nice and clean, it’s time to start reassembling it.

Put your plastics back in place. Since you have the plastics off anyway, it’s a great time to replace the pinball rubbers. We recommend replacing all the rubbers on your pinball machine. There’s no sense cutting corners at this point.

At this point, it’s a great idea to check all your light bulbs. Make sure all bulbs are working since this is the easiest time to replace them. If you have LED bulbs in your pinball machine, you most likely won’t have to replace anything. If not, this is a great time to upgrade your pinball lighting.

Reassemble your Pinball

With plastics back in place you can start screwing everything down. Just remember to be gentle. Your pinball machine is meant to last a lifetime. That doesn’t mean you have to strip bolts or crack plastics by over tightening things! Treat your pinball gently and it will play for years or decades.

SOURCE

Keep the playfield clean. If you see dust getting in corners or underneath slingshots, vacuum it. Go over it with a soft cloth. Wax it.
Have shiny balls. Rusted or pitted balls destroy your playfield !! Replace them with new ones, they’re much cheaper then a new playfield !
If you buy a pinball machine, the best thing you can do is to clean everything on it. ‘Shop it’: remove everything from the playfield, clean everything, replace light bulbs, put new rubber on it, adjust switches, wax your playfield, … Yes this takes time, you will spend at least 2 days, but it will be worth it. Your game will play much better, and now the dirt is out of all those little corners which you couldn’t reach otherwise, it will stay much cleaner when you play it.
If you remove everything from a playfield, take pictures, put everything in little bags, take notes, .. be sure you know where everything went so you can assemble everything again. If you don’t dare to shop a pin yourself, find someone who does it for you.
Use a hard car wax. This is what protects your playfield for wear and makes it shine.
Buy new rubbers for your game ! If you’ve got a game with rubbers of 10 or more years old: put new rubbers on it. They don’t cost a lot and do make a big difference. The game will come back alive.
Avoid humidity
Avoid direct sunlight, excessive heat or temperature changes !!

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post How To: Clean Your Pinball Machine appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

The Important Parts of a Pinball Machine

Andrew MacBain — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 19:20:02 +0000

THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF A PINBALL MACHINE

You need to know your adversary in order to win, and this is also true with your pinball machine. There are certain parts of a pinball machine that you need to be familiar with so that you will know how the game works in order for you to create a gaming strategy for longer hours of gameplay.

Plunger

This spring-loaded rod is used to introduce the ball into the playfield. A skilled player can regulate the force applied on the plunger in order to direct the ball to a certain area of the playfield at the beginning of the game. The plunger is not used again unless a ball needs to be added into the playfield.

The Playfield

You cannot play your pinball machine without the playfield. This is where the action takes place, and it is usually made out of wood coated with several layers of paint to keep it smooth. It’s inclined between 6-7 degrees towards the player so that gravity can influence the game and control the ball. Often on the playfield you will see holes, obstacles, targets, and bumpers that will constantly challenge your skills as a pinball player.

Tilt Sensors

Skilled players manipulate the game by nudging the machine in order to direct the ball towards a certain path. Experienced players know just how much power to give into a nudge without tripping the tilt sensor. The tilt sensor is installed in the machine in order to prevent players from cheating excessively.

Old tilt sensors stop the game entirely by locking the flippers and disabling solenoids. In modern designs, the player can tilt the machine several times according to what’s been set by the operator, before totally ending the game.

There’s a so a slam tilt switch that guards the machine against overly aggressive players, or for players who will kick and slam the coin mechanism in order to trigger a false indication that a coin has been inserted for additional credit. The game totally ends when the slam tilt is switched.

Flippers

These small controlled levers can be operated mechanically or electronically, depending on the pinball machine design. With careful manipulation, a player can use the flippers to direct the ball towards a certain direction in order to hit targets for scoring points. Flippers were introduced in the Humpty Dumpty pinball machine by Gottlieb, with just two flippers placed above the centre drain.

Bumpers

Bumpers are round knobs suspended a few millimetres above the playfield. The first bumpers were do nothing when they are hit by the ball, which is why they are called passive bumpers. Modern pinball machines now have pop bumpers or jet bumpers that propel a ball away. It’s activated once the ball touches a switch that is connected to a ring that surrounds the bumper.

