To me, pinball machines are playable works of art! And unlike video games which become predictable, with a pinball machine the ball bounces differently every time and each game is a different experience.

yonizzell Damn, Mike You took the words out of my mouth on that statement. Each game is it's own masterpiece of art made of wood and metal. Azmodeus agreed. I also grow up play videos through the late 70s early 80s. Witnessed them go from black and white to color. Played more videos then pins. It was the early Solid State pins that won over my love for them.

Playable art is how I always describe pinball to my friends or others who do not play. Hand drawn artwork, mechanical design of a layout for flow and shots - amazing. Some people will drop 20K on an original Robert Bateman, and they are nice - but I'd still take a pinball

The reason I stay in the hobby is simple, the people. The friends I have made are far more valuable than the machines.

Because it was designed to be the most addictive thing in the world.

When you feel that "Just one more game" feeling, press the feedbar.

you put a coin in the chute, and the motor starts whiring, relays reset and score reels turn to zero
a single ball is launched into the shooter lane
its now me against the machine

launching the ball starts the game, targets are hit, your score increases
you think you are in control of the ball, you flip the ball and hit a target, but your mastery is just an illusion, eventually you loose control of the ball. the machine wins again (but only just).
you insert another coin

Because I have an addictive personality and need a drug and pinball is my drug of choice.

Because you can't turn on your savings account and play it.

Videos are about skill. Pinball is about luck and skill.

I like the blinking lights.

Now that's a practical explanation, Steve.

It's the most fun you can have on 4 legs

That is exactly it. That, and when I'm immersed in the game, I'm thirteen years old in my favorite arcade all over again.

Miniture Circus.
Good American-made technology
Aggressive with loud sounds and hard-hitting flippers and bumpers.
Quality lit-up Art
A Singular experience, even when playing with others.

Because its just sooo much damn fun to play and try to run up a nice score. Flashing lights, sounds, the whole textile feeling is something that just cant be replicated anywhere else.

I can't think of another activity that requires all of my attention with such low stakes. The world can be burning down around me, but I can forget about that as long as I'm trying to keep that little ball from passing between the flippers. And if it does? So what? I have a lot more quarters.

Screw that ! Free play baby !!

That, my friend is a bumper sticker. (Do people still do that?). That, my friend, is a t-shirt!

Not if your a dog .....

A pinball machine with it's lights and sounds is like a slot machine that actually gives you your money's worth! A wooden box of rockin roll adrenaline!

I like the mechanical aspect of pinball. . . I feel I have some control over where the ball goes and I can make up my own game as I advance. I never could connect with a lot of video games where the rules were already written and a narrower path had to be followed.

It's fulfilling in a physical way, and it's why the more I play, the more I like earlier pins, EMs and solid states. They're a little slower, and they feel less like video games than the modern Sterns do. Anticipating the ball hitting the rubber, giving the machine a good bump and seeing it go sailing up into the last drop target gives me a sense of satisfaction that's hard to get elsewhere.

How do I love pinball? Let me count the ways.
I love pinball to the depth and breadth and height and weight
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal score.
I love pinball to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and LED-light.
I love pinball freely, as men strive for a high score
I love pinball purely, as they turn from tilt.
I love pinball with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love pinball with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost quarters. I love pinball with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love pinball better after death.

LTG : )
Disclaimer ; Apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Well said Lloyd !

I think for me, one big reason is just how mechanical it is. Ever since I was little I loved watching complex machinery run. I could spend all day in games like Myst and Riven just watching what every different switch and button would do. Pinball was something I didn't have a ton of interest in until I first played the Williams Collection on Wii. Seeing Rudy and knowing he actually existed in real pinball machines I think really intrigued me. After that, I learned that these games had more to do than just randomly flipping at targets, thanks to the in-depth instructions in the Williams Collection. I can't remember for sure, but I bet it was moments like my first jackpot on Funhouse, hearing Rudy scream and the music change, that got me hooked.

So for me, it's watching how the machine interacts with the ball, trying to complete the challenges the game sets before me, and the excitement I feel when a machine starts practically exploding with lights and sound (I'm looking at you, Twilight Zone). The final aspect that *keeps* me hooked must be the unpredictable nature of the ball. Arcade video games don't keep me playing very long, and I really think it comes down to how littler variation they have. If I play multiple games of Donkey Kong 3, they'll mostly all feel the same, except that I'll probably gradually get a little better each time. With pinball I can have one good game, then a bunch of horrible games, and then I'll end the night with a new high score, all the while still feeling responsible for my performance.

So that's why I love playing pinball. Don't get me started on why I loving owning a pinball machine!

What the fuck else are you going to put in your basement?

Dungeon.

LTG : )
Disclaimer : I used to call mine the "Thank You Dungeon".

