Ok.... I just wanted to share my childhood pinball story to be passed down to my Son. This is my first NIB machine and I got it delivered last week. I have been dying to open it, look at it, take it out of the box and play it until my finger prints are worn off. But my son went to Florida for two weeks to help his Grandparents move and I told him before he left, if X-Men arrives I will not open it until you get home.

Back 32 years ago, when I was a kid growing up, I always enjoyed playing pinball at my Aunt and Uncle’s house. My Cousin was a coin operator, and he had a 1972 Swinger in their basement. I used to play the machine for hours and hours. Well in 1980, Williams made the Black Knight, which needs no introduction. He had it delivered to his parents house (my Aunt and Uncle), because he was living in a apartment at the time, and I just happen to be there when it was delivered. I ask him what was in the huge box?.... He told me a new pinball machine, "The Black Knight". My eyes must of got the size of softballs, because he started laughing at me. I was so excited to see what a new pinball looked like. So he started unboxing the machine and set it up in the garage. When he finished he clicked on some credits and told me these words I will never forget...." You get the First game on this machine." I was in SHOCK, this machine was Totally Awesome..... Of course, back then pinballs never talked, or had ramps, magn-saves, and multi-balls, etc... Well compared to the 1972 Swinger that is.

I am so excited that my Son is coming home today. Also I have not said a word to him about the X-Men Wolverine being in the garage waiting for him. I cannot wait to open it, set it up, click on a few credits and then I will tell him, “You get the First game on this machine”.

This is the memory of pinball that I want my son to remember who has grown up with pinballs all his life. Thanks to Stern Pinball for letting a Father pass down a childhood memories to his Son.

I will do my best to take some pictures and post them here,

Steve

_{Post edited by HemiOrange09 : I wanted to reword title, the old one could take on the wrong meanings}

Thanks for the advice, I will give it the quick once over before he starts the game.... I changed the title of my post because it could of taken on a different meaning. I have been reading all the postings about the X-Men and I know it might need some tweaking, and I am good with that.

Thank JJ... That's a good one, but if the machine was set up, he would of known I played it..... .

The machine is FAST AND FURIOUS..... It just needed the e-clip added to the spinner. It was not making any noise, but in the test mode after 20 plays the magnet was lifting during the diagnostic test. I installed the e-clip and it spins freely and there is no lifting of slop...... Everything else is working great. The Iceman ramp clears Wolverine claws no problem. And the bottom of Wolverine arms seem to be shaved from Stern to prevent the ball from getting hung up. It is serial # 269 and was built and shipped to me on the same day, July 25, 2012. I will post some pictures tomorrow..... Also CAN NOT WAIT TO PLAY IT AGAIN. ITS ADDICTING.

Here are some pictures of the un-boxing and first game ....

It was a GREAT NIGHT for the Family

Unboxing_X-Men_07-31.jpg Dolly_to_the_basement07-31.jpg Setup_1_07-31.jpg Backbox_07-31.jpg

A few more pictures and his famous "First Game". He actually played a great game. I was telling him how to start the MMB first then collect his X-Men.... GREAT FUN.

Certificate_07-31.jpg First_game_07-31.jpg First_game2_07-31.jpg

Thanks everyone for the replies

He is a great kid and I hope he does the same thing when he has his own kids someday..... but I don't want to rush that by any means.