The pinball revival is in full swing, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the booming market for restored Bally and Williams pinball machines. We have spent the past year tracking restorations, talking to dealers, and yes, cranking plungers on hundreds of games to figure out which ones deserve a spot in your game … Read more
Running a bar or tavern means keeping guests engaged, entertained, and coming back for another round. A quality pinball machine does all three. I have spent the last several years visiting bar arcades across the country, talking to owners who swear by their machines and those who regret their first purchase. The best pinball machines … Read more
I’ve spent the last decade tearing down, restoring, and rebuilding pinball machines in my garage, and powder coating pinball cabinet hardware remains one of the most rewarding upgrades a hobbyist can tackle. When my buddy brought over his Stern Star Wars with scuffed, faded legs and rails, I knew right then that the best powder … Read more
Restoring a pinball machine takes patience, the right parts, and above all, the right tools. Whether you are bringing a vintage Williams back from the dead or keeping your modern Stern running strong, having a dedicated set of restoration gear makes every job faster and cleaner. I have spent years tinkering under playfields, and the … Read more
If you’re over 40 and thinking about buying your first pinball machine, you’re not alone. I spent three months researching, talking to collectors on Reddit and Pinside, and playing everything from tabletop kits to full-size arcade cabinets before settling on my own home setup. This guide walks you through the best pinball machines for first … Read more
Finding quality replacement ramps and plastics for a pinball machine can mean the difference between a shop-floor queen and a daily driver. I have spent the last decade restoring and maintaining machines from EM-era Ballys to modern Stern Pros, and cracked, yellowed, or missing ramps are the number one complaint I hear from new owners. … Read more
When I finished my first virtual pinball cabinet three years ago, the backglass display felt like an afterthought. I grabbed the cheapest 24-inch monitor I could find, mounted it in the backbox, and called it done. Within a week, I realized my mistake. The washed-out colors made classic Bally artwork look like a faded photocopy. … Read more
Building a virtual pinball cabinet is one of the most rewarding hobbies in the arcade world, and the PC you choose is the beating heart of the whole setup. I have spent the last three years testing virtual pinball builds in my own gameroom, running everything from a humble $150 mini PC to a liquid-cooled … Read more
I spent three weekends comparing the best Pinball FX table packs available right now, and I want to save you the headaches I ran into. Zen Studios has built over 140 digital pinball tables across the Pinball FX and Pinball FX3 platforms, and the variety is genuinely overwhelming. The biggest pain point I hear from … Read more
Buying the best virtual pinball machines under $1500 in is the sweet spot for home gamers who want authentic flip-and-bump action without dropping five grand on a full-size cabinet. I spent the last 60 days testing compact and mid-size digital pinball tables to find which ones actually deliver satisfying force feedback, bright LCD playfields, and … Read more