I've been thinking I'd like to try adding an EM to my collection. I like variety, as much as I dig modern Sterns and classic Bally/Williams DMDs it's good to have choice. I have a System 11, a WPC, a WPC95, and the two different backbox styles of modern Sterns. An EM would round me out some more.

I really don't know jack about them though. I'll have to learn my tech, but I don't really know what titles to look out for.

I was hoping maybe people might have suggestions for me if I gave some parameters? I'm thinking probably a 70s machine, drop targets and fuller sets of rules.

I would really love to have something with sci fi or fantasy style art. So for example I love the look of games like Eye of the Tiger, Abra Ca Dabra, Centigrade 37, etc. Doesn't have to be a wedgehead, but man, they look great when cleaned up.

I'm willing to pay more for a nice one, DMDs have me used to paying for pins, but I'd consider doing a full restore, including playfield and cabinet paint for the right game. Ideally it will be something with repro plastic s available, or not impossible to find if I went that route.

Thanks for any suggestions or tips!

It's kinda Chris' (ColorDMD) fault. He brought his sweet restored wedgehed to last OC League tournament last weekend ( see it here https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/65-gottlieb-bank-a-ball-finally-back-together-after-3-years ) and it was kinda the last straw, seeing one so nicely done pushed me over the edge.

I'll definitely play some more, I know where I can do that, but I figured I'd start a short list of pins to keep an eye out for based on themes.

Yeah, but I kinda want to bring something to a more like new feeling. Not really worried about warped or broken plastics so much as just the yellowing and fading of age. I get that for some people that's part of the charm, like the patina on vintage Rolex faces, but I'm not that kind of collector.

I'll take clean and bright over faded and original.

Derp Pinside hiccup.

See, I know people love that game, and I'm sure it's fun and great. But the western theme isn't what I'm looking for. If I'm going to get an EM the theme is going to be just as important as the gameplay, the art really matters to me.

That's why I suggested the sci fi or fantasy thoughts. Doesn't have to strictly be in those genres if it's a great design, but it hopefully gives a ballpark idea of what I'm trying to find.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I'll use them to do more research.

Derp Pinside hiccup.

Strange World looks great.

I like the wedgeheads, the single player part doesn't matter to me. I have plenty of pins my friends like to play already.

Yeah, speaking of trying EMs locally, you let me know when you have some free time.

Yeah, that sounds like smart advice. I love projects, but honestly I don't have a ton of project time right now, so not biting off more than I can chew for a first game would probably be smart.

Heh, see above about free time. I don't mind paying for one, or even paying for a nice one. When you're used to buying modern DMDs your pain threshold for pin purchases gets stretched pretty far.

I'm getting some PMs and offers, so I'll just say this:

I'm not quite ready to buy, the spot this would go in has my friend's Jurassic Park in it right now, we need to fix the t-rex before we can sell it.

Also, while I appreciate the other offers for various neat looking games, I'm really looking for an EM, not a solid state. I could find lots of cool solid state games no problem, I'm really looking to explore territory I'm not so familiar with.

Also, while I'd be willing to ship for the right offer or deal, I'm not in a rush, and would prefer to buy locally. I think the only way I'd even consider shipping would be because I fell in love with a title and someone had a super clean or restored version.

Thanks for the consideration though, I do appreciate it.

Thanks man, I'll have to make a trip out to play with you and Nimble.

Come play too Rob!!

Your game was just gorgeous, it was a lot of fun seeing something that was new, or maybe even better than new looking. I can do all that paint and clearing if I decided I want to. I dunno, we'll see about that part.

I'm in no rush to buy a new pin, the hunt is the fun part, just trying to build a list of titles to look out for.

I would totally bring it to league play, but it's not riding in my coupe, so I'd have to figure that part out. Maybe I could bring Kyle and we could use his truck.

He was already texting me last night to give me shit.

After buying DMDs they all seem dirt cheap!

Honestly while I totally get the appeal of a room full of EMs, it's not gonna happen with me, or at least not any time in the foreseeable future. I like modern games, fast and loud and deep, and I have limited space. I have 7 games in my garage now, I could probably fit an 8th if I wanted it badly enough, but then I'm tapped. Solid states are gonna take priority.

I could rotate an EM spot maybe, but really I'm just looking for one for now. So paying extra for a popular one in nice shape just isn't an issue.

I'm honestly not looking to duplicate what I have. I can play Star Trek or Tron or Metallica or Shadow any time if I want a more intense game with faster moving balls and ramps etc.

And if I wanted a faster game with just some cool psychedelic art there are plenty of older solid states that fit the bill. I might get an 80s game like Scorpion or something some day too. But I want an actual old school EM experience. If I get bored with it I can always sell it, and frankly if I lose a few hundred buck on that, oh well. It's just not a concern.

