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“The Secret to Playing Pinball Anytime You Feel Like It”

Use this Buyer’s Guide to Avoid Costly Mistakes, Buy the Pinball Game that’s Perfect for You, and Fulfill Your Family’s Game-playing Dreams

By Richard Kohen

Imagine the freedom of playing pinball anytime you want to.

Imagine the convenience of walking into your home game room instead of loading up the family, gassing up the car, and driving across town.

Imagine the fun you’ll have when, every time you play, you turn yourself into your favorite movie hero.

How much will you feel your life improve? Will your kids have so much fun that they never come to dinner? Will your friends give anything to come over for another game?

What will this much fun be worth to you and your family?

This article will guide you towards getting the most from your hunt for the perfect pinball machine... the one that suits your specific tastes to a tee.

Be sure to read every word of this buyer’s guide so you understand important facts and catch each critical tip.... Every tip you read takes you one ingredient closer to your own secret recipe.

These tips come from experience — and you’ve probably had some of the same experiences I’ve had....

I recently wanted to play pinball so I looked for a local arcade that still had pinball machines, but I hit a brick wall. Although there used to be a bunch of arcades in town, now there’s just one that has a couple of ancient machines — and it’s on the other side of the city. That’s a lot of gas. And as a parent, I also realize I don’t want my young kids to play in some arcades. It feels like there are no arcades for my family.

How frustrating that is, to want to play the real thing and not be able to.
We’ve played pinball on our computer as a substitute — but that gets boring awfully fast for all of us. There’s a big difference between watching a little rectangular screen instead of gazing over a huge, 3D playfield. And your hand positions are all wrong because they’re on a keyboard instead of the large round flipper buttons on the sides of the pinball cabinet. And there’s no way to use your “body English” to control the nuance of your shots.

Playing simulated pinball is like eating stale potato chips. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Computer pinball just doesn’t measure up.

How did this situation come to be? If you haven’t really been into the pinball scene in a while, you may be surprised to learn of recent developments. I was....

For instance, you should know that there used to be three or four pinball manufacturer’s, but things have really changed a lot in the last decade. Only one manufacturer of coin-op pinball machines is left standing. And the winner is... Stern Pinball, Inc. located in Illinois. Every new pinball machine is made by Stern. Who knew?

Even though Stern’s competition has disappeared, their pinball machines are still top of the line because they are totally committed to the future of American pinball. They focus on modern movies, sports, and television shows.

Their latest games about American movie heroes include well-known characters like Indiana Jones, Spider-Man, Shrek, and Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. And check this out: Not only are these heroes and their adventures artistically painted on almost every surface of the pinball machine, but the games themselves are designed around the movie stories. When you shoot your first pinball into the playfield, you are Indiana Jones. You are Spider-Man. You are Jack Sparrow. And you do the same things they do in the movies. You overcome the bad guys. You solve the mysteries. You save the day and you get the girl.

Stern’s most recent sports game is a limited edition pinball machine that celebrates NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

And if television shows are your thing, you’ll enjoy the artistry designed into Stern’s Wheel of Fortune, Family Guy, and The Simpsons Pinball Party pinball machines.

Stern makes all of these new pinball machines for businesses as well as home users. They all have built-in coin boxes just like they always have... but you need to know that for the home user, each one is designed for the owner to easily put it on the “free play” setting — disabling the coin-op function.

What does this mean to you? No more hassling with flattening dollar bills for an arcade’s change machine. Remember doing that? You won’t be distracted by trying to keep track of stacks of coins, either. No more quarters or tokens ever again.

I was a little surprised to find that the machines are about 260-290 pounds. But with half a mile of cutting-edge electronics inside, you’d be a little heavy, too....

And then I wondered where I’d put my pinball machine. In my research, I’ve learned that if we’re like most people, we’d decorate our game room around our new machine. After all, our new pinball machine is a beautiful sculpture. It’s well-engineered with American know-how. It’s charismatic and no other game compares to it. Having a pinball machine as the showcase piece in your game room is like seeing Old Faithful at Yellowstone. It just seems to belong in the scene. It’s a natural fit.

