I would say $5500 is a safe number to put on this game. This hobby is pretty crazy though. Some guys wouldn't pay $4500 for it while others out there would probably pay $6500.

Call it an LE and put a real wood bottom in it and ask $7995... it'll sell in seconds!

That is a mentality that some in the hobby hold. Ohhhh TAF, so hard to find and yet one of the most often seen in someone's collection and several for sale every month. Gofer's isn't particularly hard to get. It is not *rare*. If you have a handful of collectors in your area chances are that half of them half TAF. LOTR? Great game, and always hear how hard it is to find one, yet I got rid of mine because there are 5-6 people around me with it. Rare is when you never see the machine. Jolly Park is rare. Mystery Castle is rare. NGG is not nor has it ever been, rare.

Also, what is your point with Banzai Run? It sells for more than gofers even at a lower rating, because there are less out there to buy. Supply and demand.

I agree with these great comments and I appreciate how you kept it subjective and positive, Well SAID!!!

All I can say is great find "SP" I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it and I know there are many collectors that would pay a top price for it even after you put plays on it because you are one of the good guys in this hobby (I met you at Allentown a few years back, and I have seen many of your posts) and will treat and upkeep the machine as any top collector would.

Rare doesn't not have to be based on production numbers. A NGG in this condition is rare since the majority of them out there are not HUO with this little of play. If it wasn't rare then I would see them posted for sale all the time in this condition which is not the case.

You obviously are cheap based on your constant price policing and it gets old. Normally your bitching about not wanting to pay a premium for someone else's taste however in this case there were no mods done so you have to take a different approach.

I sold a HUO T2 for 5k in less then a hour and had people lined up if the buyer passed. I'm sure you would never pay that for a T2 however just like this NGG you don't find them in that condition every day of the week.

That's because HEP games are actually better than NIB.

Although I still think it would be extremely difficult to get 9k out of a HEP NGG.

There aren't just collectors out there these days - there is a pretty good number of 'pinball-centric' operators too. Some operators may value this machine higher than collectors. This machine is comparable to a Stern Premium model ($6.8K ish) and not readily available. This machine is an attractive alternative to current offerings.

A HEP game is now significantly better than NIB... not really a comparison anymore.

HEP = concours car... This is a off the lot Toyota.

NIB vs cherry HUO is just novelty anyways. It's not really a gap that really is going to keep appreciating because its a novelty that you pop as soon as you actually use the game for anything. This isn't a collectible you cherrish for its 'off the shelf' originality, rare packaging, etc. A NIB game is a brown box in the corner just waiting its time to be opened.

Especially when there are comparable condition games around... and games can be restored to that condition or better now.

Back when games were primarily only acquired on the second hand market.. HUO was EXTREMELY rare and there really were no ready services for restoring games to new or better condition (lack of parts, lack of repos, lack of services) something like a NIB game was a gold mine because it reflected the pinnacle of condition and there simply weren't games available that were near that level of clean/new condition.

That is no longer the case. Games are being restored to that level of perfection all the time for anyone willing to pay the price. HUO is readily available for modern titles. Repos and restoration services are all around. For many titles, decent games are available to restore.

TL;DR - A 90s NIB game is not the pinnacle of condition/quality anymore, so NIB really isn't worth anything more than the actual market condition for a game of that condition. It's a novelty... some will pay for.. but its not going to differentiate the game.

No.. an operator has no value in NIB over a cheaper used game that is equal in operating condition. Operators bought NIB because that's how you got the 'next great thing'.

A broken in, tuned refurbished game at half the cost is what an Operator wants... not 'don't play it, its rare!!'

Calling a plastic with a hole cut in it a "playfield" is rather dubious...especially when the only way it can be access is via the VERY iffy slam ramp to an airball... =\

10 plays on a NGG. Still not as nice as a hep NGG.

It is still 20 years old and still has aged. It is still a reflection of williams quality at the time. It is not some magically sealed time capsule and in some respects is not that different than other low huo machines that have been stored well.

I wish I could afford a soap box to stand on, but according to some on here I am just too cheap to afford it. Guess I better go pay 1300 for unshopped broken 6803 Ballys to regain my standing in the pantheon of price pumpers.

