I grew up during the hay day of video games; 12 years old in 1983 was a magical time. My Dad and Mom always would take me to the local arcades (Just 4 Fun; Galaxy World), etc to pump quarters into all the latest games. I never really played a lot of pinball during those first couple of years, but as soon as I got to high school that's when my pin addiction started.
High school lunches were open, so we could leave campus. Only a 2 minute walk away from Wheaton Bowl, my buddies and I would frequently go there for a quick bite to eat. They had a few arcades, and one day I decided to play F14 Tomcat. HOLY CRAP! I was officially addicted. I loved the skill needed to try and get a higher score. Vids do require some skill but there also pretty repetitive and can be learned. Pinball was a whole different animal. You may think you know how to make a ramp shot time, and time again. But if you're off by a hair then the game changes. When I hit junior year, and started blowing off classes many times we'd spend our mornings up at the alley playing. And yes, I did get my head on straight and graduate!
I didn't take the plunge into owning a machine until well into my 30s, but now I'm an official pinball addict. Went to my first Expo last Fall with my 11 yr old, and its now a tradition for us. He even goes with me on road trips to pick up machines. I'm looking forward to building my collection, and getting to know fellow collectors.
Pleasant Hill, IA
RWH
Pinside member
13y 132K 9,925 2 10
That's all it takes is for you to play a couple pins and BAM!!, the addiction starts to take hold and next thing you know you own one, then another, and another, and another.......you get my drift!