Holes

Holes give large bonuses and points to players. There are holes that will take in a ball and shoot it out in a different area in the playfield, while other holes take in a ball, give bonuses, but won’t give the ball back. Depending on your goal in the game, you need to direct the ball in some holes to rack up points and beat the high score.

You will get to know more and more parts of the pinball machine as you play. Take the time to learn as much as you can about pinball machine parts so that you will know how to play the game, operate it , as well as maintain your own machine.

Source

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post The Important Parts of a Pinball Machine appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Golden Age of Arcade Games

Andrew MacBain — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:29:10 +0000

The Golden Age of Arcade Games

If you are an arcade game fanatic like all of us at Pinball Adventures, you have most likely heard about the Golden Age of Arcade Games. Many of the most notable arcade games were created and gained their massive following during this era. From Space Invaders to Pac-Man and beyond, the Golden Age of Arcade Games was a legendary time period for the arcade game industry.

The Success of the Arcade Game Industry

The Golden Age of Arcade Games is commonly referred to as the peak of the arcade game industry, due to the advances in technology and rapid popularity. Although the exact date range of this time period is unknown, many experts agree that the era occurred from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.

In comparison to the video games we play today, the graphics and technology used in arcade games during the Golden Age were quite simplistic. Instead of flashy graphics, audio and controls, the games relied on fascinating gameplay, storylines and notable characters.

During this time period, the arcade game industry experienced a massive growth in revenue and popularity. For instance, the entire revenue of the industry tripled to approximately $2.8 billion in 1980. In addition, the number of arcades across the globe doubled between 1980 and 1983.

What Made Arcade Games Successful?

What sparked the Golden Age of Arcade Games and the shift in popularity? As video arcades spread rapidly across North America, Europe and Asia, many attribute the ‘trend’ to the advancement of technology. Although basic in comparison to today’s technology, the innovations in the industry at the time drew gamers from the popular pinball machines to the interactive arcade games.

Advancements in the arcade game industry include:

Vibrant Graphics
Introduction of Color Monitors
Digital Audio Innovations
New Controls – Trackball, Buttons, Joystick
Characters and Plots

One of the most notable reasons for the popularity of video games was the characters and storylines involved. The recognizable characters and plots appealed to a large audience of all ages and genders. Arcade games such as Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Q*Bert and others became quickly integrated into popular culture with television shows, merchandise, movies and more. In addition, arcade game characters gained fans worldwide, which to this day are still loyal to their favorite character and games.

Game Play

In order for an arcade game to be successful during the Golden Age, the game needed to be easy to understand, entertaining, and have the right amount of complexity. For instance, if a game was too easy to operate and gamers could win every time, the gamers would lose interest due to the lack of a challenge. On the contrary, if a game were difficult to understand and operate, gamers would give up easily and move on to the next game. Many arcade games during this time period found that perfect balance, including:

Pac-Man
Space Invaders
Donkey Kong
Frogger
BurgerTime
Q*Bert
Mario Bros.
And more

The Golden Age of Arcade Games produced numerous culture icons, profitable companies, a thriving industry, and loyal fans and set the course for video games today as we know them.

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

The post Golden Age of Arcade Games appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

How Most Pinball Machines Are Manufactured

Andrew MacBain — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 05:12:32 +0000

How Pinball Machines are Manufactured

Not all pinball machines are manufactured the same. Also depending on different factors like where they’re getting their material, budget and amount of staff they have, the time may be delayed on making the machine. Here are how most machines are made…

Design

While a new pinball game took only 20-30 hours to manufacture, the design process was far more protracted. Designing a new game took a team of professionals from 12-18 months, and the investment cost could run up to a million dollars. Games were designed by teams, with members taking on specialized tasks. The team included a game designer, who came up with the game concept and generally organized the other members; a software developer; an artist to come up with the backglass art and playing field graphics; a mechanical engineer, responsible for the design of all the gadgets on the playing field; a sound designer to create the music and other sound effects for the game; a mechanical designer, who brought together the drawings and designs from other team members; an animator to animate images on the scoring display; an electrical engineer and a cable designer to work out the circuitry and wiring; sculptors and model-makers to build the prototype devices for the playing field, and a publications writer to write the technical documents and manuals. The team might include other people, as well, such as someone who kept track of the cost of materials, and people working in marketing, sales, and licensing.