^^^ This. 1000 times this ^^^

I have met such good and fun people in this hobby. I love pinball, but I love the people too. One of my dearest friends, I was introduced to him by another great friend in pinball. One of my favorite things is hosting league. And it's funny that between all the prep, and the work on games, and the pizza and beer, it adds up. Yet having the whole house rocking to great pinball competition is just so fucking cool. I love hearing people swear at my games because they are setup like bitches (just how I like them). The games are fun, but it's the people.

And I bet that if any one of the shills or A-holes on Pinside came to my house, we would probably have a great time. I've got pinball machines from all different eras because I love them all. I'd feed you pizza and chips and by the end of the night we'd find common ground in our love of the hobby. We would pick the type of machine you like, and I'd kick your ass on it... or you would kick mine. By the end of the night we would be friends and you would have an open invite. Because after all the bullshit, playing pinball together is a fucking blast.

Dogs are good too

I got hooked for many reasons. It's just cool having pins in the house and kind of crazy. It's a bit nostalgic and a bit of a boyhood dream to own arcade games. I can play alone or have friends over. My kids and their friends can enjoy them as well. I can go out to play on location, do tournaments, and meet other people in the process. They are skill games so don't get old like video games. You can also tinker with them and learn a thing or two by repairs. Most of my other interests and hobbies are just things I enjoy and not something you can enjoy in so many different ways.

One of the great things about Pinball is you don't even have to own a machine to be in the hobby or be a good player.

The other thing I like about this hobby is helping others fix their games. I get a kick out of being to part of the solution.

This is certainly part of it, but I've always liked games with balls/contraptions, etc. I liked building those marble towers as a kid, playing games like Fireball Island, Mouse Trap, etc. Pinball takes that and adds far greater interaction (and less down time setting up and cleaning up)...then they break, which for many of us becomes half the fun in troubleshooting (always rewarding to fix them ). Of course the artwork is a significant perk as well, and part of what guides what I bring home.

And sometimes you can own many machines and still not be a good player.

Not sure if this is a reason for loving pinball vs why it is such a draw but I feel its because unlike Most hobbies, sports, attractions, etc Pinball is not intimidating. It is a self explanatory moment of enjoyment with minimal cost to play. A game that a 4 year old or a 90 year old can walk up without ever seeing the rules and just have Fun. The lights, the sounds, the complete control and freedom of their own created actions. I would take my kids to local arcades or even Attempt a try at their X Box thing and feel like a complete failure or broke in minutes. No sense of gratification and an impossible way to share an experience with them. With pinball, my Really young kids could share a game they nor I ever seen and still leave with excitement and a sense of thrill. Pinball attracts people of Any age like a magnet of simplicity and fun sure to please. JMO.

For me it is because it's a physical game that is different every time i play it. The ball can bounce differently every time and just polishing the playfield can change so much with the way a game plays.

The people i have met and mates i have made over the years are a big part of enjoying the hobby too!

Pinball are the toys for adults, you don't see the modern day kids (holding a celphone all the time) playing.
When they do, they don't have the quarters to play them.
Heck, they even can't find the credit button, let alone change a light bulb in the game.
But when they do get some directions, they play like they are possessed to set a good score.
Always great to see the thrill coming to them and be more and more competitive.

When done right, it's a hobby which can pay for itself.
Buying old broken games and fixing them.
Enjoy the game for a while and eventualy selling the game for more the bought for.
Then you buy more games.....

The pure satisfaction of being able to enjoy your achivement of a fixed game.
The way to learn how a game plays, the rules and which shot is the most profitable.

First I'm a fixer, then I'm a player.
Too bad you always run out of space for more games....

pinballonthemark
What is your reason for down voting my personal experiences with pinball?

Some people are just like that. I cancelled his downvote with an upvote and gave you a bonus in the hopes your day gets better.

Ditto

And this right here is why pinball is a great hobby...the great people!

For me, there are two things.

First, the entire audio-visual experience of a pinball machine. I much prefer playing in a quiet setting where I can hear the music and call outs or the chimes in an EM. I can close my eyes and literally feel some of my favorite moments. Playing at the Pacific Pinball Museum in October a few years ago, it was an amazing fall day. The front door was open and I was playing EMs and wood rails in the front room. There were no sounds except the flippers and chimes. Occasionally some music would come over the juke box with music from the period they were made. That speaks to my kind of weird. It was awesome. I get a similar experience at a bar if I arrive early and ther music isn't too loud.

Second is the social part. As much as I like playing games in a quieter session, pinball would not be nearly as enjoyable to me without the friends I have made and the times we get together. Most of my time at a show is spent with friends or playing multiplayer games with friends.

I was thinking the same thing. Only you said it better than I could.