Repair and maintenance. If you can up skill yourself in soldering, that will go a long way in pinball maintenance. Also, the ball in Pinball can move pretty fast around the play field and can break some of the plastic details. Even cause some of the wire point trigger switches to bend and weaken. So look for broken debris while cleaning the play field. Parts. Keeping a stock of play field light bulbs, flipper solenoids, a few bumper rubber bands, and fuses that will take care of most of the common ongoing maintenance repairs.
most accurate part for me was "addiction". I started 12 years ago with one pin and at one point we lived in a 600 square foot apartment and i had 7 pins going from the living room into the kitchen. We had to get rid of our couch to fit them lol.
When Cary, while talking about how his pinball collection has expanded beyond just having one and has now taken over other parts of the house said . . . "I mean we don't ever use the Dining Room anyways", that's when I lost it. That was funny!! And oh' boy, I can relate. :-) Another great video . . . !!
right? For me 2-3 pinball machines is the sweet spot and mayb 1-2 arcade cabinets and if space an air hockey table and dartboard would be the perfect setup.
Thanks for sharing Cary some good tips for new people to the hobby .. the only thing I would add would be find a pinhead to go with you when you buy your first game.. That way you have some knowledge in your corner and an extra set of eyes to look the game over before purchase
Funny you mentioned those of us that can only have one pin. I got an AC/DC when I retired from the Army in 2014 and said I'm good with that. UNLESS someone releases a Foo Fighters pin. So now I have number two coming. But that's the last one, I promise!
Well now I'm lost I love theater of magic(too much money for my first) Circus Voltaire (probably the same thing) And I don't know. I want Ghostbusters to flow better, but love the license
@@XtianApi ToM will get fairly same-y after a while. It’s a great looking title, and the trunk is fun. Play it in one of the pinball apps or VPin emulation to be sure you really want one. Have you thought about Capcom Pinball Magic? Less loved title but a gem.
Pinside top 100 is a great resource for a new to the hobby enthusiasts. It gives a general idea of how fun the game plays and shoots and also indicates likely interest and value when it comes time to trade it off.
I think before you even buy a machine, you should find out how far the closest pinball tech is because most likely you'll need help at some point. Also my best advice (if you're on a budget) buy the cheapest working game you can find, and try to do your own repairs. If you mess up a game you didn't invest a lot into, you won't feel so mad at yourself when you do screw up.
This right here, it's the way I started being an owner, but unlike years ago finding a decent title that has issues for a good deal isn't that common now, or there's way too many problems and unfortunately becomes parts
I'll also add that if you're new to games (or even if you're experienced because you can't remember them all), I highly suggest that before you look at a game that you play the virtual one to see how it's supposed to play. If you get there and certain lights aren't lighting up, or certain mechanics aren't firing when they should that's instantly a red flag that there are board issues. Also never let them have the game warmed up, power it up from a cold boot. Often if there are cold solder or display issues, those can self-repair as the machine warms up.
I am new to ownership but have been a pinballer since I was kid. Now I'm at the level in my life where I can be an owner and I really appreciate your content.
Great video and I agree with all of your points. Another good way to get into the hobby is considering building your own virtual pinball machine. It's obviously not the same as the real thing, but a well equipped vpin comes surprisingly close to the feeling of a real machine (realisitc ball rolling, bumpers, slingshots, etc.). There is a huge community and a lot of tutorials for building your own vpin. And the greatest benefit: you can play thousands of different machines on it.
I built a virtual pinball machine that runs off a Nintendo switch with pinball fx3, pinball arcade, stern pinball arcade, and zaccaria pinball (I have all the dlcs for each) I would love to own a pinball machine, just I would want either a white water, Ghostbusters limited edition or Godzilla limited edition but it's just so far from my budget. So atleast I can still enjoy playing pinball
The one thing you missed that’s related to 2 and 3 is the other reason why you might want more than one pin. Since anything that moves… breaks, if you only have one pinball machine for your Fourth of July party, you run the risk of having that one machine break when you need it the most. Redundancy is something to consider. Also I think you can rent Pinball machines if you want to try it for a month.
Ya can rent machines if ya live in a major city. I'd like to rent one but being that I'm about 300 km's from the nearest major city (Melbourne) down here in Aus then I don't think they'd be keen on delivering here lol. And if they were the delivery would prob be about the half the rental price again on top. Or maybe more with the way bloody fuel prices are.
@@28russ well there should probably be a separate video just for Australian pinball fans because it’s honestly a completely different market than the us where they are built and found in random garages
My 6. 1. You immediately have to learn how to fix them. 2. Learn schematics 3. Realize parts are hard to find 4. Get bored or master a single table 5. It gets expensive and heavy 6. Nobody else in the house plays these machines. Bonus: Arcades are Lonely places
#2 is extremely important. If you buy a machine, you have to understand that you will have to fix and maintain it yourself. There are no exceptions. What I wasn't prepared for is how easily you can get hurt once you take the glass off or open the coin door. If you're looking to get cut, poked, bruised, scraped, deafened, or electrocuted quickly, a pinball machine is your answer. I tried to ward off the "I need another game" by buying a Godzilla. So far, so good.
correct I have been learning to maintain my first new pinball machine by using the diagnostic menus and how to remove the playfield glass and make adjustments to ramps to solve stuck ball issues.
I got my first pinball machine at an auction for $65. Worked on it for a couple of hours and it now works 100%. I started searching the internet for more afterwords.
Amazing work and very informative. when you said they look better in gorups i laughed so hard. I was 20 when i bought my first one and now i have 6 at the age of 22 haha. Crazy how time flies. The hobby is amazing and i keep hoping that more youth and growth comes by because the way its going is amazing and these machines are not just "games" they are works of art.
