Pinball Expo 2010- Chicago...

ChuckBrown

Permanently Banned
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago collectors- who's going?

Not that I want to make a big deal of it... wether or not you like the hawkfan- he's going to share his support for the make a wish foundation... some of you should too. ;)

Hopefully Hyperball makes an appearance- Steve Ritchie (his creator- Space Shuttle as well) is anyway... there are over 1000 pinballs '50s to current- are at this event, from what I hear... should be fun. All that is needed is baccarat, blackjack and poker tables for a chicago style vegas... ;)

And poo on you in chicago who are not coming to make 'pinbrawl'... PINBRAWL!!!

I guess this is as close to CA Extreme as we get... something I wanted to build for our hometown types- on the Vid Arcade side... for quite awhile. No reason why we can't have an event that rivals CA extreme... (No diss to Jon and Michael- they do fine work- but many more- are needed no matter where you're at in the states...)

I suspect Darren @ phoenixarcade.com and some of the other 'Chicago players' will be here as well...


www.pinballexpo.net

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7GA5NC9l1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIBiTADzQKU


work calls in a bit... 4 hours of rest... LOL we will make it. ;)


'Chicago's best- rhythm and blues pinball review- this fall - October 2010...'

-Jake over and out


Enjoy what is left of your summer ... if you own a Firebird or Camaro even an old school 'Vette- take out those t-tops...once more before its over... ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Isl_KX2WQ&feature=bulletin
 
Last edited:
I'm going, thrid year in a row. Only going for the day though, a long day...
 
I wasn't able to make it the last couple years, but I may try this year. I just wish there were some classic video games there too. Closest I saw last time I was there was Atari's Video Pinball and Gottlieb's Caveman (which has both video and pinball)
 
Last edited:
Too far from Dallas...

Oh, and Make a Wish is a good foundation to support. I'm playing around with another idea on making lives a bit better, but hopefully this isn't just making a life better at the very end of it... I'm doing microloans to 3rd world citizens on KIVA.
 
I wasn't able to make it the last couple years, but I may try this year. I just wish there were some classic video games there too. Closest I saw last time I was there was Atari's Video Pinball and Gottlieb's Caveman (which has both video and pinball)

I've been twice, but I missed last year. I should be able to make this year.

[CrazyKongFan, if you go, you may be able to pick up my pac-on-galaxian-hardware board and harness, if I've replaced it by then] :D
 
I didn't think last year was great so I really hope this year is better.

And I'm going to sell my Hyperball so, maybe i'll bring it there to sell.
 
i really like it and kids like that there's a lot of action with the balls going everywhere. I've had it for 8 years or so have a NIB simpsons that I'm going uncrate once i have a spot for it. otherwise, I'd keep it.

It's really closer to Tempest than it is to a flipper pinball machine. You have to keep deciding on if you want to shoot something for more points or miss the chance because you were more worried about your safety.

The level of difficulty jumps up quickly after the 2nd or 3rd level. You have to use your Z-bombs (like the Tempest Super Zapper) wisely and jump at the chance to get another one (when it says something like shoot X for a Z-bomb.)

It's also a really cheap solid state pin (usually around $500) and if you have the room, it's an easy choice to add it. I don't think it was popular with operators because people were confused by the absence of flippers and because the balls can get caught in the spindle that reloads them. It requires reaching inside and nudging a ball to set it free.

I would say it's the absolute best $500 pin that you can buy and I'd much rather play it than a lot of other traditional pins that bore me (such as South Park). That said, it's not as fun as a lot of great pins.
 
What is the cost to get in today (Saturday)??? I thought I read $25.00 per person but just wanted to double check. Also do you think it is worth the time and money to go???
 
I'm not sure that it was worth it. I don't care about the $15 admission being raised to $20, but the room is too small and cramped and there are very very very few great games to play. There was no MM, CV, Monster Bash, BBB, CC, IJ, etc etc etc.

Also, all the super high end restoration people who try to find someone to pay $5500 for Fun House have their games behind their table and no one is allowed to play.

There were far fewer parts new repro things available. And as always, the only way to play a Stern machine is to play the tournament.

Here's an idea: Stern should have 1 of every game they've made in the last 10 years in a giant Stern Section. Their distributors should be on hand to be ready to take orders for new or used machines on the spot. I've played so few Stern machines because they're so rarely available.

So, sure I had an ok time. I got to play Fire, Flipper Football, Demolition Man, Baywatch, The Flintstones, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Fish Tales and a few EM's. But I didn't wait in line for TOTAN, Corvette, Attack from Mars, or the mediocre Getaway or lame Austin Powers. And that was about it.

I have another idea on making it better. $10 admission, every game a quarter. Then maybe collectors/distributors/whoever would be motivated to bring some good machines. I'd easily drop another $20-$30 in quarters for the once a year chance to play more. It's sure cheaper than buying a TOTAN.
 
Hmmm... I saw four of those on your list at the show...Mike Nogle had a couple of those and I did see a MM and a Indy but that was shut off....
 
I had fun myself. I even bought a game while I was there. Still sitting in the wife's SUV until I can get a "friend" to help me move it.

On a side note, there is a Funhouse pin for sale that is prtotype #2. It was unplayable because the playfield was clearcoated only a week ago. Needs to dry for about 3 months before you should play on it.
 
I had fun myself. I even bought a game while I was there. Still sitting in the wife's SUV until I can get a "friend" to help me move it.

On a side note, there is a Funhouse pin for sale that is prtotype #2. It was unplayable because the playfield was clearcoated only a week ago. Needs to dry for about 3 months before you should play on it.

What did you wound up buying?
 
Back
Top Bottom