"Diner" - Pt. 13: My Pinball Collection (Williams 1990)

[@RetroReef]

I imagine it would be a lot of work, with unknown audience interest levels, but man I would love if you had an ongoing series just doing this format with all kinds of tables; not necessarily just ones you own. History, basic gameplay explanations. Also, would love to see an update to your collection today.

[@spida1a]

Wow, thanks so much for your kind words. I put these videos together a long time ago. I wish the quality was a little better. :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@MoreDakka101 Well, since they are in storage and I won't be fixing it for a LONG time, there was no use in NOT completing the series. So you missed a flash bulb or two...ha ha. :) Thanks for watching!

[@brinkybrinkz]

This is a cool pinball machine. Love the artwork. Always loved pinball machines, but as I get older I'm starting to appreciate and learn more about unique pinball machines.

[@BitHead1000]

I watch a lot of pinball reviews, yours are by far the best.

[@spida1a]

@IntertubeNinja Wow, thanks so much my friend. I truly enjoy making them. Ha ha. Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@nlafavore I know...I can't wait to dig into that game again some day and finish the darn thing. Ha ha. Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@jdrukman Thanks a lot for your wonderful comments. I appreciate it. I am already de-interlacing it upon its output (the box has always been checked to de-interlace). Honestly, I think it has something to do with my video-camera. It has been doing a horrible job lately (it even has vertical striping in higher contrasts...it never used to do this). Then again...it could be that it's over ten years old, beat to hell and a consumer cam. Ha ha. Time to upgrade one of these days. :)

[@spida1a]

@TrueSoreThumb Ha ha. Yeah...well, I made some good investments. But, I haven't bought a game in three years so, I might NEED to sell as a result someday. :) :) Thanks for watching!

[@Vayr0n]

The playfield of this machine is just gorgeous ! I hope you will keep it forever. Very nice review as usual.

[@spida1a]

Definitely will!! Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

Wow, thanks for that message. Truly! I'm so glad you enjoy them!!

[@RHDrumLessons]

My favorite burger joint in my high school town had Diner. As a child of the 90s I seldom played any games prior to the new standard of dot matrix displays. Diner was such a breath of fresh air among the pre-dot matrix pins I didn't grow up with. Maybe it was the fitting combination of Diner and that burger joint, but this machine in particular makes me very happy. After seeing this video, I subscribed. Very entertaining and informative; your passion for these machines is crystal clear. Bravo.

[@spida1a]

@ChrisMolyneaux93 CV is a great looking game, that's for sure. The purple scrolls on the backbox look great with the game. :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@zapposh It is. But, when the inserts have raised up to the point where it affects the ball travel, it has severely cracked the clear-coat from the factory. So, it won't do any good anymore. You know? These weren't bad (where most of the Diner games have this issue, most raising up underneath the mylar). So, I wanted to have the inserts leveled off and extra clear put on it. Thanks for watching. :)

[@spida1a]

@rwalters6986 Hi Ryan! Yes, that is a "really good' price for a Diner. If it is in good shape and fully working, jump on it. They don't come around too often and they are often beat up. Ha ha. Thanks for watching and subbing!!! More vids to come!

[@WillmotionAnimation]

I played this for the first time on the weekend and thought of this video! I always hope to see the machines you reviewed out in the wild :)

[@Gamester81Arcade]

Wow that's a great looking pinball machine! Excellent review and thanks for sharing.

[@spida1a]

@dadofducks I would love a job at Stern. Lately they have been "cookie cuttering" it. But, Stern has been doing some amazing stuff since about 2001 (when the Williams guys showed up and attacked their default a bit. ha ha). :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

I hope when you find these that you are "scooping" them up immediately then for re-sale.  Since they estimate between only 50 to 200 were sprayed with actual diamond plate, you must be going to all the places where every one of them ended up. You are one lucky man. I applaud you. With that said, I also like the silver habitrail as well.

[@spida1a]

@Gamester81Arcade I always thought it looked quite nice. Ha ha. :) Thanks for watching!!

[@spida1a]

@RossEStern Diamond Plate is a clear-coat that they started spraying on playfields in order to keep them from "wearing" out as quickly as they were. It definitely preserved most playfields much better than what had come before. :)

[@NLind]

The McDonalds South in Rochester, MN has/had one set on Free Play. I often play it while I'm waiting for my mom to order food. Just hearing the music makes me want to be there playing it!

[@spida1a]

@lukemorse1 I can't believe I shot all this random stuff growing up. Who knew I could "Use it later" in these vids. Ha ha. Thanks LM!

[@bjoran83]

I love these videos! Played a lot of pinball as a kid, great times!

[@spida1a]

@MrRiffbear Well....removing mylar from a "diamond plate" playfieid is not quite as scary. I would recommend the "freeze" method for that (and some Goo Gone for the remainder of the glue). Definitely read the manuals and online information on how to do it the best way. :) PS: I take no responsibility if you tear your playfield up. Disclaimer! Ha ha! Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@VideoBox100 LOL! Couldn't think of anything clever to say. Ha ha. Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@SilveryDark25 Ha ha. R and S pinball would have ruled. :) Thanks for watchin!