Seriously, cringe. But it does seem like you are really into the idea that you fake it until you make it. Maybe you can manifest those pinball machines if you keep pretending you have them.
I got addicted to pinball 3 years ago. And in my arcade they have 10.pinballs. Including godzilla 2021. John wick 2024 premium just delivered . Jaws 2024. Stranger things. 2023. James bond old but 2024. Dr who 2024. Turtles. And more. Damn it.
Always loved playing pinball but was never in the market for one...until Rush was announced. Now that I have one I definitely want more. Only thing holding me back is the cost and space, and the space issue I can always figure out. Unfortunately I cannot justify the cost of more at this time, so the FOMO is definitely very real.
Great video! You point out important issues that must be taken into account before even start. Comment section also add a few more. Pinball hobby is not for everybody. Also, conditions on which you store the machines will decide longevity, beware with light, humidity and temperature!
Great video. As someone who made a LOT of mistakes early on when I got into this hobby, I agree with your assessment. I don't see any way out of taking the long road when getting into this hobby ($$$). The first pin I bought was a 1975 Gottlieb 'Pin Up' in cosmetically good condition. Problem was, as soon as it started having mechanical issues, I was in over my head and sold it for half of what I paid. I would love to have that pin back because I could easily fix it now, after 10 years in the hobby. And that was just one instance of that happening.........$$$$$$$$$$$$ 🤦♂
I love that you talked about mods. I’ve been collecting for many years and only recently got into modding. Such a fun part of the hobby. Great video Cary!
So I went down the pinball rabbit hole last year and picked up a VR machine. Now I want to pick up a real world machine and this video was a fantastic resource for me to give me a good idea what I'm in for .. thankfully I have 2 pinball places here in the Kansas City area and one even has classes on how to fix machines.. they also have a tech that does a home service so I'm thankful for that as well. I'm going to start with one machine I swear.😁 Maybe two ...
Great video! I am looking into opening up a barcade and I'd love to have a pinball collection for it. I recently researched and documented the costs from distributors and I was floored at how much they generally cost. I would really like to start out with newer titles and it comes out to about $60k-70k for just 8 of them. That's insane! I've also learned that a machine at one distributor could cost ~$3k more than the same "new", advertised machine at another distributor. I expect that with older titles, but surprised this is the case with brand new machines. I might wait a year to pull the trigger in hopes of the prices going down. Of course, that could backfire! haha
If Pinball becomes your passion and you are mechanically inclined, you'll learn to do your own repairs. And if it overtakes you completely (like me), you'll even start doing machine restorations.
The days of cheap pinball machines ended when they started showing up on Ebay MANY years ago. Facebook marketplace has made it even worse. People being willing to pay stupid prices for pinball machines are the biggest problem. KISS has been crazy expensive forever, and it's not even that great of a game to play. Still, it's gotten to the point where the only way to get a cheap machine is to buy a rough project, or get REALLY lucky. I still refuse to buy a working machine because repairing them is half of the fun for me, but what some people expect to get for games that are trashed is insane.
Addition!!! I have a twilight zone which I decaled and playfield swapped and when I graduate college and make money I will own 20 games already picked out on my pinside wishlist
Picking the machine up is part of the fun (for me at least). as of F.O.M.O: I was always looking for particular machines (EMs from the 70s), and more often than not they showed up for sale only once or twice in the last 20 years or so (and I had to drive to other european countries for the pick up). So depending on what you are looking for, sometimes you have to bite the bullet.
Although imagine it would be a hard video to ultimately make and perhaps it’s far to broad of a topic but I’d love to see a video on basic pinball repair. As I’m new to the hobby and just got my 1st game. Tools to have on hand? How to do this or that (insert basic common repairs) like I said that may be far to wide of a topic ? But if possible I’d love to see it
I've experienced CRAMPS. I bought six in the last 3 months. With a full sized virtual pinball machine that brings me to 9 total, so now I'm looking to put some furniture in storage as I move forward. Dang bug... a cocaine habit would be cheaper at this point!
I recently got a T2 machine, it wasn’t cheap but it’s my first and last machine. I don’t have the money nor the room for any more. I love it, no idea if this machine will go up or down in value, I’ll likely never sell it anyway. Edit, yes I have removed the glass several times and adjusted switches over the past week already. 😂
I've been a pinfan for years, have gone to our local NWPAS for 8 years running, but never thought I'd ever own a machine. Two years ago my wife developed a love for Mini Coopers and though we already had four modern Minis, she wanted a classic. I then agreed to sell my Mandalorian themed Mini F56 (Mindalorian) and we would split the money. She got her classic and I got my pinball machine. Coincidentally, the Mando pin was just released when I went to buy but pulled the trigger on a JPP instead. Once I received it after an 8 month wait I knew I needed more. My gameroom resides on the top floor of our house and I've mapped out future expansion while making sure the live load was in accordance with our local building code. Would hate to have all these pins crash down onto the Mini Coopers in the garage below. I may have sneakily tricked my wife into ordering a second pin (Mando Pro) and already have my next target as being a 90s era Bally or Williams. I'd even take the right Gottlieb if the price and theme were right. I've also heavily modded them in my head. I don't really know where I'm going with this but Pinball is awesome. Sometimes I just turn on my lone JPP just to hear the music in the background. I'm quite proud of it and as more pins enter my gameroom it will bring me prestige. But honestly, I'm just a sucker for flashing lights.
Top floor? Poor plan my friend. Christ I had 15 games in 2004 which I sold for amounts that make me weep but you need a game room on the first floor of wherever it is with easy loading and unloading. FFS
It must be nice to have places to go to play pinball. I haven't seen a single pinball machine in this country for more than 20 years. Every pub used to have at least one. I think the best solution for people who want to play pinball (like me), who have no access to pinball machines (like me), and who have no technical knowledge whatsoever (like me) is to get a virtual pinball. It's a box containing a computer and monitors. No extensive technical knowledge required; no hunting for rare parts; and the possibility to play over a thousand tables on a single machine. Mine should arrive in 2-3 months and I can't wait. I got a top-of-the-line model with all the bells and whistles.
