Author Topic: Pinball - Buy Older Classic Or Newer Model (Read 29837 times)

JeepMonkey · « **on:** February 05, 2008, 01:18:30 pm »

I am looking to upgrade to a nicer pinball machine. What I am trying to decide is if I would rather have a slightly older machine that is a classic, or a newer model. Just for example, I am looking at possibly an Addam's Family or a South Park (among others).

So for the same budget, would you prefer an older classic or a newer model?

ChadTower · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:19:47 pm »

Highly depends on what is available, in what shape, and what your budget is...

...though South Park is not a game I would recommend unless it is really cheap.

FWIW, the most modern I would go personally would be just before the DMDs came in... around the time of Back to the Future and Funhouse.

shardian · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:21:11 pm »

Quote from: JeepMonkey on February 05, 2008, 01:18:30 pm

I am looking to upgrade to a nicer pinball machine. What I am trying to decide is if I would rather have a slightly older machine that is a classic, or a newer model. Just for example, I am looking at possibly an Addam's Family or a South Park (among others).

So for the same budget, would you prefer an older classic or a newer model?

Let's put it this way, if you have a budget that allows for an Addams family, then you go get whatever game you want. You can officially afford any pinball except new Stern's, and a select handful of overvalued 90's DMD's.

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:28:02 pm »

Chad - DMDs? Not sure what that is.

Shardian - I have seen a few good condition Addam's Family's around here go for around $2200, not $3000+ like I see on eBay.

Really what I am after is a really good pin preferably under $2000. Any suggestions welcome.

shardian · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:33:57 pm »

DMD is a Dot Matrix Display. All pins went to the DMD display in the 90's. Late 80's early 90's pins had Alphanumeric displays (Whirlwind, Funhouse, etc)

ChadTower · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:46:26 pm »

Quote from: JeepMonkey on February 05, 2008, 01:28:02 pm

Really what I am after is a really good pin preferably under $2000. Any suggestions welcome.

$2000 will get you a nice example of almost any game - there are actually very few that will cost more than that. Most of those are 90s DMD games that IMO are overpriced anyway.

If you can avoid being hung up on the "coolness" of a theme you can get some really really good playing games for way less than the A list prices.

shardian · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:48:57 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on February 05, 2008, 01:46:26 pm

Quote from: JeepMonkey on February 05, 2008, 01:28:02 pm
Really what I am after is a really good pin preferably under $2000. Any suggestions welcome.

$2000 will get you a nice example of almost any game - there are actually very few that will cost more than that. Most of those are 90s DMD games that IMO are overpriced anyway.

If you can avoid being hung up on the "coolness" of a theme you can get some really really good playing games for way less than the A list prices.

If you advise him to get a "Shadow" pin I will reach through cyberspace and pimp slap you.

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2008, 01:51:24 pm »

I had that typed in and deleted it - even though it falls right into that category I didn't want to undermine myself by recommending a pin I have.

I've been looking around for a Genesis lately. The theme is sort of cool but the backglass is so horrifically bad that people part it out just so they don't have to look at the midget. Strong playfield layout, good ruleset, can probably be had working well in the $500 range if you can find one.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:07:00 pm »

I had a 1991 T2, that was supposed to be shopped out but the machine had a lot of issues, worked on it a year before finally deciding to sell it. I could never get the bar smell out of it plus I did not enjoy the game play. After much thought decided to go with a newer model figuring I have room for 1. So my Christmas present will be here Friday its a Lord of the Rings Pin.
dm

ChadTower · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:08:38 pm »

Yow! Bet that set you back a small car.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:11:16 pm »

Well don't laugh, I figured I'm only going to live once so what the heck, the machine was a floor room model, with a 2 year warranty, I paid $4k
dm

shardian · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:15:41 pm »

Quote from: divemaster127 on February 05, 2008, 02:07:00 pm

I had a 1991 T2, that was supposed to be shopped out but the machine had a lot of issues, worked on it a year before finally deciding to sell it. I could never get the bar smell out of it plus I did not enjoy the game play. After much thought decided to go with a newer model figuring I have room for 1. So my Christmas present will be here Friday its a Lord of the Rings Pin.
dm

Wow, that sucks you had so much trouble with the T2. I never did like that game either. Drains were way too easy, and I honestly don't remember ever accomplishing anything on it. I might have to try it out in pinmame to see if I can do better.

