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You are here: Home / Archives for Mr Pinball Australia

Mr Pinball Australia

Silverball Central: Our Adelaide Adventure at the Inaugural Australian Pinball Expo

08/07/2026 By ausretrogamer

Exterior view of a large gray building with a decorative pink neon sign on the facade and a covered entrance area with planters outside.

200+ machines, three days, one very tilted grin – APE 2026 delivered in a big way

Last week, team ausretrogamer packed the bags, grabbed the flipper fingers, and headed to Adelaide for the inaugural Australian Pinball Expo (APE), held at Morphetville Racecourse from July 3-5. Three days. 10am to 10pm. Wall-to-wall pinball. If that sentence alone doesn’t get your silverball senses tingling, we don’t know what will.

Chicago may have the original Pinball Expo, but down under we’ve now got APE – and on this showing, it’s giving Chicago a genuine run for its money.


video source: ausretrogamer via Facebook

Getting There Was Half the Fun (Actually, No – The Venue Was)

First things first: Morphetville nailed the fundamentals. Easy public transport access, and critically for an event with this many machines and this many punters – plenty of room to breathe. Even at peak capacity with the venue absolutely packed with like-minded pinheads, we never once felt cramped shuffling between banks of machines. Big tick for the organisers on venue choice alone.

Panoramic view of an indoor exhibition hall with a large Pikachu inflatable on the left, a stage with colorful lights in the center, and visitors exploring booths on a green carpeted floor.

Arcade area with row of pinball machines and people playing; banner reads 'Australian Pinball Expo' beside the machines.

The Sheer Scale of It All

We’re talking well over 200 pinball machines, plus a handful of classic arcade cabinets thrown in for good measure. The lineup spanned the full history of the hobby – vintage Electro-Mechanical (EM) machines with their glorious push-up ball troughs and knockers, right through to the bleeding edge of 2026 pinball manufacturing. Stern, Jersey Jack, Chicago Gaming Company, Barrels of Fun, P3 Multimorphic, Pinball Brothers, and Dutch Pinball Exclusive all had a serious presence on the floor. Whatever era or flavour of pinball gets your multiball going, APE had it.

Man in a gray jacket playing a Jurassic Park pinball machine in an arcade.

Indoor convention floor with vintage pinball machines and attendees browsing booths between rows of arcade games in a large hall.

The Home-brew Hero: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

One of the most delightful surprises of the whole expo wasn’t a factory machine at all – it was a home-brew build of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And when we say home-brew, we mean it: this is a from-scratch build with its own custom electronics, not a repurposed or hacked Pinball 2000 machine as we originally (and incorrectly) reported. It runs a 100cm LCD screen in portrait orientation, the lower cabinet started life as a Data East Jurassic Park, and the builder crafted the head himself – which makes this even more mind-blowingly awesome!

Seeing Marvin, the Babel fish, and assorted Douglas Adams weirdness rendered on a genuinely scratch-built machine was a real highlight – and an even bigger reminder of just how creative and skilled the DIY side of this hobby can be. Don’t Panic indeed.

Arcade game cabinet with 'Don’t Panic' signage and blue-lit playfield, in a space-themed setup.

The Machines That Kept Pulling Us Back

With 200+ tables to choose from, you inevitably gravitate toward a shortlist, and ours ended up being a genuinely eclectic mix:

  • Dutch Pinball Exclusive’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – a genuine surprise packet that we didn’t expect to love as much as we did
  • Barrels of Fun’s Winchester Mystery House – moody, atmospheric, and dripping with theme. This was also BEST IN SHOW!
  • P3 Multimorphic’s Portal – bringing Aperture Science’s twisted logic to the playfield in style
  • Stern Pinball’s Foo Fighters LE, Stranger Things, Rush, and Dungeons & Dragons – Stern showing why they remain the workhorse of modern pinball manufacturing
  • Hankin’s Empire Strikes Back – a stunning original-run classic, Vader glowering down at every ball in play
  • Jersey Jack Pinball’s Elton John and Harry Potter – JJP’s signature big-screen spectacle and toy-packed playfields on full display
  • Bally’s Theatre of Magic – simply stunning, and every bit as blingy in person as its reputation suggests

Honourable mention to the sheer variety of theming on the floor, from Jurassic Park raptors lurking beside the machines, to Alien, John Wick, Austin Powers, Medieval Madness and Cactus Canyon standing shoulder to shoulder. There really was something for every taste.

