Family Guy shows up at Ft Myers Ale House

I stopped in for lunch today & noticed that the Fort Myers Ale House now has the Stern Family Guy Pinball Machine in lieu of Stern’s older NASCAR theme Pinball Machine. The Family Guy Pinball Machine is a very entertaining pin. The Family Guy is a Pat Lawlor Design . The same pinball designer that bought forth the now legendry machines like Addams Family , Funhouse & Twilight Zone in the early Nineties during the time of the Bally, Midway & Williams manufacturing days.

Pat Lawlor's Family Guy layout brings a lot of sideways ball action with the third flipper mounted high on the left side of the playfield. All the characters are present on the playfield, but Stewie rules & gets featured with his own miniature operating pinball playfield… interesting a pinball machine within a pinball machine. The sound & video clips used, go hand & hand with the Family Guy theme, so if you enjoy the show you will love this pinball machine. Plus, it has the fighting rooster!

If you are local, give it a shot.

Ale House - 4400 Kernel Cir, Ft Myers , FL If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.

Have Fun,

Dan

Pirates of the Caribbean: New Mod found???

I am always glad see to find Pinball machines in the “wild”, but it always saddens me a bit to notice those machines in a need of repair… Especially if this is the only allotment for introduction to made to a new player.

This Stern: Pirates of the Caribbean pinball machine that I found over the weekend was the most disgustingly dirty machine that I have ever walked up on. The joke was made that it was a new after market modification for this machine, "Black Beach Sand" for the Pirates/ Water/ Caribbean theme to be enhanced.

No, it did not stop the pinball machine from being played, but it makes one wonder when was the last time that this machine was look at by the owner or operator, not alone cleaned. The grimly “sand” is coming from some place….. usually in this case, from the black rubber rings through out the playfield wearing out from normal play over time and just simply need to be changed out with fresh ones. When I say over time, I am meaning years of continue play. Then, pennies start costing dollars, when the black rebound rubber rings that costs .35 cents breaks and pinball machine goes down and can not operate. So, how many dollars could that translate into? A pinball machine in this kind of condition does not operate and play up to the true design characteristics of the machine and it will rob you of a desired quality play. To a regular player this is not a big deal, just don’t put you money in, but to an inexperienced beginning player this situation could lead to that person walking away saying, “that was waste of my time & money!” As the Pinball enthusiasts’ ranks dwindle and are forced into the private home arcade and game rooms, the owners of the location, ops and existing players need to be ever concerned and vigilant to recruit and energize a new source of players. Just keeping the pinball machines, to be found, in good shape will definitely assist.

Viva la pinball machine!

If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.

Have Fun,

Dan

WOW Factor +10

Wow, what a great turn out for KB’s pinball tournament. Jamie & Debra opened their home last night to host this pinball gathering. While it seemed like an invading mob of friends & new comers Jamie & Debra managed to serving up warm hospitably to everyone with ease. Wow- I had a great time last night Wow- It was nice to meet some new faces & talk to some of those all ready met. Wow- The line up of Pinball machines was great, ten machines in the collection. Wow- It was good to “see” Digger & his wife Sue. Wow- Thomas kicked butt with first place…Again. Wow- I lost my voice over the melodies of pinball machines. Wow- Spencer’s awesome 1933 world’s fair bagatelle. Wow- The popcorn was a hit…. Again! Wow- What a excellent capture video Wow- The long drive home hurt. Wow- Those machines were in remarkable condition. Wow- The food & drink was great. Wow- That Medieval Madness pinball machine was lightening fast. Wow- My wife is mad at me, but she did say the sofa was comfortable & she did have a good time. Wow- What a great pin gathering. For more Photographs look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21038796@N02/sets/72157604220207681/show/ If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

Are you Tuff Enough!?

Are you good enough to join Spencer’s Pinball Bobsled Team?

Well think again punk! Only the top condition athletes with PinFit training & no next of kin or bright futures should even considering applying for this. In any event, you must first have a strong desire to become PinFit and be willing to set out upon the journey of a lifetime. Why? Because it will seem like a lifetime until you become one of the very, very few who successfully complete the PinFit training and make it to the SPBTeam.

Spencer’s dictum is: “I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I will never give up the fight because we train for war and fight to win. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required to take out my pinball opponents.” Our PinFit training program will help you:

• Achieve a level of fitness and mental toughness you once only thought of & what other Pinheads are dreaming of.


