Strem for sure.

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You cant go wrong with MM, AFM or JJP machine for your first game. Those are proven to be well liked. AFM I have in my collection the longest of all my pins following TZ.

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Don’t ask the wife, just do it, she will most likely not understand the value. If you buy a new Stern stick with a Pro. If you want JJP pickup a RRWOZ since you don’t like DILE. Best recommendation is to just buy an MMr or AFMr as you know they are solid classics.

Welcome to Pinside and good luck convincing the wife!!

As for what machine to get ... well, you’re already doing the right thing by playing lots of games in person! There’s no better way to decide. Rankings are subjective and at least partially based on factors you likely don’t care about.

I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the idea of a used game — I’m sure ~$3000 would a much easier sell to the wife than the $6500 or whatever for a new game. There are some really fun games in that range, even if they’re not “top 10” in the rankings. Seek out a World Cup Soccer, F-14 Tomcat, The Getaway: High Speed II, Funhouse, and other games. You might really enjoy something just as much for half the price of a new-in-box game, and if something does go wrong ... well that’s what this forum is for . Fixing pinball machines isn’t rocket science.

By the way, if you do go the used route, you will probably get a better deal on the Pinside marketplace than from a retailer.

Here’s the secret... don’t tell you wife how much it really costs. Make sure you get to play all the pins you are interested in. You dont want to pay $8000 and hate a game. Go find a local arcade/barcade and put some time into some pins to see what you like.

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The best way to get something by your wife without her complaining is....... to not have one.

Have you been talking to my wife?

Start with a popular used game that has good resale just in case you don't care for it down the road. I agree that the best thing to do is play as many as possible first to see what you like. Some people want machines with deep rule sets and others just want cool ramps and drops. Also, make sure you like the sounds it makes (often overlooked due to noise of arcade). Some may drive you nuts! My 2 cents, but I am fairly new to the hobby - good luck!

This is very true! Funhouse is a quite popular and high ranked game, but I go mad as I hear its music. It might be a great game, but I won’t be able to play it unless I found a muted one

Like others have said, don't dismiss the idea of used games. I've had more issues with NIB than used games for sure.
Play as many as possible and educate yourself before buying. You'll be much happier than rushing a purchase you may regret, and having a game you can't easily unload. Make friends with people in the scene and they'll help you out with repairs.

Make room for more than 1 pin.....they tend to multiply!

Go into the hobby knowing that you will have to fix something down the road. Pinside is a great resource for repair help. As far as buying your first game, if you buy used check on here for games near you from other pinsiders. Pinsiders, for the most part, tend to take better care of their games opposed to that guy on Craigslist.

Call different distributors and ask for pricing. The advertised price of a NIB is higher than the price you should pay. There are many good ones out there. Colorado Game Exchange and Cointaker have both been good to me in price and customer service

Wow, new game price.Yes she will kill you. Loik at 90's games , there is alot for reliability and support for those games. Then when she asks you can say "be glad I didn't buy anew one. We saved money buying this one."

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I just bought my first pinball last month. It has been a great success. I bought a Stern POTC. Why, because my entire family liked it. I enjoy it, my wife liked it the most of any, and my 9yr old daughters love it.

I figure starting with a machine that the entire family enjoys really will help set the tone for future endeavors in the pinball hobby.

So find what makes all of you happy (including yourself) and go for it. Having the most popular machine does nothing if you don't actually like it.

That's the ticket!

Try taking your wife with to play. Maybe she will find one she likes, then you should be golden. Buy her hers then a few months later..... its much easier to talk her into letting you buy yours!

Really? I've been trying to buy a new MM, I wanted to buy one local, but both distributers are adding a shipping charge to the $8,000, even if I pick it up. Is that normal?

$8,300 shipped for MMr is what I’ve been quoted by multiple.

I've been trying to save that 300 by picking it up at the distributers but they still want to charge me shipping.

I was charged shipping for picking up my JJP as well.

I'm guessing paying for "shipping" is cheaper than paying the sales tax that an on location purchase would require.

Right you are. I don't usually think of it cause i pick up my games in Ohio.

It is until the taxman comes knocking on your door looking to collect his "use tax". Then you get the double whammy.

Washington State purchasers are likely to run afoul of the new law that insists on either the collection of sales tax or the reporting of the sale for use tax collection purposes. Does mean that local distributors will be a better deal again...

https://dor.wa.gov/find-taxes-rates/retail-sales-tax/marketplace-fairness-leveling-playing-field

If you have a garage then most spouses are okay with keeping games there instead of inside the house. Just depends on how controlling and soul crushing your wife wants to be .

Im in San Mateo not to far from you
If you need any advice on a new purchase let me know.

I have a recently shopped WPT with Comet leds, mirror blades, and alt translite for $2700.
I'm 20 minutes away in Sunnyvale.

A few things (some have already been said):

1. A new in box game can give you just as many problems as a used one, so I would not use that as logic for selection.

2. Play more games, Pacific Pinball Museum is fun (and not to knock them at all) but check out some other locations that will have some games in a little bit better shape; (a bit of a drive for you, but still) Pheonix games and The Flipper room (both in Concord) is worth the trek IMHO.

3. Make pinball friends. Their help will be invaluable later when you inevitably run into an issue with your new or used pin. Pinsiders (most) are generally a pretty friendly bunch.

4. Whatever game you decide to buy, play it first. (don't pick a NIB purely based on theme or what you see in a vid, play it first)

Good luck!

As others have mentioned, make your wife your pin partner! My wife never understood why I was spending so much on “games”....until I took her to chicago pin expo. She found she actually liked it, and found many games she identified with and enjoyed playing. Take the time to teach her, show her LOTS of games, don’t be pushy or demeaning of her abilities. If you do that, she will WANT you to buy games. You life will be much better!

I only stopped in because this cracked me up. I cried when I read this, I guess because I’m old

Enjoy your new game. Be sure to make space for the next one! Maybe you’ll get that MMR. I agree with you on that one, it’s really fun.

If you are buying it new, get one with the 2.0 light system. While all new ones coming off the line have it, some distributors may still have stock of the old design. While the old design is not a deal breaker (mine has it) if your buying new, might as well get the same light system used in JJP's newer games.

Searching the market here at Pinside, i found this listing for one through Pinball Star Amusements: https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/ad/55541

You’re 30ish and don’t know AC/DC?

Forget the pin for now, we need to get you caught up with some music appreciation first.

Joe at pinballstar will hook you up....

Yeah seriously!! Lol. How is this even possible? I’m genuinely confused lol

Haha I’m sure you’ve heard a lot more of their songs than you think haha. It still blows my mind that you had to google AC/DC.... good luck getting your first pin though!

I’m not trying to sell you on an AC/DC pin, but they have versions of the pin without Luci. (I wouldn’t buy the Luci version either)

Don't stress, they still make them. You should have no trouble finding one.

I have heard good things about the above mentioned Joe at pinballstar

The last few games I have bought were through JJ @ GameExchange: https://gameexchange.biz/collections/pinball-machines/products/wizard-of-oz-75th-anv-edition

I second calling Joe at PinballStar. He will take care of you.

If Joe doesnt have any, try Automated 800.727.8363, they tend to horde a lot of stock.