I bought my first machine about 15 years ago, a restored (Keller) MB for $4K. At the time, the consensus was that it was a total waste of money for something that wouldn't get played after the novelty wore off, and that it was "weird". Despite that, I continued to pick up games like TOTAN,MM,AFM in nice shape for reasonable prices. I started at the top of the Pinside 100 and if I like the game I would buy it if I had the money, then move on to the next, with the exception of CFTBL and SS. I even picked up a beater CFTBL for $150, which is now a HEP. Unfortunately, those days are over, at least for the foreseeable future.

I think that what has happened is that modern video games lack the tactile feedback that pinball provides. Kind of like how slot machines are designed to keep you feeding them your money. I also feel that they are more fun than an Xbox when multiple people are playing, except Mario Kart. Whatever it is, I know where all my guests will head to after they first grab an adult beverage.

This is true, and ten years from now you might be able to pick up player's condition JP2 FOR $1500. If so, I saw it first!