Am I normal?

0

#1 5 years ago

OP

???

airplanequartet

Pinside member

Hillsboro, OR

6y 41,650 128 6

1st game. Ok, I’ve gotten into pinball hard. I purchased my first machie right at 1 year ago, it was a BM66. I’ve had a huge amount of fun with this game and have modded the shit out of it. I’ve got just about every mod on it I’ve been able to find other than the topper, and that’s currently on order.

2nd game. Soon after getting my BM66, I purchased an AFM LE which I enjoyed but just didn’t get the joy out of that I was expecting. The linear play and simple rule sets just didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t play it as much and I initially enjoyed the variety it provided as a break from the BM66 but after a couple of months I realized I just didn’t think I wanted to keep it.

Game #3 I ended up trading ATF LE to a local dealer for a Star Wars Premium and some extra cash, I felt I got a great deal but I was seriously skeptical about the machine. I’d put a lot of balls on it locally and just wasn’t “getting” the game. I knew I didn’t want the AFM so I traded thinking I might get into SW over time. I spent a lot of time trying to love this game. As can be seen from my avatar, Star Wars is an important theme for me. I truly wanted to love this game and after putting a long time on it, I just wasn’t enjoying myself. The hyper space shot, while AMAZING when you activate the loop, is an extremely difficult shot to dial in. I just wanted to push this game into the river. It’s such a great game but impossible for me to play. I need to get rid of it, all it did was to frustrate me.

Game #4, During my initial immersion into pinball, I played a lot of pinball on my iPad and fell in love with the ST:TNG pinball table. It’s really a dream theme for me and the game was very enjoyable. I played a table locally and decided I’d like to purchase this game. I was in the market for a couple of months before I found a very good example and purchased it. I also had a lot of fun upgrading the lighting and doing other fixes to bring it into very excellent shape.

Game #5, the wide body ST:TNG is a much slower pin than the other two I had (SW & BM66) and while I really enjoyed the theme, I found I just wasn’t playing it as much as I’d anticipated I would. I had also started playing a 2013 Stern Star Trek and man oh man, that was a great table! Similar Picard Manuever type shot and a much faster game. Lots of depth and great game play. I eventually made the decision to sell the ST:TNG and purchase a Stern Star Trek. I’m really enjoying ST now and am extremely glad I made the switch, even though ST:TNG is a dream theme.

Game #6, I was invited to a launch party for Iron Maiden. I was intrigued by this machine but just thought the theme really sucked. I’m not a fan of Iron Maiden and WAS set on enjoying this game at local venues but with the theme, just didn’t think it would ever win me over. Boy was I wrong. As I’d go to local venues, I found myself drawn more and more toward this table. I ended up falling in love with it, it really is a cool table and while I wasn’t into the music, the zombie mummy theme really appealed to me. As I continued to play it I realized it was going to be my next game. I think Keith Elwin really was the key to this title with his design and experience in just what makes pinball fun, this game is a winner. I was finally able to make a trade for my SW to get an Iron Maiden Premium.

In the meantime, I also purchased a centipede Caberet which has been a great addition to the collection.

My game room is my garage. Now I’m seriously considering taking out a second mortgage to turn my garage into a game room so I can continue to expand my collection and build my own personal arcade. I only have room for three games in my current set up. I’d love to continue to build it, expanding on both the pinball and more arcade games.

I’m interested in understanding how others caught the bug and expanded their collections. Remodeling my house seems extreme but I just don’t have the room and really want more machines.

My current wish list which I don’t have room for...

Robotron 2084
World Poker Tour
Apollo 13
Firepower
Space Station
ST:TNG (I want it back!)
Pinbot
Bride of Pinbot
Star Wars Vector Arcade
FroggeR
Ms Pac-Man

Am I an addict?

I’m pretty happy with my current lineup now and I think it’s really about expanding the collection now.

I need more room!

0

2

#2 5 years ago

JAY

Phat_Jay

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 111K 2,309

Where there is a will, there’s a way. As long as your bills are paid and you help others, go for it. We’ve dedicated our basement to our arcade. 3 pins and 6 arcades right now, and growing.

