I've fallen HARD down the pinball rabbit hole! I have been trolling this site and craigslist like 16/7, meaning pretty much all my waking hours, even at work
I grew up with a Card Whiz and always enjoyed playing pinball when hitting up an arcade as it was the one game that you could earn a free play on... I've always been cheap!
We are now finishing the basement and wife said it would be fun to do a game corner with a pinball machine and cocktail arcade table. Her thinking was put the Card Whiz in the space - I'd prefer something a little newer and more immersive. Leaning toward a newer pin I can play vs worrying about keeping up. I'm very hands on so not opposed to fixing things just want to play vs 'fix'.
Here's my question - any advice on a new pin for someone with 2 young daughters who are 8 and 10 and a wife who doesn't have a great degree of interest?
Budget - ~$6k
Below are some games I've played/ considered but want some insights from those who have done this before. Sorry this is a bit of a dump... but wanted to give you the context
Houdini - Haven't play this but I stumbled across a local seller who has one for $6k and I'm interested as it's a 'deal' with only 200 plays however in reading seems like it's a players pin and might be too much for a novice. I'd intrigued though as seems like I could maybe purchase, play and resell if needed without much if any loss. Talking with LTG he said some of the shots are pretty tough and might be hard for a 1st pin, but could be great once skills are there. I just LOVE a deal though
Deadpool - like the play of this but not sure I'm sold on the theme for my house. Also feel like I want some more 'toys'.
GOTG - like the play of this and like the theme, also really like the movies and soundtrack. Get a little annoyed I can't seem to hit Groot consistently but will likely get better at that. Seems like there are few pro models around $5k however doesn't seem like a very highly ranked pin and thus not sure about long term play.
WOZ - love the look of this but need to play more. The few plays I have on it I seemed to lose the ball down the left outlane super fast. I also thought the audio was a little repetitive/ annoying. Probably a bit out of budget as well, but maybe not in a little bit.
TSPP - like the play of this however I couldn't seem to get multi-ball which I really LOVE. I liked the upper play field but couldn't hit consistently. I've heard rule set on this is super deep which could make for great long term play. Just wasn't feeling this as much as I had hopped however seems like this might be fun for the family. Found some example around $5k which is nice.
MM - LOVE the castle and feel like I can hit the shots on this however wonder about long term play as seem to just hit same shots over and again. Kids seem to like this one though. Seems like it's out of my budget.
AFM - not for me. Same layout as MM but doesn't seem as 'fun'. Like the brightness but the castle in MM wins over AFM for me.
GB - like this one and the toys however don't like some of the ball bouncing that seems to happen when you brick a shot which seems to dump ball to left outlane. For the right price this could fit, I like the theme and the movies
IM - liked the play of this one. Don't know much about IM theme but could be interesting. Not sure if pro model is a good value or need to get the premium which could push out of price.
JP - haven't played this one but found one for $3.5 which is nice as it's less than budget...
FT - haven't played this one but seemed to be well liked. I'm also in MN which is fishing country and near a big lake so seems like it would tie in nice. Found one semi local for ~$3.5 so well within budget.
MET - seems to be well regarded and there is a local one for less than $5k. Like IM I'm sure if the heavy metal theme is for me/ family.
MB - haven't played this but looks interesting and like the remake. Seems out of budget though.
Hobbit - not for me
LOTR - not for me
GOT - not for me
TWD - not for me/ my family
Older, but well regarded games
TAF - I thought this was THE machine for me based on my memories. Playing it I realized I like others much more.
TZ - like this one but need to play more. A single owner HOU popped up on CL for $6.5 this last weekend and I should have pulled the trigger but I wanted to play this more. Seems like it could be a little too much for family and friends.
Funhouse - interesting but main playfield seems cramped. Like the newer DMD games more.
IJ - I thought I found one of these and had cash in hand ready to buy within my budget but seller had to ask family if they'd be ok with sale AFTER I was there with cash. You likely already know how this played out....
So there you have it... if you made it to the end of my post I'd appreciate your thoughts! I didn't do a poll as I want to hear if there are other options I'm not considering.