Winchester Mystery House themed pinball machine with a colorful illuminated playfield and backbox art at an arcade.

Dungeons & Dragons themed pinball machine with dragon artwork and glowing blue lights, playfield visible below the display panel.

Star Wars pinball machine with Darth Vader artwork on the backbox and a colorful playfield full of ramps and bumpers.

Portal-themed pinball machine on display at an arcade expo, featuring a colorful sci‑fi playfield, glass top, and a large screen.

Man playing a colorful Alice in Wonderland pinball machine at an arcade.

A First-Timer That Felt Like a Veteran

For a debut event, APE 2026 punched well above its weight. The organisation, the venue, the sheer breadth of machines on the floor, and the obvious passion of everyone involved made this feel like an expo that’s been running for years, not one finding its feet for the first time. Big respect to the organisers and every contributor who made it happen.

Roll on APE 2027 – we’ll most definitely be there.

Correction (14/07/2026): An earlier version of this article incorrectly described the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy machine as a repurposed or hacked Pinball 2000 cabinet. It is in fact a from-scratch build with its own custom electronics. We apologise to the builder for the error and thank them for setting the record straight.


Scroll slowly and soak it all in – Enjoy!

People stand and play vintage pinball machines in a large hall, with rows of machines along both sides and an open, industrial ceiling above.

People line up to play vintage pinball machines in a long arcade hall under an angled ceiling.

People at a convention gathered around a Winchester Mystery House-themed pinball machine, examining the playfield as others watch in the background.

John Wick-themed pinball machine with a neon city backdrop, ramps, and character portraits on the playfield edge.

Harry Potter pinball machine with a glowing backbox reading Harry Potter and an owl, plus a colorful illuminated playfield below.

People browsing vintage arcade and pinball machines in a spacious showroom or expo hall, with long rows of cabinets lining both sides.

Munsters-themed pinball machine on display, showing colorful backbox art and a detailed playfield with figures and ramps in a showroom setting.

Row of Alien-themed pinball machines in a gaming arcade, one screen showing 'GAME OVER'.

Row of colorful vintage pinball machines lined up along a blue wall in a game room.

Man in a black shirt and cap playing a vintage Asteroids arcade cabinet in a game room.

Gold-trimmed pinball machine titled 'Theatre of Magic' with a colorful, illuminated playfield on a convention floor.

Row of colorful pinball machines in an indoor arcade, with players standing and playing at each cabinet.

Indoor arcade with a row of colorful pinball machines and players at the tables, neon lights overhead.

People playing pinball machines in a spacious arcade hall with patterned carpet and exposed ceiling ducts in the background.

People line up and play vintage pinball machines in an arcade, with colorful backglass art and bright lights overhead.

Row of vintage pinball machines with players in a convention hall, a cardboard cutout stands among them.

People playing pinball machines in a crowded arcade, with colorful screens and overhead lights visible.

Pinball machine titled Space Invaders with glowing playfield and monster artwork, flanked by other arcade machines in a retro arcade.

People play vintage pinball machines in a colorful arcade, rows of machines with comic-style artwork and backglass views in the background.

People play vintage pinball machines in a spacious arcade hall at a convention, with attendees watching and playing nearby.

Sea Witch pinball machine with mermaid artwork; playfield visible with bumpers and targets.

Row of colorful pinball machines along a wall in an arcade, with players actively playing; Twilight Zone machine visible on the left.

Walking Dead-themed pinball machine with a large backbox screen showing zombie artwork and vibrant playfield lights.

Gold Zoltar fortune-teller machine replica on a table beside a signed Labyrinth manual, with a green alien statue nearby.

Labyrinth-themed pinball machine with goblin heads on top and a Sarah portrait on the backbox; playfield visible below in a game hall setting.

Horror-themed display: a skeleton-headed figure seated in a wooden chair with red gloves, a faux guillotine nearby, and zombie heads on the floor against bannered walls.

Superman-themed pinball machine with a colorful backglass and illuminated playfield behind glass in an arcade setting.

Colorful toy statues on a display table in a store, featuring purple-clad, green-skinned characters and a blue muscular figure.