5F0AB86E-A2F9-4F6D-89DF-80CFC3FC7AE7 (resized).jpeg

0

5

#3 5 years ago

NAD

Bublehead

Pinside member

San Tan Valley, AZ

8y 92,300 4,441 10

Although household modification to meet pinball needs is the ultimate extreme of the hobby, many through the years have been able to contain the virus by keeping the host somewhat volumetrically challenged. When your house is small enough, the virus only spreads to fill all pinball machine sized nooks and crannies then becomes dormant. Once the house has been enlarged to accept more machines, the virus completes its take over of the host, usually to the detriment of any matrimonial vows if one is engaged in that sort of behavior. I am afraid, sir, you have the virus. There us no cure. My condolences.

Key post

0

#4 5 years ago

OP

???

airplanequartet

Pinside member

Hillsboro, OR

6y 41,650 128 6

Flight 2000!!!, great game. What arcades do you have?

0

2

#5 5 years ago

CRD

chad

Game Guy

11y 140K 15,113 9 5

"They do have a tendency to multiply"
Enjoy

0

#6 5 years ago

???

wdennie

Inactive member

Canandaigua, NY

8y 37,350 1,321 17

Wow, well my adventure started with a 9 ft pool table, and a empty basement. I thought it would be kinda cool to have a pin as well.
So I found a 6 Million dollar man, for 800 bucks. Played the crap out of it, and totally forgot the pool table.
Then it broke, and I was at a loss to fix it or find someone who could, hence I learn the hard way.
About 4 months later I came to the decision that the one was fun, but lacked a lot of options from other games.
So 1 needed to be 2, and thought If can fix one game, can fix another which lead to a more complex and more complex games.
At this point I got the bug.

0

#7 5 years ago

CSJ

pcprogrammer

Pinside member

7y 102K 2,368 35 2

OP
Quoted from airplanequartet:
1st game. Ok, I’ve gotten into pinball hard. I purchased my first machie right at 1 year ago, it was a BM66. I’ve had a huge amount of fun with this game and have modded the shit out of it. I’ve got just about every mod on it I’ve been able to find other than the topper, and that’s currently on order.
2nd game. Soon after getting my BM66, I purchased an AFM LE which I enjoyed but just didn’t get the joy out of that I was expecting. The linear play and simple rule sets just didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t play it as much and I initially enjoyed the variety it provided as a break from the BM66 but after a couple of months I realized I just didn’t think I wanted to keep it.
Game #3 I ended up trading ATF LE to a local dealer for a Star Wars Premium and some extra cash, I felt I got a great deal but I was seriously skeptical about the machine. I’d put a lot of balls on it locally and just wasn’t “getting” the game. I knew I didn’t want the AFM so I traded thinking I might get into SW over time. I spent a lot of time trying to love this game. As can be seen from my avatar, Star Wars is an important theme for me. I truly wanted to love this game and after putting a long time on it, I just wasn’t enjoying myself. The hyper space shot, while AMAZING when you activate the loop, is an extremely difficult shot to dial in. I just wanted to push this game into the river. It’s such a great game but impossible for me to play. I need to get rid of it, all it did was to frustrate me.
Game #4, During my initial immersion into pinball, I played a lot of pinball on my iPad and fell in love with the ST:TNG pinball table. It’s really a dream theme for me and the game was very enjoyable. I played a table locally and decided I’d like to purchase this game. I was in the market for a couple of months before I found a very good example and purchased it. I also had a lot of fun upgrading the lighting and doing other fixes to bring it into very excellent shape.
Game #5, the wide body ST:TNG is a much slower pin than the other two I had (SW & BM66) and while I really enjoyed the theme, I found I just wasn’t playing it as much as I’d anticipated I would. I had also started playing a 2013 Stern Star Trek and man oh man, that was a great table! Similar Picard Manuever type shot and a much faster game. Lots of depth and great game play. I eventually made the decision to sell the ST:TNG and purchase a Stern Star Trek. I’m really enjoying ST now and am extremely glad I made the switch, even though ST:TNG is a dream theme.
Game #6, I was invited to a launch party for Iron Maiden. I was intrigued by this machine but just thought the theme really sucked. I’m not a fan of Iron Maiden and WAS set on enjoying this game at local venues but with the theme, just didn’t think it would ever win me over. Boy was I wrong. As I’d go to local venues, I found myself drawn more and more toward this table. I ended up falling in love with it, it really is a cool table and while I wasn’t into the music, the zombie mummy theme really appealed to me. As I continued to play it I realized it was going to be my next game. I think Keith Elwin really was the key to this title with his design and experience in just what makes pinball fun, this game is a winner. I was finally able to make a trade for my SW to get an Iron Maiden Premium.
In the meantime, I also purchased a centipede Cabernet which has been a great addition to the collection.
My game room is my garage. Now I’m seriously considering taking out a second mortgage to turn my garage into a game room so I can continue to expand my collection and build my own personal arcade. I only have room for three games in my current set up. I’d love to continue to build it, expanding on both the pinball and more arcade games.
I’m interested in understanding how others caught the bug and expanded their collections. Remodeling my house seems extreme but I just don’t have the room and really want more machines.
My current wish list which I don’t have room for...
Robotron 2084
World Poker Tour
Apollo 13
Firepower
Space Station
ST:TNG (I want it back!)
Pinbot
Bride of Pinbot
Star Wars Vector Arcade
FroggeR
Ms Pac-Man
Am I an addict?
I’m pretty happy with my current lineup now and I think it’s really about expanding the collection now.
I need more room!