$5K might be low but I have to agree with Dung for the most part. NGG isn't a rare game. The condition isn't something seen often but it is something attainable with some hard work. The price is relative for the most part to what an individual would be willing to pay. $5K-$7K seems to be in a good price range. If you can buy one for 5, do it and if you can sell one for 7, do it. I know the guy on Ebay was selling his NIB for $8K so price accordingly. I'm not a fan of this game for $8K but I considered getting his CP for the same price because I do like that game.

ebay.com link: NO GOOD GOFERS pinball machine by Williams New In Box

I agree, but it's not original, it can only be original one time, then no more.

The majority of HEP pins are not concourse, they are resto-mod (they are beautiful and look better though). Concourse is to exact original standards including overspray of paint/lack of paint, manufactured defects, bulbs, rubbers, etc... exactly how it came off the line.

Here is one that was a 6 year old restoration from Chris and it sold, I'm sure not far from his asking price if any as he stated firm at $8500.

https://pinside.com/pinball/market/classifieds/archive/37130

I put it in quotes. Still, it's a unique feature and something really cool that I doubt you'd ever see on a "Pro" level game.

It now lives in Northern Michigan!
Along side HEP AFM, HEP JY, & Mike D's MB!
HEP & Mike D. restored titles are much Better than NIB, in my opinion.
This NGG of the OP is a great find!

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And, one of the most rewarding shots in all of pinball!

i have to see a picture of that coin door on that monster bash please.

Lol! Here you go. Airbrushed & Clear coated.

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Man i want to get this done....

Freakin' Beautiful Zampinator!!!!

At least you're modest

I agree and think that's why older HUO games will always fetch a premium. Anyone can send a game to have it restored but you can never revert a game back to how it came from the factory. There will always be purist who prefer original and most high end restores use at lot of repro parts since they started with a routed turd or boat anchor so how original are they in the end?

Given the choice between a pristine older HUO or restored HEP I'll normally take the HUO. I know I'm in the minority and of course the HEP will be much nicer and in way better condition once he's done, but there is just something about a minty HUO machine that's all original and unmolested. Keep in mind this is a very small percent of machines since most of the older HUO for sale are here are not legit or were not maintained. The best of both worlds IMO is a HUO HEP because then it's still mostly original but has the HEP treatment and doesn't have decals, repro pf ,ramps, plastics, etc.

OMG!!!

SICK!!!!!!!

There is a preference for original parts - but what demands more these days? An original game with #44s or a game with LEDs and Kuzman clear'd PF?

Sure, but the thread is about market value - not individual favorites. Serial numbers matching.. nice, but are people going to pay anything but more than a curiosity for it?

There are preferences for original.. even unrestored games.. that doesn't mean they've over taken well done restorations in market value. The track record just isn't there. And until some time that pins are put up on pedestals and looked at antiques to admire over playing them... I don't see that changing.

When did I ever say HUO machine pricing would demand MORE then a restored version. I said pristine HUO originals will always fetch a premium and that is true compared to the market value of most NGG's.

It has nothing to do with individual favorites and I gave examples of why some people are willing to pay a lot of money for a pristine HUO NGG. All you keep talking about is how restorations will sell for more, which I never said was not the case. So what makes your post more significant then mine in a thread about the market value of a HUO NGG and why is my opinion not allowed?

What does serial numbers matching have to do with a basically NIB machine with 9 plays on it? I'm sure someone buying this is willing to pay a premium for more reasons then the curiosity of the serial numbers matching. How many NGG do you think exist in this condition? I'm sure this machine a lot more rare then trying to find a restored NGG with led's and CC'ed PF.

Again, when did I ever say a HUO machines would overtake restored examples in market value? I said there are collectors who would prefer one in this condition over a high end restore but never once did I say they are willing to pay more then a high end restore, so please quit putting words in my mouth.

I understand TAF is not a rare title, I even gave an estimate to the production numbers and cited it is the most produced pinball but a NIB or NOOB would make even the most produced title of a 20+ year old pin a rare find. What I am getting at is, all original, perfect as it came from the factory, NIB or extremely low play, 20+ year old original pin regardless of production numbers is what makes it rare. Its rare because of its original NOS condition. How many others out there like this? I bet you could count them on one or two hands, so yes... one of 5-10 basically NOS whole machine remaining originals is rare by any standard.

