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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tiny Electronic Pinball

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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Heroes in a Half-shell Turtle Power”

Boom, just in time for Christmas, a tiny replica of the original Data East TMNT pinball machine! Well, it’s not identical to the Data East machine from 1991, but this Boardwalk Arcade TMNT Electronic Pinball machine is pretty darn cool, and considerably cheaper than the real thing 😉

You can grab the tiny Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Electronic Pinball Machine via Amazon US or Amazon Australia. It makes a great Kris Kringle / Secret Santa Xmas gift!

PS: All we need now is for Stern to release the new modern TMNT pinball machine! Yep, you read that right, a new modern real TMNT pinball machine is coming. We are quite excited, so keep an eye out for the news on our social channels!


title image and video source: Pixel Dan

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Pinball Press
Pinball Press is here to spread the word on everything pinball across the known universe. For business / PR email: [email protected]

Follow Pinball Press on Twitter and Facebook

 

 

 

Pinball 2000: Party Like It’s 1999

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There is no doubt that pinball is currently going through a great resurgence and is the ‘in’ thing right now, but the silverball game was struggling to stay relevant in the 21stcentury and was subsequently killed off in October 1999 before it could showcase the future of pinball with the Pinball 2000 platform. Wow, that was 20 years ago!

To observe the anniversary of pinball’s downfall, let’s turn the clock back two decades. It was the last year of the nineties and the last for the 20th century, so just like Prince sang many moons ago, “I’m gonna party like it’s nineteen ninety-nine”! Ah 1999, we were all panicking about the inevitable doom that the Y2K bug was going to befall on all of us, but at least the year started well for pinball.

The story goes back a few years to 1997, the then President and CEO of Williams (WMS), Neil Nicastro, challenged the pinball division to come up with something new or risk being closed down. Williams’ designers worked hard throughout 1998 to come up with something innovative, a brand new kind of pinball machine, which became Pinball 2000. Pinball 2000 (P2K) fused video with classic pinball gameplay, almost like an early augmented reality (AR), it aimed to preserve what was great about pinball yet opening up new possibilities for a product that was on its last legs.

One of the most successful pinball designers of the decade, George Gomez and Pat Lawlor had shown their new modular creation and future of pinball, with the official unveiling of the Pinball 2000 architecture and the first game on the platform, Revenge From Mars, in January 1999. Even though Pinball 2000 was a success with Revenge From Mars selling 6800+ units, Williams’ President did not see that his pinball division had innovated enough to reinvigorate pinball. Once the last Pinball 2000 machine, John Popadiuk’s Star Wars: Episode 1, was released, Neil Dicastro and his executive team dropped a bombshell by jettisoning pinball in favour of gaming (gambling) slot machines, which was very lucrative for Williams. This meant that the next two Pinball 2000 machines, Wizard Blocks and Playboy, would never see the light of day – which is a darn shame. Closing down the Williams pinball division seemed like, at the time, the death of pinball.

As history would have it, the story of Pinball 2000 came to be, and its inevitable death, at the hands of Williams’ executives, but there was one company that survived and kept the pinball light flickering, Stern Pinball. A lot has transpired in pinball since 1999, with a new golden age that is currently in full swing, so the rest, as they say, is history. Long live PINBALL!

PS: There is a great in-depth documentary on Pinball 2000, TILT: The Battle To Save Pinball, which you can watch on Amazon Prime right now!

 

image sources: pinball2000.de & The Arcade Flyer Archive

 

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Keith Elwin’s Behind the Scenes of Creating Jurassic Park Pinball

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If you want to get a glimpse into how a pinball designing genius works to create a machine that is universally lauded by pinball players around the world, then check out the below snaps of Jurassic Park pinball’s development from the one and only, Keith Elwin!

Not only do these photos show how Keith works and iterates his designs, but it shows that he and Stern Pinball have a sense of humour – it’s not fun being serious all the time! After-all, it’s only pinball 😉

Thanks to Keith for posting these photos on his personal Facebook account.

Photo Source: Keith Elwin personal Facebook post

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Pinball Press
Pinball Press is here to spread the word on everything pinball across the known universe. For business / PR email: [email protected]

Follow Pinball Press on Twitter and Facebook

 

 

 

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

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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.

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!

 

PAX Aus 2019 was a Classic

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Wow, PAX Aus 2019 was an absolute blast! What a great 3 days. We just wish it went for longer.

The Classic Gaming area was busy with many attendees coming in and enjoying everything that was on offer; from classic gaming systems, vintage handhelds, to old school arcade and pinball machines. The Australian Pinball Museum display exhibit was a new addition in the pinball section which proved popular due to never before seen items, like the 10 metre bill of material print out from the Fish Tales pinball machine (it cost just under US$1800.00). But wait, that wasn’t all, the display pieces in the console section were yet again getting a lot of attention, especially Shane Battye’s very exotic development kits and prototype systems.

