Arcade video games
Discussion
I've got one of these thanks to the 'something trivial' thread. It's absolutely brilliant!
https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picade?variant=...
[edit] to add i used to have an original Defender machine in my flat when I was a student but couldn't be bothered to take it with me as it involved too many stairs...
https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picade?variant=...
[edit] to add i used to have an original Defender machine in my flat when I was a student but couldn't be bothered to take it with me as it involved too many stairs...
None now but I did have a Mortal Kombat II and a Tales From the Crypt pinball. Both were fun, but took up nearly half of our dining room in our old house. Once we realised that we didn't really play on them that much we shifted both on. We've since moved to a slightly larger house but don't have the space and can't really justify that much space for a the cabs.
Murph7355 said:
The guys who delivered my Adams Family pinball (in 2006) had a two seat Sega Rally on the wagon. I was sooooooo tempted.
This thread has now got me looking for a Spy Hunter machine.
Although I don't have any arcade cabs, as I never really got into playing arcade games much as a kid, I do have a couple of pinball machines - Black Knight Sword of Rage and Total Nuclear Annihilation. "Thankfully" we absolutely don't have space for any more, as they have a habit of multiplying - I know several people with more than 10 pinballs at their home.This thread has now got me looking for a Spy Hunter machine.
Quite a few of these people also have several arcade machines, such as Defender, Robotron, Sega Rally etc..
If you are looking for a Spy Hunter (or any other arcade machine), if you're not already aware of it, it might be worth checking out the UKVAC Forum. You need to register to get access to the marketplace section.
Murph7355 said:
The guys who delivered my Adams Family pinball (in 2006)
That was a fantastic investment, don't these go for serious money these days? I remember playing this and the Twilight Zone in the student bar when I was at university.I entered a competition back in 1989 to win a power drift arcade game. Unfortunately I only won a copy of the game on C64 tape, probably for the best as I am not sure my parents would have been happy having this in our little 3 bed semi.
Would absolutely love a pinball machine if I had the space.
When we go to the seaside, this is the game I am absolutely addicted to.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
That was a fantastic investment, don't these go for serious money these days? I remember playing this and the Twilight Zone in the student bar when I was at university.....
The student thing is why I bought it. Spent more time on Addams Family (not sure where the missing 'D' from my OP is!) than in lectures 
Spy Hunter was a close second!
I think good Addams Family machines are something like £12k now, so yes, it did work out as an investment too. But am never selling it. Many happy memories, both from student days and the last ~20yrs of owning it.
C n C said:
...
If you are looking for a Spy Hunter (or any other arcade machine), if you're not already aware of it, it might be worth checking out the UKVAC Forum. You need to register to get access to the marketplace section.
Thanks. Will take a look (though don't really have a space for a full cabinet machine). If you are looking for a Spy Hunter (or any other arcade machine), if you're not already aware of it, it might be worth checking out the UKVAC Forum. You need to register to get access to the marketplace section.
I've seen a refurb Spy Hunter for $4,000
Over the years, I’ve had 3 pinball tables (scared stiff, revenge from mars, theatre of magic) and we used to have a pub quiz too (hex, spot the difference, hangman, plus 3 more).
Sadly gone now. Did look at getting a pin again, but they were 1300-1800 quid then and 6k now. Pinball is great, but 6k? God knows what my holy grail table (medieval madness) would be, they were 4k plus even when I had the SS.
Of course there are the more modern stern machines which I am sure are a world better in many ways than the old ones, but whenever I have found one in a bar and played, it’s just not the same as the Williams angles. The rhythm you could get on the ramps of AFM / MM was epic. The stern games seem a lot more “stop start”…
Sadly gone now. Did look at getting a pin again, but they were 1300-1800 quid then and 6k now. Pinball is great, but 6k? God knows what my holy grail table (medieval madness) would be, they were 4k plus even when I had the SS.
Of course there are the more modern stern machines which I am sure are a world better in many ways than the old ones, but whenever I have found one in a bar and played, it’s just not the same as the Williams angles. The rhythm you could get on the ramps of AFM / MM was epic. The stern games seem a lot more “stop start”…
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
I entered a competition back in 1989 to win a power drift arcade game. Unfortunately I only won a copy of the game on C64 tape, probably for the best as I am not sure my parents would have been happy having this in our little 3 bed semi.
