"To bolt or not to bolt, that is the question".

Most of the deciding sentiment in my case, is how and why I acquired the game. Because sometimes a pin is (or becomes) more than just that. My first one was a worn-out Space Shuttle I purchased on whim and brought back to life coming on 7 years ago. I knew *nothing* about pinballs then, so that game now represents opened doors, found opportunities toward new friendships and adventures I never expected. It has a lot of my own craft and handiwork within it, and fortunately it's still a fun game. So naturally I don't see that one leaving anytime soon if ever. Nor the Firepower whose playfield and boards I rebuilt completely as a learning exercise for my 3rd game. Nor the Bad Cats my girls helped repaint and restore as pre-teens. Nor the Time Fantasy I completely repainted to support an added UV feature well before Stern "stole" my idea for STH, ha ha. Those are perhaps more like heirlooms in the form of pinball machines, heh.

But other games I've acquired have indeed moved on. A few I also put serious work into, but as the OP shared, I'm proud every time I walk into Lousiville's big pin location and see the games I rescued and rebuilt still working fine 4 years later. And the others I sold to friends and neighbors, bringing them enjoyment. Some stayed longer than others. My shortest keep was just 2 months; the longest before sale "after restoration" was a bit over a year.

Of the titles I still own but didn't specifically mention, I intend to keep a few "indefinitely" for various reasons. Others, who knows? I do know that every time I think I'm out space, I, uh, find a way... to fit another. But in all seriousness after the last "keeper" I think I'm out now, so something will have to go. I just depends on what will force my hand.

I like to think most of us will go through these phases to some extent. And situations and sentiments always change too, so I wonder what my room will look like in 3, 5, 8 years...