White sign-in wall covered with colorful signatures and doodles; center reads 'WELCOME TO AUSTRALIAN PINBALL EXPO'; side signs say 'WELCOME PLEASE SIGN OUR VISITOR WALL'.

Words and photos by ausretrogamer. Follow along for more retro computing, pinball, and hobby electronics adventures.

Filed Under: Pinball Tagged With: Adelaide, APE, APE 2026, Arcade, ausretrogamer, Australian Pinball Expo, Australian Pinball Museum, Dutch Pinball, Hankin, Harry Potter, Jersey Jack Pinball, Morphetville Racecourse, Mr Pinball Australia, P3 Multimorphic, Pedretti, pinball, pinball brothers, Pincity, Pinfest, pinheads, Pokemon, retrogaming, Star Wars, Stern Pinball, Stranger Things

FLIPOUT 2026 Returns to Melbourne This October – Bigger, Better, and All for Charity!

23/06/2026 By ausretrogamer

Melbourne’s biggest charity pinball celebration is back!

FLIPOUT Pinball Show 2026 will take over the Sandown Park Hotel in Noble Park from October 2 – 4, 2026, bringing together pinball enthusiasts, collectors, families, vendors, and gamers for an action-packed weekend of silverball fun – all while raising funds for an incredible cause.

Organised by Mr Pinball Australia, Steel Tiger Pinball, and Reality Games Australia, the annual event will once again donate all profits to Very Special Kids (VSK), helping support children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

A Weekend of Pinball, Community and Fun

Whether you’re chasing high scores on classic machines, discovering the latest pinball releases, meeting fellow enthusiasts, or introducing the family to the hobby, FLIPOUT 2026 promises something for everyone.

This year’s event will feature multiple play sessions spread across three days, including dedicated family sessions and adults-only evening events.

Event Schedule

Friday, October 2
  • 3:00pm – 6:00pm: Media, Vendors & VIP Ticket Holders
  • 7:00pm – 11:00pm: Session 1 (Adults Only)
Saturday, October 3
  • 10:00am – 2:00pm: Session 2
  • 3:00pm – 7:00pm: Session 3
  • 8:00pm – Midnight: Session 4 (Adults Only)
Sunday, October 4 – Family Day
  • 10:00am – 1:00pm: Session 5
  • 2:00pm – 5:00pm: Session 6

Venue

Sandown Park Hotel
Corner Corrigan Road & Princes Highway
Noble Park, Victoria 3174

🎟️ Tickets On Sale in July

Tickets will be available from the first week of July, with session entry prices starting from just $25.

Given the popularity of previous FLIPOUT events, attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets early once sales open.

❤️ Supporting Very Special Kids

More than just a pinball show, FLIPOUT has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most community-focused gaming events.

Every game played, every ticket purchased, and every donation made helps support Very Special Kids, making this a weekend where fun truly makes a difference.

🤝 Want to Get Involved?

The organisers are currently seeking:

  • Pinball machine donations/loans for the event
  • Volunteers to assist throughout the weekend

Owners who donate a machine for the event will receive a free event T-shirt and a weekend pass.

Exclusive Event Artwork

The official FLIPOUT 2026 event T-shirt and poster artwork has been created by the legendary Brian Allen of Flyland Designs, promising another eye-catching collectible for attendees.

Stay Connected

Website: www.flipoutpinball.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flipoutpinball/

Media Partner: @ausretrogamer <- That’s us!

As the official media partner, Ausretrogamer is honoured to be part of FLIPOUT 2026. We’ll be there covering the sights, sounds, silverballs, and inevitable high-score bragging rights throughout the weekend. Most importantly, we’re proud to support an event that combines the joy of pinball with raising funds for the incredible team at Very Special Kids.


Mark your calendars, polish those flipper skills, and prepare for an unforgettable weekend of pinball madness. FLIPOUT 2026 is ready to flip Melbourne upside down for a great cause!

image source: FlipOut Pinball

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Pinball Tagged With: ausretrogamer, Australian pinball event, charity event, Flip Till You Drop, Flipout, FLIPOUT2026, Melbourne pinball event, Mr Pinball Australia, pinball, Pinball Australia, Pinball Charity Event, Reality Games, Silverball, Steel Tiger Pinball, Very Special Kids

Thrill of the Chase: Hunting Down the Alien Ellen Ripley Edition Pinball Machine

12/08/2025 By ausretrogamer

In space, no one can hear you… PLAY PINBALL!