It is always great to get recognition from BIG gaming companies. Thanks PlayStation Australia!


To see attendees enjoying some nostalgia and having fun with their friends and family is exactly why we love putting together the Classic Gaming area every year at PAX Aus.

If you could not attend PAX Aus 2019 or you just want to reminisce, here are our highlights from an action packed three days – make sure you scroll slowly through the photos to take it all in!

On behalf of the PAX Aus Classic Gaming team**, thanks to all who swung by to have a game and say hello. We hope to see you guys in 2020!

PS: Keep an eye out for our Rest of PAX Aus 2019 Highlights post in the coming days!

** PAX Aus Classic Gaming team and contributors: Ausretrogamer, Weird And Retro, Press Play On Tape Podcast, Bartronica, Skott K. & Zax Amusements, Bayside Pinball Club, Mr. Pinball Australia, Australian Pinball Museum, Greg Pell, Cameron Bonde & Chris Van Graas.

Walk-through the Classic Gaming Area

Amazing historical pinball items on show in the Classic Gaming area!

 

Hope to see you all at PAX AUS 2020!

 

Celebrate Batman Day 2019 By Playing Stern’s Batman ’66 Pinball Machine via the Internet!

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We celebrate this (Batman’s 80th anniversary) by playing Stern Pinball’s BATMAN ’66 pinball machine via the internet!

Yep, you read that right. Finnish company Surrogate, with their motto of rethinking the way video games have been designed and bringing real-life gaming to the internet, have teamed up with pinball celebrity, Jack Danger of DeadFlip fame, to build the first internet-connected Batman ‘66 pinball machine – a world first where anyone can control the pinball machine from anywhere on this planet!

To inspire other pinball enthusiasts, check out the build video below where Shane (Surrogate CEO) and Jack (DeadFlip) go in-depth on how anyone can hook-up a pinball machine to the internet.


source: SurrogateTV

What are you waiting for? You can go and play Batman ’66 pinball over the internet right now from anywhere in the world – Play Batman ’66 here!

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Pinball Press
Pinball Press is here to spread the word on everything pinball across the known universe. For business / PR email: [email protected]

Follow Pinball Press on Twitter and Facebook

 

 

 

Flipout 2019 Ticket Giveaway!

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Thanks to our friends at Zax Amusements, we are giving away a weekend double pass for two people to enjoy Flipout 2019 on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27.

To be in the running for the Flipout 2019 weekend double pass, all you have to do is post a photo of your favourite pinball machine on our Twitter or Facebook page (don’t forget to tag us!) with the hashtag .

Entry is open to Australian residents that can attend Flipout 2019 on October 26 and/or 27! If you are interstate and will be travelling to Melbourne during those dates, please note that this giveaway does not include travel or accommodation. The other condition of entry is that the double passes do not give you entry to the pinball tournaments.

Are you flippin pumped to enter? If you are (and you should be!), then you better hurry, as entries close on October 1 at 3:00pm. The lucky winner will be notified on October 2.

Good luck and see you at Flipout 2019!

PS: If you want to get a feel for what to expect at this year’s Flipout, check out the highlights from Flipout 2018!

 

Stern’s Jurassic Park Pinball Finds Its Way To Australia

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Following his brilliant debut with Iron Maiden, Stern’s pinball designer extraordinaire, Keith Elwin somehow finds a way to go that one bit better with his second effort, Jurassic Park!

With an invite from our friends at Zax Amusements to play the specially air-freighted Jurassic Park Pro pinball machine, we got to be one of the first people in Australia to flip Stern’s dinosaur themed pinball machine – the greatest adventure of all time.

Being a cornerstone title, Jurassic Park pinball comes in three distinct models; Pro, Premium and Limited Edition (LE), which cater for all matter of tastes and budgets. The three models feature a Jungle Adventure Vehicle target in the middle of the playfield that is a spinning Newton Ball – a kinetic target that registers direct hits, which then determines the direction players navigate on the island during gameplay, and also lights the T-Rex modes. The pinball machines all include three flippers, four custom ramps, a spinning “Spitter” target, in-lane up/down lock post that sets up critical playfield shots and distinctive hand-drawn art by Johnny Crapp, highlighting the iconic dinosaurs from the blockbuster series.

As the model names suggest, the Premium and Limited Edition of Jurassic Park come with a few extra bells and whistles like the animatronic ball-eating, ball-throwing T-Rex that interacts with the ball. These models also include an interactive Raptor and Raptor Pen featuring a ball-lock mechanism guarded by a motorised gate. With unique mosquito-in-amber pop bumpers, custom metal horizontal helicopter spinner and distinct artwork to name just a few extras, the Premium and LE do really step it up.