• Develop PinFit skills & abilities to shred hardwood floors, tile- ceramic or marble, & carpet with coordination and confidence!


• Dramatically increase your athletic & pinball performance 30% or more in less than 6 weeks, (actual results may vary. These results from our on-site PinFit training center in Teustepe, Nicaragua (Note: PLEASE bring your own quarters!)) Also, build lean muscle mass in as little as 6 weeks.


• Learn & perfect the proper maneuvering of a pinball machine through the beach obstacle course while developing cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, balance, flexibility and accuracy that are needed to maintain the stamina for extreme & violent pinball machine craving.


• Use exclusive exercises formerly known only to PinFit elite trainers. Train using functional exercises not found in traditional gyms or arcades, which build core stability, prepare you for the unknown, and make you fit across a broad spectrum of pinball playing skills. The PinFit program utilizes a combination of PinFit “STD” (SlamTilt Drives) and PinFit “CPT” (Carve Physical Training) regimens which is the same training that the elite Spencer’s Pinball Bobsled Team units now use to chisel their bodies, compete at their elite level, and help them survive the hardships of special pinball tournaments.


• Reduce injuries.

You don’t have to be crazy but it surely comes in handily when others of clearer minds & sensibility would be running for cover. If you like what you read, Then you are that crazy! “The difference between pinball and others games is that in pinball you bury the guy who comes in second.” -Spencer

*** THIS A JOKE! PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ME, THINKING THAT THIS A REAL TRAINING PROGRAM!***

Have Fun,

Dan

Rocky is supporting the Cheaters.

I went to Rocky's Replay to find out that they have altered the Stern's Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine because too many people complained about the game being too hard for them.

WHAT? It is true… that some people could not comprehend the pinball outlane configuration so Rocky's stretched rubbers across the outlanes to block them from a possibility of a ball drain.

WHAT? I am not making this up… the only way to drain the ball to end your turn is lose your ball down the double middle lanes or get a tilt by accident.

WHY? I don’t know why… the outlanes have a nice ball save feature, the free spin awards that gives you another ball if your ball enters that particular lane that is lit as it is draining. The Free Spin Awards can be earned, one at a time, for all four lanes by hitting the “U” drop targets on the playfield, so if you have all four lit it is identical to having a extra ball awarded.

READ. I think it is poor taste to change the game because it is "too hard" for a few people to figure it out, because they chose not to learn the game. The Instruction Card on the Left Top side of the machine explains everything that is needed to realize how to play this game.

The Wheel of Fortune pinball machine is good playing machine because it is different in that way & I had to learn how to play it because it was a different playfield layout. That is pinball, some games are harder then others, that is what makes these machines unique from one to the next.

Doesn’t the harder challenge makes you a better pinball player in the end & coming back for more?

Rocky’s Replay 1121 Semoran Blvd Casselberry, FL 32707 If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

I remember….

I was reminded last night why I enjoy what I found a few years ago and why people can dedicate their whole life to sharing this hobby with others. There are legends in this community and they are legends for good reason. If you were ever in need of help with a pinball related problem or not, maybe something far from the subject, they will still respond with kindness and helpful thoughtfulness that is given freely without contemplation or the asking for future repayment. The patience to share hard knocks, costly mistakes, or other acquired knowledge along the way to others willing to take the time to heed and listen to a different perspective. The lack of complaint while guiding the new comers through the tepid water of the learning curve. These are the few of the many of things that keep RGP growing as an internet net community and keeping pinball alive for the coming generations with the passion it deserves from the people that passed it on to us. I was reminded last night at a pinball gathering why people are passionate about the commonality that was share by all level of introduction from the newer comer to the seasoned, from the collector to the fixer, there was no limit on the ages in that gathering. Most of these people were introduced to me though the years with RGP, voices without faces for so long but friends at the first handshake. I truly was reminded that life is good with friends like you. Thank you for the memento, Dan

Wheel of Fortune Pinball Hits Big Money?

The Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine does it have what it takes to hit the Big Money? You tell me.

Play the Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine because it just arrived at Rocky's Replay in Orlando! The WoF machine joins the ranks with the other Stern pinball machines already on location at Rocky’s. They have a Family Guy, Spider-man, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Simpson Pinball Party & Ripley’s Believe It or Not pinball machines that are mixed in with the latest variety of video machines. These pins are truly well maintained and good playing machines. So head on over to Rocky’s and give the Wheel of Fortune pinball machine a try, but before you do, you can check out the playfield's layout here at this link: WoF Playfield Shot Layout. This will help you become familiar with the shot layout and game-play, before you play your first ball on the machine. So, let me know your opinion about Stern's new pinball machine theme, artwork, flow, replay-ability and/ or etc. & I will post here for others to follow the review.