Every pinball collector knows that some machines don’t just turn up—you have to hunt them down, stalk them like prey, and pounce the moment the opportunity arises. For me, that white whale came in the form of the Pinball Brothers Alien Ellen Ripley Edition.

This wasn’t just any Alien. This was the beautifully reimagined version celebrating Sigourney Weaver’s legendary role, wrapped in an ominously gorgeous cabinet that looks ready to burst open and unleash a xenomorph. The moment I saw it announced, I knew: I have to have it.

The hunt was on.

After years (yes, years!) of scrolling through listings, firing off hopeful messages, and hearing the usual collector heartbreak phrases—“already sold” or “sorry, mate, they’re not making them anymore”—I finally spotted a lead: Mr Pinball Australia. They didn’t just have one… they had the one.

Of course Mr. Pinball Australia had one on the showroom floor for us to check out!

Here’s where the story took a turn from “transaction” to “pinball pilgrimage.” Mr Pinball himself didn’t just ship it. Oh no. He personally loaded it, drove it out, delivered it to my door, and set it up in my games room like some sort of silverball Santa Claus. We’re talking bolts tightened, tilt levelled, software updated—by the time he left, the machine was purring (well… growling) and ready for battle against the xenomorph threat.

The first plunge was everything I’d hoped for—dark, atmospheric lighting; that eerie, tension-building soundtrack; the thunk of the ball ejecting into a playfield full of cinematic callouts and teeth-baring toys. It’s the kind of machine that’s as much an experience as it is a game. And for a lifelong Alien fan, it’s perfection.

Preparing its final resting place

Hunting it down was half the fun. Playing it? That’s the payoff.

Have you chased down a grail machine? Did it take months of detective work and collector whisper networks? Let’s hear your pinball trophy stories.

Hello MU-TH-UR!

Get away from her, you b1tch!

Mr. Pinball Australia threw in the original machine’s backglass!

The RGB lighting on the Alien Ripley Edition is something else

Argh, my eyes!!!!

Filed Under: Pinball Tagged With: Alien Ellen Ripley pinball, Alien pinball delivery, Alien pinball machine Australia, Alien Ripley pinball review, Alien xenomorph pinball, Arcade pinball Australia, ausretrogamer pinball, Limited edition pinball, Mr Pinball Australia, pinball brothers alien, Pinball collector hunt, Pinball machine unboxing, Pinball setup and delivery, Retro pinball gaming, Sci-fi pinball machine

Thrill Of The Chase: Pulp Fiction BMF LE Pinball Machine

28/02/2025 By ausretrogamer

Worth the Wait: Our Pulp Fiction Pinball Adventure!

Some things in life are totally worth the wait—like the perfect coffee, a great concert, or finally getting your hands on that dream pinball machine. In this case, we waited almost TWO YEARS (yes, you read that right!) for our Pulp Fiction Bad Mother Flipper Limited Edition pinball machine (Ed: Wow, that name is a mouthful!).

The Thrill of the Chase

Our quest began in March 2023, when a fateful social media post set our pinball-loving hearts racing. A new machine was coming, designed by Mark Ritchie (yes, THAT Mark Ritchie!) from Play Mechanix, under the umbrella of RAW Thrills, and manufactured by Chicago Gaming Company.

When I hit play on the official trailer, Ms. Ausretrogamer happened to walk past. Her reaction?
💥 “We HAVE to get this!”
💥 “We HAVE to get the Limited Edition with that amazing topper!”

Well, as a certified pinball tragic, I didn’t need much convincing. The only problem? Securing one.

A Little Pinball Luck

Call it fate, serendipity, or just good timing—Wayne from Mr. Pinball Australia sent out an email just an hour after the trailer dropped. He had all the details on how to lock in an order, and I wasn’t about to waste a second.

My reply? “Lock us in for a Bad Mother Flipper Limited Edition!”. Deposit paid. Order confirmed. Now all we had to do was… wait.

The Agonising Wait

At first, we were optimistic. Production was supposed to kick off in late 2023—perfect timing for an epic Christmas surprise! But as the weeks turned into months, doubts started creeping in. Pinball forums buzzed with news of delays, and it became clear that our patience was about to be seriously tested.

So shiny (and new)!

23 Months Later… Jackpot!

As the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait”—and in this case, 23 months of waiting!