The design work starts with a concept, which might be an original idea or might come from a licensed product, such as a movie. After the concept is agreed upon, the design team works on the layout of the playing field. Designers fiddle with placements of any special elements the game will have, and try to work out how the player will make shots leading to the element. The placement of ramps, flippers, kickers, tilt mechanisms, and such is planned out, while the mechanical engineer produces prototypes for the special elements.

After the playfield design is more or less completed, the team then produces what is called a whitewood version of the game. This is a bare plywood prototype of the playfield. The designers use computer assisted design (CAD) software to record their plans, and this software is then used to control a computer-driven routing machine that cuts the board. The game elements for the whitewood are made by hand and glued on. Lights, ramps, and flippers are added. The whitewood may go through many revisions, as placements are changed or elements taken off or added. When the design seems satisfactory, the whitewood is wired to make it playable. Meanwhile the software developer has been creating the unique software to control the game. Williams, the last major American pinball manufacturer, had developed its own proprietary pinball operating system so that a basic framework could be used for each game, simplifying the design process. The software developer also works with the lighting and sound designers and animators to run all these effects. At the whitewood stage, the designers can actually play the game they have created, and work on developing rules.

Meanwhile the artist creates sketches for the backglass. If the game is based on a licensed theme, the artist needs to submit sketches for approval to the licensing agency. When the whitewood is near its final form, the artist makes sketches for the playfield. Pinball artists in the 1990s utilized traditional media such as pen and ink and paint, as well as computer graphics.

While the pinball is being manufactured, team members keep constant track of how much the game might cost to make. If parts need to be ordered from an outside vendor, the team needs to retrieve estimates from the suppliers. The game has a total budget, and sometimes the cost of one spectacular effect means that other game elements, such as lighting, have to be redesigned to make them cheaper. The design team also creates a bill of materials, listing every part needed to make the game. Parts are ordered so that everything is in place when the game is ready to be mass produced.

After the design is finalized, workers at the plant assemble 10-20 prototypes. These are completely finished games, just like ones that will eventually be sold. The prototypes help the production plant determine that all the parts fit together, that the suppliers have sent the correct parts, and that mass production will go smoothly. Any glitches in the assembly are caught at this stage. And if any part of the manufacturing process needs to be modified, it is discovered now. The prototypes are also used for testing.

Raw Materials

The raw materials for pinball are not extraordinary. Inexpensive, sturdy plywood is used for the playfield, wiring boards, and cabinet. Metal parts, such as screws and springs, are made out of a variety of common materials, such as stainless steel and aluminum. Special elements on the playfield may be of molded plastic. Manufacturers require vendors to supply parts exactly to specifications, and to hold down production costs, which are considerable, the cheapest materials possible may be used.

Pinball Manufactured: The Process

Pressuring the playfield

1 Almost all the production of a pinball game is done by hand. The exception is the manufacture of the playfield. The design for the playfield is programmed into a special machine. Workers load plywood into the machine, and it squeezes each board under high pressure. The pressure incises each side of the board with marks, which show where all the assembly units go.

Screen printing

2 Pinball backglasses and playing field art are made by the silk-screen printing process, also called stencil printing. This is usually done by an outside vendor. From the artist’s design, the printer makes a series of patterns called stencils that break down the design into four colors. That is, all the red parts of the design are isolated on one stencil, all the blue on another, and so on. Through combinations of four colors, every possible shade can be made. The stencils are made of a sieve-like fabric. Ink will pass through the open weave of the fabric and adhere to the material being printed. The printer lays the stencil, which might be a thin, plastic laminate, down on the material. An applicator sprays the color. Then the stencil is lifted, the material briefly dried, and the next stencil laid down. After the fourth color, the design is complete. For a backglass, the whole design could be screened as one piece. For the playfield, the artwork is broken up into small sections. At the pinball factory, workers punch out the sections and adhere them to the playfield. This way, the artwork is made to fit around the holes for the targets and other mechanical parts.

Hand assembly

3 Most of the remaining work is done by hand. Some of the small parts, such as spring-loaded bumper mechanisms, may have to be put together at the factory from components parts. Then these parts are assembled on the board. The wiring is very complicated. Workers painstakingly connect the wires, using screw drivers and soldering guns. The cabinets are made as rectangular hollow boxes. Workers screw rails on to hold the circuit boards and playfield. The screened art for the backglass is inserted in the backglass assembly, and that part attached to the main cabinet. Each game has close to 1,000 parts. The whole game takes from 20-30 hours to finish, and the factory itself requires about 1,000 workers.

