Pinball gaming is, sadly, a dying art.

[Aldo]

Only recently have I really gotten into pinball machines. My local mall has at least two at all times. Also the park downtown has a few. Playing these machines is such a joy to me. The saddest thing though, is that not one of these machines is in perfect working order. Whether it's a bumper that won't register a hit, or some targets that don't raise into position when the ball is in play, kind of detracts from the overall experience.

Still, I love playing pinball and will drop a few quarters into any machine I run across, because I feel it is a dying art form.

 

[RyuRoots]

A game of pinball can be pretty fun, but I find that the novelty wears off relatively quickly. Different strokes, I guess. I think the last one I saw was in a pizza place in my hometown over a year ago...

 

[Kirkman1987]

I love pinball machines and I play a game or two whenever I see one, which is sadly pretty rare these days. The maintenance costs and hassle are too much I guess, coupled with the fact that arcades in general have been dying out over the last decade.

I really miss those days when arcade cabinets were everywhere. You can't replicate the experience playing Joust with a friend on an actual arcade machine located in a pizza parlor.

Anyone have any favorite pinball machines? I remember Twilight Zone and the first Attack from Mars (or revenge, something like that) as being really good.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Anyone have any favorite pinball machines? I remember Twilight Zone and the first Attack from Mars (or revenge, something like that) as being really good.

I didn't play pinball very much, but I have fond memories of Williams's Star Trek: The Next Generation and Midway's The Addams Family - both were very good tables, and featured voice clips from the cast members.

I found Virtual Pinball, a pinball simulator and creator for computers, on the net a few years ago, some with recreations of classic tables, which was fun to look at.

 

[Aldo]

I can't remember ones I've played years ago, since I've only been really getting into them lately. But of the ones I played in the last few months, I really dig the Baywatch machine. I was able to score 400 Million and earn myself a free credit, so that was pretty neat.

The other day I played a Star Wars machine. I think it was made right when the movie came out, because as far as table set ups go, it was pretty sparse. Still fun though.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Gotta love having Picard say "Prepare for Multiball!". That's a fave pin.

Years ago, local arcade had a Rocky and Bullwinkle with a busted tilt sensor, man I loved that game.

 

[Aldo]

I remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pinball game was pretty fun. The artwork was (for a preteen like myself) definitely something that caught my eye, lol:

Not much to look at now I guess, but seeing April's cleavage was enough to get these young hormones going.

Also, the playing field was pretty cool as well since it had all four Turtle action figures around it:

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Hyperball.

 

[Saturn0660]

Anyone have any favorite pinball machines? I remember Twilight Zone and the first Attack from Mars (or revenge, something like that) as being really good.

I didn't play pinball very much, but I have fond memories of Williams's Star Trek: The Next Generation and Midway's The Addams Family - both were very good tables, and featured voice clips from the cast members.

Both are/were amazing rigs. I also enjoys "Th Getaway" had ZZ Top music in it if i remember.
But the adams fam was my fav. ya, i've scored 10,000,000,000 on it.

 

[blueziggy]

Anyone have any favorite pinball machines? I remember Twilight Zone and the first Attack from Mars (or revenge, something like that) as being really good.

I didn't play pinball very much, but I have fond memories of Williams's Star Trek: The Next Generation and Midway's The Addams Family - both were very good tables, and featured voice clips from the cast members.

Both are/were amazing rigs. I also enjoys "Th Getaway" had ZZ Top music in it if i remember.
But the adams fam was my fav. ya, i've scored 10,000,000,000 on it.

you guys just named all of my favorite tables. we used to play for hours instead of working when at my teenage place of employment.

unfortunately, it has become a dying form of entertainment. probably because, as the tables referenced above would show, we have basically reached the limit in what can be done with pinball machines and still call it pinball. the cost of maintaining a machine is high as well. you can find tables on ebay, and i keep an eye on prices (which have gone up over recent months) in case i get the urge to purchase one for the mancave. either a pinball machine or a super chexx bubble hockey.