Heh. I've played plenty of EMs, I just haven't done my homework on them to really know what's out there, what has better gameplay, who's got the better art, if I really just want a single player wedgehead or should focus on multi-player, that kind of stuff.

Like I said, I want different. I'm not gonna put bricks under the back legs and wax the playfield every day and try and make it play like a DMD game, slow and nudge-heavy is all good. It's for a change of pace. Not replacing all my other games.

There have been a couple of those listed near me lately actually.

The hunt is part of the fun, I'm not really in a rush, but point taken.

Someone's already offered me an Abra Ca Dabra, but I'd have to ship. Not out of the question, but shipping stresses me out, and is expensive.

Haha, not in our house! Just not big enough even if my wife was tolerant of the idea. And I wouldn't even ask her, she doesn't care about pinball in the slightest and is super supportive of my crazy money and time pit hobby.

I can't see replacing my collection with EMs, but I'm smart enough to know by now that in this hobby you never say never. I definitely get the appeal of a line of wedgeheads, they look so nice in a row. If I had more space I'd probably try to have a small collection. Would make choosing much easier too!

I absolutely hear you on the "one more game" aspect. I definitely recommend Tron for that, of all my games it's the one I can just bang START on again the most easily.

The journey and hunt is part of the fun though! You wouldn't really want to replace finding and playing all those machines and learning what you really liked would you?

Thanks to boilerman I have an Abra Ca Dabra on its way to me. Already ordered new plastics and an apron decal from Pinball Rescue and I'm on the waiting list for the new Webb backglass.

I'll post pics once I get it all set.

I'll make sure to wear my SDTM t-shirt while I'm playing.

That Haunted House is so awesome. I don't think I'd want to own one myself, but I think it's super cool.

I haven't played Abra Ca Dabra yet. If I get tired of it it will find a happy home in SoCal. But first I'll get it looking super clean.

Those are all titles that would be on my short list for a second game.

Shipping people picked up my game today, now I gotta make room for it!

Well the plan is to make room for two ...

I have a Jurassic Park that I'm holding for a friend since he lost the space for it, but I'll probably help him sell it shortly, and that would free up a slot too. Past that I'd have to start selling solid states, and I'm not ready to say I'm that smitten yet. See how it goes.

I'm gonna LED the game and add two giant wizard figures on top of each pop.

No problem, I'll just cut two holes in the glass.

Glad to hear it, because I haven't actually played an ACD. Decided to just take a chance since I love the art and it's favorably reviewed by so many. Not a fan of shipping games, but eh, so it goes sometimes.

I mean, I'll get it all set up, but I'm not worried about it playing fast. I can play Tron or Metallica or Star Trek or Shadow if I want a fast game. Gonna just enjoy it for what it is.

Shadow is going nowhere! Metallica is definitely staying too. No plans to sell anything else, but it's at least possible, though I'm not likely to give up Tron any time soon either.

I'm really not playing Scared Stiff and Elvira much these days, but damn I do love owning them both.

I'm an EM newb, but I'd line them up with the wire, wouldn't occur to me to do otherwise. Even with the guide is how all DMD games are meant to be.

You should always use the wire that feeds the flipper as your reference AFAIC, it's the only one that counts. Unless there's some weird EM thing I don't know about!

Well it's coming from PA to CA. Was picked up last Monday. So maybe end of next week?

Got the call today from STI, ACD should be here tomorrow afternoon. Little faster than I expected.

I was actually surprised to get the call from them today, wasn't counting on hearing from them until the end of the week at best. Fingers crossed that it made the trip from PA okay!

NAVL just dropped ACD off safe and sound.

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Haha, yup, touched up wizard still in there. It works for now, but yeah, gonna put a Webb repro in and get it looking nice and new. New plastics on their way, along with a new apron decal. Then I'll decide how far I want to take restoring the rest of it.

Probably won't go too crazy at leas until soccer season is over and I'm not coaching kids anymore, don't have a ton of free time to be polishing metal etc.

As for Team One ... I dunno, I'll have to learn if I like Add A Balls I guess. In concept they aren't that appealing, seems like the games will drag on for too long. Rather just see how much I can do with 5 balls I think. But I'm open to trying one!

There's that I suppose. I don't really intend to have a large EM collection. But if I want variety I'll go play Metallica or something, so not overly worried about getting bored. Definitely not about to sell off all my DMDs and convert full hog or anything.

Heh, I do know better than to make broad sweeping pronouncements (one pin will be enough!) but I really enjoy modern, deep, games. I have no real interest right now in trading them out for EMs. Maybe if I wanted to let Elvira go I could go from System 11 to an EM, but I'd be more likely to find an 80s solid state if I wanted "old school" swapping.

I just like pinball. Would I like to put another wedgehead next to ACD? Sure! I'll keep an eye out for something fun. But I don't have the space to really have a large EM collection without giving up games I'm not really interested in losing.

The hunt is half the fun, I'll just take it as it comes, no need to make grand plans.