You need to look harder. There’s places to play, pinball museums, arcades and pinball shows just about everywhere (post Covid). You just have to want to find them.
@@alienpoker I'm sure there are in the USA, but not here in Luxembourg. There's nothing. There has been one small arcade for a few years back in the 90s, and that went out of business after a few years.
I did that with Video games.lol Started with 1 now i have 14 and 5 in my storage lol My main Pin I want is Twilight Zone since I live in Binghamton NY where Rod Serling was from and ALOT of Episodes were filmed here . Along with the Movie in the 80s which was World Premiere was here . New I was Rocky and Bullwinkle and Robo Wars lol Yea Im old
Nice video! The part about addiction is very true and very funny; but while you mostly talk about aestethics and emotions, there's a more concrete explanation for the pinball bug: no single pinball machine can give you everything you want. WhiteWater is a fantastic game, but the only thing it's got in common with Lord of the Rings is flippers, pop bumpers, slingshots and a shooter lane. The more you play on your first machine, the more you'll realize how great it would be to add more variety. So, saying that you only need a pinball machine is technically true, but it's like having a NES and forcing yourself to play Super Mario Bros over and over again, all while you're aware that Tetris and Mega Man exist. The temptation to buy additional titles is only kept in check by problems like floor space and money, but the desire will always be there.
About 10 years ago, I had a house full of machines (33 of them). A single virtual machine has taken their place and I would never look back. The tech has surpassed the bang-for-buck of an actual machine. If you don't agree, then you haven't seen what is available.
@@CaryHardy I totally understand. It's a great hobby. Love your channel. I enjoy my mechanical pinball vicariously through you. Keep up the great work!
I second that, I bought my only two real pinballs in 2014 and took a break from buying and fast forward to 2022 prices skyrocketed 😳 So I think I’m heading the virtual way for my next pinball and keep my two originals as a reminder of how cheap games were compare to now 😅
The addiction is real! I been in the virtual pinball side of things for about 10 years now, An d I must say you think playing them is addictive, Creating them is even more addictive, I find my self creating and working on pinball tables more often then playing them. Like a ratio of 20 to 1. I live breath sleep and dream pinball. If you ever seen IT Pinball Madness, that was my baby. got many more I created since like, my custom barbed wire, and Exorcist table. Currently working on at least 17 new tables. I just cant stop!
Knowing how to fix your own machines is EXTREMELY important. If you have to rely on pinball repair guys to get your machines working again, you are gonna be paying out the ASS!
How did you finance your purchases of pinball machines in the beginning? Do you have any general advice besides just saving money longterm. You don't have to be specific if its private but im just asking out of interest. I'm actually in it to go to college this fall so i can get a job with better pay in the future. Besides im looking at older machines now (classics) since they tend to be a bit cheaper and maybe start there. Thanks for the channel and keep it up! / A newly, committed pinball enthusiast from Sweden
There is the old saying "Everyone has to start somewhere". I hate it, but it's true. There are way too many variables for me to suggest where you should start. Location is one of those variables. Knowledge of the machines, etc. I personally started with a non-working machine. Fixed it and sold it for profit. Then bought a more expensive non working machine. Then fixed it and sold it for profit. Eventually I started to hold on to certain games that I enjoyed. My occupation and financials improved year over year. It took time for me - but that may not be the case for all.
Thanks for answering so quickly! I really appreciate it. Shows that you do care for the community and care for those who follow you :) Ah, interesting. The same approach has crossed my mind. To buy, repair, and sell or exchange. One last question and then i'll be out of your hair (for now, hehe) Did you have any basic knowledge for engineering beforehand getting in to the hobby or have you learn't as time goes by? @@CaryHardy
Both, actually. I'm a technician, but had zero knowledge about how the pinball machines worked. Knowing how electronics/mechanisms work made the learning process faster.@@abrodolphlincoler5809
Let`s face it. It`s a rich man`s hobby ...... which is for someone who also has the space ( most of us in the UK don`t have handy massive basements etc ) But for the rest of of us Virtual Pin is the way to go and ................. make and config your own like I did so that you have minimal maintenance and you can keep it going for good
or one who saves and invests! Not cheap but face it the inflation has jacked up prices for everything from food and cars to homes and gas prices. Living now is more expensive than ever.
yeah that`s all good too but not for me especially with minimal space and so I just build virtual arcade or pinball machines and also buy modern analog Synths to enjoy whilst also knowing that I will always have money tied up in them too if I ever wanted to sell them @@GuitarsAndSynths
Mods? Hmmm… I don’t install mods that couldn’t be taken off and have the game returned to factory. It’s your game and so mod it however you want. Don’t worry about value, if you like it then add it.
@@CaryHardy Liked & subscribed. Yeah that’s mostly the case. Sometimes people drill holes or change out board sets. I’ve seen posts added, stuff like that. Worst case they completely swap a PF or translight / backglass. In those cases, the game is usually pretty far gone already.
Hi Cary, I choose "Repair and Manteinance" for this video. As a new suscriber may I ask you how much World Cup Soccer 94 Pinball cost in USA? (in good condition). Thanks a lot!, greetings from Buenos Aires 🙂
Either a lot has changed in the one year since you made this or I'm not looking in the right places. Trying to find my first Pin and $2.5k - $2.8k are rare outliers. Avg looks closer to $6k - $7k. Am I wrong?
