Pinball party in Houston today. Got to play some I've been interested in for 10-15 years...
RIP Pengo cabinet:
Gotta set the mood with Hercules:
Hadn't seen one of these since the 80s:
Stern Stars:
Now that's an odd one. I was with him when he bought it in ~2004, but back then it was a Playboy. Someone manufactured custom cabinets that just had controlled lights and displays in the backbox, and all the boards in a chopped down cabinet. Full size coin door, and it's at cocktail height. He finally got it playable with another playfield swapped in there, and worked up a backglass to fit the theme. Decent game.
Gottlieb Hi Dolly:
Very odd theme on this one. A very popular actress backstage, talking on the phone to suitors. I guess it's a reference to the Hello, Dolly musical? Kind of fun but the only one I really like from this era is Merry Widow.
Slap Shot:
This was fun and very frustrating.
Cueball Wizard, Breakshot, and Pool Sharks:
Hadn't played a Cueball Wizard in over 10 years. Very fun game.
Zaccaria Combat:
I hate to be honest about this one, because I've had my eyes open for a decade trying to get one. But I finally got to play it and it's a lot of fun. The backglasses and playfields on these things always look brand new. Very smooth and fast action. Some day....
Gottlieb Spirit of 76:
Fun game. First time I've encountered a playable one. Easy to see why it commands such a premium.
And... at last....
Atari Middle Earth:
My first pinball machine back in 2001 was a Space Riders. I really wanted one of these. Never saw one anywhere, but I loved the art. And, dammit, I played it and liked the game. Lower playfield is useless but the upper is cool. And, man, that artwork.