Then, the moment we’d been dreaming of finally arrived: an email confirming our machine was ready for pickup! 🎉 The excitement was REAL. Seeing that notification pop up put a massive grin on my face—and on Ms. Ausretrogamer’s too!

We had done it. We had secured one of our dream pinball machines, and now it was finally coming home to the Ausretrogamer Fun Factory.

Was it worth the wait? Absolutely. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got some flippin’ to do! 😎🎮

Filed Under: Pinball Tagged With: Chicago Gaming Company, gamer, gaming, Mark Ritchie, Mr Pinball Australia, Old School, pinball, pinball machine, Play Mechanix, Pulp Fiction Bad Mother Flipper Limited Edition, Pulp Fiction BMF LE, Pulp Fiction Limited Edition pinball, Pulp Fiction pinball, Pulp Fiction SE, Retro, Retro Gamer, thrill of the chase

We Had A Blast At The Inaugural Melbourne Pinball Expo

02/12/2024 By ausretrogamer

A Silverball Sensation: The Melbourne Pinball Expo 2024 Rocks the Flippers!

The pinball buzz has finally landed in Melbourne, and it hit with a bang! The inaugural Melbourne Pinball Expo (MPE) lit up the Matthew Flinders Hotel in Chadstone this past weekend, delivering a bumper-packed event that left attendees flipping out—literally.

Back in June, we gave you the heads-up about this one-of-a-kind gathering, and oh boy, did it live up to the hype! MPE brought together an eclectic mix of new and classic pinball machines, offering something for everyone, from seasoned flipper wizards to first-timers discovering the magic of the silverball.

A Playground for All Ages

Whether you came to chase high scores, bask in the nostalgia of retro classics, or marvel at the cutting-edge innovations of modern pinball, MPE had you covered. The best part? Seeing the pinball community in full force—old friends reconnecting over their shared passion and new faces lighting up with excitement. It was a celebration for all ages, proving that pinball truly is timeless.

Star Attractions Steal the Spotlight

Choosing a favourite machine was nearly impossible with so many crowd-pleasers on the floor. Stern Pinball dazzled attendees with their blockbusters like Jaws, John Wick, Foo Fighters, and Venom—machines that had players lining up for another go. Meanwhile, Jersey Jack Pinball wowed with Avatar, The Godfather, Toy Story 4, and Guns N’ Roses, drawing in pinheads eager to experience their stellar craftsmanship.

But the surprises didn’t stop there! American Pinball (AP) and Pinball Brothers (PB) made waves with standout offerings. AP’s lineup of Legends of Valhalla, Barry O’s BBQ Challenge, Galactic Tank Force, and the adrenaline-pumping Hot Wheels were absolute crowd favourites. PB turned heads with their music-inspired pins, ABBA and Queen, with ABBA’s interactive helicopter ball lock being a delightful highlight that never got old.

The view from the Jersey Jack Pinball stage

A Special Shoutout

Of course, we couldn’t forget CGC’s Cactus Canyon Remake and the ultra-cool Pulp Fiction SE—machines so popular, we had to elbow our way in just to get a turn. If you managed to snag some time on these, consider yourself lucky!

Already Looking Forward to 2025

Missed the fun? Don’t fret! The MPE team hinted that they’re already gearing up for an even bigger 2025 event. Make sure you follow our channels to stay updated, and in the meantime, feast your eyes on the gallery of moments we captured from this unforgettable weekend.

The MPE venue was perfect for pinball

 

 

Woohoo, a selfie with Slash!

Yep, I did TILT – and that was Game Over!
Some Mr Pinball Australia and ZAX Amusements goodies from MPE

 

Filed Under: Pinball, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: ABBA, ACME Pinball, Alice In Wonderland, Alien, American Pinball, Avatar, Barry O's BBQ Challenge, Dutch Pinball, FunHouse, Galactic Tank Force, Guns'n Roses, Hot Wheels, IFPA, Jersey Jack Pinball, Legends of Valhalla, Melbourne Pinball Expo, Melbourne Pinball Expo 2024, Mr Pinball Australia, pinball, pinball brothers, pinball event, Pinball Expo, Pinball Sales Australia, Pinmem, Queen, Rush, Steel Tiger Pinball, Stern Pinball

Get Ready To Flip Out At The Melbourne Pinball Expo

26/06/2024 By ausretrogamer

If Chicago can have a Pinball Expo, then why not Melbourne!

