The funny thing is, theme doesn't necessarily make or break the game. MET is one of my favorite games. I don't care for the theme, and didn't vote for music/band theme. I would like a western or sci-fi game. Or an under the ocean theme (my other hobby is saltwater aquariums). If it's poorly made though, it'll still be crap.

I feel like it might be useful to have negatives on here too. For instance, "Sex Appeal" is something that I specifically don't look for, given where most of my games end up.

A little bit of humor goes a long way (AFM). Easily recognized themes (ST, GB) are also desirable.

For me it's mostly nostalgia. That's why someone needs to make a The Goonies pin

I agree, nostalgia, so anything 80s for me. Why has no one made The A-Team yet?

First off , it must be a fun theme. If a machine can make me laugh, it's a win

Theme wise, fantacy. Paragon, the black knight, iron man, etc

Then dial it up, take it to the limit

Original themes or themes based on nothing from my childhood or bands that I don't listen to any more.

Before licensed themes we plunked money in every game there was. And put more money in the better players.

In the 90s, we learned about the movies by playing the pinball game first.

Oh man. I love myself a good hearty originally themed pinball machine.

Pin-Bot? His Bride? Yep.

White Water? Very yes.

Whirlwind, complete with a goofy cloud with tornado fingers? Stole my heart.

2001, a game where people ride through space tunnels on triangles? Take my money.

Nothing says pinball like unbridled creativity.

T-2 and Creature were probably the only two licensed movie themes from the 90s I saw before I played the pinball games.

I thought it was cool.

Back then we weren't begging for licensed themes based on movies we had seen 100 times when we were kids. Whatever showed up on route was always a surprise. I just played them all and as long as new ones kept showing up it was all good as long as they played well.

JJP made that. There is a pretty large variety of music in WOZ, I don't pay too much attention to it as the multi-balls and deep code modes keep you focused. You tune it out ... kind of like a spouse at times.

Think about T-2. A pinball machine from 1991 themed after a movie from 1991. What a concept!

A theme that appeals (without seeing the game design yet) is envisioning the modes/rules/toys/light shows etc that can be associated with that theme. Killing the dead horse again ... Picture a Harry Potter Pin. Man, so many things could be done with that. ACDC had good potential and Stern did a good job with. Alien "should" be a good one from Heighway too. TZ is another one that you would think could be good if you did not see it yet (and was/is). There are some surprises out there too. Themes that aren't that great, but good pins. Theme is not as important as the fun factor, pin design, and game play are more important to me. The theme just may perk my interest more. That's why I go to expos and the VFW show - to pick out my favorites and develop a wish list and a lust list.

I'm sure this guy would give you a dollar if you could help him find a bathroom.

image-24 (resized).jpg

Hmmmm.... Sports very low rated in this poll.

Maybe cause there are so few great sport pins. But you would say scoring a goal with a ball could make some awesome lay outs. Still think the goal shot in wcs is one of the most satisfying shots in pinball.

Could be icehockey also. Same fun, and better for usa market.

Thematic use of a crane.

Theatricality. I mean, it helps if it's a good game but that first zap when you see the machine, that "wow!" factor is what really gets me, and if it's incorporated into the game itself then it's really a keeper. Addams Family is a fairly good movie but I've only seen it like, once and I don't remember much from it, but just the overall package of the pin is so dazzling. The backglass is stunning, the playfield art draws you in, and then you have all the toys and awesome voice clips that make the game come alive. See also Funhouse, Whirlwind, and TZ - they're magnetic, and the game pays off by utilizing that first glance appeal to its advantage and playing with it. You want to see what the fan does in Whirlwind, you want to get all the toys going in TZ, you want to engage with Rudy and find out what happens at midnight because the pin puts it right out there, and it creates an insidious emotional arc (Rudy turning on you, the TZ table coming alive and building momentum, the fan and spinners going in Whirlwind).

Rock pins are kind of a hard sell for me, though. Metallica is fun but most of the rest of them just feel like an interactive jukebox. What I absolutely don't want from a license is for the game to be thuddingly slavish to the property.

I especially like how his spacesuit has the "kermit the frog" look.

This also holds true for slot machines as well. If I see a pin or a slot and it catches my eye, I am more likely to walk up to it and throw money in. Then how it plays is what may keep me there instead of walking off and trying something else.

If it's Back to the Future and made by JJP.

I think that themes also tend to mirror our other life interests as well. Was a big AC/DC fan as a teen, so I like that theme. I'm not much into sports, so I will pass on most sports themes, except that I am a fisherman, so Fish Tales gets a nod. I don't watch GOT so not interested there, but liked the movie Maverick - the game play is good which makes is a keeper in my collection. I'm a big Alien fan, own Space Invaders.

Theme does not make a pinball machine desirable to me. Theme is more like a secondary afterthought.

Hell, I couldn't even tell you what the theme is for a few of my games... Elektra (Electricity?). Pinball Champ (Playing pinball?). Alien Star (Aliens?).

Then I have the perfect game for you:

alien-pinball-whitewood-test-604x270 (resized).jpg

Nah, no sound!

Hmmm..... A new BTTF....... I never thaught about it cause of the chance of a remake. But a totaly new one...

Sorry, i got to sit down, cause really, that is a fantastic idea! Omg, think of the possibillities with modern toys and the screens...

Great theme!

I liked Captain Kangaroo and Bozo the Clown when I was young, so I like those themes.

I figured out that it does for me. Prime example:

I love Family Guy, but hate Shrek. Exact same game, only difference is the theme.

To make a simple analogy. Theme and a quick look at the playfield are like how looks or a first impression affect the potential if you want to go on a first date or not. The theme wrecks it if it is something of no interest. Many of the Stern titles have blown it for me in this regard. Thank the pinball gods for Ghostbusters. If it looks of it looks like it has a bunch of cool stuff on it then hell yeah! It's a first date. Not a huge fan of the movie Wizard of Oz but holy crap look at all the cool shit on the playfield.That is the beauty of original themes it can be anything and go anywhere. It is not just confined to a band or an HBO show or a movie that I've never seen.

I see what you did there.