Back in '99 I put a deposit down on Power Drift & Turbo Outrun cabinets to compliment my Super Monaco machine. I lost my job and never went back to collect the machines, they kept the deposit. Those cabs are worth decent money now too!The downside to these machines is keeping them going. I spent 3 months fixing Super Monaco, the system X board a b
h to work on!!Most machines get exported to Africa & South America when they have done their time in the UK.
Arcades are nothing like they used to be now, home machines are just as powerful so the magic has sadly gone.
Not sure how, but the games room company follow my dog on Instagram (yes, my wife set that up!).
Anyway, I'm glad they do because they have some amazing kit.
Have a look at some of the pinball tables and refurbishment work they do and be prepared to spend a pretty penny!
https://www.gamesroomcompany.com/
Anyway, I'm glad they do because they have some amazing kit.
Have a look at some of the pinball tables and refurbishment work they do and be prepared to spend a pretty penny!
https://www.gamesroomcompany.com/
Uncle Meat said:
Not sure how, but the games room company follow my dog on Instagram (yes, my wife set that up!).
Anyway, I'm glad they do because they have some amazing kit.
Have a look at some of the pinball tables and refurbishment work they do and be prepared to spend a pretty penny!
https://www.gamesroomcompany.com/
I want the Twilight Zone and Addams Family pinball machines, they are £15K each.Anyway, I'm glad they do because they have some amazing kit.
Have a look at some of the pinball tables and refurbishment work they do and be prepared to spend a pretty penny!
https://www.gamesroomcompany.com/
Star Wars sit down, £16K.
When did the pool tables get so expensive? When my friends brother was at university they had a refurbished pub pool table in the middle of the kitchen in their student house, I am sure they paid less than £1K for it (this would have been around 1997).
That site is charging top dollar! Granted the machines look new but if they are still running on old hardware rather than emulated on a PC it WILL break at some point!
I think the days of picking up your favourite machine from a warehouse like I did are over, arcade video gaming is all but dead now
A shame as it used to be a mint day out, hire a van, take a wad of cash and tour the warehouse!!!
I think the days of picking up your favourite machine from a warehouse like I did are over, arcade video gaming is all but dead now
A shame as it used to be a mint day out, hire a van, take a wad of cash and tour the warehouse!!!
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
I want the Twilight Zone and Addams Family pinball machines, they are £15K each.
Star Wars sit down, £16K.
When did the pool tables get so expensive? When my friends brother was at university they had a refurbished pub pool table in the middle of the kitchen in their student house, I am sure they paid less than £1K for it (this would have been around 1997).
I don't see Addams Family machines getting cheapr tbh. Iconic game. Star Wars sit down, £16K.
When did the pool tables get so expensive? When my friends brother was at university they had a refurbished pub pool table in the middle of the kitchen in their student house, I am sure they paid less than £1K for it (this would have been around 1997).
My kids and their mates (ages 8 thru 13) absolutely love playing on it. One of few things that will tear them away from PC/PS5 gaming.
Biggest hassle is the space needed for them.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
When did the pool tables get so expensive? ...
I'd never pay much for one, much as I love the game. I've been offered three at various times for free, as long as I collected. Didn't have the space sadly.Some Gump said:
...God knows what my holy grail table (medieval madness) would be, they were 4k plus even when I had the SS.…
Liberty games have one for £11k!I’ve got a load of vids and pins in storage at my warehouse, planning to retire soonish and then build a games room and set them all up.
Just a small sample of what I have stashed away, I’ve not had them set up to play for about 15 years, maybe even 20, but everything is in warm, dry storage so apart from the Sega drivers they should all need minimal tinkering to get set up and running.
Just a small sample of what I have stashed away, I’ve not had them set up to play for about 15 years, maybe even 20, but everything is in warm, dry storage so apart from the Sega drivers they should all need minimal tinkering to get set up and running.
Edited by DirktheDaring on Monday 29th July 06:37
TL:DR - Lots of info from a bit of pinball addict!
I completely agree that pinball prices have gone crazy over the last few years - especially during the Covid lockdown.
There is currently a trend of the market softening a bit for used machines, although the most popular original ones like Addams Family, Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, and Monster Bash are still at very high prices.
One of the issues with owning an old machine is that it will need some maintenance, but most faults are relatively easy to resolve - lots of help/info available on the internet, and there are some good techs out there who will fix stuff if you're not inclined to have a go yourself. James at Majestic Pinball is VERY good as one example.