Dung said it best, supply and demand. NIB or NOOB supply is extremely low for this title, so if there is a single demand, price goes up for somebody who wants this title in this condition.

No manufactured pin is hard to get, just pay the money and it can be yours. It might be hard to get for the price you want to pay though but that doesn't make it hard to get.

Wizard Blocks is rare.
Jolly Roger might be rare.
Mystery castle is NOT rare, seen it on Craigslist, a garage sale and a few other places.
20+ year old NIB pins are rare.

I think this is about right as well. The buyer that is actually going to play and nudge this sucker around might go $5500 or lower, the guy that might pay a little north $5500 is going to put it behind a velvet rope and wipe it with a diaper...but you're probably going to have to wait longer to find that buyer.

Freaking gorgeous and anyone wld be proud to have it in their collection.

Wow, That is nice... I could never own a pin like this one, because I would want to play the snot out of it.

Premium compared to what then?

You say they will demand a premium and then go directly into saying how "you can never revert a game back to how it came from the factory. There will always be purist who prefer original"...

If someone is preferring that originality as you say and will pay a premium for it over restored... How does that not get to you saying original will be more valuable?

Are you saying they will prefer original buy just won't pay more for it? What is this premium you refer to?

If the discussion is about value... What is the relevance of a preference that people won't be willing to pay for? It's like reimported... Domestics are generally preferred... But if it's not going to reduce what people will pay... So what

That pin looks good in there with the others. You need to have my NIB STTNG in there between your NGG and ST/LE!

Dr Who and NGG..... now I'm even more jealous

Beautiful!! NGG is fun & comical pin to play.

Do it. We bought a NGG new in 1999 and put thousands of plays on it, and it still looks pretty close to the one shown here. Ramps have a slight wear trail, the gofers have been repainted a few times and the wheel decal is duller, but the rest looks about the same. WMS games hold up very well in a home environment if you take care of them.

The would pay a premium, but don't have to because huos sell for less than heps for the most part.

So back to the individual vs market... Because if the market had the higher demand for the original... your situation wouldn't exist -- they wouldn't be cheaper. There are far less of them, and if the demand were in fact greater, they would push the price up.

Pinball is not at a state where people treasure 'barn find originals with the original patina' like antique cars or antiques in general. Pinball is still driven more by people wanting 'perfect' examples of playable games. Games are admired for how well they play and look more than their lineage. Maybe in another 50 years that will change... but truth is a restored 80s game is still worth far more in the market than an original game from the 50s... even tho an all original game from the 50s would be much more difficult to find in great condition. Originality is not that highly valued in the market these days. Its far less significant than condition, function, and desirability.

In today's market customizations, restorations, modernization, clean-up are all value-adds in market value. A older NIB game has value due to its novelty because its an unusual condition to find.. but how much will people pay for that novelty? And unless they are 'investors' they are going to break that game open.. so the premium for the 'NIB' vs used in comparable condition is not going to be huge because they are going to 'throw it away' very quickly. No one is going to put a NIB game up as a trophy piece to admire.

Old NIB game = 'neat story', but not some significant boost in price vs a comparable condition game (even non-original). Their story is worth more than their residual value.. because its only NIB once and the game isn't enjoyed while NIB.

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Calling it an LE people might think it's a stern so that would make it worthless. It's a B/W so it's priceless!

OMG that is so beautiful! Please stop we get how lucky you are more pics please lol

Mods, upgrades are for shit stern games.. this is a B/W and it's premium as is, I hear what your saying but most people these days are stuck on crappy stern games that BEG for some detail. This one is a polished diamond out of the box. Stainless VUK's came factory, etc. Stock games like this just need to be plugged in. Fck stern lol

This was actually my machine so I will chime in here. Keep in mind that my game had a brand new topper (never installed) at $200, a $400 ColorDMD, and a NOS upper PF included in the price. On NGG, I think the clearcoated PF is the key because PF's in that era were notorious for ghosting inserts, and clearcoat chipping. Also no slam ramp wear is hard to find on these now. However, that game was done in 2011 and had a number of plays on it, so I think it was probably a 7300-7500 game, plus the extras.

Having said this, I think the 9K number is about accurate for a NEWLY restored HEP NGG game.