[@jboypacman]

Never have played or even seen Diner before but it looks fantastic Chris and now i want one lol.

[@spida1a]

@TransAMGTA1988 Awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@HelloMyNameIsRED]

Of all the pinball machines you have showed us so far I got to say this is the most beautiful of them. Just the design and overall look makes me wanna buy it, even tho it doesn't use a dot matrix display :D

[@spida1a]

@MATTCZARNY3 All White Waters were diamond-plate so...not at all. :) Thanks for watching!!

[@rngpro]

Great video as usual Chris, looking forward to the next.

[@thunderfan77]

Another great pinball video! Keep 'em coming!

[@spida1a]

@jefftune Oh yes, totally. I LOVED the personality in Diner and Taxi. So awesome. Thanks for watching!

[@callmesteam]

Very cool Chris! Thanks for sharing!

[@karmalord]

Would be nice to find a value of these pins as I see a Diner nearby for $2100.00. Thanks for taking the time on these very helpful reviews!

[@Johnsarcade]

great review. thinking about grabbing one of these.

[@tryton1000]

I love this review! Thanks again Chris!!!!

[@willysayad9549]

Diner is mine today !! I find it in perfect condition !! with a diamond plate playfield ;) it's my pinball now ;) i'm really happy !

[@JamesSmith123456789]

Diner is coming to *Pinball Arcade* next month

[@BiloHazard]

After 6 years, can you confirm plz?

[@futurematt5]

Another insightful, entertaining and awesomely made video Chris!

[@spida1a]

@arn0ldaar0n Ha ha. I love Boris!! Thanks for watching!

[@blackriver321]

Your pinball exlications are amazing :) I watched all your videos like 5 times...

[@jefftune]

Diner was my favorite pinball machine. Is it Haji who says "Cmon man you are going too slow" when you take too long to start the plunger. LOL - I still say that to other drivers when I'm driving. The Diner characters are great.

[@spida1a]

I'm usually pretty open to everything new. So, I'm willing to give it a shot and see what they can do with it (so far I have been unimpressed but I realize it is in its infancy programming-wise, you know?). :)

[@spida1a]

@TheWiiHackerz Thanks for watching!

[@phoenixlich]

i think the lower difficulty curve might attract more casual gamers to Diner. some of the more challenging pinball games can really keep people from coming back for more! great review as always. your fans totally appreciate the time and effort it must take to make these. recording all the sound bites and actually having to play well at the game to show us the modes and jackpots lol

[@spida1a]

@MrDebauch Thanks for watching!

[@metalcoola]

Yet another great review :} I really like to watch them

[@KryptojackJr]

Well, don't lose hope because Jersey Jack or Heighway Pinball may have original artwork on their machines soon! By the way, did you finish rebuilding Diner yet?

[@ObsoleteOddity]

I'd love to own this pinball! Do you have all these machines at home or do you have them open to the public to play on?

[@MrDebauch]

great video man... your collection is class A

[@spida1a]

@phoenixlich Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@MarcoZ1ITA1 Ha ha. I've done that many times. "UGh...I swear I've seen this one". Ha ha. :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@MrStrider432 Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

You mean the stickers on the cabinet? Yeah. I agree but...everyone complained SO much that the silkscreened artwork was "too low-rez and dotty" and Stern listened by giving them better quality print jobs. I never cared much honestly, I'd rather have a silkscreened cabinet verses a decal anyday. But, I guess I was in the minority. Also, yes, I do miss the days of original artwork! :)

[@spida1a]

Hey, cool! I like it. ;) Thanks for watching!

[@CommodoreFan64]

Hell yeah I remember seeing this at an old Diner near Atlanta as a kid, and begged my dad for quarters, and was able to play it for about 30mins before he pulled me from it LOL!! Sadly I have not seen another sense :( As always though Awesome review :-)

[@spida1a]

@roundtr1p Thanks for watching. :)

[@VinceLatello]

@spida1a I am super new to this, obviously by all the comments I post on your videos. Do you know of a site or someplace online that would explain some basics in fixing up a machine. Another question I have for you is sometimes I recall playing games in an arcade and the flippers were really weak, sometimes the same game somewhere else played stronger. Is that just because of the rubber bands around the flippers or something else?

[@843sagev]

Love your videos. Live in seattle and enjoy the nostalgia of pinball and arcade games. If your ever in town check out Shorty's on 2nd ave. Its a pinball/barcade. Keep up the vids.

[@jimneegs3887]

Hey spida1a, great video. I'm wondering if you've ever removed the coffee cup from this table. I'm trying to shop one of these, and am having a hell of a time getting the cup free of the back board!

[@tunicaroja86]

Nice Pinball Chris!

[@IntertubeNinja]

Loving your videos!

[@blinkstock182]

Oh yeah, a definite CLASSIC... I remember seeing this in a lonely Bowling Alley...