MM, AFM, MB, and also Cactus Canyon were recently remade by Chicago Gaming to a very high standard. Again not cheap, but these classics can be had as a modern machine. I think Cactus Canyon is still available brand new - the others have sold out, but will be available from time to time used.
If you're in the market for a brand new pinball from the likes of Stern, Spooky, Jersey Jack, American Pinball, Chicago Gaming or Dutch Pinball, the go to supplier used by the vast majority of the UK pinball community is Phil at Pinball Heaven. The prices are still high, but a bit cheaper than the more generic games room suppliers.
If you're looking for a used machine, a good place to start is the marketplace section of Pinballinfo.com - there is also a lot of good advice available from people on that forum.
Another cheaper option may be to rent one for a while, in which case, Matt at London Pinball is highly recommended.
The cheapest way to get a pinball fix is to go along to one of several pinball clubs, where in most cases you can pay an entrance fee and play on many machines which are all set to free play. These places often also hold tournaments which are great fun, and new people are always very welcome. Most of the experienced players are also very happy to share tips and advice - it's a great community. Ones I've been to multiple times include Medway Pinball (Kent), The Pinball Office (Sawbridgeworth), and Special When Lit (Salisbury). My "local" club - Pinball Republic (Croydon) is currently moving to new premises in the Centrale shopping centre and will be open by the end of August, with over 60 machines covering old electro mechanical pinballs from the 60s/70s right up to brand new ones.
There are also a few places with several pinballs on pay to play, such as Tilt (Birmingham), Chief Coffee (Chiswick), and Brewdog (Shepherd's Bush)
There is a very large annual pinball event UK Pinfest at Daventry from 16th-18th August where there will be over 100 machines to play, as well as several competitions to have a go at.
Finally, even if you're completely new to it, there are regional leagues throughout the UK with friendly competitions, some held at established venues, but also many hosted by individuals who kindly share their private collections. More info on these is available at the UK Pinball League website
Hope the above may be of some use to anyone looking at getting into pinball, or re-living past experiences.
I completely agree that pinball prices have gone crazy over the last few years - especially during the Covid lockdown.
There is currently a trend of the market softening a bit for used machines, although the most popular original ones like Addams Family, Medieval Madness, Attack from Mars, and Monster Bash are still at very high prices.
One of the issues with owning an old machine is that it will need some maintenance, but most faults are relatively easy to resolve - lots of help/info available on the internet, and there are some good techs out there who will fix stuff if you're not inclined to have a go yourself. James at Majestic Pinball is VERY good as one example.
MM, AFM, MB, and also Cactus Canyon were recently remade by Chicago Gaming to a very high standard. Again not cheap, but these classics can be had as a modern machine. I think Cactus Canyon is still available brand new - the others have sold out, but will be available from time to time used.
If you're in the market for a brand new pinball from the likes of Stern, Spooky, Jersey Jack, American Pinball, Chicago Gaming or Dutch Pinball, the go to supplier used by the vast majority of the UK pinball community is Phil at Pinball Heaven. The prices are still high, but a bit cheaper than the more generic games room suppliers.
If you're looking for a used machine, a good place to start is the marketplace section of Pinballinfo.com - there is also a lot of good advice available from people on that forum.
Another cheaper option may be to rent one for a while, in which case, Matt at London Pinball is highly recommended.
The cheapest way to get a pinball fix is to go along to one of several pinball clubs, where in most cases you can pay an entrance fee and play on many machines which are all set to free play. These places often also hold tournaments which are great fun, and new people are always very welcome. Most of the experienced players are also very happy to share tips and advice - it's a great community. Ones I've been to multiple times include Medway Pinball (Kent), The Pinball Office (Sawbridgeworth), and Special When Lit (Salisbury). My "local" club - Pinball Republic (Croydon) is currently moving to new premises in the Centrale shopping centre and will be open by the end of August, with over 60 machines covering old electro mechanical pinballs from the 60s/70s right up to brand new ones.
There are also a few places with several pinballs on pay to play, such as Tilt (Birmingham), Chief Coffee (Chiswick), and Brewdog (Shepherd's Bush)
There is a very large annual pinball event UK Pinfest at Daventry from 16th-18th August where there will be over 100 machines to play, as well as several competitions to have a go at.
Finally, even if you're completely new to it, there are regional leagues throughout the UK with friendly competitions, some held at established venues, but also many hosted by individuals who kindly share their private collections. More info on these is available at the UK Pinball League website
Hope the above may be of some use to anyone looking at getting into pinball, or re-living past experiences.
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