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Are pinball machines about to become extinct? photo

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!]


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48 comments | showing # 1 to 48

Agent Orange's Avatar
Agent Orange at 11/07/2008 16:01
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's Avatar
MrSadistic at 11/07/2008 16:04
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's Avatar
SephirothX at 11/07/2008 16:05
*lowers his head*
-D-'s Avatar
-D- at 11/07/2008 16:07
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's Avatar
Chad Concelmo at 11/07/2008 16:09
@MrSadistic,
I have been at Destructoid long enough. It was time.

I am so ashamed.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar
Jonathan Holmes at 11/07/2008 16:10
I'm not giving up hope. I think arcades will eventually make a big comeback, and pinball will be a part of that.
Coonskin05's Avatar
Coonskin05 at 11/07/2008 16:10
!rape jokes++
BulletTrain's Avatar
BulletTrain at 11/07/2008 16:12
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's Avatar
Rifter01 at 11/07/2008 16:13
:'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's Avatar
Drach at 11/07/2008 16:13
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's Avatar
eternalplayer2345 at 11/07/2008 16:13
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's Avatar
mix at 11/07/2008 16:16
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's Avatar
sweetchuck at 11/07/2008 16:22
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's Avatar
Brilliam at 11/07/2008 16:25
:((((((((((((

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's Avatar
Technophile at 11/07/2008 16:38
I will Brilliam on this. Fuck golden tee.
Malovane's Avatar
Malovane at 11/07/2008 16:38
Actually, they didn't lay off only a handful. They only have a handful remaining. Like three or so trying to stay afloat.
Daynger777's Avatar
Daynger777 at 11/07/2008 16:40
@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's Avatar
CarlCastello at 11/07/2008 16:41
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's Avatar
Daynger777 at 11/07/2008 16:43
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's Avatar
Synrg at 11/07/2008 16:44
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's Avatar
RUSKULL at 11/07/2008 16:51
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's Avatar
Druid 01 at 11/07/2008 16:54
their not yet?
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 11/07/2008 16:54
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's Avatar
el_chack at 11/07/2008 17:00
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's Avatar
Malovane at 11/07/2008 17:11
@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's Avatar
AlphaBovine at 11/07/2008 17:17
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's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 11/07/2008 17:25
@ AlphaBovine: Dude, you need to look into PinMame/Visual Pinball. It's exactly what you're talking about.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 11/07/2008 17:31
Pinball Wizard... damn. We need some recent songs about pinball to bring back the hype.
mr spooky's Avatar
mr spooky at 11/07/2008 17:39
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's Avatar
MoonStorm at 11/07/2008 18:10
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's Avatar
LostCrichton at 11/07/2008 18:37
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's Avatar
bVork at 11/07/2008 19:06
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's Avatar
TewDee at 11/07/2008 19:10
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's Avatar
Daynger777 at 11/07/2008 19:43
@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's Avatar
beingofsight at 11/07/2008 20:52
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's Avatar
smurfee mcgee at 11/07/2008 21:21
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's Avatar
Lunarmoth at 11/07/2008 21:30
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's Avatar
driph at 11/07/2008 22:52
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's Avatar
driph at 11/07/2008 22:54
Oh, and don't forget, be sure to hit the Pinball Hall of Fame next time yer in Vegas.
Cube's Avatar
Cube at 11/07/2008 23:30
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's Avatar
exodus1925 at 11/08/2008 03:21
Dude, not cool.
Burnt Meatloaf's Avatar
Burnt Meatloaf at 11/08/2008 04:09
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's Avatar
Cube at 11/08/2008 05:28
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's Avatar
Qwikstreet at 11/08/2008 05:49
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's Avatar
smackifilia at 11/08/2008 13:42
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's Avatar
jerrt at 11/12/2008 12:06
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's Avatar
The Amazing Shenazin at 11/16/2008 21:04
that fucking sucks, pinball machines are cool

I actually played a Simpsons one back in April
pliskin's Avatar
pliskin at 12/01/2008 19:02
Pinball machines won't die they've got what it takes to *sniffle* who am I kidding they're done.
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