Understanding that it's a long term investment that money is going to go into after the fact is a huge shock for people I've met that want to get into it. It's like "Wait you have to actually repair it?!".
I have two real pinball machines and then a high-end VPin which scratches the itch for some hard to find super expensive pins. I basically have 400 machines virtually.
i played a lot pinball machines in the 90's... last year in April i bought one.... in may, another one, in june another one... this year, i bought 3 NIB last month... for a total of 6.... I need to stop buying... or change home...
Liked your video. I’m an old pinhead and you forgot to mention remakes. I have an original Bally AFM which I’ve kept nice. I used to think it might be worth like $12K someday. Since the Remake came out with nicer graphics, color DMD screen, etc… no one will pay that unless they had to have an original for some reason. As it’s the same game, I doubt that’s gonna happen. That one was an investment that I thought I could own & play and someday flip.
If ya live down under ya can pretty much double the prices. 2nd hand, anywhere from between about 5K and 20K depending on the machine and condition etc. And NIB from about 14K to 25K depending on the model. 😲
@@GuitarsAndSynthsI ain't seen many pros under 10k mate. But pros are kinda crap anyway lol. I'd rather pay a couple of K extra for a prem and get all the bells and whistles. Bought an AIQ prem yesterday. 😁🤷♂😂
Do you think used prices will ever come back down to something more reasonable? NIB I can see staying where they are, some the prices points for used games are outrageous. Looking for a ST TNG or a Stern ST Premium, albeit as a first game. (Sidenote: I know TNG probably isn't a good 1st pin, but I love the theme.)
Prices will adjust with the market. Granted, my financial advisor tells me a recession is very probable. Once people stop buying at the high prices - they will go back down.
NO. And I say this because people that can generally afford pins aren't going to be in dire straits if a recession hits. Nor will they sell.. They likely have other investments and understand how to hold steady. I certainly do!
I was looking at an older game via Pinside, but all they only accept Venmo for payment and that's just TOO risky. I'll check your library, but if it doesn't exist if you can cover "purchasing a pin for the noob" that would be great.
People are always shocked when I tell them how much old and brand new machines are worth, specially since the pandemic. If someone I talk to wants to start going down the road to being an owner, I tell them right from the start that they're not a video game console, you will have to maintain them. If you're not someone who wants to fix them just go support those out on location, or any pinball owners you know.. Yes you can get a tech but you'll save a lot of money not calling them in to fix some issues that are simple fixes i.e. a blown fuse, loose plugs or wires. Plus you won't be scare each time you use them. Me and Dad started on the pinball owner's road by getting a project Fish Tales for $500, nervous and didn't know what we were looking at. Plenty of research and talking to others later we learnt so much, and made new friends. Fast forward to now I fixed plenty of machines with a row of five in the house at one point, sold almost all of them to downsize for the new house, with a nice trio of good titles
Repair and maintenance. If you can up skill yourself in soldering, that will go a long way in pinball maintenance.
Also, the ball in Pinball can move pretty fast around the play field and can break some of the plastic details. Even cause some of the wire point trigger switches to bend and weaken. So look for broken debris while cleaning the play field.
Parts. Keeping a stock of play field light bulbs, flipper solenoids, a few bumper rubber bands, and fuses that will take care of most of the common ongoing maintenance repairs.
most accurate part for me was "addiction". I started 12 years ago with one pin and at one point we lived in a 600 square foot apartment and i had 7 pins going from the living room into the kitchen. We had to get rid of our couch to fit them lol.
Seven pinball machines in a 600 sqft apartment?! 😱 WTF lol
😂
wow now that is quite impressive! At least you have your priorities straight 🙂
That is EPIC!
When Cary, while talking about how his pinball collection has expanded beyond just having one and has now taken over other parts of the house said . . . "I mean we don't ever use the Dining Room anyways", that's when I lost it. That was funny!! And oh' boy, I can relate. :-) Another great video . . . !!
right? For me 2-3 pinball machines is the sweet spot and mayb 1-2 arcade cabinets and if space an air hockey table and dartboard would be the perfect setup.
Thanks for sharing Cary some good tips for new people to the hobby .. the only thing I would add would be find a pinhead to go with you when you buy your first game.. That way you have some knowledge in your corner and an extra set of eyes to look the game over before purchase
Funny you mentioned those of us that can only have one pin. I got an AC/DC when I retired from the Army in 2014 and said I'm good with that. UNLESS someone releases a Foo Fighters pin. So now I have number two coming. But that's the last one, I promise!
that's what we all say...
Totally brand new to the hobby. Went into some bar and they had a bunch of machines and it just got me.
Stay off pinside for reviews. I can't tell you how many games I ignored because they got trashed on pinside. Most ended up being my favorites.
It has it's pros and cons for sure!
Pinside forums are great if you’re looking to argue with dumb asses. I use to avoid it. Now it’s a hobby.
Like stranger things... Lol. Just joking Cary
Well now I'm lost
I love theater of magic(too much money for my first)
Circus Voltaire (probably the same thing)
And I don't know.
I want Ghostbusters to flow better, but love the license
@@XtianApi ToM will get fairly same-y after a while. It’s a great looking title, and the trunk is fun. Play it in one of the pinball apps or VPin emulation to be sure you really want one. Have you thought about Capcom Pinball Magic? Less loved title but a gem.
This video reminds me of why I stick to a digital format for pinball and when I wanna play some real machines I just goto an arcade.
Pinside top 100 is a great resource for a new to the hobby enthusiasts. It gives a general idea of how fun the game plays and shoots and also indicates likely interest and value when it comes time to trade it off.
I think before you even buy a machine, you should find out how far the closest pinball tech is because most likely you'll need help at some point. Also my best advice (if you're on a budget) buy the cheapest working game you can find, and try to do your own repairs. If you mess up a game you didn't invest a lot into, you won't feel so mad at yourself when you do screw up.
