pinball question

[dcninja]

I'm going back and forth on getting a pinball. Space and wife approval being number one concern, followed by price. I don't want an old EM. But any solid state will do... not looking to spend a thousand dollars. Would getting a pinball even be worth it with those qualifiers on it? I hear maintaining them sucks due to wax and finding various parts that may not even be available, and then you only have one game at that. Would I be better off just running some pinballs on my mame cab whenever I get that itch? I know it's not the same by far, but I'm debating on if it's worth the time, effort, money, and risk. I would ask on a pinball forum but everyone is going to be quick to yell out go for it on one of those. Thanks!

[pbj]

I feel like I exhausted that hobby but they're fun.

Waxing you do like once a year.  Maintenance is minimal once running.

Where are you located?

[dcninja]

martinsburg, wv

edit: can you elaborate on exhausting the hobby?

One of my major concerns is that once I get it working, it may be fun to play a round or two but it wouldn't get played very often figuring it's only one game and the novelty would soon wear off, especially because I didn't grow up in the "pinball age" like I did with the arcade scene...If I really want pinball I could play vs. pinball on my mame cab (i loved that pinball on NES) and I do have the two pinball connections for wii (on my wii u) and I could always run those as well...

[jennifer]

     Their big, heavy, and addictive, You cant stop at just one, your whole view of life will change, (should I get a pickup with a tommy lift too???),(Do we really "need" all this furniture I so could get another pin right there),
** Then Jennifer laughs and laughs** and dealing with the likes of PBJ becomes the norm.... But at the end of the day, after beating the beast in your living room, the sounds and colors still fresh in your mind, you (and your wife) will be glad you did.

[matt4949]

     Their big, heavy, and addictive, You cant stop at just one, your whole view of life will change, (should I get a pickup with a tommy lift too???),(Do we really "need" all this furniture I so could get another pin right there),
** Then Jennifer laughs and laughs** and dealing with the likes of PBJ becomes the norm.... But at the end of the day, after beating the beast in your living room, the sounds and colors still fresh in your mind, you (and your wife) will be glad you did.

That was truly beautiful.

[pbj]

Exhausting the hobby = I quit counting around 40

There was a three year period where I bought anything within 200-300 miles that was less than $500.  Had about 7 at once and the oldest one left each month. EM, SS, DMD.  50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s.  They just don't raise my pulse anymore and I've quit slinging them.  It was a fun 14 year ride. 

Jennifer's not completely wrong, though.  This afternoon, my wife and I are sitting on our thumbs, and she goes, "isn't there a game we can go buy?" 

[Dawgz Rule]

Very addictive.   I intended on purchasing one but now have four.    Even though I don't play them all the time, I do love them.  I have two EM and two Digital.  The EM seem to be more reliable and easier to maintain IMO.