Wow, you sound exactly like me. I had a stern star trek pro, sold it and later got an sttng. Then I sold that one for pretty much the reasons you described, it just played too slow because it is a widebody. Now i want the stern star trek back. I don't like AFM either. Star wars is too confusing for me.

0

2

#8 5 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

11y 158K 58,767

You'll find out how normal you are when you decide it's time for these games to go and realize you will never get all your money back.

0

2

#9 5 years ago

CSJ

pcprogrammer

Pinside member

7y 102K 2,368 35 2

Quoted from o-din:
You'll find out how normal you are when you decide it's time for these games to go and realize you will never get all your money back.

That was only true for me when I bought brand new pins. Most used stuff you can break even, unless you spend too much on mods.

0

#10 5 years ago

TEB

homebrood

Pinside+ Frequent

Glenview, IL

17y 81,300 1,309 12 10

I had 1 then 2 then...24 now down to 8 and much happier with them, and more time for other things.
Still have a couple projects on top ot the 8 to keep me busy when I feel like tinkering which is my favorite part of it all.
You either keep going forever or you find you balance point. I'm glad I found mine but to each is own.

0

1

#11 5 years ago

JAY

Phat_Jay

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 111K 2,309

OP
Quoted from airplanequartet:
Flight 2000!!!, great game. What arcades do you have?

We have centipede, moon patrol, pac man, space invaders deluxe, galaxian, and 1943

0

1

#12 5 years ago

???

Sinestro

Inactive member

Unknown

7y 59,400 2,410 1

I believe fellow Pinsider Frolic refers to this as "the sickness".

It's normal.