This right here, it's the way I started being an owner, but unlike years ago finding a decent title that has issues for a good deal isn't that common now, or there's way too many problems and unfortunately becomes parts
I'll also add that if you're new to games (or even if you're experienced because you can't remember them all), I highly suggest that before you look at a game that you play the virtual one to see how it's supposed to play. If you get there and certain lights aren't lighting up, or certain mechanics aren't firing when they should that's instantly a red flag that there are board issues. Also never let them have the game warmed up, power it up from a cold boot. Often if there are cold solder or display issues, those can self-repair as the machine warms up.
correct that is what I did so I can always get it fixed and help when needed.
I am new to ownership but have been a pinballer since I was kid. Now I'm at the level in my life where I can be an owner and I really appreciate your content.
Pinball is like music, songs are great but a Playlist is sublime!
the Iron Maiden pinball machine has a killer metal music playlist!
Great video! This is awesome for new people getting I got he hobby. New camera looks A++
Great video and I agree with all of your points.
Another good way to get into the hobby is considering building your own virtual pinball machine. It's obviously not the same as the real thing, but a well equipped vpin comes surprisingly close to the feeling of a real machine (realisitc ball rolling, bumpers, slingshots, etc.).
There is a huge community and a lot of tutorials for building your own vpin. And the greatest benefit: you can play thousands of different machines on it.
I built a virtual pinball machine that runs off a Nintendo switch with pinball fx3, pinball arcade, stern pinball arcade, and zaccaria pinball (I have all the dlcs for each) I would love to own a pinball machine, just I would want either a white water, Ghostbusters limited edition or Godzilla limited edition but it's just so far from my budget. So atleast I can still enjoy playing pinball
The one thing you missed that’s related to 2 and 3 is the other reason why you might want more than one pin.
Since anything that moves… breaks, if you only have one pinball machine for your Fourth of July party, you run the risk of having that one machine break when you need it the most. Redundancy is something to consider.
Also I think you can rent Pinball machines if you want to try it for a month.
Ya can rent machines if ya live in a major city. I'd like to rent one but being that I'm about 300 km's from the nearest major city (Melbourne) down here in Aus then I don't think they'd be keen on delivering here lol. And if they were the delivery would prob be about the half the rental price again on top. Or maybe more with the way bloody fuel prices are.
@@28russ well there should probably be a separate video just for Australian pinball fans because it’s honestly a completely different market than the us where they are built and found in random garages
having the funds and space to own and maintain several is the way to go.
Love the background tunes. Very fitting! :))
My 6. 1. You immediately have to learn how to fix them. 2. Learn schematics 3. Realize parts are hard to find 4. Get bored or master a single table 5. It gets expensive and heavy 6. Nobody else in the house plays these machines. Bonus: Arcades are Lonely places
Excellent video. The addiction part is very very real. I’ve slowed down quite a bit, but it’s still in the back of my mind!
#2 is extremely important. If you buy a machine, you have to understand that you will have to fix and maintain it yourself. There are no exceptions.
What I wasn't prepared for is how easily you can get hurt once you take the glass off or open the coin door. If you're looking to get cut, poked, bruised, scraped, deafened, or electrocuted quickly, a pinball machine is your answer.
I tried to ward off the "I need another game" by buying a Godzilla. So far, so good.
correct I have been learning to maintain my first new pinball machine by using the diagnostic menus and how to remove the playfield glass and make adjustments to ramps to solve stuck ball issues.
I got my first pinball machine at an auction for $65. Worked on it for a couple of hours and it now works 100%. I started searching the internet for more afterwords.
Oh wow. What game was it?
I can relate to the addiction part. We built out a 500 ft basement with 100amps of power with 47 outlets. We are back to taking over the living room.
Amazing work and very informative. when you said they look better in gorups i laughed so hard. I was 20 when i bought my first one and now i have 6 at the age of 22 haha. Crazy how time flies. The hobby is amazing and i keep hoping that more youth and growth comes by because the way its going is amazing and these machines are not just "games" they are works of art.
Yeah I don't think so little buddy.
Did you get a hair cut because you looked ridiculous.
Seriously, cringe. But it does seem like you are really into the idea that you fake it until you make it. Maybe you can manifest those pinball machines if you keep pretending you have them.
I got addicted to pinball 3 years ago. And in my arcade they have 10.pinballs. Including godzilla 2021. John wick 2024 premium just delivered . Jaws 2024. Stranger things. 2023. James bond old but 2024. Dr who 2024. Turtles. And more. Damn it.
Always loved playing pinball but was never in the market for one...until Rush was announced. Now that I have one I definitely want more. Only thing holding me back is the cost and space, and the space issue I can always figure out. Unfortunately I cannot justify the cost of more at this time, so the FOMO is definitely very real.
Great video! You point out important issues that must be taken into account before even start. Comment section also add a few more. Pinball hobby is not for everybody. Also, conditions on which you store the machines will decide longevity, beware with light, humidity and temperature!
Great video. As someone who made a LOT of mistakes early on when I got into this hobby, I agree with your assessment. I don't see any way out of taking the long road when getting into this hobby ($$$). The first pin I bought was a 1975 Gottlieb 'Pin Up' in cosmetically good condition. Problem was, as soon as it started having mechanical issues, I was in over my head and sold it for half of what I paid. I would love to have that pin back because I could easily fix it now, after 10 years in the hobby. And that was just one instance of that happening.........$$$$$$$$$$$$ 🤦♂
Enjoyed the video, Cary!
I love that you talked about mods. I’ve been collecting for many years and only recently got into modding. Such a fun part of the hobby. Great video Cary!