Quality Control

Most of the quality control in pinball manufacturing is done before mass production begins. Individual parts from vendors are inspected and measured to make sure they are to specification. But the main check the manufacturer has on total product quality is in the prototypes made after the design process is complete. These 10-20 prototypes are tested in a variety of ways, including playability, general safety, and ability to withstand shipping. One is played on regularly, for field testing. One prototype is tested for sturdiness during shipping-this suffers a drop test. Another is sent to a private laboratory for a safety test, to make sure players could not be injured by the game. Other prototypes are used for publicity photographs, for the rules or manual writer, and perhaps for display at trade shows or promotions. Even after the prototypes pass inspection, the manufacturer might make a small run of some 50-100 games, just to make sure that everything is set in the production room for a bigger batch.

And that is how most pinball machines are being manufactured.

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

Source

The post How Most Pinball Machines Are Manufactured appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

Top 5 Pinball Machines From The 80’s

Andrew MacBain — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 03:37:52 +0000

Top 5 Early 80’s Pinball Machines

The late 70’s and early 80’s is when pinball first changed from the EM style to digital electronics. Along with this came some of the best pinball machines ever made, ones that are still lots of fun to this day. I’ve played a ton of these games, so I’ve made a list of my top 5 pinball machines from the 80’s.

Eight Ball Deluxe

This is probably the most famous game of the group. Produced in large quantities, this game was a mainstay in arcades and bars for years. Based upon pool, it has an easy to learn ruleset but is difficult to master. One of the things people really loved about it on location is the amount of free games and extra balls you could earn from it in different ways.

The basic ruleset is that you want to knock down the drop targets on the right and then hit the 8 ball target for big points. You can find the complete ruleset here:

Eight Ball Deluxe Rulesheet

Prices on this game is $1500 to $2500 usually for the original version, the limited edition that came with the smaller head is less desirable and is generally a lot less expensive (even though it’s the same game).

Like all the early Bally games, it has great artwork. It is also one of the first games to feature speech.

Fathom

Probably the best looking game of the early 80’s, it features a fantastic backglass and playfield of an ocean dive. I restored one of these about 5 years ago, it was a great game. I actually regret selling it quite a bit now, but not much I can do about that now. It’s also one of the most expensive games of that era, Fathom will cost you at a minimum $3000 and probably closer to $4k for just an average example.

Fathom like Firepower features a 3 ball multiball. I think Fathom’s is better though, because it doubles and triples the playfield depending on how many balls are remaining. It also has a 1, 2, 3 target bank up front that if you hit them in order and then hit the standup target to the right, you can earn an extra ball. Fathom is like a lot of the Bally games of that era, it’s very bonus heavy. The best strategy is to try and get all of the blue and green multipliers to 5x and then get that bonus elevated for major points.

There isn’t a rulesheet online for Fathom unfortunately, but there is a good tutorial video

Firepower

Firepower is one least attractive early games but also one of the best playing games. Featuring a three ball multiball, it’s a pretty hard and fun game to have at home. I owned one for about a year, I really liked it other than the fact that the electronics on it were a little flaky at times.

The basic ruleset is that you need to complete the bank of targets 1 through 6 to light 2 of the 3 lock locations. From there, you need to lock a ball in both of those places to start the Firepower multiball, which is a pretty cool sequence. Depending on which of the locks lights up, it can be pretty difficult to start the multiball. The lock in the back of the game in particular needs strong flippers to reach.

Firepower Rulesheet

The one good thing about Firepower is that it’s cheaper than a lot of other 80’s games. They made a ton of them and the general unattractiveness of the game compared to other games has kept the price at a reasonable $1000 to $1500 range for the most part. Sometimes you can even find them cheap broken since the electronics weren’t the greatest.

Black Knight

The first multilevel game ever created, the Black Knight was a huge hit when it was released in 1980. I owned this game for about a year as well. I liked it a lot but not as much as Firepower or Fathom, mainly because the music was kind of annoying and most of the game revolved around getting the ball to the upper playfield (there is updated code that addresses this issue now).