0

#13 5 years ago

CSJ

pcprogrammer

Pinside member

7y 102K 2,368 35 2

OP
Quoted from airplanequartet:
1st game. Ok, I’ve gotten into pinball hard. I purchased my first machie right at 1 year ago, it was a BM66. I’ve had a huge amount of fun with this game and have modded the shit out of it. I’ve got just about every mod on it I’ve been able to find other than the topper, and that’s currently on order.
2nd game. Soon after getting my BM66, I purchased an AFM LE which I enjoyed but just didn’t get the joy out of that I was expecting. The linear play and simple rule sets just didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t play it as much and I initially enjoyed the variety it provided as a break from the BM66 but after a couple of months I realized I just didn’t think I wanted to keep it.
Game #3 I ended up trading ATF LE to a local dealer for a Star Wars Premium and some extra cash, I felt I got a great deal but I was seriously skeptical about the machine. I’d put a lot of balls on it locally and just wasn’t “getting” the game. I knew I didn’t want the AFM so I traded thinking I might get into SW over time. I spent a lot of time trying to love this game. As can be seen from my avatar, Star Wars is an important theme for me. I truly wanted to love this game and after putting a long time on it, I just wasn’t enjoying myself. The hyper space shot, while AMAZING when you activate the loop, is an extremely difficult shot to dial in. I just wanted to push this game into the river. It’s such a great game but impossible for me to play. I need to get rid of it, all it did was to frustrate me.
Game #4, During my initial immersion into pinball, I played a lot of pinball on my iPad and fell in love with the ST:TNG pinball table. It’s really a dream theme for me and the game was very enjoyable. I played a table locally and decided I’d like to purchase this game. I was in the market for a couple of months before I found a very good example and purchased it. I also had a lot of fun upgrading the lighting and doing other fixes to bring it into very excellent shape.
Game #5, the wide body ST:TNG is a much slower pin than the other two I had (SW & BM66) and while I really enjoyed the theme, I found I just wasn’t playing it as much as I’d anticipated I would. I had also started playing a 2013 Stern Star Trek and man oh man, that was a great table! Similar Picard Manuever type shot and a much faster game. Lots of depth and great game play. I eventually made the decision to sell the ST:TNG and purchase a Stern Star Trek. I’m really enjoying ST now and am extremely glad I made the switch, even though ST:TNG is a dream theme.
Game #6, I was invited to a launch party for Iron Maiden. I was intrigued by this machine but just thought the theme really sucked. I’m not a fan of Iron Maiden and WAS set on enjoying this game at local venues but with the theme, just didn’t think it would ever win me over. Boy was I wrong. As I’d go to local venues, I found myself drawn more and more toward this table. I ended up falling in love with it, it really is a cool table and while I wasn’t into the music, the zombie mummy theme really appealed to me. As I continued to play it I realized it was going to be my next game. I think Keith Elwin really was the key to this title with his design and experience in just what makes pinball fun, this game is a winner. I was finally able to make a trade for my SW to get an Iron Maiden Premium.
In the meantime, I also purchased a centipede Caberet which has been a great addition to the collection.
My game room is my garage. Now I’m seriously considering taking out a second mortgage to turn my garage into a game room so I can continue to expand my collection and build my own personal arcade. I only have room for three games in my current set up. I’d love to continue to build it, expanding on both the pinball and more arcade games.
I’m interested in understanding how others caught the bug and expanded their collections. Remodeling my house seems extreme but I just don’t have the room and really want more machines.
My current wish list which I don’t have room for...
Robotron 2084
World Poker Tour
Apollo 13
Firepower
Space Station
ST:TNG (I want it back!)
Pinbot
Bride of Pinbot
Star Wars Vector Arcade
FroggeR
Ms Pac-Man
Am I an addict?
I’m pretty happy with my current lineup now and I think it’s really about expanding the collection now.
I need more room!

For me the obsession died down quickly once I realized I was never 100% happy with any pin. Eventually even our favorite pin becomes boring, then what Odin said is your next realization, it can become a money drain to keep swapping them out with new pins. Next I learned my kids don't care about pinball, so I don't buy with them in mind anymore.

Don't take out a 2nd mortgage, that would be stupid.

0

1

#14 5 years ago

COZ

Coz

RiverCity Arcade

6y 125K 3,818

You do want you want to do! If having pins and arcade games make your life more enjoyable, go for it! What is normal? We all enjoy different things! My dad had a bumper sticker on his truck like this when I was a kid. He said enjoy life! No to the second mortgage. Only buy what you can afford, don’t get into extra debt for a hobby

8E6E484B-B82D-40D9-952A-364F3DD78C94 (resized).jpeg

0

11

#15 5 years ago

NMS

Outlanes

Pinside member

Albany, NY

5y 51,300 226 9

I'm a big believer that you dont finance toys.

