It is not every day we get an invitation to check out and play a newly released pinball game. We were lucky enough last year to experience Game Of Thrones before its official release, and it seems that we got lucky once again! This time, Zax Amusements were kind enough to open their doors and allow us to have a bump and tilt on Stern’s new pinball machine, Ghostbusters.
Before we could get to grips on the new Ghostbusters Pro pinball table, Zax’s Business Manager, Phil Boniwell gave us a grand tour of Zax Amusements – let’s just say that we were like kids in a candy store! There were 1980s and 1990s JAMMA boards carefully stacked on shelves, a myriad of gun peripherals, control panels, Neo Geo MVS carts and an amazing array of arcade machines from all eras! We honestly didn’t know where to look – it was a 360 degree visual onslaught of the amusement kind! You can take a peek at the photos further down below to see why we went all gaga.
Once we wiped our drool and returned to Zax’s business showroom, it was time to put Ghostbusters Pro through its paces. So what did we think? Having played the pinball machine a few times, our first impressions were very positive indeed. Like with any new product, it was the visual and aural beauty of the machine that captured our immediate attention. Based on the original Ghostbusters movie, the colours, set scenery and characters on the playfield were an instant trip down memory lane. Not to be outdone in the sensory game, the sound effects, Ernie Hudson’s speech guiding you through the game and Ray Parker Jr’s Ghostbusters soundtrack were literally music to our ears. Stern have really captured the feel of the original Ghostbusters movie to a T! We reckon Stern has created another winner!
Thank you to the team at Zax Amusements for their hospitality (Scott Kellett rocks!). You can read more about Zax Amusements over here.
Z marks the spot!
Zak (Zax final boss) and yours truly!
Oh wow, OutRun 2 SP and Sega Racing Classic (aka: Daytona USA Mk II)!
THIS is still our all-time fave arcade driving game!
Kick it to Homer!
Now this is a reasonable price for a twin seat Daytona USA!
The great wall of PCBs!
You need guns? Zax has you covered!
Guitar riffin’
Dayyyyyytona!
You don’t control me!
A view to a thrill!
Silverball classics waiting for some TLC
15K out! That is perfect vision!
Time to flip some balls!
Oh wow, what to play next?
Our spidey sensors are tingling!
Who you gonna call?
I ain’t afraid of no ghost
Ecto-1 in glorious colour!
Let’s play Slimer!
Busting ghosts has never been this much fun!
Aim well and true!
This machine is flippin’ magic!
Ball Saved! Lucky break!
Keep your eye on the target(s)!
What has spooked Slimer?
Mmm, marshmallows!
The outlanes can be brutal – be ready to bump!
A row of beauties! It’s very hard to leave Zax Amusements!
When it comes to big-licenses in the pinball world, 
image source: