A Nightmare on Elm Street Opinions?

Fatsquatch

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Another local collector proposed a trade involving my 'Dragon's Lair' for his 'Nightmare on Elm Street' pin. While I really like the pin (mainly for the theme; I'm a big NoES/Freddy fan), I'm having a hard time deciding to let my 'Lair' go for one.

For starters, I've always been very weary of getting into pins, as I know NOTHING about them in regards to maintenance/repairs. The 'Elm Street' is currently working, but who knows how long till something breaks. Is this pin as reliable as any other of the era? Is it notorious for having specific issues? (Aside from the blades on the glove breaking off, that is.)

Secondly, is 'NoEM' fun in the long run? I'll be the first to admit that "Dragon's Lair' isn't the best video game in the world, but it has a TON of sentimental value to me, as it was just this big mystical thing "back in the day". The amount of time and money I've invested in bringing it back from its 'Choplifter' conversion is also another thing that makes me apprehensive about letting it go.

So there it is. I'm a pinball fan, but have never owned a pin. 'Dragon's Lair' isn't my "grail", but it HAS always been on my "short list". (Although, I think maybe I like the idea of owning a 'Lair' more than the game itself.) I would certainly miss the game, but if 'Elm Street' has decent gameplay, I'd probably get more enjoyment out of that.

I don't know, the deal is enticing, but I'd hate to do a trade and end up having regrets.

Opinions?
 
I'm not that familiar with that title but pins are a hell of a lot more fun than video games in a home environment. Especially compared to a snoozer like Dragon's Lair. Let's face it. The only fun that game is is when you show your friends that you have one. The "gameplay" itself is lame.

If or when something does go bad on a pinball machine, they aren't that difficult to fix.
 
I own a Freddy and I think it is a fun pinball, I know it is my girlfriend's favorite of my 6 pinballs. I have had no issues with mine other then lack of maintenance by its previous owner. Mine also had the little blades all broken off the glove flipper, I cut new ones from pressed tin and superglued them in place. Was able to make it look good, only up close can you tell they aren't the original.
 
I think what you need to know is less about the pin and more about pins in general. Pins WILL break. They just are going to. Those are heavy balls flying around in there. You will need to do some basic maintenance to them that vids don't require. Changing bulbs, rubbers, balls and the occasional thing that just breaks is key. The pin is okay, nothing to scream about. A good pin for a starter such as yourself.

And yes, pins are much much funner in a home arcade than arcade games. The whole "ball is alive" thing makes reply endless. That plus the pursuit of a better score every time you play. I've really grown OUT of vids and INTO pins big time!
 
And yes, pins are much much funner in a home arcade than arcade games. The whole "ball is alive" thing makes reply endless. That plus the pursuit of a better score every time you play. I've really grown OUT of vids and INTO pins big time!

I've heard this a lot over the years, and have always wondered if I would follow suit if I ever got a pin.

Before Space Invaders hit the bowling alley where my mother was on a league in the late 70's, I spent A LOT of time playing pins, and have always had a fondness for them. Maybe getting one will awaken some sleeping giant in me; pulling me away from my long pursuit of vids.

Glad to know that Freddy is a decent pin play-wise, and that it's also a decent starter pin.

Thanks, all!
 
My son bought a "Freddy" about two years ago.

I hadn't heard great things about Gottlieb/Premiere games and when he bought this one if looked good but wasn't playing 100%.

I learned that Premiere made a VERY easy schematic/wiring manual making it easier than expected to track down a bad transistor for a shorted coil and since then it has worked flawlessly while getting a lot of play.

He is 34 and he "grew up" with Freddy and so this game is a favorite of his friends.

I brought our first pin home in 1976 and we have probably owned 150 different pins over the years. Our experience is that once you get a pin in your house and everything working you can probably count on years of trouble free play - yeah, over time bulbs will burn out and rubbers will need to be replaced and the PF should be cleaned and waxed/polished regularly but pins are built to take hard use so take the plunge and buy your first game.
 
My son bought a "Freddy" about two years ago.

I hadn't heard great things about Gottlieb/Premiere games and when he bought this one if looked good but wasn't playing 100%.

I learned that Premiere made a VERY easy schematic/wiring manual making it easier than expected to track down a bad transistor for a shorted coil and since then it has worked flawlessly while getting a lot of play.

He is 34 and he "grew up" with Freddy and so this game is a favorite of his friends.

I brought our first pin home in 1976 and we have probably owned 150 different pins over the years. Our experience is that once you get a pin in your house and everything working you can probably count on years of trouble free play - yeah, over time bulbs will burn out and rubbers will need to be replaced and the PF should be cleaned and waxed/polished regularly but pins are built to take hard use so take the plunge and buy your first game.