So a second mortgage? No way.

0

1

#16 5 years ago

JRK

jrivelli

TrueColor Protectors

Milwaukie, OR

11y 89,650 4,625 10 20

How come you can only fit 3 pins in your garage? Lets start there. Can you get a dumpster and just start throwing shit away? That's what I did and we have a 3 car garage and the 3rd bay has 9 pins in it now lol. I put some heat/ac in there and today I play to move them all out and paint then put a floor in so its not concrete. Hang my PFs on the ceiling and part. Garages are awesome. As long as my wife can park in the garage she doesnt care what i do. When we first moved in I walled off the 3rd bay from the "main" garage so just that area is heated and cooled

0

1

#17 5 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,038 19 30 1

Like many of us, I bought a bigger house.
Now the plan is to expand the basement out a bunch, but that won't be happening NY time soon.

0

#18 5 years ago

JAH

heni1977

Pinside member

Decatur, IL

11y 89,800 2,529 4 6

OP
Quoted from airplanequartet:
Am I an addict

We all are!!!

0

1

#19 5 years ago

JPB

WolfManCat

Flip OFF!

7y 103K 897 30 1

Sounds pretty normal. I got my wife into pinball, now my garage and mancave are packed with pins. I have an architech making plans for my house expansion so we can get them all in one area of the house. No second mortgage needed though.

0

#20 5 years ago

MWR

sethi_i

Inactive member

6y 47,650 711

There are so many things that have my interest right now, but I can't justify adding every game that I want. The thought of selling something I like for something else I like doesn't appeal to me either. That's a very real complication....the thought of "I'm happy now, but could I be happier with something else?"....

0

1

#21 5 years ago

DAV

Ozzy

Pinside member

7y 51,800 193

Started with one , then 2 then 3. Absolutely no more the 4. Now, 15 and asking myself Why?, why do these things keep coming?....because I have a serious illness that I cannot control, thats why....I really need help

0

#22 5 years ago

BCP

jorge5240

Pinside member

Dublin, CA

13y 89,050 2,317 16

Cash only for toys. But always looking for the next game. I do arcades as well as pins. In the processs of purchasing a DDR. Nothing like the rush of finding something new and seeing enjoyed in the game house.

0

#23 5 years ago

N_W

Neal_W

Pinside member

9y 99,550 3,435

After reading your post, the bottom line is you have BM66, ST, and IM, which have long ball times IMHO, and you moved out AFMr, SW, and ST:TNG which can each be tough to shoot and frustrating IMHO. Your normal!

I would recommend a LOTR for you. Long ball times, not too hard to make all the shots, great rules, and arguably the best pin ever for immersive theme integration.

0

#24 5 years ago

P-F

PinballFever

Pinside member

Mesquite, NV

8y 66,050 1,635 3

If it makes you happy go for it!!! There is nothing like pure joy to make our lives worth living. YOLO.

0

#25 5 years ago

AK

Coolpinballdino

Pinside+ Frequent

9y 188K 4,800 477 3

When I got into the hobby I had one pinball and I had a whis list of ten games that I really liked and wanted. 3 years later I have 62 games.

0

#26 5 years ago

SGW

konghusker

Pinside member

Lincoln, NE

9y 78,800 2,899 5 24 1

To answer your original question.... No, none of us are "normal". No such thing as normal in this hobby. . Just do what you like and hollar out YOLO.

1

0

#27 5 years ago

NAD

Bublehead

Pinside member

San Tan Valley, AZ

8y 92,300 4,441 10

At what point do you yank ALL of your other luke warm irons out of the fire, throw them in the proverbial dumpster (or the literal one to many a wive's pure joy) and focus singley on pinball? What pure fresh hell does that bring on when you start tabulating the net worth of every "iron" in your fire and thinking "How much are those old <fill in the blank> worth?" Maybe 25% of a new pin? Do I really need those old golf clubs?