PINBALL MACHINE Collecting - What you need to know to get started

Chuck Van Pelt of the Portland Retro Gaming Expo shows us what a new Pinball machine collector needs to know to get started collecting! Plus he talks about some of the more fun or collectable games, where to look for problems with machines and websites and books for reference.
www.Pinside.com - online pinball-specific community
www.arcade-museum.com - arcade & pinball games
www.ipdb.org - Catalog and ratings of all pinball machines
BOOKS: Pinball Machine Care and Maintenance - Bernard Kamoroff
The Pinball Compendium - Michael Shalhoub
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Site: www.MetalJesusRocks.com
Chuck Van Pelt: www.retrogamingexpo.com
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Buy old DOS & PC games at GOG.com * goo.gl/Ezudc7
SPECIAL THANKS to : Ground Kontrol & Quarterworld for letting us film in your kick-ass arcades for this video!
Intro Music by Ethan Meixsell \m/

[@MetalJesusRocks]

I'm glad so many viewers are enjoying something a little different this week. Also there is a funny outtake at the end of the video as a bonus.

[@ashir555]

+MetalJesusRocks Nice vid. Chuck was like "WTF dude?, what kind of question is that?" in the outtakes. :)

[@MitsuhashiTakashi]

You should do more types of arcade games like just anything that could be in an arcade other than pinball and video games

[@worldhello1234]

+MetalJesusRocks How about a Neo Geo MVS buying guide?

[@MrTripcore]

+MetalJesusRocks Try pinball arcade on ps3/4, they have real life tables to try before you buy.

[@mattb9664]

If your seriously considering a machine, try out Pinball Arcade first on one of your newer consoles. It will give you a rundown of all the popular machines and let you get an idea of the theme, rule sets, and difficulty you might be looking for. Doesn't compare to the real thing though.

[@BlaizeV]

I highly recommend anyone with an interest in pinball or just hobbies of a geeky nature in general to check out the documentary 'Special When Lit', it's a fascinating insight to where Pinball came from and the fandom and characters it created and how it survives in the modern day.

[@Prizm44]

Thanks for the heads up

[@spacegarnaal]

Its not a real good representation of the state of pinball today though. Its just a bunch of whiners who thought it would never come back. And look now, there's atleast 4 companies building pinball machines now

[@Prizm44]

Yeah I watched the documentary, it had a bit of a depressing tone and almost all the people interviewed were weirdos. Interesting though.

[@spacegarnaal]

There's actually a VHS documentary that has been uploaded recently. It goes up to the 90's era machines, and it shows you where every little feature we see today has had its origins Its called: History of pinball(special edition)

[@tmorelli1982]

@@spacegarnaal Stern 🤘

[@mykie242]

I hope this isn't your last video covering pinball, because this was awesome and Chuck is a heck of a guy!

[@JohnRiggs]

Chuck!!! Love that dude. Fascinating video! I had a friend who preferred pinball over video games simply stating, "Video games control you but in Pinball, you're in control. The ball only goes where you tell it go to."

[@snooks5607]

cute remark although ultimately it's the game creator who's in control of the show. unless you mod, but then it's not really about playing the game anymore.. life is full of compromises.

[@PatChatGC]

Not into pinball but this was still really interesting to watch! It's always awesome to see passionate people talk about their passion; it just draws you into their world for a few minutes whether or not you care about the subject!

[@TheBananacoco12]

+TheJapanCode 100% agree in both regards

[@vice86]

same here, never really a pinball fan but interesting video to watch. I did used to play T2 pinball.

[@mpcjunkie72]

I took an expensive gamble - i listened to blogs, google and forums and made my decision based on that. I bought an Addams pinball for $4K over 10 years ago. I took it home and loved it. I still have it and we still enjoy it. It is worth more than what I spent.

[@XxBishop78]

Thats a great pin man

[@Lilbroda]

I played Medieval Madness for years in a arcade saloon next to my old house... they closed doors back in 2006, the old guy who managed that place did retired and I still regret to this day for never had ask him if he would want to sell it for me... damm so good memories about that place, back in the 90s used to be a big and dark place filled all the greatest games at the time... now it is a freaking chinese shop. Everytime I passe down there I get depressed.

