Frustrated

[akoz]

I am getting a little frustrated. I look on kijiji for machines everyday. new machines pop up all the time. One of the first things i do when looking at the ad, i type the name in to Internet pinball database to check out the rating and comments. so far almost all the machines are not getting a good rating. The comments always say a few negative things about the machine and one for two positive things about it. Sometimes none. So i shy away from getting interested. So my question is What are some good pinball machines. From the 70's till early 90's that wont hurt my life savings.

Thanks

[Jeff AMN]

I don't know what you're considering a low score, but even the best machines are going to have some people who have negative things to say about it. I personally can't think of a single way I'd improve Twilight Zone, but there are lots of people out there that can't stand to play it. If you're looking for a first pinball machine, and maybe you aren't looking to buy many down the line, I'd go for a good DMD machine.

There are quite a few DMD (dot matrix display, which means it has the little screen with animations on it) machines out there that aren't too expensive and that parts are readily available for if you have issues. Some of the Data East machines are on the economical side, such as Jurassic Park, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Back to the Future, Hook, and The Simpsons that are pretty fun. My favorite Data East game is Jurassic Park, and I think it stands up with any other game out there, really. It can be had for around $1,250 or so, which is good because it's a game with a long staying power.

Data East games are a little cheaper because pin snobs often think you have to go Bally or Williams, but it's not always the case.

However, if you choose to shy away from DE, and that's fine if you do, here are some really fun Bally/Williams games that aren't expensive and are probably pretty easy to track down:

- Fish Tales
- White Water
- Dr. Who
- Junk Yard
- Bram Stoker's Dracula
- The Getaway: High Speed II
- Whirlwind
- Road Show
- Earthshaker

Just keep looking around and you'll find something.

[shardian]

My pin has a 6.9 rating on IPDB, and I find it very fun.

[ChadTower]

IPDB's ratings are not useful.  Ignore them.  They are based more on collectors' value than actual gameplay.

[shardian]

IPDB's ratings are not useful.  Ignore them.  They are based more on collectors' value than actual gameplay.

You will notice that certain people rate almost all the games. They'll go down a row of pins and 9 out of 10 say "crap...crap...crap...decent...crap...good one...crap, etc". All of those 'crap' pins they call out have all been thoroughly enjoyed by many OTHER people.

[ChadTower]

You will notice that certain people rate almost all the games. They'll go down a row of pins and 9 out of 10 say "crap...crap...crap...decent...crap...good one...crap, etc". All of those 'crap' pins they call out have all been thoroughly enjoyed by many OTHER people.

I know people who have done that in a stupid attempt to influence the value of certain games.     I once saw a guy register under about 15 different emails to try and drive up the rating on one game.

[Charles4400]

I really like STTNG (Star Tek The Next Generation)!
It's rated #2 but the price of it is lower than most of the top 10 they have listed on ipdb.

It's a great game and I think you can find it in the roughly 2k'ish range... (I got mine for  $2400)

[Xiaou2]

I like "Star Trek - The Next Generation",   but NOT the pinball machine.  Ive
Tried to like it, considering I like the characters and shows/movies..  but to me, it
does not play very well.  Poor flow.


 I think what you will find is that everyone has different tastes on machines.

 A pinball machine is a big investment for most people... and so its better to
Try before you buy.

 Go to some pinball shows and parties.  Check with local collectors... as many are
happy to let you play a few games.

 The first step, is finding out if you like  Stop-n-Shot   pins, or are more of a
fast-flow  guy.

[akoz]

The first step, is finding out if you like  Stop-n-Shot   pins, or are more of a
fast-flow  guy.

well i can already tell you i  am a stop-n-shot player.
what would you consider good stop-n-shot machines

[Jeff AMN]

The first step, is finding out if you like  Stop-n-Shot   pins, or are more of a
fast-flow  guy.

well i can already tell you i  am a stop-n-shot player.
what would you consider good stop-n-shot machines

A few that I love that fit the bill:

- Twilight Zone (personal all-time favorite game)
- Attack From Mars
- Jack·Bot
- Pinbot
- Who Dunnit?
- Doctor Who

I guess you could argue that some of these are flow games, but really any one of these you can slow down and be very deliberate in your shooting. If you like stopping and lining up shots, DMD games are where you want to be because the ball stops a lot to allow video modes to start up and for things to get established.

[Jeff AMN]

Three of those are basically the same game.   

Haha, yeah...I wondered who would be first to say so.

[jscott3093]

I like "Star Trek - The Next Generation",   but NOT the pinball machine.  Ive
Tried to like it, considering I like the characters and shows/movies..  but to me, it
does not play very well.  Poor flow.

That is funny I personally think STTNG as a great flowing machine. Long loop shot two fast ramps that go directly to flippers and even the Delta ramp goes to flippers. Even if the ball goes into hole the beaming effect has another ball immediately pops out.  I know the game can stop for video mode or set up a mission but overall I think the game flow is great. =) One of my favorite pins!