Sure, there's nothing wrong with trying out a virtual version of a game to get a feel for it.

Lots of people do just that.

I would strongly recommend it. I have owned a vpin for over two years now and it was my gateway into owning some physical pins.

If you have any questions about vpin stuff, please let me know and I would be happy to answer.

I also stream vpin tables regularly at twitch.tv/friscopinball and would be happy to answer any questions there too

If no cabinet, You can also download and play it on your desktop.

This hasn’t been my experience at all, I feel the difference between a real pin and the virtual version are so great that it’s impossible to get a good impression of a machine by just playing the virtual version. Mind you I only play virtual pinball on gaming consoles and don’t have a lot of money soaked into something like a VR setup, but I still feel the results would be similar. But I guess if you don’t have any opportunities to play the real thing then it’s better than nothing.

Good for getting an idea of the ruleset, graphics, etc. but not the actual feel/experience of playing the real thing. However, if you are mostly theme/rule centric when it comes to your pins, then I think it would be quite helpful to get to know the game via VR.

The more information you can get before buying, the better. Virtual pinball is a fantastic way to learn a games rules and see if that aspect of the game is a draw for you.

Good for figuring out if the sound and screen animations are up your alley and that's about it. And even then you don't want to overdo it, why get sick of that stuff before you even own the game?

THere's no "kinetic satisfaction."

Pro: ability to try any game and get the “feel” for it before you buy.

Con: ability to try any game and get the “feel” for it before you buy.

I had built a virtual cabinet almost a decade ago and really enjoyed it, but quickly became a bit of a pinball snob now. I see games for sale that I would have loved to own before, but now I’m looking at a lot of these machines to be not worth the money. I know what games I like and if I find something in the wild to play that’s not one I like, then I probably won’t stop to drop in a buck or two. I sold it after a couple years with the mindset that the technology wasn’t good enough. Nowadays with 4K and VR I’m sure the technology is getting a lot closer on a top of the line computer. Currently I have an Arcade1up that works well enough for the price. I sold my last pin in Jan 2020 with the plan to buy a new AFM in nov 2020, but Covid changed that plan. I only play real pin on location for now because a lot of the cheaper games are one trick ponies that get boring quickly. I have limited space, so when I get another pin, it will be a game that gets bolted to the floor.

https://hyperspin-fe.com/forums/topic/2340-mortal-pinball-kombat-a-build-thread/

I actually discovered The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard when I played it once IRL and loved the blinders, then actually learned the rules/layout/feel while updating the virtual recreation (it was 4 years out of date and the last 2 have been very good for VP).

When it happened to come up for sale right when I was looking for a pin, I knew I wanted to buy because I was so familiar from the virtual. I also knew some of the other machines available locally at my price point (#jokerz, Jurassic Park, some EM's) from recreations, and could judge them by depth, fun, replayability, etc. before ever seeing their condition in person.

Not anymore. With DOF and SSF “kinetic satisfaction” has been solved with modern high end virtual pinball machines. Solenoids / contactors to replicate pop bumpers, slings and flippers. There’s gear and shaker motors. SSF is surround sound feedback and offers feedback through the wood of the cabinet to further replicate sounds.

I’m getting a high end virtual pin delivered tomorrow and couldn’t be happier. I purposely skipped buying another mechanical pin in favor of a virtual pin for the last pinball spot in my game room. Being able to play 100’s of games I’ll never have the money and or space to own all at once without the maintenance headaches is amazing. There’s also a ton of games I’ve once owned but don’t want to buy again that I’ll be able to play.

Basically I bought the VPIN to replace everything from the pre LCD era. Sold my last 90’s Bally pin to help fund it and not looking back. Thankfully even modern Stern tables are now starting to be recreated as well (Batman 66 and Iron Maiden for example).

I was a skeptic as well-until I actually got some good time on one with DOF and SSF. I was sold and purchased one for the home. Is it the same-no but it is getting closer and closer. Bump passes and other things are still a little off but the feel is getting there. It allows you to explore tables more in depth. You can watch you-tube videos and try and learn about a game you may have interest in but playing the virtual version gives you a good idea of how it plays and the rulesets involved. I am finding some games I did not think I would like very much but they are fun to play. Trying to hit a certain skill shot on Arena, hitting two or more sideways loops on Blood Machines, playing rare games you will never see in person, playing tons of EM's etc.
The other aspect is the growing number of virtual content creators creating unique digital tables. More and more creators are getting involved and some of the tables created are really impressive. I advise people to check out the growing virtual scene-don't stick your head in the sand-keep your head up and watch what's to come. I would like to see Pinside recognize this growing market and create an avatar for a virtual pinball machine in people's collection. This would allow people to connect and network more-I feel like it is another dimension of pinball that is valid and legit. I would ask the question-'Who does not want more pinball in their life?' I will take it all-including virtual

I love VPin for the online tournaments. I can’t make it to all the tournament IFPA grind that I used to a few years back, so it helps scratch that itch. Also a fantastic way to learn rules better if you want to improve in competition.

The ball physics has come a long way and the purists saying f that have probably been that way so long they missed that progression.

I’m looking forward to when the nudging of the cabinet can catch up. I know progress has been made. More progress can be made.

So physical pins will not be replaced in my game room. One spot definitely has been earned by the virtual pin tho.

Last point, it also saved me from buying a game I’d never seen but wanted. About 3 minutes into the VP table it was a clear NOPE and whew glad I dodged that one