[@spida1a]

@TheLumberjackass Thanks a ton. I try to add that into my reviews ('cause they all are important to me). Funny....I can see a difference between these last ones and the ones I shot in 2009 (my energy level is better this time). Probably because I was coming off a bad car accident or something and was shooting them quickly (hence the HAT where my stitches were). :) :)

[@spida1a]

@chaosgreyblood I do not own or know anyone who has the Data East Batman machine, no. But, it's a pretty fun little early DE game. :)

[@starsoldier1]

Great review but what was the deal with the cliffhanger ending?

[@MarcoZ1ITA1]

Damn it, i'm not sure, but i think i've seen this and this was my first pinball. I remember the springed characters in the backglass, and the music (sort of, the speaker was quiet).

[@ryanhide21]

@spida1a Chris, I went down and checked the machine out, the playfield had some pretty major wear on it, but other than that it looked like it was fully operational besides a few busted drop targets and some plastics that needed replaced. I offered him 1k and he didn't want to come down so I left empty handed. However, come this morning he sent me an email asking i was still interested at 1k ha. I think i may pop on it and try to fix it up with some new decals etc. What should i do!? - Ryan

[@spida1a]

@scir91 I have played Street Fighter 2, yes. It's a pretty good Gottlieb / Premier game. If you can find one, give it a shot. I more-than-likely won't be reviewing it. :) Thanks.

[@aidancavanaugh5834]

Do you have to take it apart when you buy it? Because I would suck at fixing it up. I'm not good at stuff like that.

[@spida1a]

@kevinsecrets Ha ha. If the games were in this State...I definitely would have. :) Happy holidays!

[@ivarus75]

One of the best machines!

[@jlarsson1978]

Fantastic review. Thanks a lot!

[@spida1a]

@BettyBlowtorchRocks Thanks a lot! Got lucky to find it, truly! Ha ha.

[@VinceLatello]

Ohh so to get your playfield shined up, you send those out to someone? how much does that cost?

[@spida1a]

@Jollysepp Thanks a ton Jollysepp!

[@zapposh]

Lovely Diner game and great vids! So it makes sense to clearcoat an already diamond plated game? I thought the diamond plating was already some kind of clearcoat protection?

[@spida1a]

@blacksixspeed I haven't seen that in a LONG time. But, yes I do remember. :)

[@spida1a]

@jkgatling Honestly, I have been getting "lucky" because...most of the games I own right now, were games I played as a kid. And I did a "pinball hunt" video where I went around trying to find games. Most of the footage is from that video (who knew I could use it all these years later). Ha ha. Take care.

[@spida1a]

@callmesteam Thanks for watching!!

[@spida1a]

@rwalters6986 That sounds like a good deal. I mean, 1k for any game is worth it today. But, a Diner isn't easy to find. I'll bet you can do some little touchup and playfield work and get it looking pretty good. Just make sure it plays well and electronics are good.

[@spida1a]

@ProjectReality64 The number of "balls" at once? Apollo-13 I believe. 13-ball multiball if you can get it started. Fun gimmick once or twice. :)

[@spida1a]

@Quakeman224 Excellent! There were a few of 'em around. Ha ha. :)

[@spida1a]

@VinceLatello If you want "clear-coat" sprayed onto them, it's quite expensive (and a HORRIBLE chore removing them and everything on them). That's why I've only done it twice. Ha Ha. I can't honestly remember how much it cost. It was in the lower hundreds somewhere. :)

[@chaosgreyblood]

I haven't played pinball games a lot, but I remember having played Batman before. Will you be able to review that game?

[@spida1a]

@MegaHowtoMan Hmmm......ha, I can't remember who did this one. I'm not much into the whole thing so, I don't have any regulars. I know Bill Davis did my Taxi game but I've heard he's kind of moved away from it. Ya' know? :)

[@pivotnoobRB]

:( and this week it developed a new issue... FLIPPER CHATTER AHHHH!!!!! :P

[@spida1a]

@shaurz There is no cliffhanger. Just had nothing to say. :)

[@spida1a]

@jboypacman I know it's not everyone's cup-of-tea (HA, get it?) but..I like it a lot. :)

[@jdrukman]

Your videos are amazing, and your collection has me green with envy! I loved Diner back in the day. One day I hope to own a machine of this era. If I may make a suggestion, I think you need to turn de-interlacing on on your video editing program. This video shows the classic "comb tooth" pattern which means it needed to be deinterlaced when output.

[@spida1a]

@bjoran83 Totally! Lots of memories for me! :)

[@spida1a]

@starsoldier1 Thanks. Lol...what cliffhanger ending? I just left. Ha ha.

[@spida1a]

Your comments get better and better my friend. :)

[@spida1a]

@Gospodinstrannyj I tend to agree with you on that one. Love them both, though. :)

[@spida1a]

@TeButler Thanks a lot!

[@ProjectReality64]

which pinball machine has the most multi balls at once?

[@spida1a]

@blinkstock182 Guess we both had bowling alley - Diner experiences, eh? Ha ha. :)