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The Australian Pinball Museum Visits The Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum

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Prior to exhibiting at the 2024 Texas Pinball Festival (TPF), the Australian Pinball Museum visited the Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum in Hillsboro (Oregon, USA), and we are so glad that they did!

Obviously this place is now on our bucket-list of places to check out when we next visit the ole US of A. For more drool-worthy images from their recent visit at the Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum, check out the Australian Pinball Museum post right here and also their walkthrough video!

source: Facebook post via Australian Pinball Museum

Introducing The Motörhead Homebrew Pinball Machine!

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Popular Pinsider and New Zealander, Dave Peck (aka: rotordave) announced in this post that he will be showcasing his Motörhead homebrew pinball machine at the Texas Pinball Festival (TPF), which starts March 15th and runs till the 17th!


source: rotordaveNZ

If you are lucky enough to be in Texas for TPF 2024, then you must go and check out Dave’s amazing creation and perhaps buy him a beer (or two) for putting in 2 years of hard work into this machine and for hauling it some 11,700km across the Pacific Ocean!

Gotta say it, Dave, you are a friggin legend!

image source: rotordave via Pinside

Retro Hunting At The Halsey Road Vintage Emporium

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The Thrill of the Chase is Back!

It’s been a while since we went hunting at vintage establishments, so when we stumbled upon the Halsey Rd Vintage Emporium, we had to go in and take a look!

There is something about these kinds of places that invoke warmth and a sense of intoxicating nostalgia. Walking into the Halsey Road Vintage Emporium you are immediately transported to a different time, when we used film cameras, selected our fave LPs on jukeboxes and wrote on Olivetti typewriters! One thing is for certain, you need a fair few hours to take it all in, as rushing around would mean you miss out on a past nugget that could be priceless.

We could have bought up so many cool items (just take a gander at the photos below), but in the end, it was Ms Ausretrogamer who found a pair of matching mid-century Grant Featherston ‘Bendix’ chairs, which will look great in Casa Ausretrogamer!

If you enjoy checking out retro/antiques/industrial/collectibles emporiums, then add the Halsey Rd Vintage Emporium to your bucket list.

The deets:

  • What: Halsey Road Vintage Emporium
  • Where: 11-13 Halsey Rd, Airport West VIC 3042
  • Hours: Friday & Saturday – 10am-4pm (or by appointment)

STILL STANDING is now LIVE and FREE on SBS On-Demand in Australia

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“The emotive and amazing stories and histories will have you gripped like a Darth Vader choke-hold right till the end.” – Ausretrogamer, Feb 2023

A year ago (almost to the day) on February 23rd, 2023, we told you all that the documentary, STILL STANDING, was a must watch, giving it a 5-star rating! This is still the case, and this time it is even easier to catch one of the best made docos on the Australian arcade and pinball culture of the past.

Still Standing’s cinematographer and producer, Brad Gilbertson, has been working hard to bring this awesome doco to the masses via a national broadcaster. Well, after some very hard toiling by Brad, he had this good news to announce (via Facebook):

After a slight delay, Still Standing is now LIVE and FREE on SBS On-Demand here in Australia! Thanks so much for your patience while this was sorted out, and a HUGE thanks to the community, groups, our Still Standing cast and locations that have supported, shared and liked our recent posts! It has been overwhelming to say the least and we appreciate each and everyone of you enormously! Please enjoy the film and stay tuned for more exciting news very soon!

If you haven’t done so, and you have the slightest of interest in the Australian arcade and pinball scene from the past, then STILL STANDING is an absolute MUST WATCH! Head on over to SBS On-Demand right now!

image source: SBS On-Demand



We Built A Mini Pinball Machine, And It Rocks!

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So what does one do when they are on annual leave and have some spare time? Well, if you are like us, you may want to build those sets (Lego or otherwise) that have been piling up for the last few years.

Instead of building the Lego Helmet that has been quietly gathering dust since May 2023, we thought we’d get onto building the 482 piece ROKR 3D Wooden Pinball Game!

We’ll admit that this wasn’t a simple and straight forward build, which ended up taking a number of days to complete. Building this wooden pinball machine took a lot of patience, as there were a number of critical pieces that were either delicate or a tight squeeze – luckily for us, ROKR includes extra pieces for those of us that don’t know our own strength.

The end result has totally blown us away, as this is a brilliant;y playable mini pinball machine! The electronic sensors work well, as do the mechanical flippers. The only regret we have is to not have painted some cool art or added colour to the pieces before putting it all together.

