Growing up, I used to do what most kids did whenever they got near coin-op games; I'd bug my parents for quarters. I was an '80s and '90s kid, so lived through the best years for pinball (in my opinion), but it wasn't until a little more recently that I really appreciated the machines. I was always more of an arcade game fanatic, but pinball was always something that I'd be willing to try once in a while. It was just intimidating to approach the wall of pins at my local arcade, as usually it was an older crowd vying for their time.

One Christmas my parents bought a Data East The Simpsons pinball machine. I still have that machine, and as it was our first, I don't think I'd be able to let it go. I really learned a lot on that machine, even though it's fairly simple in comparison to a lot of other games. I learned how to aim well, how to flipper pass, and even some more advanced techniques. Years later, when I had moved out, finished school, and married, I really got the itch to collect some arcade machines and build a game room. It wasn't long after the first few arcade machines showed up that I wanted to get a pinball machine. I researched for months on what machine to get, and I ended up coming back to Jurassic Park time and time again. I knew there were better machines, but memories of playing this one with my dad (who used to drag me to the rows of pinballs when I was growing up) and my love for the theme helped me settle on this as a good start. It's also based on one of my wife's favorite movies.

Well, a few years later I'm still active in the hobby and I have my Twilight Zone machine showing up in the next few days. I'm very excited for that one, and I'm sure it's just another machine in what's going to be many over the coming years.

If there are other local collectors or enthusiasts that would like to stop by and play or have me over for a few games, let me know. I know that pinball collecting is actually alive and well here in Utah, and I'd like to know a few more of the people around here actively involved in the hobby.