If you are (or were a fan) of the original Jurassic Park movie, then you will feel right at home as this pinball machine transports you to Isla Nublar to rescue park staff and recapture dinosaurs from the chaotic environment unleashed by Dennis Nedry’s computer virus. Of course not all dinosaurs are cute and cuddly, so you will need to battle the clever Raptors and the mighty and menacing T-Rex! The game aims to immerse the player in all things Jurassic Park by packing a fun world of battling dinosaurs, which it achieves in spades.

So what were our first impressions of this dino-themed pinball machine? Let’s just say it was worth waiting 65 million years! We found the Jurassic Park Pro model we played to be a brilliantly smooth and flowing shooter with a tonne of things to aim and hit that give you an endorphin rush when nailing your shot(s). You know a pinball game has you hooked when its skill shot (hitting the T-Rex ramp) puts a huge smile on your face right out of the gate. Even though the game felt easy to get into and make your shots, it’s deceptively difficult, which makes it perfect for all skill levels and gives the game depth and longevity – you won’t be bored of this one any time soon. The satisfaction of hitting the silverball with your three flippers is complimented by an awesome audio and visual package which completes the immersion of the theme.

Jurassic Park pinball feels fresh and different from any other machines we have played in the last decade or so. Coupled with its unique Elwin-esque layout, this machine is worth a play or two 😉

If you want to experience this awesome dino pinball adventure in person, go and check it out at Pixel Alley!

Welcome to…

 

Wheelchair Accessible Super Mario Bros. Pinball

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We love the fact that there are pinball machines out there that cater for all people to enjoy, no matter their ability.

When we came across RazorV23’s wheelchair accessible Gottlieb (Premier Technology) Super Mario Bros. pinball machine Pinside post, we knew we had to share his story and dilemma (more on the dilemma further below)!

RazorV23 had purchased this machine and had gotten it working again. He had bought a regular pinball cabinet and new decals to convert it back to its traditional format, but he soon realised it was pretty freakin awesome the way it was! RazorV23 painted the cabinet blue (from black) and added the decals to the modified cabinet shape – which was no easy task. The modifications continued, with a Pin2dmd colour display and new buttons on the front panel (start game, left flipper, right flipper and shoot ball). The machine still has its regular functioning flipper buttons on the side.

Now to RazorV23’s dilemma: He wants this machine to go to someone that can use it for its intended purpose, but he doesn’t know who that is or how to reach them. Therefore, if any of you  know of someone or somewhere that can use this machine (in the US), please get in touch with RazorV23 via Pinside’s private message (PM) system. RazorV23 has stipulated that he is not in a position to donate or give away the machine, but is willing to work out the details with interested parties.

We reckon this is a great opportunity for someone (perhaps a charity?) that work with people that can enjoy a pinball machine like this one, so if there are interested people/parties out there, please reach out to RazorV23 now.

From our research, there are only a few of these modified pinball machines out there, so please help RazorV23 get this machine to where it can be enjoyed.

Before (Black cab with no decals)

After – blue cabinet with decals

 

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Pinball Press
Spreading the word on everything pinball across the known universe.

Follow Pinball Press on Twitter and Facebook

 

 

 

Star Wars Pin: The Force Will Be With You

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If you missed the news from last week’s San Diego Comic-Con, Stern Pinball Inc. announced their new home edition pinball machine, Star Wars Pin!

Jack Danger of Dead Flip fame streamed the new machine from the event and we have to admit, we really liked what we saw. If you missed Jack’s Twitch stream of Star Wars Pin, you can catch it here or check it out below.

Watch Star Wars Pin, Live from ComiCon from DeadFlip on www.twitch.tv

With a price point of AU$6,850*, the Star Wars Pin machine will hit Australian shores in October for those budget conscious pinball enthusiasts that want their pinball fix at home.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a smaller or massively cut-down version of a pinball machine – Star Wars Pin is still a commercial grade pinball machine with the same playfield dimensions plus all of the sub-assemblies (flippers, drop targets, slingshots, bumpers) of it’s big brother Stern cornerstone machines, but without the coin mechanism or coin wiring, hence the home edition moniker. Coupled with Stern’s ‘Spike‘ system (operating architecture), this Star Wars Pin becomes an attractive proposition for Star Wars and pinball fans alike.

For those of you that get nervous thinking about the maintenance of a pinball machine, don’t fret, as long as you keep the machine clean and change the rubbers (dependant on the amount of play), you should see many many years of trouble-free and fun times with Stern’s Star Wars Pin!

We look forward to play testing this pinball machine once it hits our shores and telling you all what we think – so stay tuned. If you are keen on Star Wars Pin, hit up your local distributor (AMD or Zax Amusements) now!

* dependant on $AUD/$USD exchange rate between now and October 2019.

image source: AMD via Stern Pinball