[@mongul1894]

This was one of my favorite videos you've done recently. I didn't really grow up around arcades, but I always try to play pinball if I come across a machine. this video was a great little gaming history lesson.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

Got my pinball Machine this weekend! Found out about a secret pinball swap meet in my area and got a Xenon pinball table fully working and delivered to my house for around 1200! I'm loving it! Thanks for putting this in my head first to get a pinball table.

[@spacegarnaal]

Good god. Xenon is such an awesome machine. And since you got it fully working and delivered, thats a very decent price. Got my rare DE Time Machine for only 700 dollars which is a bloody steal

[@platty9237]

My local bowling alley had medieval madness. I was never really into pinball, but that one was extremely fun. I played that one quite a bit.

[@jonathangeorge7815]

One of the greatest tables of all time!

[@boss_pedal]

It was great seeing Chuck's collection, I loved his passion and I feel like I learned a lot about pinball here. I've always felt a bit intimidated by their complexity, but I'll make more of an effort to try out some machines in future. I've seen him in a ton of other game collectors videos giving people good deals and generally being a good guy, so he's a great addition to the MJR family. Looking forward to seeing Chuck in more videos in the future.

[@redcat608]

MetalJesus Rocks! You did it again--you won over my heart! Great video!!!

[@germantecahd3416]

Perfect, now I have to tell to my wife I want a pinball... Wish me luck.

[@ghostface6569]

Do you have your pinball now, 2 years later? :)

[@STARDRIVE]

@@ghostface6569 He didn't answer. I fear for the worst..

[@SlidTossedPissed]

@@STARDRIVE He's a gonner. Ive grown up with PINS. I had Gorgar, Party Animal, , Spring Break, 79 Playboy.. in my basement as a chld of about 10. If I want a Pin... Im not asking my wife. Im telling her. YO BABE... GORGAR.. S P E A K S !!!!

[@TheHeadlessHorseman]

@@STARDRIVE Either his wife saw how much pinballs are and he is now dead, or he is too busy playing pinball to get on youtube

[@uacmarine3378]

Good luck man !

[@foxmiller6772]

I got my 1970 Gottlieb Mini Cycle Pinball Machine And electromechanical it definitely was fun working on the Hands-On approach definitely makes it more fun.

[@hernandezluisarturo]

Back in the 90's i used to play some pinball machines, but there were 3 machines that i liked the most, those machines were "Terminator 2", "Bride of Pin-Bot" and my favorite one "Tales of the Arabian Nights", i had a lot of fun with those machines, saludos desde México.

[@aidancavanaugh5834]

Arabian nights creeps me out the most. I don't know why it just does. Funhouse does too.

[@srnad88]

Rudy is watching---haha

[@snooks5607]

TOTAN is probably the pin I've fed most euros into, and it was a Mexican themed bar/restaurant that I usually played it at. cheers :)

[@GoodVideos4]

I'm in my mid-50's and grew up in the 1970's. That is with those electro-mechanical pinball machines, with the 'ting ting ting'. Some people prefer those to the later ones, because with those ones a player knew what to do, to play for. Wheras, with the later ones that isn't clear.

[@losalfajoresok]

Man, I was waiting for this for so long! Thanks a lot! I played a lot of those machines in my country (Argentina) and they are expensive like hell, so it's almost impossible to have one. I'm looking forward for the arcade collectors episode!

[@Spacemutiny]

Awesome job Metal Jesus! Thank you for making the effort to always bring us new and exciting content. I love playing pinball on my iPad. Sooooo tempted to get a machine myself.

[@BLTspace]

Awesome, I'm glad I was around just at the end of the arcade era. Great memories, good stuff MJ!

[@RetroGamePlayers]

I have been collecting these for about 12 years and love them. It's true they are very fun to work on too.

[@phillipmartinez2436]

Holy crap I'm literally about to purchase space shuttle, firepower, black out and 1 more machine. Either super sonic, f14 tomcat, or free fall. Then your video popped up showing 3 of the machines I'm purchasing.

