Guide

I have spent more evenings than I care to admit standing in front of spooky pinball cabinets, hands cramping on the flipper buttons, watching the high score roll past my name. The best horror themed pinball machines are not just games, they are interactive haunted houses built into a 250-pound cabinet, dripping with themed art, … Read more

I have spent years exploring coin-operated entertainment, from classic arcade cabinets to full-size pinball machines. When friends ask me about adding a pinball machine to their home for their kids, the conversation always goes the same direction. They want something fun, durable, and age-appropriate without spending thousands on a commercial unit. The best pinball machines … Read more

Finding the best pinball machines for competitive tournament play means looking past the flashiest artwork and zeroing in on what actually wins matches. After spending weeks reviewing game code, tournament rule sets, and shop-quality builds, our team pulled together 8 machines that show up on real IFPA and PAPA lineups. Tournament play is its own … Read more

Used pinball machines that hold value have become one of the smartest hobbies-to-asset moves you can make right now. Over the past three years our team has tracked auction prices, private sales, and dealer inventories, and the pattern is clear: a well-chosen, well-maintained machine often sells for the same price (or higher) five years after … Read more

I still remember the first time I cranked up a Bally Surfers at a friend’s game room and watched those chunky mechanical score reels click into place. There is something about electromechanical pinball machines that solid-state boards and LCD screens never quite capture. The relay clicks, the chattering chimes, the satisfying clack of drop targets … Read more

Finding the best Chicago Gaming remake pinball machines for a home arcade is a journey many enthusiasts know well. Chicago Gaming Company earned its reputation by re-imagining classic Williams and Bally titles like Medieval Madness and Attack From Mars with modern electronics, LED lighting, and updated displays. Those remakes remain some of the most sought-after … Read more

I grew up in a basement with a well-worn Williams Indiana Jones machine, so when I started reviewing pinball for a living, I made American-made machines my specialty. That obsession turned into hundreds of hours on location and in home game rooms testing everything Stern ships out of its Chicago-area factory, plus the smaller runs … Read more

Horror fans and arcade collectors have chased the best spooky pinball machines for collectors for decades, and is shaping up to be one of the strongest years yet for limited-run and cult-classic titles. Boutique manufacturers like Spooky Pinball LLC in Benton, Wisconsin have built their entire reputation on boutique runs of haunted, gory, and pop-culture … Read more