Putting a playfield protector on a brand new game will keep the playfield pristine and most likely help with resale.

However, depending on the game it can be a pain to install without help, and if you try to sell, the next owner might not like them and want it removed.

If you take great care of the game (regular cleanings and waxing and changing balls after they lose shine or get scuffed up), that should help hold the value of the game.

Every game past 2013 or so has LEDs already. Swapping in LEDs in older games is not a must, but some like it.

Not really how it works. If you got in on a game from the ground floor and saved all the code files as they came out, you could go back and install the old code. But code updates not only change the rules and scoring they have important system updates or bug fixes that you need for optimal performance of your game. When and update comes out, I suggest installing it and don’t back track after that. My personal opinion.

Also, please use the search function of this website as best you can. 99.9% of the questions you have are covered on this site in great detail.

Good luck!

I will tell you right now that your machine will get use and show wear. They all do. You can minimize it by waxing and routine ball/rubber changes but it will never be NIB again. Be OK with that. Enjoy your game and don't worry about keeping it pristine. Once you have it setup in your home just have fun. But be sure to vacuum and wax the playfield first

(Oh and use Blitz carnuba wax and follow Vid1900's cleaning/waxing guide)

Open box.
Follow setup instructions.
Play game.
Have fun!

Don't overthink this. It's a machine designed for hard use in bars and bowling alleys. It will be fine in your house.
If you are worried, wax the playfield and replace the cheap factory pinballs with high quality ones.

Don’t try to learn it all in one day. Read as much as you can on here, play as much pinball as you can and it will all start making sense overtime.

Uh oh. Someone has the bug. Next you know and you'll be looking for more space.

Im a big believer in trying to make improvements to pinballs when i own them. Maybe that is LEDs, touching up the cab, fixing previous hacks, etc. Certain fixes add value...some are a waste of money. Try to stick with those that don't devalue it.

If you buy NIB, there is little to improve upon other than lights, sound, and mods. Obviously, this is at your discretion.

You always want to wax, clean, and re-rubber periodically to take care of them regularly.

There is very little to worry about if you buy NIB other than typical maintenance. Old machines require most knowledge and expertise. I certainly recommend getting at least obe older machine and trying to learn to repair and do fix ups on it.

Austin has a ton of pin collectors and dealers.
Contact Brandon Haney (owns oldies but goodies). He not only sells pins, but he fixes and refurbishes them as well. You definitely want to get to know him.