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Newbie First Pin purchase
- Thread starter Dmstaylor
- Start date
I'd reiterate this. Had a few mates round a while ago, one of the sons (9ish) said his favourite was Getaway - others were Lethal Weapon, LOTR, Stern Star Trek, RBION & Godzilla
thejefu
Site Supporter
Used to be a case of Judge Dredd, Lethal Weapon 3, Getaway 2, Bride of Pinbot etc were all good shouts. Right now you might be waiting for one to drop and with the shift in prices 'alot' of people might ask upwards of 3k for these.
Today I'd say go for something like a Spiderman, Dark Knight, Avatar, CSI, Rollercoaster Tycoon, High Roller Casino etc. They're all modernish Sterns with modern gameplay, just some have lacklustre themes. For a first pin they'd be your best best bang for buck and they're up for sale a lot. Can bag these for 3k.
I cut my teeth buying projects and sorting them out which is a valid option if that's your thing. Pinballs get real cheap when they're mysteriously broken/incomplete. Data East were a pain in the **** as a newbie though.
Today I'd say go for something like a Spiderman, Dark Knight, Avatar, CSI, Rollercoaster Tycoon, High Roller Casino etc. They're all modernish Sterns with modern gameplay, just some have lacklustre themes. For a first pin they'd be your best best bang for buck and they're up for sale a lot. Can bag these for 3k.
I cut my teeth buying projects and sorting them out which is a valid option if that's your thing. Pinballs get real cheap when they're mysteriously broken/incomplete. Data East were a pain in the **** as a newbie though.
Spiderman and Batman seem like great choices, love my CSI but can see why you might find the theme off-putting.
What are peoples thoughts on SEGA games? Whitestar board set is solid, should sneak in under the 3k budget and some of the themes, Jurassic park, Goldeneye, South Park and the first Godzilla seem like they would appeal to an 11 year old lad.
What are peoples thoughts on SEGA games? Whitestar board set is solid, should sneak in under the 3k budget and some of the themes, Jurassic park, Goldeneye, South Park and the first Godzilla seem like they would appeal to an 11 year old lad.
I’ve owned all those titles and enjoyed them (apart from JP). And don’t forget Baywatch and Apollo13. Goldeneye is fantastic with that wicked ramp to magnet satellite. South Park gets slagged off as “too easy” but I’m crap at pinball so I really appreciated the toilet humour. Carpet Munching video mode? Turds lining up in the toilet to spell ‘multiball’? Yes please - I had 2 of them in fact, and will again in the future. SP is the game that finished off Bally Williams (BWS) as it sold more than ‘Pin2K’ (look it up, it’s fascinating).
Good shout on SP. Godzilla again was superb, I regret selling that one as visually it was so so impressive and detailed (plus it has the longest ramp in all of pinball, triv fans).
Try to work out if you like your games with simple rules (Black Knight BK or Black Knight 2000 BK2K), iconic and classic (Creature from the Black Lagoon CFTBL), or complex (most modern Sterns post 2010) and we can narrow it down. Like many old timers, I am now invested in this thread and looking forward to seeing where you end up. Let your son make the final choice or he’ll blame you when he’s bored of it (which is fine, just swap it) but that extra 500 now can make all the difference.
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Not sure which bucket they fit into (Iconic/classic/complex) and I've not had chance to play anything physically but I've watched youtube videos and downloaded some pinball emulation software to see if I can get a feel for them and thought Spiderman was perfect.. Batman Dark Knight/Judge Dredd and pirates of the Caribbean were all good as well. I quite enjoyed Rollercoaster Tycoon and have found that someone is selling for £2.5k on here so in my budget, the only thing that puts me off is I've also been reading up on them all and Rollercoaster Tycoon seems to get a lot of hate for some reason!? So I'm put off spending £2.5k on something I might not be able to exchange/sell in the future, seems a bit of a risk...
