New Pinballer

[HappyChappy]

Hey all!
Just looking to enter the world of pinball. I have a buddy who introduced me to this site. He collects (has around 12) and I'm looking to make my first purchase. I had been considering something older, thinking it would be simpler than one of these new fancy units, and of course trying to keep costs down lol. I'm reconsidering, and thinking I'd like to spend around $5k-ish for my first one. I've got 3 teen kids who are also excited to get something (but they've been playing my buddies Stranger Things, Elvira, Star Trek, Foo Fighters and other super fun but expensive machines that I can't afford). Looking for your recos for something that would be really fun for the whole fam, and might fit our targeted budget. Perhaps one of y'all have something you'd like to part ways with that would be a great fit. Thanks for your input!

 

[GUARD]

https://www.pinballrevolution.com/threads/dr-who-5600.14799/#post-99445

 

[Mlam]

https://www.pinballrevolution.com/threads/1990-williams-rollergames.14789/

 

[HappyChappy]

https://www.pinballrevolution.com/threads/dr-who-5600.14799/#post-99445

Thanks for the share!

 

[HappyChappy]

https://www.pinballrevolution.com/threads/1990-williams-rollergames.14789/

Thanks! I think I want to aim for something more recognizable for the kids.

 

[HappyChappy]

Also hoping some of you guys that have been in the hobby for a while can give me some recos on which ones I might want to keep an eye out for when they come available. Maybe have a list of 5-10 must haves so that if I see one in here or Kijiji/marketplace, then I should jump. Thanks all!

 

[GUARD]

That's almost an impossible task....so much to take into account. Two people can love the same game and then both can be split on the next.
Some want simple one ball EM games and some want multiball galores.....

 

[MrMikeman]

Thanks! I think I want to aim for something more recognizable for the kids.

If you are looking to spend 5k for something that isn’t ancient, you will probably have to get what you can, as opposed to what you want. You could get something recognizable more easily if your budget was 7-8k. That amount would get you into the Stern Pro range for certain titles like Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, etc.

 

[AlexRogan84]

New and Used Toys & Games: Trainsets, Hoverboards, Pinball Machines in Guelph | Free Local Classifieds - Kijiji

Buy or sell toys and games in Guelph– Lego, transformers, trampolines, car games, Mario, air hockey, Fisher Price and more on Kijiji, Canada's #1 Local Marketplaces.

www.kijiji.ca

 

[AlexRogan84]

That's almost an impossible task....so much to take into account. Two people can love the same game and then both can be split on the next.
Some want simple one ball EM games and some want multiball galores.....

Agreed on the impossible task thing. Way too subjective. Nostalgic factor? Theme good/game good? Theme good/game bad? Theme bad/game good?

Probably better idea to get out and play a bunch of games and see what you like. Take your kids and see what they like. You're in Belleville? Bit of a drive to get somewhere to play. Kingston has little, but Ottawa has a few options for collections of games in public you can play. So does the East end of Toronto. Look up 8-Bit Beans in Whitby and also the Port Hope spot member "Waffles" just posted about. Or go into Toronto and check out Anti-Social downtown on Bloor near Bathurst. He has the best overall collection, but it's just about all new and I don't think there is a single game in there that you could buy for $5,000. Maybe a topper from one of his game?!? Better to go play at Tilt Toronto. They have games that would be in your budget. Or better yet, go to Maple Pinball on a Friday night. $25 all you can play and they have 80 or so games from pretty much every era.

Either way, go play games and then buy something YOU like. Don't put much stock into what any of US like.

 

[GUARD]

New and Used Toys & Games: Trainsets, Hoverboards, Pinball Machines in Guelph | Free Local Classifieds - Kijiji

Buy or sell toys and games in Guelph– Lego, transformers, trampolines, car games, Mario, air hockey, Fisher Price and more on Kijiji, Canada's #1 Local Marketplaces.

www.kijiji.ca

I've seen this game.....AR84 takes good care of his games.
(Certainly a lot more anal then I am)

 

[king_pin]

My advice would be save up for a little longer and get into a modern stern. Lots of them can be had for 8-9 on the used market and you'll get a theme the kids will recognize.