[@salazar4400]

You're the best MetalJesus! I didn't know you had this video

[@douglasquaid4518]

I played most of these machines when they were new, brings back good memories

[@dogmd7]

Easily one of your best videos yet. Insightful and entertaining. Bring back Chuck sometime, dude definitely knows his stuff.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

+Legendary Chop Chop Thanks very much!

[@rickykeim2005]

I really liked this video. I saw and heard many pinball machines growing up but didn't play many of them. I always felt it was an opportunity lost. I really love the sound of those old electro mechanical machines. I would watch more pinball videos and Id love to see what kind of awesome arcade cabinets you can find.

[@guilhermeviolin]

Amazing video! The videos that cover more obscure sides of the gaming world are really the strong point of this channel. Great guest, with great knowledge and passionate about the subject.

[@Hilanderous]

Growing up in Chicago, pinball was always more prevalent than arcade machines with such companies as Bally, Williams, Midway, Stern, etc hailing from around there. As such, it's been my dream to one day own a machine or two. Thanks for the video, Metal Jesus and giving me this reference for the future. Retro gaming has many sources and outlets, but there isn't the same love for pinball out there. I'm always excited to see what you'll cover next on your show! Keep up the great work!

[@fiskuffe]

This video was very well put together and enjoyable! High quality!

[@MetalJesusRocks]

+fiskuffe Thanks!

[@samfrito]

Man oh man, brother and burger, pinball was my first passion as a kid. great job! to you and Chuck. I still get really excited by pinball machines and love playing. Nice! and I would love T2 pinball machine.

[@cybermarco]

Hi metal Jesus, I haven't made any comment before, but I love watching your video's for years now. I grew up in the 80's and still can feel the passion for the 2600 I had back in the day. I also love the sound, look and feel of classic arcade machines so please do a video about that. Your channel is great, I think you are an awesome guy and you also have wonderful guests on your show. My favorite video is '2600 games that don' t suck' and maybe you can also do a video about the Colecovision once. That thing blew my mind when it came out in the early 80's. I can still even remember the smell of the box when I got mine :-) I thank you for all the fun I have watching your video's!

[@kornsin]

As huge of a pinball fan as I am (42 years old so been playing them since I was 5) the repair/degradation aspect is what keeps me from getting my first table. I am beyond impressed at not only the collectors but those that can repair them.

[@Puppet_Doctor]

Really interesting video. Loved seeing the old mechanical pinball machines and the ones from the 90s.

[@oneal9898989898]

Looking forward to seeing more of this!

[@byrondot]

One of my favourite pinballs is "Laser War". Lovely soundtrack, great sound, and very enjoyable machine!

[@promodgamung9277]

I love watching your videos and you actually inspired me to do a game collection

[@ion-shivs]

Great video. Educational, too. I love hearing about the inner workings and history of gaming machines.

[@Guns7469]

Wow! I have not seen Space Shuttle in ages, very nice collection Chuck!

[@JoeHusosky]

My BLACKOUT, man that brings me back I haven't been able to get it running for a long time, nice to see one again.

[@Happytylermovieproducction]

I like how Professional Metal Jesus was. Metal Jesus is certainly rock! And Space Cadet is the best thing Windows XP have to offer.

[@digitek74]

Metal Jesus thank you for another interesting video, I have been schooled on how all pinball machines are not created equal, I had no idea they currently still make this amazing work of art. You do know how to keep your channel fresh!! oh an good luck on your quest on getting your own pinball machine I'm sure Rebecca will love a heavy metal theme machine ;)

[@paranormalzen]

Yes, please on the arcade machine collecting. Especially if you can cover where to get them and the repair and maintenance.

[@sohchx]

The best way to obtain pins, learn repair, and maintenance your best bet is to join one of the pinball forums or Facebook pinball groups. There you can find out anything and everything that you will ever need to know.

[@pbailed8007]

Zen Zero we most definitely want that!!

[@davidcomito505]

Oh wow! Thanks for doing a pinball episode!

[@skabcat242]

I never got into pinball but I do appreciate the designs and lights on these things.

[@InterRS8888]

Congrats for making this video on pinball machines. Cool stuff!!!

[@aljr357]

I'm 41 and from Canada so we had pinball be very popular throughout the 80s and mid 90s it ended somewhat. They are still somewhat popular.