If you are after an awesome project that will yield you an awesome little pinball machine, then the ROKR 3D Wooden Pinball Puzzle Game is highly recommended!

Here we go – it did feel a tad overwhelming when unpacking all the bits and pieces!

Let the building begin……..

Almost done!!!!!!!!!

We have POWER!!

Time to have some fun, *cough* we mean play-testing by Lil ausretrogamer!

Let there be light! No clown puke RGB lighting here 😉



Dive into the Depths of Thrills with Stern Pinball’s New JAWS Pinball Machines!

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back into your gameroom…🦈

Get ready to embark on a heart-pounding adventure as Stern Pinball, Inc. introduces its latest masterpiece – JAWS pinball, featuring one of the most iconic motion picture thrillers of all time from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Immerse yourself in the suspense and excitement of all four blockbuster JAWS films, brought to life with brand-new mechanical features inspired by iconic movie moments and cutting-edge technology. The JAWS pinball games are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models, offering enthusiasts a range of options to experience the adrenaline-fueled action.

A Journey to Amity Island

Step into the fictional world of Amity Island, nestled off the coast of Long Island, New York, a charming fishing community that turns into a hotbed of danger as the Fourth of July vacationers approach. Uncover the thrilling narrative where the Amity Island mayor conceals shark attacks to safeguard the island’s tourism money, leading to even more terrifying encounters. As a player, you’ll have the chance to play as Quint, Hooper, and Brody – the grizzled fishermen determined to save Amity Island’s residents and the Fourth of July celebrations.

Experience the Heart-Stopping Gameplay

The JAWS pinball games promise an immersive experience, with players grabbing their harpoons to tackle the most dangerous ocean creatures on the planet. Animated lighting effects create tension as you spot “blood in the water,” and the motorized “Shark Fin” target makes a splash across the playfield. Navigate the “Orca Boat” upper playfield, featuring a “Lookout Tower” ramp, a ship’s wheel horizontal spinner, and a “Radio” stand-up target to call for help. Brace yourself for the motorized custom sculpted “Great White Shark” bash toy, crashing through the bottom of a fishing boat and adding an extra layer of excitement to this thrilling pinball odyssey. Will you survive JAWS?

A Symphony of Sound and Vision

In addition to the gripping gameplay, JAWS pinball games feature custom speech by actor Richard Dreyfuss and the iconic movie theme music by John Williams. Immerse yourself in the world of JAWS with audio and visual elements that pay homage to one of the greatest movie franchises of all time.

The Limited Edition Experience

For collectors and enthusiasts, the Limited Edition model is a must-have, limited to just 1,000 games globally. This highly collectible version includes a full-color mirrored backglass based on the iconic JAWS movie poster by artist Roger Kastel, a reflective foil high-definition cabinet decal with hand-drawn artwork by Michael Barnard, exclusive custom “Great White” powder-coated pinball armor, Speaker Expression Lighting with JAWS-themed game effects, a custom designer-autographed bottom arch, exclusive inside art blades, upgraded audio system, anti-reflection pinball playfield glass, shaker motor, a sequentially numbered plaque, and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Stern President & CEO Seth Davis and Chairman & Founder Gary Stern.

Connect and Compete with Insider Connected™

Take your pinball experience to the next level with Stern’s award-winning Insider Connected™ system. Engage with the game and a global network of players through features like progress tracking, Achievements, special JAWS Quests, and the pursuit of a lifetime Bounty Hunter rank.

Seth Davis, President & CEO of Stern Pinball, expresses excitement, saying, “Honoring one of the greatest movie franchises of all time, we’re giving JAWS our most advanced software and hardware to date. We can’t wait to debut JAWS Pinball’s heart-pounding gameplay to the world!”

Are you ready to face the Great White Shark and save Amity Island? Grab your harpoon and dive into the thrilling world of JAWS pinball!

PS: Before we forget, the new JAWS pinball games will make their debut at Stern Pinball’s official booth (#16254) at CES 2024 (if you are lucky to attend, make sure you head straight there)!

Indicative Pricing ($AUD):

  • JAWS PRO – $11,950
  • JAWS PREMIUM – $15,500
  • JAWS LIMITED EDITION – $20,500

JAWS Limited Edition

JAWS Premium

JAWS Pro

image source: Stern Pinball, Inc.