Read Also: Rocky's Replay:New Addition, Wheel of Fortune Pinball in the Works Rocky's Replay in Orlando can be found here:

Rocky’s Replay

1121 Semoran Blvd Casselberry, FL 32707

(407) 260-0043

If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.

Have Fun,

Dan

Rocky's Replay:New Addition

Rocky's Replay is going to be adding a new Stern Pinball Machine, The Wheel of Fortune to their Pinball line-up. Rocky's pinball machine has been delayed from the Stern factory due to unknown reasons & they have been waiting patiently to receive the machine with the original ship date that was in December, so they are expecting it any day now.

It looks like an interesting Playfield Layout:

Read Also: Wheel of Fortune Pinball in the Works Give them a call to get an update & to show some them interest in their new purchase. Let your voice be heard. Rocky's Replay in Orlando can be found here: Rocky’s Replay 1121 Semoran BlvdCasselberry, FL 32707 (407) 260-0043 If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

Florida Pinball Enthusiast’s Open House

Curly’s Little Shop of Games is hosting a pinball enthusiast’s open house this coming Saturday, November 17th at his work shop from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. He is planning to have approximately 20- 30 pinball machines on site and set up for your playing enjoyment. And Wow, what a line up of pinball machines he has listed here:

• Airborne


• Addams Family


• Attack from Mars


• Bride of Pinbot


• Cactus Canyon


• Champion Pub


• Cirqus Voltaire


• Corvette


• Creature from the Black Lagoon


• Dirty Harry


• Dracula


• Family Guy


• Godzilla


• Judge Dredd


• Junk Yard


• Lethal Weapon


• Monster Bash


• Monopoly


• No Good Gofers


• Pinball Magic


• Road Show


• Rocky & Bullwinkle


• Scared Stiff


• South Park


• Striker Extreme


• Slugfest


• T-3


• Whirlwind


• World Poker Tour

Each person will have one chance to win a LAH playfield by putting the highest score for the evening on the Family Guy Pinball Machine, plus Curly has some other pinball related gifts for limited amount of people. Then grab a Hamburger or Hot Dog with some Chips & Soda and kick back by the fire and listen to the DJ spin a disc or two.

This event is awesomely free and compliments of Curly’s Little Shop of Games & his Family.

It is not a prerequisite to be a pinhead to be able to attend, everyone is welcomed. The only request & requirement by Curly, is to bring a good attitude to take home a great experience. And he asks: please, if you introduce yourself to everyone you do not know, you will never be in a room full of strangers.

You can Google map it out to Curly’s location: 3635 Eagles Nest Road, Fruitland Park, Florida 34731

Also, You can check out his web site: Curly’s Little Shop of Games

Have Fun, Dan

Wheel of Fortune Pinball in the Works

Stern Pinball is planning on releasing a Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine based on the long airing Wheel of Fortune Game Show. (It has been Thirty-Two years that this game show has been on television across the world. Unbelievable, it debut in 1975.) The Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine seems to be closely following the game show forum because it has the contestants, prizes, the spinning wheel, but does it have the Puzzle Letter Board? This pinball machine is definitely different in design & a break from the normal layout especially with the inlanes & flippers areas at the bottom of the playfield. Stern moved the flippers further apart and including two rollover lane with a center post to help guard against straight down the middle ball drains between the flippers. But this different flipper layout will require players to learn new ball control skills if they are to avoid frequent ball drains. A few reports that a limited number of the Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machines have been surfacing for display & a couple of the pinheads had the chance to play the brand new machines had this to commented about the layout change: “The skill shot is tough and the center drain with the large center post and two lanes leaving the playfield really give it a different feel.” Two questions come to mind: (1) Will Stern get a good fortune spin with a Big Money Prize with the design deviations or will it land on the Bankrupt space & be rejected? (2) Do you have to be a die hard Wheel Watcher to enjoy this Pinball Machine & to keep it interesting & playable? Time will answer both these questions as this pinball machine is going into full production soon & Stern is getting ready for those pinball machine orders. Take a look at the Wheel of Fortune Pinball Machine playfield design & layout & tell me your predictions & I will post it here. Have Fun, Dan PS If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here.