Quoted from RGR:... I am wondering how popular pinball would be if all the collectors/home users had to play these on site.
Are there alot of home collections now because there are limited places to play them? Why is it that pinball is so popular with home collectors and not on location. Could it be that the collectors were players when it was popular in the 80s/90s????
In addition I believe that over 50% of pinballs are in people houses. Given this how long will it be before the bubble bursts?
I would stop playing pinball again if I could only play them on site. There is only ONE location in my area where the operator seems to have a conscience. His machines are fully functional - most of the time - and reasonably clean. If I could only play his 4 or 5 titles, I would give up entirely. The only other way to play is by hitting the locations where a bar-owner happens to be a pinball enthusiast - and they may have one or two working machines if you can get lucky and know where they are located.
With pinball in the home, I can fire up a reliable, clean, trouble-free (mostly), game at-will. No traveling, no quarters, plus I can invite my friends over for dinner, a beer, and some good fun in a private parlor type setting. We can play 'til dawn and if the machine breaks..........the operator is usually standing by for immediate repairs (and a refund - lol).
If the bubble "bursts" and all of us whacko's who rescue these wonderful toys stop saving these machines from the bone-yard...........indeed. What will happen to pinball??
I love the look on the faces of my friends' children. We keep step-stools available so the young ones can step up and play a risk-free game. So wonderful to see their little faces light up as they marvel over action. And there is no disappointment at their lack of skill. Just punch in another game please!!!
These kids were likely to never see or play a pinball in their lives. That, or they were likely to play at least one run-down, lame-o, usually broken/partially functional machine which would steal their quarter, their joy, and their enthusiasm for the game.
I'm glad I could change that for them by having them in my home.