Disclaimer: Press release supplied by Stern Pinball, Inc.

“The Move” – A Behind-the-scenes look at Stern Pinball’s recent factory move

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Whoa, 2024 has started in earnest with the pinball market leader, Stern Pinball, releasing “The Move”, a behind-the-scenes look at their recent factory relocation!

Being the biggest in the pinball market, Stern Pinball has been growing at an exponential rate, so it was only a matter of time for them to relocate to larger premises to have the production space to churn out their amazing pinball machines.

So stop flipping for about five and a half minutes and watch Stern Pinball’s, “The Move”!



Happy Codesgiving From Stern Pinball

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🦃 Gobble up all new game code with a Stern Codesgiving! 🦃

With the American national holiday of Thanksgiving fast approaching, Stern Pinball have done us a solid by releasing new code updates for over 20 of their pinball titles – how awesome is that!

Check out what’s new on your favourite Stern Pinball machine right here!

Right, we are off to fire up our Star Wars Comic Art Premium pinball machine and letting Insider Connected do its magic 😉

image source: Stern Pinball

We didn’t have to do anything, Insider Connected was already downloading the latest code update!

That was quick!

Woohoo, we have success! Time to play!



Jersey Jack Pinball’s ELTON JOHN Pinball Is Unleashed at Pinball Expo ’23

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It’s been a bumper Pinball Expo 2023 with new pinball machines being released, left, right and centre! Not to be outdone, the world’s second largest pinball manufacturer, Jersey Jack Pinball has unleashed their latest machine at Pinball Expo, Elton John Pinball!

Designed by The Master Of Flow, Steve Ritchie, Elton John Pinball features hand-drawn artwork packages from artists Christopher Franchi, John Youssi and Jean-Paul De Win. The machine’s rules and software design were done by industry veteran Bill Grupp.


source: Jersey Jack Pinball

This new JJP game will truly be music to your ears, with 16 Elton John studio master tracks with custom voice callouts by Elton John himself. Elton John Pinball will come in two models, a Platinum and Collector’s Edition, both consisting of feature packed playfields, including an interactive Elton John toy, a rocket sculpture with LED flames, a Tiny Dancer motorized toy, a Crocodile Rock physical lock toy, a grand piano three-ball lock with diverter, a micro LED piano marquee, 14 multi-LED star inserts, Rocka-Box three-bank drop targets, three multi-LED Bennie and the Jets bumpers, two rapid spinner targets, and much much more!

We must admit, Elton John didn’t really appeal to us (as a theme), but after seeing what JJP have produced, we reckon they are on a winner!

Pricing:

  • Platinum Edition US$12,000
  • Collector’s Edition US$15,000

NOTE: No Australian pricing available at the time of publication.

Collector’s Edition

Platinum Edition

image source: Jersey Jack Pinball



New Pinball Games To Be Revealed at Pinball Expo

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With Pinball Expo ’23 only a few days away, pinball manufacturers are clamouring to outdo each other in the new release stakes.

We already had Barrels of Fun announce their Labyrinth pinball game over the weekend (which will be playable at the expo), and now it’s Pinball Brothers’ turn with an Ellen Ripley edition of their Alien pinball machine. As Alien(s) fans, this definitely piques our interest!

This Ellen Ripley version of Alien pinball will come with new cabinet art, a loader battle translite, an updated software package (v4.0) and a bunch of extra movie scenes we have never seen in Alien Pinball before! Announcing their collaboration with modder Lior Rajwan from The Art of Pinball, this new machine will include hand-sculpted mini-screen, a hand-painted Xeno-head and a beautifully designed apron. Pinball Brothers are also planning an interactive topper which we hope they bring to the expo!

Alien Pinball – The Ellen Ripley Version

The Ellen Ripley Edition’s In-game Extras

Not to be outdone, Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) will also announce Steve Ritchie’s next pinball machine on October 19 (US time), which is rumoured to be an Elton John music themed pin. We aren’t the biggest Elton John fans, but with Steve designing this one with a higher BoM (bill of materials), you can bet it will be an amazingly flowy (and possibly brutal) game, packed with cool mechs and toys – well, that’s the hope.

The Master of Flow – Steve Ritchie. JJP will showcase his latest game at Pinball Expo

Will it be Elton John? We’ll see on October 19 (US time)!

Oh how we wish we could be at Chicago this week to experience and play these new machines – if someone could fly us out to Chi-town, we’d be forever in their debt 😉