*For some reason, my first topic had no text in it. Odd...I asked a moderator and they said to just make a new thread!*
Recently, my wife noticed that I've been playing more and more virtual pinball (mostly because I haven't found a lot of good options near me...I will keep looking). The other night, I told her about my idea to finish up our 3rd car garage. I mentioned that I was thinking of turning it into a man cave/game room. She actually seemed quite receptive to the idea of buying a pinball machine. A+
One thing lead to another, and she basically said, "If we're going to spend a lot of money on a pinball machine, I think I'd rather you put it inside. Why not turn the loft into a game room instead?"
Well then - he were are!
I've started to do some research on machines, but I figured many of you folks here would be able to assist me and give me an idea on machines to look for (and possibly where to get a fair deal on one). Obviously it's hard not having physical machines to try at the moment, but before I invest in a machine, I FULLY intend to find and play it. I can play Taxi on TPA all day, but I don't think I'd enjoy owning a Taxi machine. Same with something like Big Shot - it's fun to play while I'm sitting on the couch, but I'd get bored with it pretty quick.
I do wish I could make it to the expo this weekend in Chicago. I simply can't make it due to work obligations. It's a bummer being that it's SO close to Indy (and I have family in Chicago area) - that would have been a fantastic place to try new games! But I'll have to wait on that one.
So here's my dilemma - finding a machine that fits my "style".
What I've learned from playing a bunch of virtual tables and watching PAPA videos is this:
- I like tables that have an "epic feel" to them in terms of goals (Arabian Nights, Star Trek, etc)
- I am a fan of more recent tables (Tron, LotR, Iron Man, etc)
- I want a game that's more than just "shoot this ramp forever"...In line with my first point!
- A wizard mode to work towards is important to me
- I'd rather spend the money and go DMD
A little elaboration on points 1 and 3...The first table I ever "beat" was Arabian Nights on TPA. I loved the quest of collecting the jewels and saving the princess. I was aiming to get a high score, sure - but as I played, my goal was to save that princess. It was fun and engaging. That sort of lines up with point 3 in that the purpose wasn't to just shoot a ramp forever. I love the high score race, but I like the fun, complex, and non-linearity of some tables.
TNG has that same feel to me - I'm finally getting a hang of the table, but it feels like there are SO many things to do and so many missions and goals! That really makes me enjoy the game more.
While I've not played Tron or Iron Man, Tron has always been a favorite movie of mine. The new one (which I know some folks didn't like) was really fun. This would be my ideal machine, mostly because every video I've seen seems to suggest that it meets a lot of what I'm looking for. And it would go great with the Flynn's sign I want to put up, haha. Watching Iron Man videos makes that machine look like a blast, too. I'd need to read about the goals and "end-game" of that table more before I'd put that on my list (mostly because I'm not a Iron Man fanatic like some folks are).
I should explain a BIT more why some tables are NOT in my radar. Taxi is the example I'll use again...I LOVE that table in that it's fun, simple, and really "uppity". The problem is that the goal set is really one-dimensional. I don't think I'd enjoy it enough to keep it around. Twilight Zone is sort of the same way - I realize that's a classic table, but I haven't found myself really getting into it. I think there may be more to it, but I haven't found it. Older/classic tables just aren't my thing - I'll play them to play them, but I won't invest in one.
Now as the time gets closer, I'll probably delve more into the budget side of things, but assuming I set aside around $5k to spend, can I get a machine that would meet my requirements? And is it even feasible to invest in 2 less popular machines instead of one? In my searching for Tron machines, it looks like I should expect to pay ~$4.5-5k on it (I'm guessing that's because they didn't make too many, no?). The new Avengers table sounds like it has a pretty deep set of goals and would probably fit in with the concept I'm going for, but I don't know what that will go for yet.
Anyways, I'd really love to hear from you guys and see what you think I should be looking for. I appreciate any and all comments and criticisms here. As a first time pin buyer, I know there are a LOT of things I don't know about yet. Tips and FAQs never hurt either!
Thanks!