If you really can't afford that much maybe look to older sterns (Terminator 3, game of thrones, family guy, Iron Man, X-Men, avengers, avatar, Batman the dark Knight) those can be had for under 8 most likely. Some maybe even closer to 7 and maybe into the 6s. Out of those, my personal pick would be Batman the dark knight, game of thrones or family guy but you'll have fun with most of those.

Good luck and welcome to the community!

 

[GUARD]

Where my advice is not to jump into a new hobby that high end.
I bought a Space Shuttle right off the floor of a bar here in Guelph (thanks Dan Beeson for the addiction) for a good price and was very happy.
Took about 6 months before I realized it was for me but, if it hadnt been for me I didn't have a lot into it.

 

[HappyChappy]

If you are looking to spend 5k for something that isn’t ancient, you will probably have to get what you can, as opposed to what you want. You could get something recognizable more easily if your budget was 7-8k. That amount would get you into the Stern Pro range for certain titles like Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, etc.

Agreed on the impossible task thing. Way too subjective. Nostalgic factor? Theme good/game good? Theme good/game bad? Theme bad/game good?

Probably better idea to get out and play a bunch of games and see what you like. Take your kids and see what they like. You're in Belleville? Bit of a drive to get somewhere to play. Kingston has little, but Ottawa has a few options for collections of games in public you can play. So does the East end of Toronto. Look up 8-Bit Beans in Whitby and also the Port Hope spot member "Waffles" just posted about. Or go into Toronto and check out Anti-Social downtown on Bloor near Bathurst. He has the best overall collection, but it's just about all new and I don't think there is a single game in there that you could buy for $5,000. Maybe a topper from one of his game?!? Better to go play at Tilt Toronto. They have games that would be in your budget. Or better yet, go to Maple Pinball on a Friday night. $25 all you can play and they have 80 or so games from pretty much every era.

Either way, go play games and then buy something YOU like. Don't put much stock into what any of US like.

That's a great recommendation! I didn't really know where I could play more variety in public, so this list is awesome! Thanks!

 

[HappyChappy]

My advice would be save up for a little longer and get into a modern stern. Lots of them can be had for 8-9 on the used market and you'll get a theme the kids will recognize.

If you really can't afford that much maybe look to older sterns (Terminator 3, game of thrones, family guy, Iron Man, X-Men, avengers, avatar, Batman the dark Knight) those can be had for under 8 most likely. Some maybe even closer to 7 and maybe into the 6s. Out of those, my personal pick would be Batman the dark knight, game of thrones or family guy but you'll have fun with most of those.

Good luck and welcome to the community!

Thanks so much! Yeah all of those titles the kids would recognize and I could probably stretch a little to make that work if we found a good one

 

[HappyChappy]

Where my advice is not to jump into a new hobby that high end.
I bought a Space Shuttle right off the floor of a bar here in Guelph (thanks Dan Beeson for the addiction) for a good price and was very happy.
Took about 6 months before I realized it was for me but, if it hadnt been for me I didn't have a lot into it.

One of the things I've been thinking, is if, (big if ) if I find that we don't love it, then I have something that others love and will want to buy, then I've made a good investment.

 

[MrMikeman]

Eeek. It’s not an investment. While values have traditionally held or gone up, things are weird now and prices are on the decline. If you overpay, don’t expect that you can easily find someone else to do the same

 

[HappyChappy]

Eeek. It’s not an investment. While values have traditionally held or gone up, things are weird now and prices are on the decline. If you overpay, don’t expect that you can easily find someone else to do the same

Fair point. I guess I mainly want to make sure it's something that will be desirable

 

[BMHouze]

My advice would be to wait until the next show. Either the Ottawa show or pinfest and go with the intent to buy and bring something home that day.
Otherwise, make a short wish list and wait to jump on it when one becomes available.

 

[GUARD]

My advice would be to wait until the next show. Either the Ottawa show or pinfest and go with the intent to buy and bring something home that day.
Otherwise, make a short wish list and wait to jump on it when one becomes available.

Hasn't been an Ottawa show since the tornado year disaster followed by covid....