Pinball machines have had a long and storied history. From originally being banned as gambling devices, to the hottest thing in arcades, to fading somewhat from popularity due to the rise of video-games and then having a bit of a retro revival. Pinball has managed to hang on with some new (quite fancy) machines still being made at points. That said, many of the new machines are sold directly to homes now as opposed to bars/arcades (although establishments with vintage games exist and attract GenX folks and Millenials such as myself).
Now, I don't have 7 grand to drop on a new, "Dungeons and Dragons," pinball machine, but I can always appreciate the craft of the devices whether they're decades old and full of gears or the newer
LCD-featuring games. I have fond memories of playing pinball at the bowling alley as a youth, the skating rink, and basically anywhere there had a machine and I could convince my folks to give me some quarters. Now, I was never that good at pinball, and besides a rare occasion where I inexplicably got a multi-ball or something else cool aside, I didn't manage to make the most of my 3 balls before I was begging for some more change. Lack of ability to actually play pinball aside, I love the concept of the game itself and the machines that house so many ways to play a seemingly simple concept. I'd encourage anyone who can play some pinball next time they see a machine anywhere to do so. Just be careful when you're playing that you don't bump the machine too hard and cause a, "Tilt." That always stinks.
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