Quoted from BMore-Pinball:To me the true cost is not $10k - when you can own them for years and resell them for a good chunk of their original value
If I buy a machine for $10k - play and enjoy it for 3 years and then sell if for $7k (which is probably a low figure) - Who cares? $1000/year to have a pinball machine in my basement is worth it to me.
I have 5 machines which seems like a good number to me.
Maybe those with mega collections should consider trimming the heard to the ones they enjoy the most.
I don't understand a basement with 20 machines, how often can you play each one?
I am not up to 20 yet but hope to be soon. I have like 15 now and can tell you what is awesome about it is playing them. Seems I get tuned into 1 or 2 of them for like 2 weeks and then move on to new ones. I can't believe I am currently hooked on Addams again, last night I completed 2 mansion tours in one game, and for a sucky player like me that is big, my best game ever on that machine. People always ask what is my favorite game? I honestly can't answer that. JP was hot when I first got it and haven't played it in month. But it is awesome and I am sure will be calling be back. I can tell you when I have friends over who are not pinheads the list is simple
Willy Wonka
Addams Fam
Medieval Mad
Attack from Mars
AC/DC
I am shocked people do not jump to Twilight Zone
One more reason I want a ton of games, I live a 1/2 hour from the closest sites to play and it is sad when the flippers don't work right, ramp doesn't register, glass is dirty etc. Very few places keep their games tight and right, Hudson WI Tap Room is a very nice place to play but the sound is way down. I can tell you AC/DC at volume 48 is a different experience for me and many others. And I despise the grimy flipper buttons