If the emulation software is realistic then CSI looked really good but it was just a bit too stop start for me, I preferred the likes of the batman table that seemed a bit faster pace with a lot going on.. I've tried quite a few others that have been suggested. Not sure why but creature from the black lagoon wasn't really for me and neither were a couple of the other older ones. Again it might be the emulation software (visual pinball) but I sadly have too many commitments at the moment to tour the country finding all these tables to try so its the best I've got!
I really wanted to surprise him for his birthday but I'm going to take on the advice a few of you guys have put with regards to getting him to try them out, I'm just trying to figure what might be available first. At the moment its looking like RCT and possibly a JD that was listed quite a long time ago. I'm not sure how often tables come available, if I was dead set on a spiderman I'm guessing could I be waiting months and months for something to come up at the right price.
If the emulation software is realistic then CSI looked really good but it was just a bit too stop start for me, I preferred the likes of the batman table that seemed a bit faster pace with a lot going on.. I've tried quite a few others that have been suggested. Not sure why but creature from the black lagoon wasn't really for me and neither were a couple of the other older ones. Again it might be the emulation software (visual pinball) but I sadly have too many commitments at the moment to tour the country finding all these tables to try so its the best I've got!
I really wanted to surprise him for his birthday but I'm going to take on the advice a few of you guys have put with regards to getting him to try them out, I'm just trying to figure what might be available first. At the moment its looking like RCT and possibly a JD that was listed quite a long time ago. I'm not sure how often tables come available, if I was dead set on a spiderman I'm guessing could I be waiting months and months for something to come up at the right price.
The overwhelming view on RCT, which I share, is that whilst the layout is okay (it is a Pat Lawlor machine after all), the code is terrible. It really is dull with only a handful of modes, which are all uninspired and generally worth very few points. It does have some cool rollercoaster-themed ramps and wireforms. They have one at Pinball Republic if you wanted to try it in the flesh - they also have a Judge Dredd.
Jib
Site Supporter
If you’re dead set on a certain pin, putting up a wanted ad is probably better than waiting for one to come up for sale.
Spider-man isn’t rare so a wanted ad could shake a few loose to choose from
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Sounds like I might have to take a trip to pinball Republic one evening! Just a long 7 hour round trip (without traffic)
don't suppose anyone knows anywhere closer to the midlands? Not much coming up on Google other than tilt in Birmingham that someone else suggested but they don't seem to have many/any tables that are in my price range. Yeah I can see where people are coming from with RCT, as someone just getting into pinball I didn't even notice that tbh, I just enjoyed all the different shots there were to go for on it! A bit like the CSI one as I thought that had a lot of ****s on it, I just didn't like all the stopping on that one... I think I'd just go with RCT if it wasn't for the concerns around trading/selling it when the time comes so at the moment I'm going to hold out a bit for a Spiderman and maybe try and find a Judge Dredd to try out.
Why not rent initially rather than buy?
That way you can get access to a “better” game and work out if your son is likely to be interested in playing in the longer term.
Lots of us can confirm that teens can initially be very interested but this wears off pretty quickly.
That way you can get access to a “better” game and work out if your son is likely to be interested in playing in the longer term.
Lots of us can confirm that teens can initially be very interested but this wears off pretty quickly.
I enjoyed everything about my RCT except that hideous troll thing on the playfield. I’m not big on “code” (which basically means rules) so I don’t care if it’s “deep” or not. RCT is colourful and lots of fun.
See also Johnny Mnemonic JM, Dirty Harry DH, Judge Dredd as mentioned, The Shadow TS, Dracula (Bram Stoker’s Dracula so BSD), Frankenstein (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein so MSF), Popeye, etc etc etc.
Don’t be afraid to use the rotating-door method that many of us use: as well as accumulating (nobody ever has just one game) also sell and buy new ones every month or two. If you buy at decent price and sell for the same, all it costs you is the transport (eg Martin from anywhere to anywhere for £110 but it may take a few weeks as he is very busy; Matt V quicker but costs a bit extra).
I remember very well being at the stage you are at. What fun you’ll have discovering new tables!
See also Johnny Mnemonic JM, Dirty Harry DH, Judge Dredd as mentioned, The Shadow TS, Dracula (Bram Stoker’s Dracula so BSD), Frankenstein (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein so MSF), Popeye, etc etc etc.