My mouth waters when I imagine the kitchen being just a few steps away, too. Having munchies nearby for any craving that strikes us while we’re playing is a real bonus... and the chips and drinks are already paid for! Needless to say, this is the perfect party setup, too.

I also wondered what’s better for my needs: a new or used pinball machine? So I looked into that, too. I found out that although you can buy a used pinball machine, used ones are an aging breed. They’re usually refurbished to some extent before they’re sold, and the people who refurbish them usually do excellent work.

But as time goes on, there are fewer and fewer of these old machines for us to choose from. The companies that made them closed their doors long ago. Those old models, and most of their parts, simply aren’t made any more. This situation probably causes some owners of used machines to stress out over whether they’ll be able to get them repaired when needed. Who needs a nagging thought like that?

The other way to go is to buy a new pinball machine — usually for the same reasons you buy a new car instead of a used car. Today, that means a pinball machine made by Stern. Here’s what you get:

First of all, the new pinball machine is factory fresh. It’s brand new. It arrives at your home in the same box that Stern Pinball, Inc. put it in when it was manufactured in Illinois. It’s authentic Americana gaming.

A new pinball machine is guaranteed by the factory warranty. People who rebuild old machines also offer warranties, but none are exactly the same thing as a manufacturer’s warranty. New pinball machines last — being made of modern state-of-the-art materials. A new machine is durable and worry-free. It seems unreasonable to have the same expectations for an old, well-used machine.

A new pinball machine is a technological marvel. The stereo speakers sound awesome. The songs designed into the games are often the same songs you heard in the theater when you watched the movie or at home as you watched the TV show. The music is so familiar to every player. The dot matrix display is bright and precise and its animations and artwork are stunning. And the playfield is colorful and full of fun toys and targets inviting you to play over and over again.

A new pinball machine gives you the gift of being the first person — ever — to play it. It’s a wonderful feeling of true ownership. This causes new owners to do things like carry a cloth around with them just so they can rub off their fingerprints after playing. Some even say goodnight to their machines as they turn off the lights. And then, imagine this... you can’t wait to get up in the morning and sneak in a game before heading to the office. Ownership is a powerful thing — and it’s magnified many times over when your pinball machine is brand spanking new.

On the weekend, have your friends over. Maybe they’re neighbors, or friends from church, or people you work with Monday through Friday. You show them into your game room and position yourself so you can watch their faces as you introduce them to your shiny new pinball machine. Instantly, their faces light up. They can’t help it. They all smile ear-to-ear — every one of them. And they keep smiling, because everyone in America knows what a blast it is to play pinball!

And they recognize that this is the life everyone wants. This is something to aspire to. A game room, and a state-of-the-art pinball machine, too. “And we just saw that movie.” “I want to play first!” “No me!” “Can we come over next weekend, too?”

How cool is that? You can’t always be the first on the block, but life is simply grand when you finally get your own pinball machine.

With your own pinball machine, you have fun, your spouse has fun, your kids have fun, your friends have fun. It’s endless fun for everyone. Isn’t this what every day should be like?

Lots of people dream about having their own pinball machine, but few people are brave enough to act on their dreams. Yet here you are, already taking action by reading this guide and learning about how to do it. (That’s a big part of the secret right there... actually doing something.)

The more you read on, the more confidence you’ll have when it comes time to get exactly the pinball machine you need:

First, find an online dealer pinball whose only mission is to help you and your family live the dream of convenient pinball fun. A website like this specializes in new Stern pinball machines rather than 1,000 different things. No used machines, either.

What this means to you is that your shopping experience is the same as browsing a high-quality specialty store that has exactly what you’re looking for. Instead of browsing a dimly lit warehouse, you shop in a place where there’s no clutter for you to fight through to get to the pinball machines that interest you. They’re all clearly labeled.

Clicking on a picture or label brings up detailed descriptions and lots of photos. A specialty store wants to help you see every detail so that you’re an informed shopper. Hot tip: You should also read the shipping and frequently asked questions pages to learn as much as you can about how the website will serve you.