Gottleb/Premier is very Underrated in my opinion......Yes, they never had the big license until the end and yes they did put out clunkers (Raven, Gold Wings) but every company did!
I have 1 Premier game(Tx Sector) and another one on the way(El Dorado.) My friend has Victory and used to have Rob-war. I even would put some of these games against some Williams games. Their manuals and schemetics are among the best if not thee best among manufacturers. You've owned over 150 different pins! :eek:
 
I agree Dragon's Lair isn't the greatest player but it is such a unique experience I wouldn't be able to let go of it if I had one myself, especially if sentimental value was involved. Repairing pins is actually the easiest comment as there are a lot of good people here and on RGP that have helped me fix mine. The resources are there so I wouldn't worry about that too much. Nightmare is a fun pin that I enjoy very much and hope to own someday.

To sum it up I would rather have a unique video game than an average pin. That's just me of course, best of luck with your decision. Either way you will have an awesome machine in your collection.
 
I agree Dragon's Lair isn't the greatest player but it is such a unique experience I wouldn't be able to let go of it if I had one myself, especially if sentimental value was involved. Repairing pins is actually the easiest comment as there are a lot of good people here and on RGP that have helped me fix mine. The resources are there so I wouldn't worry about that too much. Nightmare is a fun pin that I enjoy very much and hope to own someday.

To sum it up I would rather have a unique video game than an average pin. That's just me of course, best of luck with your decision. Either way you will have an awesome machine in your collection.

Hey kidorbit, he pulled the trigger and made the trade :) I would take a pin over a video game any day.
 
In my opinion... NOEM is not a very good pin. I think there are much better pins that would probably be in the same ballpark trade value. On the other hand, the laser disc games seem to be the worst playing videos of all, so, is fun or replay a big concern?

I've seen some good homemade replacements for the blades. And I haven't heard of any special problems with that pin or other similarly aged Gottliebs.

Wade
 
I've seen some good homemade replacements for the blades.

Are replacement blades available? I never realized reproductions may not be available but now it makes sense why blade condition is always mentioned when one is for sale.
 
Are replacement blades available? I never realized reproductions may not be available but now it makes sense why blade condition is always mentioned when one is for sale.

Hey I just checked out your pic's and that is quite impressive Kidorbit. Very nice photos of your race car thats just AWESOME!!!
 
I like the pin very much as it turns out, and have been pleased with the trade. I think it's a really fun pin, and it's a good companion to my Frankenstein -- which plays totally different.

Yes, it's unfortunate I've had to put it in the shop so soon after getting it, but that's just the luck of the draw.

I'll be getting it back in a couple days, and I can't wait.
 
What do you mean by "blade replacement"?

On the flipper glove, the bottom blade (that hits the ball) is metal, but the other 3 above it are plastic. The plastics ones are typically broken off of the game.

Todd (at TNT) mentioned making some replacements out of carved & painted popsicle sticks, and somebody else around here said they made some good ones out of pressed tin.
 
Pins can get boring just like anything else. When the game is in your home and it's on free play it can quickly get old especially when you have mastered the rules set and done everything possible in the game.

The vids that are my favorites never get old even after nearly 30 years of playing.
 
Pins can get boring just like anything else. When the game is in your home and it's on free play it can quickly get old especially when you have mastered the rules set and done everything possible in the game.

The ball is wild! It never gets boring! :) Even if you CAN master all the rules in a game, there are always endless approaches to strategies and scores....and spontaneous things happen that make every experience different than a vid.

You try mastering Simpsons Pinball Party or Lord of the Rings and get back to me. ;)
 
Pins can get boring just like anything else. When the game is in your home and it's on free play it can quickly get old especially when you have mastered the rules set and done everything possible in the game.

The vids that are my favorites never get old even after nearly 30 years of playing.

Most Arcade games are on Playstation and my son has almost all the video games you have listed, game play same thing, minus the maintenance and space they take up. You can't put a pinball machine on Playstation and have the same feel :) . I looking for a Centipede or Tempest as those were my favorites in the Arcade, no game console can duplicate the same feel as the trackball on Centipede.
 
The ball is wild! It never gets boring! :) Even if you CAN master all the rules in a game, there are always endless approaches to strategies and scores....and spontaneous things happen that make every experience different than a vid.

You try mastering Simpsons Pinball Party or Lord of the Rings and get back to me. ;)

Nicely put RareHero, Amen!
 
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