Don’t be afraid to use the rotating-door method that many of us use: as well as accumulating (nobody ever has just one game) also sell and buy new ones every month or two. If you buy at decent price and sell for the same, all it costs you is the transport (eg Martin from anywhere to anywhere for £110 but it may take a few weeks as he is very busy; Matt V quicker but costs a bit extra).
I remember very well being at the stage you are at. What fun you’ll have discovering new tables!
Asiapinball
Site Supporter
You can turn this into an opportunity for a trip to London with your son. There is an easyhotel just by East Croydon Station and rooms are available as cheap as £50 a night but it us a bit basic and is generally a building contractors hotel during the week. Get some cheap advance train tickets to East Croydon Station and stay overnight.Sounds like I might have to take a trip to pinball Republic one evening! Just a long 7 hour round trip (without traffic)
I would visit pinball Republic on a Saturday or Sunday or both if you do an overnight stay on Saturday. The sessions are longer at pbr on weekends than on Thursday.
If you go by train you could stop by funland which is 10 minutes walk from St pancras and they have all the latest stern machines. Or do some other stuff in London.
Make a weekend if it and have some fun there.
If you did drive you could stay at Croydon Aerodrome Hotel which is similarly priced to easyhotel but a bit better quality. Again a builders hotel in the week. But it's a mile or two from Croydon so not as convenient for pbr.
Personally I wouldn't drive in London because if traffic delays and cost of parking If I am there for a couple of days I sometimes leave the car at Milton Keynes and take the train in from there to Euston then onward. Its much easier than driving.
Asiapinball
Site Supporter
... there are direct trains from St pancras to East Croydon and they take about 30 minutes so it is easy on trains coming from Midlands or Milton Keynes to get to East Croydon.
Asiapinball
Site Supporter
And join the Midlands pinball league where you will get to play a wide range of machines and meet and socialise with like minded people.
Asiapinball
Site Supporter
You can also consider parking up in Flitwick which is near Milton Keynes just off m1 as there is a direct train service (Thameslink) from there straight to East Croydon. It takes 1h 20m which would be loads quicker than driving across London.
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Nice to see RCT can be enjoyable then, I'll be honest the stage we're at code isn't really something I'm even looking at so I'm going to post wanted post and if nothing comes up I'll try him on RCT and buy that if he likes it, yeah i thought its, colourful, quite varied and some fun shots which is enough for us at the moment , its from someone that was recommended on a previous post as well (Matt) and in budget. If I could get Judge Dredd at a similar price which would you recommend out of the 2?
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
I did look at renting but seems very expensive, 10 months rental would be enough to buy one from the price I got. Makes more sense to me to buy and then sell/trade even if it is a bit more hassle. I'm also wanting to teach the kids some maintenance skills, I've not done any yet myself but an engineer by trade and confident electrically so sure I'll pick that up. It's one of the reasons for looking at this tbh, we get young apprentices in at work and they've never done so much as wiring a plug, I'm keen to use this as an opportunity to teach them things, when there's a reward for fixing something (ie a working machine which is great for motvation) . I'm wanting the first to be in good condition so I can teach them the very basics then if all goes well looking at get some sort of fixer upper to really work on when i can afford it in a year or 3
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Thanks for all the London suggestions, fitting it in just isn't easy with my work shifts and 2 children that play football matches Saturday and Sunday, they train most days in the week and also have Ice skating lessons so we don't get a great deal of free time
Asiapinball
Site Supporter
Same as me for many years when my kids were kids. I hardly played for years but now able to do my own thing as they are grown up now.
At the same price and both fully working then JD is probably the better game and more popular therefore easier to sell. But it’s all personal opinions. You will hear people say “XXXX is sh_it” but that doesn’t mean anything except their opinion. I love some hated games and vice versa
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Asiapinball
Site Supporter
United Kingdom Pinball Map
Find local places to play pinball! The United Kingdom Pinball Map is a high-quality user-updated pinball locator for all the public pinball machines in your area.
pinballmap.com
Most public places you can play are on here but quality does vary.