Cool on the LOTR though. BTW, can I have some money?

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:19:55 pm »

shardian - I would never own a pin with Alec Baldwin on it.

DM - There was a nice LOTR pin for sale around here for $3k. If I hadn't been in Iowa for work I would have gone to check it out. Let us know how you like the game play.

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:20:22 pm »

Another quality but lower price DMD pin is Judge Dredd. Really good game but doesn't seem to command the A list prices because of the theme. Demolition Man falls here too.

Really, the first decision to be made is what era pin you want, how much you want to spend, and then we can suggest titles from that range. Right now there are just too many to keep tossing them out there.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:38:37 pm »

I spent 3 to 4 months looking for a machine, nib is impossible to find unless you want to pay $6k plus. I found several that have been on routes for $3400 - $3600. BMI gaming had one, that the customer purchased new in the box, 1 of the hobbits was missing a head, so the machine was sent back to bmi, which 2 weeks later the hobbit is no longer headless so I purchased as a demo model with 2 year warrenty. The money is gone now
dm

shardian · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:41:38 pm »

What exactly does the warranty cover? If anything goes wrong, will they come fix it at no cost? Just parts, etc? Seems like a warranty could be a very valuable piece of paper if you play often.

ChadTower · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:43:15 pm »

Odds are pretty low a new pin in home use will die within two years... that's not too hard a warranty to put out there. A floor model is pretty much a home use pin for a commercial machine.

shardian · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:45:04 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on February 05, 2008, 02:43:15 pm

Odds are pretty low a new pin in home use will die within two years... that's not too hard a warranty to put out there. A floor model is pretty much a home use pin for a commercial machine.

I don't mean completely die. Lets say a plastic gets cracked, a switch fails, a flipper sticks, etc. Is this stuff covered. That is what I meant.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:45:40 pm »

The warrenty is 90 days bumper to bumper, 2 years parts, lifetime tech support by phone for what its worth.

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2008, 03:04:21 pm »

I was generally looking for something 1992 - Present. Is there more than one category of pin from 1992 to now?

There seems to be a Demolition Man for sale around here a couple times a year. Others I have seen in my area are Johnny Neimonic (sp), Tee'd Off, No Good Goffers, T2, Twister, Leathal Weapon 3, F14 Tomcat, Independance Day, Tales From The Crypt. But I would be willing to drive a few hundred miles if I found something I really want.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2008, 03:09:57 pm »

If I had room for more machines & $$$, was no big deal. These are the machines I like, stargate(I have heard these had lots of issues), Twilight zone, Junk Yard, or Magic Show(not sure what the exact name is). Those are all nice machines.

shardian · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2008, 03:31:07 pm »

I guess my recommendation would be to concentrate more on getting a good playing pin that is in excellent shape. There are tons of good players with prices that can vary by $1000 dollars or more. So, pay more attention to condition than to the actual game.

ChadTower · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:13:25 pm »

Quote from: divemaster127 on February 05, 2008, 03:09:57 pm

Magic Show(not sure what the exact name is).

Theatre of Magic. Pricey.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:19:09 pm »

That's it, nice machine but $$$

ChadTower · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:23:25 pm »

Costs way more money than it is actually worth as a game, IMO. I've played some practically HUO examples and the game just doesn't grip me like a $3500 game. It's all Williams low run hype.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2008, 04:26:48 pm »

I looked on ebay Monkeys arcade has a buy it now for $5k, pretty machine but way to much for a 1995 machine

AlexC · « **Reply #26 on:** February 05, 2008, 09:43:45 pm »

Get a Starship Troopers :

http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=4341

Fun game, lots of toys, sounds, multiball sequences. Overall a very fun game and
not that expensive. I see them for around $1200 or so on Ebay.