So I went down the pinball rabbit hole last year and picked up a VR machine. Now I want to pick up a real world machine and this video was a fantastic resource for me to give me a good idea what I'm in for .. thankfully I have 2 pinball places here in the Kansas City area and one even has classes on how to fix machines.. they also have a tech that does a home service so I'm thankful for that as well. I'm going to start with one machine I swear.😁 Maybe two ...
I live in the KC area and am trying to get into the hobby. Please let me know if you have any advice!
@@ProudNitrosame
Great video! I am looking into opening up a barcade and I'd love to have a pinball collection for it. I recently researched and documented the costs from distributors and I was floored at how much they generally cost. I would really like to start out with newer titles and it comes out to about $60k-70k for just 8 of them. That's insane! I've also learned that a machine at one distributor could cost ~$3k more than the same "new", advertised machine at another distributor. I expect that with older titles, but surprised this is the case with brand new machines.
I might wait a year to pull the trigger in hopes of the prices going down. Of course, that could backfire! haha
If Pinball becomes your passion and you are mechanically inclined, you'll learn to do your own repairs. And if it overtakes you completely (like me), you'll even start doing machine restorations.
Played on grandpa’s many years ago. Recently got digital machine with 50 tables. Thanks for info on stepping up to real game
The days of cheap pinball machines ended when they started showing up on Ebay MANY years ago. Facebook marketplace has made it even worse. People being willing to pay stupid prices for pinball machines are the biggest problem. KISS has been crazy expensive forever, and it's not even that great of a game to play. Still, it's gotten to the point where the only way to get a cheap machine is to buy a rough project, or get REALLY lucky. I still refuse to buy a working machine because repairing them is half of the fun for me, but what some people expect to get for games that are trashed is insane.
Addition!!! I have a twilight zone which I decaled and playfield swapped and when I graduate college and make money I will own 20 games already picked out on my pinside wishlist
Great video. New people in the hobby should really listen to all of this.
Great video! #3 is so true!! It's so hard to not start collecting more machines - love your channel, thanks for the time you put into these.
Bug warning...I got my second one and had it sent to be restored before my first one arrived. My 2nd and 3rd arrived together on the truck 😆
As someone who just got into the hobby in 2019.....teach yourself how to solder! You WILL need to solder something at some point
Picking the machine up is part of the fun (for me at least). as of F.O.M.O: I was always looking for particular machines (EMs from the 70s), and more often than not they showed up for sale only once or twice in the last 20 years or so (and I had to drive to other european countries for the pick up). So depending on what you are looking for, sometimes you have to bite the bullet.
Loved the ending! First game I fixed was w.c.s. in 2015-
Although imagine it would be a hard video to ultimately make and perhaps it’s far to broad of a topic but I’d love to see a video on basic pinball repair. As I’m new to the hobby and just got my 1st game. Tools to have on hand? How to do this or that (insert basic common repairs) like I said that may be far to wide of a topic ? But if possible I’d love to see it
“We don’t ever use the dinning room” 😂
Excellent content in knowledge of the pinball industry
Thank you for your insights.
Generally a good list. So important to get to know a couple of pinheads, even if it's on-line. Definitely helped a lot with the first couple of games.
I've experienced CRAMPS. I bought six in the last 3 months. With a full sized virtual pinball machine that brings me to 9 total, so now I'm looking to put some furniture in storage as I move forward. Dang bug... a cocaine habit would be cheaper at this point!
I recently got a T2 machine, it wasn’t cheap but it’s my first and last machine. I don’t have the money nor the room for any more. I love it, no idea if this machine will go up or down in value, I’ll likely never sell it anyway.
Edit, yes I have removed the glass several times and adjusted switches over the past week already. 😂
I've been a pinfan for years, have gone to our local NWPAS for 8 years running, but never thought I'd ever own a machine. Two years ago my wife developed a love for Mini Coopers and though we already had four modern Minis, she wanted a classic. I then agreed to sell my Mandalorian themed Mini F56 (Mindalorian) and we would split the money. She got her classic and I got my pinball machine. Coincidentally, the Mando pin was just released when I went to buy but pulled the trigger on a JPP instead. Once I received it after an 8 month wait I knew I needed more. My gameroom resides on the top floor of our house and I've mapped out future expansion while making sure the live load was in accordance with our local building code. Would hate to have all these pins crash down onto the Mini Coopers in the garage below.
I may have sneakily tricked my wife into ordering a second pin (Mando Pro) and already have my next target as being a 90s era Bally or Williams. I'd even take the right Gottlieb if the price and theme were right. I've also heavily modded them in my head.
I don't really know where I'm going with this but Pinball is awesome. Sometimes I just turn on my lone JPP just to hear the music in the background. I'm quite proud of it and as more pins enter my gameroom it will bring me prestige. But honestly, I'm just a sucker for flashing lights.
Top floor? Poor plan my friend. Christ I had 15 games in 2004 which I sold for amounts that make me weep but you need a game room on the first floor of wherever it is with easy loading and unloading. FFS
SPOT ON!
It must be nice to have places to go to play pinball. I haven't seen a single pinball machine in this country for more than 20 years. Every pub used to have at least one.
I think the best solution for people who want to play pinball (like me), who have no access to pinball machines (like me), and who have no technical knowledge whatsoever (like me) is to get a virtual pinball. It's a box containing a computer and monitors. No extensive technical knowledge required; no hunting for rare parts; and the possibility to play over a thousand tables on a single machine.
Mine should arrive in 2-3 months and I can't wait. I got a top-of-the-line model with all the bells and whistles.
This reads exactly like a sales pitch.
The pinball itch can never be scratched. It always festers the more you scratch...
You need to look harder. There’s places to play, pinball museums, arcades and pinball shows just about everywhere (post Covid). You just have to want to find them.
