What's a good pinball if I only want one?

V3rtigo

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-I only plan to have 1 pinball
-nothing silly expensive
-something modern (1995+)

The only pinballs I remember playing and liking were Champion Pub and Twister, but then again, I haven't played that many. Themed games like Simpsons or Street Fighter would probably be popular at my place but are they any good?
 
-I only plan to have 1 pinball
-nothing silly expensive
-something modern (1995+)

The only pinballs I remember playing and liking were Champion Pub and Twister, but then again, I haven't played that many. Themed games like Simpsons or Street Fighter would probably be popular at my place but are they any good?

What is considered silly expensive to you?
 
silly expensive would be 3k+ but I'd prefer to find something at auction for under 1000.

You are not going to find something 1995 plus for under 1k unless you are

1. Lucky
2. ready for a huge project

I assume when you say 1995 plus you mean something with a DMD? If so shoot for a Data East or Sega pinball. You can find Data East Jurassic Parks for around $1200 or so for example.

Now if you shoot for something under $3k you have opened up a wealth of possibilities. You could find a routed Simpsons Pinball Party for less than $3k as an example. Your options open up greatly.

This is a very personal decision too. What themes do you like? What themes do you not like?
 
silly expensive would be 3k+ but I'd prefer to find something at auction for under 1000.

I got my elvira and the party monsters from an auction for 850, and I got a Shaq Attach for 425. So you can get some deals on some games at auctions. But if your gonna buy at auction, I suggest playing all the ones you are at least remotely interested in and check out the artwork.
 
I love Championship Pub and I own a Twister. Other games I like of the era (DMD) include Twilight Zone and Creature From the Black Lagoon, but those are more expensive.

I suggest you, and if possible your family, play any game you are considering adding to make sure you like it before you buy.
 
I love Championship Pub and I own a Twister. Other games I like of the era (DMD) include Twilight Zone and Creature From the Black Lagoon, but those are more expensive.

I suggest you, and if possible your family, play any game you are considering adding to make sure you like it before you buy.

In my experience, even if you don't like it initially it will grow on you in the home environment.
 
If you're only getting one pin, I suggest saving until you have more money to get a better game. My suggestion for the single pin owner is always the same: Twilight Zone. To me it has the most complete package of any game out there, but it is kinda expensive.
 
I opted to get one of the more popular pins for my first as well. (Addam's Family) Something in the higher end range should hold your attention longer for the most part. There's usually a reason why they cost more and and get rated so high. They are usually much easier to resell as well. It's also nice to just have one to play for your first one, something that is shopped well and fully working, not something that needs constant attention.
 
If you're only getting one pin, I suggest saving until you have more money to get a better game. My suggestion for the single pin owner is always the same: Twilight Zone. To me it has the most complete package of any game out there, but it is kinda expensive.

TZ is my all time favorite pin. I agree it is pricey but worth every penny.
 
what is a typical price for twilight zone? what about South Park? I remember playing a lot of that.
 
Do NOT get a South Park. Just. Don't.

A Twilight Zone can range from about $2,500 to around $3,200 depending on condition. That's more than double what you wanted to pay, but saving up could get you there.

Here are some budget pins that are really fun.

- Bride of Pinbot
- Bram Stoker's Dracula
- Data East Simpsons
- Jurassic Park
- Terminator 2
- The Getaway
- World Cup Soccer
- Judge Dredd
- The Shadow
- Dr. Who
- Fish Tales
- Taxi
- Earthshaker
- Whirlwind
 
Just keep searching around. You may find a higher end pinball for a good price. I got a great deal on my TZ by watching ebay and CL constantly. I never would have paid the going rate for these since I am a cheapskate
 
I agree, it's almost impossible just to own one. But, if it has to be one - I'd look for something that has staying power (so you won't get bored) & one with a fairly large production run (so you can find parts relatively easily).

On the high end of your budget (if you get lucky): Twilight Zone or Addams Family.

Others: Star Trek The Next Generation, Whitewater, The Shadow, Bram Stoker Dracula, or Whirlwind.

I'd stay away with anything with playfield damage and yeah South Park (I'm a big fan), but it's a horrible game.
 
Do NOT get a South Park. Just. Don't.

Me and the wife played this one on route a bunch in 2 different locations. Sure it wasn't perfect, but it was alot of fun. Alot of the hate is just mindless Sega/Stern/DE bashing.

Now I wouldn't pay $1600 for one, but if one came around for $1k or so I would be all over that bad boy.
 
I own two Sterns and two Data East games, my disdain for South Park has nothing to do with who made it. I honestly feel it's the worst DMD pin ever made.
 
I own two Sterns and two Data East games, my disdain for South Park has nothing to do with who made it. I honestly feel it's the worst DMD pin ever made.

explain. not a fan of the show? too crude?
 
It's not the theme, it's the gameplay. It's the only pinball machine where I walked away after my second ball from disinterest. After the first ball I had already hit pretty much every shot the game had, seen all the modes, and heard every sound drop at least 10 times. There aren't any challenging shots to be made on the entire playfield and each ball lasted me at minimum five minutes. I let some kid play my third ball while I went to find something else.

As a theme Family Guy is far more crude, but it's way more fun. I don't particularly like either show, but Family Guy is a great pinball machine and I rarely pass one up without dropping in a few quarters.
 
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