The pandemic may have stifled many an event and expos, including the awesome FlipOut, but you can’t keep a good pinball event down!

From the FlipOut ashes the Melbourne Pinball Expo (MPE) has risen, just like the legendary phoenix. The Melbourne Pinball Expo has been scheduled for later this year, from November 30th to December 1st and will be held at the Matthew Flinders Hotel in Chadstone – a stone’s throw from the Chadstone Shopping Centre – the fashion capital 😉 We honestly can’t wait for this 2 days of absolute pinball bliss.

Highlights from FlipOut 2018

Melbourne Pinball Expo will feature pinball machines from every major manufacturer for you to flip on (woohoo!), and will also host special guests from the USA, like Jersey Jack himself, who will reveal JJP’s latest title! As time nears, we’ll have updates on the machines that will be on the floor to play and the rest of the special guests list.

We love our pinball events in Melbourne, so a big thank you goes to the organisers – Pinball Transport, GDA Australia, Pinball Sales Australia and  fellow distributors, resellers and contributors for putting this event on for us pinball fans!

For ticketing information and purchases, please go here.

These are the distributors, resellers, contributors and manufacturers that will have pinball machines available at Melbourne Pinball Expo

 

 

Filed Under: Pinball, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: Flipout, Jersey Jack Pinball, Melbourne Pinball, Melbourne Pinball Expo, Mr Pinball Australia, pinball, pinball event, Pinball Expo, Pulp Fiction, Reality Games, Stern Pinball, Zax Amusements

Mr Pinball Australia Teases Pinball Show Later This Year

23/05/2024 By ausretrogamer

A New Pinball Show Is Coming In November!

Having absolutely enjoyed the heck out of the FlipOut Pinball event before the pandemic hit, it was darn awesome to see this teaser (and somewhat cryptic) post from Mr Pinball Australia about an upcoming pinball show!

We have now locked in November 29 – 30 in our diary as we do not want to miss out on some pinball goodness. We may even see if Mr Pinball Australia will give us a hint where (venue?) this pinball show will be held (or any other little morsel of info to keep us going till then) 😉

FunHouse’s Rudy will be there, so lock in the dates pinball peeps!

source: Mr Pinball Australia via Facebook

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Pinball Tagged With: Flipout, Melbourne pinball event, Mr Pinball, Mr Pinball Australia, pinball, pinball event, pinball show, Pinball Show Melbourne, Pulp Fiction

Flipout 2019 Highlights: We Had A (Silver) Ball!

29/10/2019 By ausretrogamer

We always look forward to Mr. Pinball Australia Flipout Show as it gives us a chance to play heaps of pinball machines we would otherwise never get a chance to play out in the wild.

Flipout 2019 delivered the desired ‘pinball fix’ we were after, a state of pinball high which we are still riding – the buzz of playing so many pinball machines is still with us, days after the conclusion of the show! To say we had a (silver) ball at Flipout 2019, would be a gross understatement – we loved it!

A lot of hard work goes into preparing and setting up a show of this magnitude, so kudos must be given to Wayne Gillard and his Mr. Pinball Australia team, Martin Robbins from Melbourne Silverball and Scott Kellett from Zax Amusements for supplying over 70 wonderful fun machines for us to enjoy all weekend long. From our highlights package below, you’ll see that each era was represented, from gorgeous EM (Electro-Mechanical) machines, early and late Solid State machines to DMD and right up to the current LCD based pinball machines, the show catered for all pinball tastes.

The awesome folks that brought Flipout 2019 alive [L to R]: Scott Kellett (Zax Amusements) and Wayne Gillard (Mr. Pinball Australia)

The ever smiling Martin Robbins (Melbourne Silverball), showrunning the tournaments at Flipout 2019

From the pinball smorgasbord the most popular were the new offerings from American Pinball (Oktoberfest), Jersey Jack Pinball (Willy Wonka), Stern Pinball Inc. (Jurassic Park), Chicago Gaming Company (Monster Bash Remake) and Spooky Pinball (Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle). The Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) machines proved popular all weekend long, with a long wait to play on Dialed In and Pirates of The Caribbean machines.

The JJP and Stern machines were popular with all attendees!