@@alienpoker I'm sure there are in the USA, but not here in Luxembourg. There's nothing. There has been one small arcade for a few years back in the 90s, and that went out of business after a few years.
That's the exact answer I am also giving to people when they are asking me how much for a Pinball? Well, how much for a car?
10:00 so true... But nobody told me earlier in my life, now it's too late 😂
Thank you for pronouncing Porsche correctly.
I did that with Video games.lol Started with 1 now i have 14 and 5 in my storage lol My main Pin I want is Twilight Zone since I live in Binghamton NY where Rod Serling was from and ALOT of Episodes were filmed here . Along with the Movie in the 80s which was World Premiere was here . New I was Rocky and Bullwinkle and Robo Wars lol Yea Im old
Nice video! The part about addiction is very true and very funny; but while you mostly talk about aestethics and emotions, there's a more concrete explanation for the pinball bug: no single pinball machine can give you everything you want. WhiteWater is a fantastic game, but the only thing it's got in common with Lord of the Rings is flippers, pop bumpers, slingshots and a shooter lane. The more you play on your first machine, the more you'll realize how great it would be to add more variety. So, saying that you only need a pinball machine is technically true, but it's like having a NES and forcing yourself to play Super Mario Bros over and over again, all while you're aware that Tetris and Mega Man exist. The temptation to buy additional titles is only kept in check by problems like floor space and money, but the desire will always be there.
Well done. Thank you for this great video!
My pleasure!
Once again Cary, you summed it up pretty good…. AAA +
About 10 years ago, I had a house full of machines (33 of them). A single virtual machine has taken their place and I would never look back. The tech has surpassed the bang-for-buck of an actual machine. If you don't agree, then you haven't seen what is available.
I have seen what is available. I just prefer mechanical over digital.
@@CaryHardy I totally understand. It's a great hobby. Love your channel. I enjoy my mechanical pinball vicariously through you. Keep up the great work!
I second that, I bought my only two real pinballs in 2014 and took a break from buying and fast forward to 2022 prices skyrocketed 😳 So I think I’m heading the virtual way for my next pinball and keep my two originals as a reminder of how cheap games were compare to now 😅
Great video again 👍
Thanks for the CRAMPS- from Gramps! Seriously, the scammer websites are more numerous than actual dealership sites!! As usual, great advice,thanks!
Do you have a video of how you acquired all of your pinball machines? Purchased, received as gift or a mix?
The addiction is real! I been in the virtual pinball side of things for about 10 years now, An d I must say you think playing them is addictive, Creating them is even more addictive, I find my self creating and working on pinball tables more often then playing them. Like a ratio of 20 to 1. I live breath sleep and dream pinball. If you ever seen IT Pinball Madness, that was my baby. got many more I created since like, my custom barbed wire, and Exorcist table. Currently working on at least 17 new tables. I just cant stop!
Knowing how to fix your own machines is EXTREMELY important. If you have to rely on pinball repair guys to get your machines working again, you are gonna be paying out the ASS!
and it's part of the fun (for me) to troubleshoot and to fix the bugs
I haven't seen any 80's-90's era machines on the market for less than $3500.
I'd recommend Roadshow. It's super fun but reasonably priced due to the theme.
How did you finance your purchases of pinball machines in the beginning? Do you have any general advice besides just saving money longterm. You don't have to be specific if its private but im just asking out of interest. I'm actually in it to go to college this fall so i can get a job with better pay in the future. Besides im looking at older machines now (classics) since they tend to be a bit cheaper and maybe start there.
Thanks for the channel and keep it up! / A newly, committed pinball enthusiast from Sweden
There is the old saying "Everyone has to start somewhere". I hate it, but it's true. There are way too many variables for me to suggest where you should start. Location is one of those variables. Knowledge of the machines, etc. I personally started with a non-working machine. Fixed it and sold it for profit. Then bought a more expensive non working machine. Then fixed it and sold it for profit. Eventually I started to hold on to certain games that I enjoyed. My occupation and financials improved year over year. It took time for me - but that may not be the case for all.
Thanks for answering so quickly! I really appreciate it. Shows that you do care for the community and care for those who follow you :) Ah, interesting. The same approach has crossed my mind. To buy, repair, and sell or exchange.
One last question and then i'll be out of your hair (for now, hehe) Did you have any basic knowledge for engineering beforehand getting in to the hobby or have you learn't as time goes by? @@CaryHardy
Both, actually. I'm a technician, but had zero knowledge about how the pinball machines worked. Knowing how electronics/mechanisms work made the learning process faster.@@abrodolphlincoler5809
I started with one, got the bug. Now it’s I don’t know 45+😂
Great points!
Let`s face it. It`s a rich man`s hobby ...... which is for someone who also has the space ( most of us in the UK don`t have handy massive basements etc ) But for the rest of of us Virtual Pin is the way to go and ................. make and config your own like I did so that you have minimal maintenance and you can keep it going for good
or one who saves and invests! Not cheap but face it the inflation has jacked up prices for everything from food and cars to homes and gas prices. Living now is more expensive than ever.
yeah that`s all good too but not for me especially with minimal space and so I just build virtual arcade or pinball machines and also buy modern analog Synths to enjoy whilst also knowing that I will always have money tied up in them too if I ever wanted to sell them @@GuitarsAndSynths
Boy the addiction one is so true lol
Mods? Hmmm… I don’t install mods that couldn’t be taken off and have the game returned to factory. It’s your game and so mod it however you want. Don’t worry about value, if you like it then add it.
Almost every mod will not permanently change your game. They are created to improve the game without damaging it.
@@CaryHardy Liked & subscribed. Yeah that’s mostly the case. Sometimes people drill holes or change out board sets. I’ve seen posts added, stuff like that. Worst case they completely swap a PF or translight / backglass. In those cases, the game is usually pretty far gone already.
