Great question, I was just wondering that a couple days ago but forgot to ask.

I think it is in the eye of the beholder but to put more of a definition on it I would say it would be one of the top 15 to 30 rated pins.

You are going to get some comments on that one. There are guys with machines that are top 50 that think they have A list. They will say top 50. There are others that are going tosay top 100, ect......

The can is open..

I never mind comments and really don't mind disagreeing either. As I said "eye of the beholder" top 50 I maybe can see but kind of pushing it top 100 is really pushing it IMO.

To me A-list has exclusivity in it's nature so therefore there are plenty of pins to be left off the list. It does not mean those not on the list aren't fun or even as fun it is just the most agreed upon top pins is all.

"A" list means you can get some dope to pay multi k's $ for it because they think it's the best pin since sliced bread.
There are some 'A' listers I wouldn't give 1k for. I wouldn't sell either my FT or DW for 2k so go figure.

I'd have to say monetary amount, or pin worth has to help determine the "A" list category more than any other criteria.

Example:

Shadow, Top 25 Pinside, around 4000 produced, NOT considered an "A" game because you can get a nice one for about 2000 bucks. Definitely a "B" game. If Shadow becomes hot and doubles in price then it would be considered possibly an "A" game.

Whitewater, Top 25 Pinside, around 7000 produced, WAS definitely a solid "B" game a couple years ago, it is now climbing up to be an "A" game. People can debate if it is one or not now, but 3 years ago there would not have been a debate as you could readily get one for around 1300. The only thing that has changed in the last 3 years is the price.

So, I would have to say 90% of what makes a pin an "A" pin is price.

There are plenty of lower priced games I personally consider "A" games, but I am thinking in general terms and not personal terms. (Shadow is an "A" game to me, but does not meet the price criteria, so I would not consider it an A game.)

Shadow is a 1500 in average shape to 1800 in nice shape game. It is not a 2k game by any stretch because home owners don't want it.

Yeah, I would say it goes something like:

Hype --> Price --> A list

but I want it..

I would go so far as to say it's more like 99% price. The so called "A-list" titles simply are the ones that sell for the most money. The only time this isn't applicable is when you are talking about modern Sterns. For example, a used TRS will cost you a lot of money, but I don't think anyone would consider it to be an "A-list" game. I suppose the other exception is rare titles that are valuable simply because of their scarcity. At any rate, I think people sometimes get too caught up in the whole "A-list, B-list, C-list" thing. I say buy what you like and what you can afford, and you can't go wrong.

And that is why The_Dude_Abides...

Well said gweem!
I should start getting an "F-list" together...
For pinball machines!

Top 25 is a good start,Give or take a little

Any game I'm selling or trading is A-list...believe it...haha

A list is popularity and price really...

ie. MM, AFM, TAF, STTNG, IJ, etcetcetc

Anything in Tatman's collection

Shadow is awesome. One of the hardest games there is. Not only that, but hard to play modes. Not hard modes, but hard to actually play them as vengeance is so addictive. Every time I play I say “ok, seriously, today I’m going to concentrate on the modes and doing the final challenge”, and then it’s vengeance vengeance vengeance, and all of a sudden ball three is draining and no modes started.

Shadow is not A and CFTBL is? This is an over debated issue, and in the end, everyone will make their own A list (ie the games *you* like).

I kind of just figure if I have heard of it or have seen it more than once in my life, It falls into the a-b category. But then again, I really don't care. If it's cool and fun, I'll buy it!

Good one SB!

I would love to live by this rule. Space/wife permitting of course...

The Ebay sellers must have AAAAAAAAAAAAAA list games!

I personally feel it is more popularity then price. The popularity/pinside ranking drives the price up IMO.

HA!, Just because I said it, doesn't mean I live by it. Man i wish! I would probably have 30 by now!

http://pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=What_is_a_Pinball_Machine_Worth%3F#The_.22B.22_List

According to that it is based on price.

I don't know where that guy is shopping, but I'd love to buy an AFM or Safecracker for 3-4K.

Atomic Shadow being an A game has nothing to do with its gameplay. It is simply a matter of the theme being undersireable, period.

As for A-list titles there is no real list. MM is considered the best by most, but even then you get a bunch of collectors that think it isn't that great for various reasons. Personally I don't get the A-list titles.

Case in point which is more exciting TZ which they made 15k and a large number of collectors have or the game you have never played because they only made 3k?

Oh your just wrong, on both points.

Of course I may be a bit bias, who knows?

Well there you go again. Speak for yourself. I personally love the theme.

The Shadow rocks, period!

I think A-list is mainly a marketing term. Personally, I think of A-list games as being ones someone is willing to pay for shipping on. A TOTAN? Yes. Shadow? Maybe. If someone really wants it. Almost any EM? Not gonna happen, shipping would be at least half of the cost of the game.

I generally consider it more about collectability which is why you see games like FH and Wh2O getting pushed into the relm of A list games.

Just like anything, it's a subjective form of description. No one's "A-list" is exactly the same, but I look at the term as basically no more than ten games that are the most sought after and usually priciest for collectors.

These titles are like : MM, TZ, TOTAN, TAF, STTNG, MB, SM, TOM, AFM, LOTR, etc. Games that are well regarded and sought after and command a premium price point.

I also think that terming a game an A-list game differs from "your favorite" games a little as well. Using my example of an "A-list" above, TZ and LOTR are nowhere near the top of my favorites list, but I have no doubts as to they are indisputably "A-list" games.

It's got to be price, hype and an average rating, all of which are related. It's not up to the individual preference.
I have had a large number of games including many A list. Although I like some of the A list there is no way most of them would make it into my small collection because I prefer the games I have. it's my personal preference. If I had a MM or a CV I wouold be very happy as I would see it as a ticket get something else. I got more satisfaction from playing my Iron Maiden, Strikes and Spares or Stargazer than my TZ or WW. I found the game rules and shots far more entertaining.

I have always thought Top 10 pinside and some of the pins from 11 - 20. Only titles outside top 20 would be CC and BBB.

It's all supply vs. demand.

Based on information from where/who?

Nah! TAF disproves that point....

"A" List titles are like Pornography. I may not be able to describe it or definite it specifically, but I know it when I see it.