[@Jasonwfd]

This was a super interesting watch. And yes, doing one on arcade collecting would be great! Excellent stuff dude.

[@dirtydonnyart]

Glad you made this one!

[@infesticon]

The twilight zone pinball machine is insane. The most patents of any pinball machine ever!!! It has a non metal ball. Magnetic flippers, a working clock on the play field, a freaking working gumball machine!!!

[@BitTripBeat]

finally some pinball love, I'm going to an event soon with 300 machines it's gonna be great!

[@ninjasec]

I dont have the space, or the skills to fix one. I love seeing that there are people out there that do. I always enjoyed pinball as well.

[@allhailthelegs]

Chuck seems very knowledgeable and articulate. Great video

[@TomHaroldArt]

What an excellent video for noob pinball enthusiasts. I'm just getting into it, and this sort of overview of machine types and eras along with practical advice is incredibly helpful! Great work, thanks!

[@goldeneyeadam]

Chuck your are just awesome!!! Your knowledge of pinball is amazing and I can feel the passion you have for pinball...Thank you so much for the informative interview and everything I need to know when buying a machine!! Just so great!! Thanks again

[@Bobzillabob1]

This is a fantastic video. I'm a pinball fan. I've often thought many times about selling all the videogame stuff in pursuit of pinball. I'm a 90s era fan mostly and it might not be the best to purists but Theatre of Magic left me with so many fond memories and got me hooked. My dream machine if money was no object would be Monster Bash. Looking forward to the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show next month.

[@post-apocalypticcomingsoon1625]

Cool episode. I've always enjoyed playing pinball machines as a kid.

[@darkfalcon59]

WOW keep it up metal jesus awesome video love the arcade machines

[@Locomamonk]

amazing video!! Totally outdid yourself man! Great pick for an interview and great topics! I loved every single moment of this video!

[@richardbain8746]

Your Channel Rocks Thanks For Showing Gorgar My Favorite Machine!

[@davidforpresident]

I really enjoy each of your video. Another cool subject in the large world of video games. keep up the good work. (from Montreal)

[@Stonerman023]

Excellent show MJR! I built my very own Virtual Pinball machine a couple of years ago. From a (partly) broken 40" TV gifted from a friend, a donated Core2Duo based computer, a regular LCD computer display (for the back) an old kitchen table, and some arcade buttons. It works really well for being bult from such a limited budget. Fun as hell. I´d still love to have a real machine one day, but I don´t have the space or the money for it.

[@ToxicJuiceb0x]

I've never really liked playing pinball, but I had such a blast playing the Elvira Scared Stiff machine. I believe it was shown in this video somewhere in the arcade shot. I would really love to buy that one, I would play it all day.

[@Booozy3050]

I'm trying out many classic pinball tables in "pinball arcade" for the vita and its bringing back memories of years gone by. Though I loved the computer pinball game called "ProPinball Fantastic Journey" even more than the real things.

[@BOYD1981]

The Addam's Family machine is one of my favourites, along with Terminator 2 and Star Trek: TNG. They're just the ones I remember most from being a kid.

[@L1701]

I LOVE the Star Trek: TNG and Medieval Madness tables, and it was awesome they got shout outs in this video. They're great tables, and I love playing those tables on Pinball Arcade for my X-Box 360.

[@madeinuk68]

If I had the money,I would so collect these machines.I too have a great nostalgic value attached to them.

[@TheSentinel3000]

I like the place that is with the stuff! Pinball machines are a blast but they are definitely a case of not "if" they will break and need work done but "when." Once you get to know how they work, it's actually a lot of fun to repair and restore them.

[@thegoodgunner]

wow remember playing the adams family pinball in my teen and agree it was one of the best

[@jerps93]

I love pinballs so much. I want to play the new Ghostbusters pinball. Really cool video man.

[@Kyle07]

Phantastic video! I enjoyed over 10 years ago to play real pinnball machines. This video ist great, thank you both. :)

[@Daehawk]

I still remember the fun i had in the 80s on F-14 Tomcat. The one with the 3 police lights on top..think red blue and yellow. The sights and sounds of that one with the thumper in it really stuck in my mind. I think I also did the best on it. To me the biggest tech to come to pinball is LED lighting. Its nice and bright and colorful. Makes anything before it seem dim and dingy to me.