Canadian prices are even worse. Between the exchange rate and less inventory it’s a steep climb
Hi Cary,
I choose "Repair and Manteinance" for this video.
As a new suscriber may I ask you how much World Cup Soccer 94 Pinball cost in USA? (in good condition).
Thanks a lot!, greetings from Buenos Aires 🙂
The game is increasing in value over the last year or two. Getting up into the $5K range now.
@@CaryHardy Thank you!! 🙂
Really loved the music in the background of this video. digital ACDC etc lol. Who made that?
Q: If to say I gotten a pinball machine [just one] how would the electric bill look? Would it be in the thousands or a little for one machine?
Pinball machines don't require that much power. Especially in attract mode. I don't see your bill being affected by much.
☝️It’s minimal
@@CaryHardy ok thanks
Either a lot has changed in the one year since you made this or I'm not looking in the right places. Trying to find my first Pin and $2.5k - $2.8k are rare outliers. Avg looks closer to $6k - $7k. Am I wrong?
Depends on the age and popularity of the game
no used prices are sky high for functional machines now. You can get an ancient 50 year machine for less but then have to do a ton of work on it.
Addiction. My room fits 15. Thought that would be plenty of room. Three yrs later cleared out my storage room for 7 more pins. Understanding wife.
Only went up since then, now the new Sterns start at 10k if you don't want a Pro.
Understanding that it's a long term investment that money is going to go into after the fact is a huge shock for people I've met that want to get into it. It's like "Wait you have to actually repair it?!".
I have two real pinball machines and then a high-end VPin which scratches the itch for some hard to find super expensive pins. I basically have 400 machines virtually.
i played a lot pinball machines in the 90's...
last year in April i bought one.... in may, another one, in june another one...
this year, i bought 3 NIB last month... for a total of 6....
I need to stop buying... or change home...
Love this guy
Liked your video. I’m an old pinhead and you forgot to mention remakes. I have an original Bally AFM which I’ve kept nice. I used to think it might be worth like $12K someday. Since the Remake came out with nicer graphics, color DMD screen, etc… no one will pay that unless they had to have an original for some reason. As it’s the same game, I doubt that’s gonna happen. That one was an investment that I thought I could own & play and someday flip.
Love the digitized Background music (Pink Floyd, Nirvana)...where are you getting that? How to keep from getting nailed for Copyright violations?
That and it just sounds cool. Just look up 8 bit songs.
2.5k for any fully working pinball machine now a day would be a steal what you talking about Willis
If ya live down under ya can pretty much double the prices. 2nd hand, anywhere from between about 5K and 20K depending on the machine and condition etc. And NIB from about 14K to 25K depending on the model. 😲
you get new pro level Stern for under 10k if you look around. Jersey Jack machines are more expensive than Stern machines.
@@GuitarsAndSynthsI ain't seen many pros under 10k mate. But pros are kinda crap anyway lol. I'd rather pay a couple of K extra for a prem and get all the bells and whistles. Bought an AIQ prem yesterday. 😁🤷♂😂
Do you think used prices will ever come back down to something more reasonable? NIB I can see staying where they are, some the prices points for used games are outrageous. Looking for a ST TNG or a Stern ST Premium, albeit as a first game. (Sidenote: I know TNG probably isn't a good 1st pin, but I love the theme.)
Prices will adjust with the market. Granted, my financial advisor tells me a recession is very probable. Once people stop buying at the high prices - they will go back down.
NO. And I say this because people that can generally afford pins aren't going to be in dire straits if a recession hits. Nor will they sell.. They likely have other investments and understand how to hold steady. I certainly do!
that is why for my first pin I bought brand new. Used prices are beyond ridiculous for old tech pinball.
Scammers is the most important one for sure. But all of them together spells cramps lol.
I was looking at an older game via Pinside, but all they only accept Venmo for payment and that's just TOO risky. I'll check your library, but if it doesn't exist if you can cover "purchasing a pin for the noob" that would be great.
yes ... guys watch for this pinball bug it exist and its contiguous ;-)
Did anyone else start with arcade machines, and finally decided to get a pin?
Only one year ago and the NIB & Top 30 prices (Stern/Bally/Williams) already up significantly. 😮💨🤦♂️
I dunno ... just from the car perspective ... the 92 Taurus is a better deal than a 92 Porche. Really, it comes down to perspective.
Is The Black Hole a good Pinball Machine?
Uh oh im starting to look at prices for a pinball machine and thinking about getting one
prices are even worse now!!
What is that amazing 8 bit music in the background?!?
Money by Pink Floyd - the greatest rock band ever.
I chose a variety of different tracks that somewhat blended with the topic at hand. For example "Money" was during the "cost" section.
People are always shocked when I tell them how much old and brand new machines are worth, specially since the pandemic.
If someone I talk to wants to start going down the road to being an owner, I tell them right from the start that they're not a video game console, you will have to maintain them. If you're not someone who wants to fix them just go support those out on location, or any pinball owners you know.. Yes you can get a tech but you'll save a lot of money not calling them in to fix some issues that are simple fixes i.e. a blown fuse, loose plugs or wires. Plus you won't be scare each time you use them.
Me and Dad started on the pinball owner's road by getting a project Fish Tales for $500, nervous and didn't know what we were looking at. Plenty of research and talking to others later we learnt so much, and made new friends. Fast forward to now I fixed plenty of machines with a row of five in the house at one point, sold almost all of them to downsize for the new house, with a nice trio of good titles
#3! Yes. Lol
At 3:30 Peeling off those Benjamins... given "pin-flation", shouldn't that be a wad of Grover Clevelands? 🤪
16bit Pink Floyd Money is great
Only one game?!?! Hell no