Are pinball machines about to become extinct?

Comment with Facebook

Comment with Dtoid

destructoid japanator | tomopop

Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

big news
rumors
originals
releases
reviews
previews
podcasts

faq

Home Destroyer of Wallets

4:00 PM on 11.07.2008, Chad Concelmo

48 comments | 7077 views

Are pinball machines about to become extinct? photo

#Arcade #Destroyer of Wallets #retro

Let us all lower our heads. This is a very dark day.

Rumor has it Stern Pinball, Inc., one of the last pinball makers left in the world (if not the only one), has laid off a handful of workers and several designers -- a move most likely related to the economic downturn in the country right now. This horrible economy combined with the sad state of arcades today does not bode well for the iconic company (makers of classic pinball machines Monopoly and Lord of the Rings).

As a huge fan of pinball (it is the first thing I run to in an arcade) this is very sad news. I know arcades are slowly dwindling, but I always look forward to seeing a hot new pinball machine based on a recent hit movie or television show every time I am fortunate enough to find a random arcade in the middle of nowhere. Not seeing these glorious, blinking, noisy machines anymore is a little depressing to think about.

When reached for comment, Jodie Foster's character in The Accused said simply, “Hallelujah!”*

What do you think? Does this news make you sad? Would you be willing to go into business opening an arcade with me so we can keep pinball alive?

*Yes, that joke was unbelievably horrible. I am so sorry.

[Via RetroBlast -- thanks, Jonathan!]

Continue: More retro stories

48 comments | showing # 1 to 48

Agent Orange

lol, rape joke! A dark day, indeed. A pinball machine is one of the first things I want to get once I get a house of my own.

MrSadistic

That sucks. I always like playing the random pinball game when I'm at an arcade somewhere. Also, Chad, I didn't think you had it in you to make a rape joke... but here we are.

SephirothX

*lowers his head*

-D-

This hurts.

Pinball is one of my most favorite things in the world and every birthday whenever my girlfriend or family would ask what I wanted to do, I would say, "play pinball."

Chad, let's open that arcade, but it HAS to have an Aladdin-themed machine.

Chad Concelmo

@MrSadistic,
I have been at Destructoid long enough. It was time.

I am so ashamed.

Jonathan Holmes

I'm not giving up hope. I think arcades will eventually make a big comeback, and pinball will be a part of that.

Coonskin05

!rape jokes++

BulletTrain

My boss at work is actually a pinball nut, and has his own machine at his house. If I had the space and money I'd own one too. I'll die a little inside the day the last pinball machine is made :(

I'm all for opening an arcade. Just let me know where and when and I'm in.

Rifter01

:'o(

I don't know if Sega still makes pinball or not, but someone's got to keep it going. Around the time Star Wars Ep.I pinball came out pinball was mostly thought of dead then, but Stern rised up to the challenge.

Drach

I remember playing this Alien pinball game that had 2 levels on it (one was below the main board, underneath glass, it even had flippers down there) I recall it had some amazing music, and I spent a few bucks in it every time I was allowed to go into the arcade.

Yeah, that kinda makes me sad, they're like primitive Video Games.

eternalplayer2345

I always thought it was cool to look at the tables but I was never really into them. Still sad to see pinballs go away.

mix

I have always wanted a pinball machine in my house and have actually looked on Ebay but shipping to Canada through the roof...lol

This could be bad but I don't see them becoming extinct anytime soon.

sweetchuck

Growing up, one of my friends had a Star Wars pinball machine in his basement. I loved that machine, and am sorry to see them disappearing. Chad, if I had any money, I'd totally open an arcade with you.

Brilliam

:((((((((((((

You know what I blame for this? GOLDEN TEE. That... ABOMINATION is taking up GOOD PINBALL MACHINE SPACE in REPUTABLE DRINKING ESTABLISHMENTS across the WORLD!

END THE GOLDEN TEE PLAGUE

Technophile

I will Brilliam on this. Fuck golden tee.

Malovane

Actually, they didn't lay off only a handful. They only have a handful remaining. Like three or so trying to stay afloat.

Daynger777

@Brilliam
I agree. **Golden Tee and Silver Strike or whatever the hell the bowling game is called should be ended (don't even get me started on the Bean Bag Tossing Arcade Game >_<) I would much rather play a pinball machine! That or one of the old-school pac-man and galaga table games...

**Big Buck Hunter can stay though, I dunno why but everytime I'm drunk that game is amazing.

Indiana Jones Pinball Machines FTW!!

CarlCastello

This is the saddest news I've heard in a while. I'm a huge fan of arcade machines, especially pinball.