We had a blast playing some mid-1990s machines we hadn’t played in a long time, like Williams’ No Fear, Junk Yard and the original Monster Bash. Stern’s Elvis LE pinball machine was a surprise blast which had us pressing the start button more than a few times. Lord Of The Rings was another blast from the past which left us smiling ear to ear – an absolute brilliant machine. It was also great to experience the lesser known titles for the first time, like Thunderbirds (we won’t comment any further on this one!). We reacquainted ourselves with Team Pinball’s The Mafia and Spooky’s America’s Most Haunted – it still plays like a dream.

The Flipout 2019 walkthrough!

The highlight and ‘Best In Show’ machine for 2019 for us was Haggis Pinball‘s debut title, CELTS! This pinball machine blew our expectations by a mile. Not only was this Australian designed and made machine looking gorgeous (we love the Scottish Highland Games art theme by Sam Greenwood, aka: Most Ill), but it also sounded great (we love bagpipes) and most importantly, it played like a dream – the shots felt true and fun to hit, with the geometry being spot on. The upper flipper was fun to smack the ball around and also bumping the ball in the upper playfield against the slings definitely kept us smiling while playing. Even though the CELTS pinball machine was a pre-production model, the whole package still felt solid, something that you would expect from a JJP Collector’s Edition or Stern Limited Edition machine. We actually can’t stop thinking about CELTS, and at the current entry price point, it is very very tempting to add one to our collection.

Still dreaming about the Aussie made CELTS pinball machine by Haggis Pinball!

Who would’ve thought we’d like a game with a single level playfield! #pinball #FlipOut pic.twitter.com/liCWGNxyCh

— ausretrogamer (@ausretrogamer) October 28, 2019

A neat little non-pinball touch were the balloons around the floor, these created a festive mood and the mini chocolates strewn around the venue were great for our energy levels to keep us flipping.

Enjoy the Flipout 2019 highlights and we hope to see you there in 2020!

The Sandbelt Hotel – the perfect venue for Flipout 2019

Energy to keep us flippin!

We love a signed flyer!

The Melbourne Silverball Flipout 2019 tournament machines are checked one final time!

Oo’er, aren’t the tournament trophies just so gorgeous!

Having a well earned rest!

 

Filed Under: Pinball, Retro Gaming Culture Tagged With: American Pinball, Belles and Chimes, Black Knight, Bram Stoker's Dracula, CELTS pinball, Chicago Gaming Company, Dialed In, Elvis Pinball, Flipout, Flipout 2019, Flipout Melbourne, Flipout pinball, flipout pinball event, Haggis Pinball, Head2Head Pinball, IFPA, Iron Maiden, Jersey Jack Pinball, JJPOTC, JPop, Junk Yard, Jurassic Park, Lord Of The Rings, Mafia Pinball, Magic Girl, melbourne silverball, Monster Bash Remake, Mr Pinball, Mr Pinball Australia, No Fear, pinball, pinball event, Pinball Press, pinball show, pinballpress, Scott Danesi, Spooky Pinball, Star Trek LE, Star Wars pinball, Stern Pinball, Team Pinball, The Hobbit, TNA, Wayne Gillard, Willy Wonka pinball, Zax Amusements, Zidware

Flipout 2018 Highlights

03/12/2018 By ausretrogamer

Wow, what a weekend it was! The third Mr. Pinball Flipout 2018 in Melbourne was an absolute flippin blast!

To ensure we got our fill of pinball, we arrived at Flipout 2018 nice and early and were quite chuffed to have found ourselves first in line for entry. Within minutes of arriving, we looked behind us and were greeted by a line snaking through the Sandbelt Hotel, with guests eagerly awaiting the clock to strike 10:00!

Once the doors flung open, we were greeted by a cacophony of pinball machine noises that were music to our ears. Being first through the doors, our eyes immediately fixated on the pair of Jersey Jack Pinball’s new Pirates of The Caribbean (PoTC) machines. We knew we had to play these right away otherwise we would have had to queue up to play these, as Jersey Jack Pinball machines always prove popular with the masses. Once we drained our third ball on PoTC it was time to move on to the next big new pinball machine for 2018 – Chicago Gaming Company’s Monster Bash Remake (MBR)! This was the first time the machine was available for play anywhere in Australia, so we counted ourselves quite lucky. There were two MBR machines to play and an original Monster Bash (MB) so we could play them back-to-back and compare the old versus the new – as much as we are fans of the original MB, the Remake just takes it to another level, from the vivid art work and amazing light and sound package, to the ultra clear coated playfield that ensured your shots were precise, making this a complete and wonderful experience. Oh yeah, the huge HD screen just topped off what already is a stellar pinball machine.