[@drew8235]

Would definitely love to see a video on arcade machines. As much as I enjoyed this video, pinball was never something that I spent much time playing. However, as a kid I did love arcade machines, and even to this day I'd still love to collect a few of the more meaningfull ones, and a video similar to this would be fantastic.

[@lionneko]

love that. I'm trying to collect arcade machines

[@Damon0306]

My 3-favs from the early 80s, Gorgar, Blackout, & Firepower!

[@rahilkiani]

Thanks guys. I used to like playing the Mary Shelley's Frankenstein one by Sega. It wasn't too hard so I didn't have to waste too many precious coins on it as a kid so that was always a bonus. The Adams family one was always fun also, I always found it in various places over the years.

[@FatherxSnipes]

Space Shuttle was super fun! It was cool seeing all the awesome pinball machines at PRGE!

[@gque1985]

awesome video, my father loves pinball machines and I always wanted to get him one, this helps a lot I appreciate information.

[@deco983]

amazing video! great collection!

[@ByteSizeThoughts]

Fantastic interview

[@MrMario2011]

Not interested in ever collecting or buying pinball machines but still checked it out, interesting as always :D

[@lemongrass3945]

I had no idea you covered some pinball machines. Very cool you did this

[@speechdr]

loved the new Oz machine you highlighted. I have a 1986 Grand Lizard...Magna save baby!

[@magicbus63]

I love Gorgar from 1979 great machine!

[@strumdogg1]

"Special When Lit" is a great documentary about the history of Pinball, but it also highlights huge collectors from around the world. Very fun film!

[@MetalJesusRocks]

+Strum Dogg A great documentary! I've seen it as well.

[@WonkaWillE]

awesome vid! something different but still relevant. learned a few things

[@jaxnean2663]

Great video, totally informing and entertaining

[@Uranusfog]

You've outdone yourself again MetalJesus! when I saw that Gorgar machine I giggled with envy lol. Thanks for the great video guys.

[@MetalJesusRocks]

+Uranusfog THANKS!

[@zeezlebops]

Dude I just helped my sister move her bf in and he has this machine! so random

[@emmanuelmckoy5899]

@@zeezlebops did you play the hell out of it like i would have?

[@zeezlebops]

​@@emmanuelmckoy5899 just a little lol

[@emmanuelmckoy5899]

@@zeezlebops a little? I bet you regret that 😅

[@paulanderson929]

Nice video. Yes, collecting arcade machines!!

[@s.b.b.3567]

This was awesome!! Pinball's bouncing back again!

[@ChicagoRetroGamer]

Pinball is so cool. Could honestly just play all afternoon. Cheers and rock on, MJR!

[@j.walker6845]

excellent video and very educational

[@lippy22]

I recognize those machines. I set the high score on the space shuttle machine this year at the PRGE

[@mrblond750]

Good video guys, had a laugh at my cameo @ 2:24.

[@LungMing23]

Great vid. Definitely would love to see one on arcade machines. Love the arcade and I'm also a newly excited MAME user on my pc so this would be perfect!

[@jexthegamer]

Long live pinball! I hope it comes to the forefront of arcade entertainment again sometime soon.

[@talim7k170]

Absolutely great video. Didn't really expect people to collect these things considering their size but it's undeniably cool to own these nonetheless.

[@drivenbyfate]

I'm really thankful for his advice to not turn a game on that's been sitting for a long time. Been eyeing at repairing my parents KISS machine that's been in the garage for 30 years without being turned on...will definitely be testing components out first now.

[@Schmidteren]

Great video as always!

[@DementedDistraction]

I've been on the lookout for years for a decent Centaur II for sale...no luck yet, but the hunt continues.

[@jonathanfedericogasperinik1183]

Nice to have this video beacuse im bullding my first gameroom and im looking for an pinball machine so This video helped me a lot!

[@AthiestDing]

thanks heaps was hoping you would do a pinball video. Looking forward to your arcade machine video