I propose we open up a Dtoid themed arcade, one in each major Dtoid area. We could have custom, robot-flavoured coinage for the machines, too!

Daynger777

Special note: I would just like to say that I don't think pinball simulations on consoles are even close to the joy or thrill that the real thing provides...

Synrg

Pinball machines are what I played the most at any place that would have them as well. Only reason I still go to pizza parlor in our town is for the pinball they have there (the pizza itself is so-so). Ahh, Medieval Madness Pinball machine, how we shared a wealth of quarters together.

RUSKULL

Nooooo! If I had the space I would totally own a machine. Well I'm sure I'll find a used unit somewhere down the line when I have room.

Druid 01

their not yet?

Mxyzptlk

I was just getting ready to write up a story about this on FreezeCracker. But since I'll never top that Jodi Foster rape joke, I don't even know if I want to bother now. Well played sir, well played.

el_chack

It'll be sad when I talk with my kids about Arcades and pinball machines. The only question "what is a pinball machine?" makes me feel really sad.

I gotta buy one for my collection.

Malovane

@Daynger777
Funny that Golden Tee, Silver Strike, and Bagz are all Incredible Technology games and each is more terrible than the last. Pinball is definitely greater than any of those games.

AlphaBovine

When Crave/Farsight did the Gottlieb/William collections I was so happy as many of the pinball tables I grew up with were playable again (God I love Taxi).

While I doubt they could do a Stern collection because of all the licensing issues it would be nice to see them preserved digitally. While it will never, ever take the place of the spring plunger or tilting of the table, I hope they are preserved some how.

Mxyzptlk

@ AlphaBovine: Dude, you need to look into PinMame/Visual Pinball. It's exactly what you're talking about.

Holyetheline

Pinball Wizard... damn. We need some recent songs about pinball to bring back the hype.

mr spooky

I remember I use to do a cool trick to have mutiple pinballs. I use play pinball games right next to some arcade games. South park pinball was fun to play.

MoonStorm

Dam I work on pinball machine and it's hard enough to find parts for one. If no one makes new machines the people who make the parts will also stop. slowly killing all pinball machines.

LostCrichton

Chad, if you ever come to Portland OR the PDX Dtoiders would gladly take time to show you Ground Kontrol (a local barcade) where the entire upper floor is pretty much dedicated to pinball machines.

bVork

Twilight Zone = the best pinball table ever.

I haven't been a fan of most of Stern's output, but it'll still be a sad day if they close their doors.

TewDee

I have an old, not working pinball machine in my basement right now. It needs some good repairs. The theme on it is Electra (not the Marvel hero) and the previous owner said it was one of the first multi teir'd pinball machines.

Oh, and I got it for free. :D The guy said "If you can get it out of the basement, it's all yours."

Daynger777

@Malovane
Agreed!

@Holyethylene
I was going to say the same thing... I can already see my future child's face when I whip out my Who CD collection as he/she says what's pinball and why does it involve witchcraft?

@AlphaBovine (kind of)
I don't hate the digital reps of pinball, but I don't think they're great representations either :( Everytime the video game version says *tilt* I just sit there for a second and yell out "LIAR!!"

beingofsight

I am sad that i don't get to see more pinball machine in the wild. I came across an 80s William Space Shuttle pinball table for 600. The score board was broken and the airlock ball save didn't work but i knew a guy and i got it all fixed up and is in my room. and it is awesome.

smurfee mcgee

That's terrible. The arcade is where I learned I was a gamer. I love me some pinball.

I would gladly help open an arcade. I don't care if I'm in debt the rest of life; it would be worth it.

Lunarmoth

As an owner of a few pinball machines, I can say that pinball is still alive in the minds of those who can find a good one to play. Mine still rake in the quarters. As for new machines I don't know? All the ones I have are at least 5 or 10 years old. And new ones don't seem to have that charm. I'm afraid part of that charm is it being partly dead.

driph

Pinballnews.com has more on the layoffs:
http://pinballnews.com/news/sterncuts.html

"After a number of Stern Pinball employees were made redundant yesterday, Gary Stern insisted today that the company is now well positioned for the future and has a good range of games coming up over the next twelve months."

They've currently got 24 and CSI on the way. Also, if someone in licensing is reading this, please for the love of god, secure the TR2N rights and make a machine already. It's a crime that there was never a TRON pinball.

driph

Oh, and don't forget, be sure to hit the Pinball Hall of Fame next time yer in Vegas.

Cube

I always play what ever pinball machine is see.

You still cant get real pinball at home with out spending $1000 or more.

I got a cheep jurassic park pinball table a closing arcade was selling though only $700 after haggling... and some of there broken arcade machines i repaired best
deals ever.