Up close and personal with the new Monster Bash Remake

Pinball has had its fair share of controversies over the years, and none are bigger than John Popadiuk’s failed Zidware venture. We won’t bore you with the controversy, which is still a sore point for many (and rightly so), but Mr Pinball had somehow secured one of only a handful of Magic Girl machines to be available for play at Flipout. As you will see in the video and accompanying photos, Magic Girl is one tall and absolutely stunning machine. The machine might be gorgeous, but that’s where it all ends – there is no substance to it, as the game is incomplete, rendering the experience to be somewhat subdued. However, it was amazing to actually see and touch this rare and exotic machine.

Oo’er, the exotically rare and controversial MAGIC GIRL

From one controversial machine to another, we threw some tokens into Alien and plunged the ball to check out (the now defunct) Heighway Pinball’s last production machine. The dark theme nails the feel and atmosphere of the huge movie franchise and of course the Xenomorph sticking its tongue out to grab your ball was one feature we were keen to see in the flesh – it didn’t disappoint. Alien is a striking machine, demanding your attention with it’s unique lines and huge backboard. I just wish Heighway had completed the machine and got the code to a level where the game would just suck you right into the Alien universe. Hopefully the dedicated community of owners out there will do this machine justice with code updates in the future!

Heighway Pinball’s strikingly beautiful and scary Alien machine

While there were plenty of other hard-to-find-on-location machines on free play, like Team Pinball’s The Mafia and Spooky’s Total Nuclear Annihilation (TNA), it was Ben Heck’s America’s Most Haunted (AMH) that actually grabbed us by the scruff of our neck and would not let go. While initially waiting for our turn on TNA, we noticed that no one was playing AMH, so we thought, what the heck, let’s flip this thing. Wow, the machine sucked us in right away – it was so up our alley, that we forgo more machines, including playing TNA more than a couple of times! We played AMH close to 60 times, so we would say that it was our most played machine at Flipout. The cheesy theme, the great sarcastic callouts and butter smooth shooting were among the many things we loved about it. The changing RGB lighting was just the icing on an already delicious cake! We may have to have a chat to Mr Pinball’s Wayne Gillard about finding AMH a new home.

Pinball Party Bus’ Dion Miksad shows us how to play AMH

Ausretrogamer and Pinball Press Co-Founder, Alex Boz reckons AMH was best in show!

With 60 plus machines on offer, including some amazing EM machines, there was plenty of variety to cater for all kind of pinball tastes at Flipout 2018. Of course the event also had an array of great seminars, from Jersey Jack Pinball CEO, Jack Guarnieri’s keynote speech, to Haggis Pinball’s unveiling of their new pinball machine theme. For the competitive types, Melbourne Silverball ran IFPA endorsed tournaments all weekend which were also streamed live on Twitch.

After 7 hours of constant pinball in a day, we had a bout of severe arm-pump, which sadly rendered our day complete. We definitely didn’t leave disappointed – Flipout 2018 far exceeded our expectations. We left the venue with a big smile on our face, knowing that we will have great memories locked away in our cerebral cortex. We can’t wait for Flipout 2019!

We have our tickets ready!

Big thumbs up for Scott Danesi’s TNA!

Plenty of great seminars at Flipout 2018

Just one final plunge!

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Filed Under: Pinball Tagged With: Alien, American Pinball, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Chicago Gaming Company, Deadpool, Dialed In, Flipout, Flipout 2018, Flipout Melbourne, Flipout pinball, flipout pinball event, Heighway Pinball, Hot Rodded Pins, IFPA, Iron Maiden, Jersey Jack Pinball, JJPOTC, JPop, Mafia Pinball, Magic Girl, melbourne silverball, Monster Bash Remake, Mr Pinball, Mr Pinball Australia, pinball, pinball event, Pinball Press, pinballpress, Scott Danesi, Spooky Pinball, Stern Pinball, Team Pinball, The Hobbit, TNA, Wayne Gillard, Wizard Of Oz, Zax Amusements, Zidware

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