One of the cool things the game features is a magna save, which is an extra button on the side that you press to save the ball from the outlane. It works pretty good most of the time, although occasionally it contributes to your demise.

Black Knight Rulesheet

#5 Flash Gordon

Flash Gordon is one tough game. It was basically Bally’s answer for Black Knight, their first two level playfield. Unlike other games of the era though, Flash Gordon doesn’t have any multiball, it’s just the toughest single ball game of that era according to many players.

It has a similar ruleset to most of the other Bally games of the era. The main focus is you try and hit targets to get double or triple scoring for 15 seconds, although honestly keeping the ball alive that long would be a feat most of the time, lol. It has the same bonus features of the other Bally games, that’s one of the things I really like about games of that era.

Honorable Mention

There are a ton games that could go below. Some ones that I can think of off the top of my head are:

Paragon: Probably the best art package of any game of that era. The backglass is just stunning.

Black Hole: Featuring an upside down playfield underneath, it was something totally mind blowing compared to everything else at the time.

Stargazer: Fantastic Art, good playing game, and very rare. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever get to play one except for maybe at a show.

Centaur: A lot of people have this game as their favorite. It might have the biggest multiball of the era at 5, but I’m not sure 100% sure. I really like the game, but the art is only so-so for me (although a lot of people love it).

Hopefully this list of top 80’s pinball machines has helped you discover some games you haven’t heard of or pointed you towards some games to aspire to. I’m looking to add a Flash Gordon here at some point myself, might take a while though.

Visit our website at pinballadventures.com and also check out our new Instagram page for more updates https://www.instagram.com/pinballadventures/

Source

The post Top 5 Pinball Machines From The 80’s appeared first on Pinball Adventures.

vancouver Archives - Pinball Adventures

How To Properly Store Your Pinball Machine

Why Is It Important to Properly Store a Pinball Machine?

How to Properly Store a Pinball Machine

The Basement or Garage

Self-Storage

Clean Your Machine Before Storing

Don’t Wrap Your Pinball Machine

Conclusion

PINBALL ADVENTURES

What Are Pinballs Made Of?

What Are Pinballs Made Of?

PINBALL ADVENTURES

5 Pinball Games From The 90’s

5 Pinball Games From The 90’s

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Difference Between Virtual and Visual Pinball?

Key Differences

What is Virtual Pinball?

Virtual Pinball Games

What is Visual Pinball?

Visual Building

Criticism of Visual

Virtual Pinball Cabinets

Understanding

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Why Pinball Machines Cost So Much

Planning The Circuit Sheets

Miles of Wiring

The Importance of Advertising

Gathering Parts To Make a Pinball Machine Complete

Diversion Plan

Permitting

Craftsmanship Like No Other

Cupboards

Modern Building

How Enormous is a Pinball Machine?

How Would you Play Pinball?

Foundational Skills

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Pinball Playing Techniques

Playing Techniques

Pinball Playing Techniques

Nudging

Trapping

PINBALL ADVENTURES

5 Classic Pinball Machines You’ll Love

FIREBALL (BALLY, 1972)

HIGH SPEED (WILLIAMS, 1986)

FRONTIER (BALLY, 1980)

THEATRE OF MAGIC (BALLY, 1995)

REVENGE FROM MARS (BALLY, 1999)

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Hardest Pinball Game?

After researching and playing pinball i’ve found one of the hardest pinball game, many of you would agree as well. Keep on reading to find out which game is this!

Have you guessed it? Its Bram Stoker’s Dracula!

PINBALL ADVENTURES

3 Cool Pinball Machines That Bring Everyone Together

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Protect Your Pinball Playfield

Ready Player One

PINBALL ADVENTURES

How To: Clean Your Pinball Machine

Wanna learn how to clean and maintain your pinball machine? Then keep on reading.

How to Clean a Pinball Machine

How to Maintain a Pinball Machine

Cleaning your Pinball with the Right Products

Reassemble your Pinball

PINBALL ADVENTURES

The Important Parts of a Pinball Machine

THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF A PINBALL MACHINE

Plunger

The Playfield

Tilt Sensors

Flippers

Bumpers

Holes

PINBALL ADVENTURES

Golden Age of Arcade Games

The Golden Age of Arcade Games