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Thanks again all , just posted on the wanted forum to will see if anything comes up in the next few weeks
if not then I'll probably fall back on the RCT option if its still available and I'm sure we'll enjoy it!
if not then I'll probably fall back on the RCT option if its still available and I'm sure we'll enjoy it!
Not sure where you are looking, but there are rental offers made on here that are far cheaper than you'd see commercially. Again, you can place a wanted ad. Or contact someone like @steve brum who does lots of rentals - here's one of his adverts for a Godzilla: https://www.pinballinfo.com/community/threads/godzilla-pro-6-months-£500.59337/ which was <£100 a month. Craig @roadshow16 has adverts up from time to time as well with lots of newer games.
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Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
@Dmstaylor
I know you will be swimming with info and suggestions, and I've seen you wanted thread, where your budget continues to spiral and now you're looking at possibly upping it again to get the table you think you want.
And then you have given yourself a 4 week timescale.
Everyone has different views and this is just mine, but why not just dip on a table that's in budget and available in the time you need.
Obviously not something you are going to hate, but something middle ground.
Get it on here where you are happy with the condition as listed and a price that's on point. Not GreedBay for example.
That way you get a pin to play on, you can get to grips with how it works, give it a good clean, replace the rubbers, do some general maintenance, etc.
Then, having bought savvy, you are going to get your money back, so after a few months, when either you want a change, or Spiderman does come up, sell it, and at worst you've lost your delivery fee (if you use Martin), nothing if you've collected yourself.
I know you will be swimming with info and suggestions, and I've seen you wanted thread, where your budget continues to spiral and now you're looking at possibly upping it again to get the table you think you want.
And then you have given yourself a 4 week timescale.
Everyone has different views and this is just mine, but why not just dip on a table that's in budget and available in the time you need.
Obviously not something you are going to hate, but something middle ground.
Get it on here where you are happy with the condition as listed and a price that's on point. Not GreedBay for example.
That way you get a pin to play on, you can get to grips with how it works, give it a good clean, replace the rubbers, do some general maintenance, etc.
Then, having bought savvy, you are going to get your money back, so after a few months, when either you want a change, or Spiderman does come up, sell it, and at worst you've lost your delivery fee (if you use Martin), nothing if you've collected yourself.
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Yeah I appreciate the advice and I'm sure your right! I do dive into these things at times and get carried away
I've just messaged the guy about SM to see if there is anything he can do with the price at all, the only reason I'm considering going over budget a bit more is I just get the impression I've got less chance of losing anything with SM, everything I read seems popular so worse case I sell it in the future for a few hundred less than I paid, I can live with that risk! and my lad loves the theme. We've played judge dredd, sm and RCT on simulator and really like SM the most.There's always a risk of price spiral in this hobby, nicer, better playing, better themes are always just a few hundred more than your budget whatever it is, and once you have the game it doesn't stop, always nice mods, colour DMDs and powder coating to get it just how you want it.
That being said, I think in this case, where you need to consider something your lad (and mates) will like, plus the short timeframe, Spidey is a reasonable shout, if you can encourage a bit of a discount for collecting and making an easy deal for the seller I can't see you losing anything when you come to move it on.
Like Dan said a few of us invested in the thread now waiting to see what you end up with, and some a little bit jealous your kid shows an interest in pinball
That being said, I think in this case, where you need to consider something your lad (and mates) will like, plus the short timeframe, Spidey is a reasonable shout, if you can encourage a bit of a discount for collecting and making an easy deal for the seller I can't see you losing anything when you come to move it on.
Like Dan said a few of us invested in the thread now waiting to see what you end up with, and some a little bit jealous your kid shows an interest in pinball
Dmstaylor
Site Supporter
Thanks all, hopefully found my first pin, planning on driving over to Bristol this week to pick up the Spiderman Pin on my wanted post on the other forum section ! Can't wait.
You won’t regret it, loved my Spidey. Craig is a top man (and also a top 5 UK player, a former no 1) so he’ll show you a few tricks