But even if you do get one unelss you have tons of room to store a bunch of tables going out in public spending a coin is the only way to play lots of tables.

So yes that makes me sad.

exodus1925

Dude, not cool.

Burnt Meatloaf

I think Stern said half of their tables were going to private collectors, anyway. It's been a losing battle for a long time.

My local bowling alley used to have pinball machines, and now all they have is mini basketball and other crap things people can play in their own backyards. Needless to say, the arcade is always deserted.

Cube

my bowling alley....

they have mint condtion 1980 donkey kong /nintendo brand arcade machines \,pacman arcade machines. and just got Street fighter 4 about a month ago.

and some pinball tables spiderman, and batman ones.

Everything in there looks brand new even though I know it is not since I see them played constantly and the blwing lane has been there since the 1980s.

Qwikstreet

I need to finish my basement and store my favorites down there for the apocalypse. While others are scavaging the land for fuel and food, I'll be playing Adams Family, Jurassic Park, and Evil Kenevil.

smackifilia

I have a Black Knight 2000, a pretty rare machine, getting repaired right now. It is without a doubt the most badass pinball I've ever played, and thats not just because I own it. Seriously it was the greatest christmas gift me and my brother ever got from our parents. This just makes it more special.

jerrt

i think that the art of pinball will never die, but it will be a sad day when they stop making them new. I know when i can afford one [and have the space] i am going to buy one to collect. it does suck that there will soon be no place to go play in an open forum

The Amazing Shenazin

that fucking sucks, pinball machines are cool

I actually played a Simpsons one back in April

pliskin

Pinball machines won't die they've got what it takes to *sniffle* who am I kidding they're done.

Click connect and comment instantly!

get involved

register or login
post a blog
post a forum
enter a contest
contribute a news tip
suggest a feature
be a guest editor

support

new member's guide
login assistance
tech support
report abuse
email our editors
read our dev blog
nuclear crisis?

keep in touch

RSS feed
Twitter
Facebook
Myspace
Flickr
Game nights
Meetup+play online

seriously

about Destructoid
advertising
terms of use
privacy policy
jobs at MM
buy our crap

our network

Tomopop
Japanator
Despingation?

Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
living the dream since March 16, 2006

New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

Got news? tips@destructoid.com | Dtoid Twitter

New Videos

Mega64: Third GDC ad is straight out of Anthony Burch's mind

NaturalMotion guys explain Backbreaker in developer diary

Explore MLB 2K10's Total Control Pitching and Hitting

Naughty Bear does not approve of Peanut Butter Jelly Time

What happens if you hate BioShock 2?

A look at Supreme Commander 2's 'The Kraken' in action

Why not? Cloud Strife hacked into Smash Bros. Brawl

more videos

- The Dtoid Army is 56753 strong -

Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps show all

Call for entries: the Areas of my Expertise

New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide

Originals

Jim Sterling: How Aliens are blatantly better than Predators
Analyzing No More Heroes 2, part 2: The bosses, part 2

Destructoid interview: The music of BioShock 2

Indie games don't have to act like indie games

The art of The Journalism Show: Episode 03

Analyzing No More Heroes 2, part 1: The bosses

Ten things I didn't love about Final Fantasy XIII

Wah wah wah Sonic the Hedgehog 4!

Ten things I loved about Final Fantasy XIII

Rev Rant: Paragon/Renegade

Counterpoint: Mass Effect 2

The ugly truth: I may not be good at videogames

Is Heavy Rain doing videogames a disservice?

iPad: Likely to change gaming, just not yours

Rev Rant: the Wrex Paradox

The best indie games of '09 (that I forgot to mention)

Beyond Dead Space: Sledgehammer Games

How Darksiders is blatantly better than Zelda

The making of The Journalism Show: Episode 02

The simple math of review scores

More Destructoid Originals

We are Destructoid tips@destructoid.com
	Nick Chester Editor-in-Chief	Niero Founder, Big Boss
	Jim Sterling Reviews Editor	Hamza Aziz Community Manager
	Dale North News Editor	Rey Gutierrez Destructoid Video EIC
	Anthony Burch Features Editor	Brad Nicholson Managing Editor
	Tom Fronczak	Colette Bennett
	Ashley Davis	Ben Perlee
	Conrad Zimmerman	Chad Concelmo
	Jonathan Holmes	Jonathan Ross
	Brad Rice	Jordan Devore
	Will Maddock	Matthew Razak
	Josh Tolentino	Joseph Leray
	Topher Cantler	Samit Sarkar


	Adam Dork Daniel Lingen Hollie Bennett	Joe Burling Mikey Turvey