More Cowbell · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:14:48 am »

I'm looking forward to the next Milwaukee Super Auction as that seems to be a great place to get pins. I bought both of my pins there and feel I got a great deal on them.
Class of 1812 - $800 after fees and it's in great condition.
Jurassic Park - $1,080 after fees and I've had to put about $80 into it so far and it plays great.

Really hoping to see Black Knight, BK 2000, LOTR, TZ, Indiana Jones, or Data East Star Wars.

ChadTower · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:16:59 am »

Those are all good titles except Star Wars. All of the Star Wars pins play like total crap. Sad but true - just not well designed games.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:26:13 am »

$1080.00 for a Jurassic Park is a very good price I have seen those going for $1800.00

More Cowbell · « **Reply #30 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:47:15 am »

I was really happy to find JP and to have no one else be interested in it at the auction. My son is huge into dinosaurs so he is absolutely devoted to it. That's where I think the theme pins have their biggest value. My family doesn't care whether the gameplay is super deep or just fairly deep, they care if it's fun to look at and reminds them of something fun. If I could find the right price on Pirates of the Caribbean or Spider-Man I'd jump on one of those too, even though they haven't received very high marks overall. The family would love them anyway.

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #31 on:** February 06, 2008, 10:55:06 am »

The last auction in town had a larger than normal number of pins, but of course I was out of town. They had a Jurassic Park, Guns And Roses, and I think a Simpsons. There were more than this, but these were the ones I was interested in.

I have played a Simpsons and really liked it. I have been curious how the GNR and JP plays.

shardian · « **Reply #32 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:12:18 am »

Quote from: More Cowbell on February 06, 2008, 10:47:15 am

I was really happy to find JP and to have no one else be interested in it at the auction. My son is huge into dinosaurs so he is absolutely devoted to it. That's where I think the theme pins have their biggest value. My family doesn't care whether the gameplay is super deep or just fairly deep, they care if it's fun to look at and reminds them of something fun. If I could find the right price on Pirates of the Caribbean or Spider-Man I'd jump on one of those too, even though they haven't received very high marks overall. The family would love them anyway.

Have you played a Pirates of Caribean? The more I play it and get to know it, the more disappointing it gets. The DMD work is a complete joke. The sound is a complete disgrace. Just so you know, there is ZERO licensed sound or music of any sort from the movie. The game plays okay, but the ball was dropped so horribly bad on the theme that I can't help but not like it. They could have made a sweet generic pirate themed pin and done much better.

ChadTower · « **Reply #33 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:24:10 am »

It plays a lot like Waterworld, if that helps.

divemaster127 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 06, 2008, 11:47:21 am »

I played the pirates several times due to I could get this pin nib, cheaper than a floor model lotr pin...I just did not like the gameplay at all & do not care for the theme much.
dm

More Cowbell · « **Reply #35 on:** February 06, 2008, 12:27:45 pm »

Well there you have it. Glad I mentioned it. It just really surprises me that in this day and age they can't take an awesome theme and make it work. The sound and music is half of the theme!

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #36 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:22:15 pm »

What do you call this feature?

In the Data East Simpsons, there will be a rod that comes up to prevent the ball from going down the channel around and behind the flippers.

ChadTower · « **Reply #37 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:34:59 pm »

I hear that's not a rod, it's a Todd.

shardian · « **Reply #38 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:46:17 pm »

Personally, I have an eye on a Whodunnit that is local. It is one of those hidden 90's gems that run around $1500 in excellent shape. The plan is to finish shopping the Charlie's Angels, play it till I get bored (shouldn't take long), sell it for $500 or so, then use my tax rebate thingy for the rest. The wife has already given the green light on it, as she LOVES it in pinmame. The tax rebate is the break I needed to free up some fundage.

ChadTower · « **Reply #39 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:52:51 pm »

Whodunnit is a good title, IMO. A lot of people crap on it because the list of suspects/etc is limited but I enjoy it quite a bit. That telephone shot is a good mode shot - challenging but not so damn hard that a novice can't hit it once in a while.


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