A specialty website is known for putting their customers first. They usually offer lots of shopping options because they respect you....

A specialty website offers shipping choices that match your delivery needs. Want your new pinball machine delivered curbside, or do you prefer white-glove service that places it exactly where you want it in your home or business? A site like this has got you covered.

A specialty site offers checkout choices that match your financial needs. You’re in charge. Ever want to use your American Express but couldn’t? Or your Discover Card? What a pain — you get all the way through the checkout process then find out they don’t accept your payment card. A specialty store accepts the widest range of payment methods.

For instance, both Google Checkout and PayPal offer quick, easy, and safe payment using VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and more. Having a choice of checkout systems is a sign that the website genuinely believes you deserve choices because you, their customer, mean something to them.

You should also look for a specialty site that guarantees your purchase. Stern includes their manufacturer warranty, and some distributors add their own to that. One warranty is good; a double warranty is outstanding. A site like this includes a manufacturer’s warranty plus a companion warranty.

Selection is something you should consider too. Stern has about eight or nine models to choose from at any one time. You should shop on a website that displays all eight or nine of Stern’s newest pinball machines — including Indiana Jones.

One last tip... my parents were right. Now in their 70s, they taught me that life’s short and you should treat yourself to everything it has to offer. They’ve inspired me to play hard with family and friends. Be the movie hero now and then. And fulfill my family’s dreams every time I’m able — before the currents of life wash away the opportunity. Sadly, we all know people that this has happened to.

Now that you’ve read this guide, I’m sure you realize what a powerful thing it would be to buy a new pinball machine for yourself and your family. You’re finally in the perfect position to buy with confidence because the specialty website you’re already on has every one of the required features. It doesn’t get better than this.

There’s no better time to fulfill your family’s game-playing dreams by buying them a new pinball machine. (That’s the last part of the secret... time, and recognizing how quickly it goes by.) Play pinball with your kids as often as you can — at home, with plenty of munchies, and save big bucks in gas. You’ll be glad you did... and so will everyone you know!

Enjoy the fun that your new pinball machine brings you.

Find the pinball machine you need by clicking on a picture below.

Each pinball machine entrée includes side-splitting fun (always in season).

All pinball machines served with choice of grins or giggles.

Click an image to see product details.

Click the image to read details about the Indiana Jones pinball machine.

Order a fun new Indiana Jones Pinball Machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the Shrek pinball machine.

Order a fun new Shrek pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the Black Suited Spider-Man (Limited) pinball machine.

Order a fun new Black Suited Spider-Man (Limited Edition) pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the Spider-Man pinball machine.

Order a fun new Spider-Man pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the Wheel of Fortune pinball machine.

Order a fun new Wheel of Fortune pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean pinball machine.

Order a fun new Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8 (Limited) pinball machine.

Order a fun new Dale Earnhardt Jr. #8 (Limited Edition) pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the World Poker Tour pinball machine.

Order a fun new World Poker Tour pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about The Simpsons Pinball Party pinball machine.

Order a fun new The Simpsons Pinball Party pinball machine to go.

Click the image to read details about the Family Guy pinball machine.

Order a fun new Family Guy pinball machine to go.

Description of fun pinball-related games as pinball sides.

What goes great with pinball machine fun? Or a pinball party?
How about some pinball trivia? Click a Side to explore.

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Pinball 101... What Do You Call That?

Pinball 101... Fun Facts about Pinball Machines - Test Your Knowledge

Pinball 101... Pinball’s History and Future Jim Schelberg, PinGame Journal

Description of amazing pinball artwork as free desserts.

Served in alphabetical order, our free dessert selection of large,

brilliantly colored pinball artwork superbly complements our hearty entrées!

Choice of opening each image in your browser w/LEFT mouse click...
(Some images may load slowly, but your patience will be rewarded!)

...or downloading each image to your computer w/RIGHT mouse click
(This enables you to view them later using a different program/application.)