Rolling Stones Pinball Machine Rocked!

I played Stern’s Rolling Stones pinball machine this weekend at Curly’s Little Shop of Games open house in South Florida & I have to say, it rocked!

This brand new pinball machine features the band, Keith, Ronnie and Charlie, on stage performing, while Mick is out front dancing on the music notes with renowned tongue & lips in the background & album art all over the playfield. It even had dual stack speaker amps plastics.

It was cool playing the pinball machine while the Stones’ “Brown Sugar” song was jamming with Mick doing his rooster strut across the playfield. It was awesome sounding pinball machine and you don’t have to be a baby boomer to enjoy the Stones classic hits which include the legendary “It's Only Rock 'n Roll” & “Start Me Up”. The two ramp shots are pleasing with smooth & fast flow back to the flippers.

The rule set for this pinball machine has you collecting the Rolling Stones albums& guitars to get those special multiball modes. Try to get the VIP pass for the mystery award. There are seven modes to shoot for; World Tour, Fast Scoring, Rock Star, Records, Licks, Combos and Stones multiball, after completing them all will start the wizard Encore mode.

Check it out here at Stern's Pinball Site. http://www.sternpinball.com/Games/th.aspx

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

Have fun,

Dan

Iron Man is back!

This a good move for Stern which they are finally able to release a working pinball for sale before the Blockbuster movie debut at the cinema on May 7th, causing better interest in this Iron Man themed pinball machine, riding the anticipation & interest in the Iron Man sequel. The Iron Man Pinball Machine looks to be a mean machine. It features the Iron Man2 artwork & designs, includes movie clips which are displayed on the dmd (Dot Matrix Display) as well as the music, sound & speech from the movie itself. Don your iron suit & ready for combat: It has the Iron Monger rising out of the center of the playfield. Once engaged in battle, it has the ability to catch the ball & send it flying in any direction it wants. Adding to the fray is Whiplash whom also has control on the ball & he can whip it about into frenzy. War Machine is present & it has a kickback shot that when hit it will fire the ball right back at your flippers. Here is a Iron Man Video of the game play by Todd. Click Here.

John Borg brings his talents to the Iron Man playfield design. John has made his presence felt in the pinball community in the past with his creations such as Guns N' Roses, Indiana Jones, Twister, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein & more. There seems to be five characters that you have to collect: Iron Man, War Machine, Iron Monger, Whiplash & Drones, six modes to complete & couple of multi-ball features that will advance to the final wizard mode. This pinball has a combination of flow, with the implements of ball capturing magnets, a flipper aimed kickback, nice fast outer loop shots and a couple of ramps with some smooth flow that return the ball to the flipper for your next shot. Over-all: A beautiful...... ah I meant to say a Mean looking game. Fun- Those magnets sure cause chaos Iron Man sure does look to have good potential. You can try your hand against the Iron Man Pinball Machine out first here at Little House of Pinball Annual Open House on April 10th 2010. And if you decide that it is a winner you can purchase your own Iron Man onsite. Little House of Pinball Open House Directions: Click Here. Iron Man 2 Movie Teaser: Click Here. Thx Todd! All Iron Man Pinball Machine photographs & video by Todd, you can see more of his photographs & video at Toddisbored.com.

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

Have Fun, Dan

Florida Arcade and Pinball Expo is coming!

The 2010 Florida Arcade and Pinball Expo is being held January 28th through 31st at the Dania Jai-Alai located at 301 E. Dania Beach Blvd, Broward County, FL

For $12 admission price (children under 6 get in free), you get to play all your favorite classic Arcade & Pinball machines until your fingers are content. All games are set on FREE PLAY! No Quarters needed!

The games are being setup now as I write this blog. Here is a snapshot taken by a Village Member showing the progress. The Ape is expecting to have over 300 pinball machines alone. They have collectors bring games from their private collections, games that have been masterfully restore to glorious playability of yesteryear.

The photographs are showing wonderful classics from Gottlieb, Williams, Bally being brought in the auditorium to be readied for action. I spotted classics like Firepower, Haunted House, Funhouse & morejust from the photographs.

I am going to finally get to measure up my past nemesis, Gottlieb’s Black Hole because as a young child that game used to torture me without mercy. It would mock my skills & eat my quarters, again & again & again! BUT I shall have my sweet revenge with my years of dedication to becoming Pin-fit. Perseverance shall triumph! Ah…that’s my private Idaho though.

A very long list of arcade games like Pac-man & Ms. Pac-man, Space Invaders will be there for all your playing pleasure.

You can win a Machine if you can put your high score & have it last & unbroken all weekend! Check out the designated tournament area that will house the 20 games for players to battle for domination. At the conclusion of the Expo, the player with the High Score on a particular machine shall receive that machine, then it will be delivered to the winner's home. (The delivery men just hope that you do not live in two story home with your game room on the second floor in Spokane Washington.)

Other attractions will be there also. A classic car show will be on Saturday night January 30^th with prizes & raffle drawings. Current, former and future NFL players will attend along with former Pac Man champion players. Plus newer Arcades games will be on site as well, like Stern's new pinball machines.

This a four day event so pace yourselves. Let's make this the biggest Florida Arcades & Pinball Expo yet!

• Daily Pass is $12.00


• Weekend pass (4 Daily passes) is $40.00


• Children (under 6 years of age) enter FREE.

Show Hours:

Thursday, 01/28/10: 12:00pm - 12:00am

Friday, 01/29/10: 12:00pm - 1:00am

Saturday, 01/30/10: 12:00pm - 1:00am

Sunday, 01/31/10: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Location:

Dania Jai Alai Fronton

301 E. Dania Beach Blvd, Broward County, FL

You can contact Florida Arcade and Pinball Expo direct at:

Site: Floridaape.org

Email: Jaialou@betdania.com.

Phone: 954-920-1511

A link to more photographs taken by Klassic of the APE setup can be seen here.

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

Have Fun,

Dan

Elvis Found: Alive & Kicking

I was talking to an amusement games operator in passing, he told me a very interest story about a Ft Myers location for his Elvis Gold pinball machine out in the wild. So I wanted to pass on the location to you with this brief description of the pinball machine. The Elvis Gold pinball machine was a Limited Edition pinball machine that Stern Pinball released in 2004, designed by Steve Ritchie. Who was also the brains behind some of the older, well known & very popular Williams pinball titles such as Black Knight, Firepower, Getaway: High Speed 2, & Terminator 2. I found a quote from Steve that has some thoughts about his Elvis pinball creation, “ELVIS is a nice blend of rules and action for the average player, with some forgiveness for the novice, as well as depth of rules that good players and collectors want for sustained play interest." What is cool about this pin is that it actually has Elvis singing! Not only does it use, Actual recordings are used from the famed "68 Comeback" television special, as well as the "Aloha from Hawaii" television special, it also has a mechanical mini Elvis shaking hips and gesturing his hands while “swinging” in perfect sync with real Elvis tunes. The mini Elvis even brings the microphone to its’ lips every time he sings a phrase! This retro effect of Elvis dancing and singing is showcased with re-mixed high quality sound tracks. The game soundtrack includes hits like"All Shook Up", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Burning Love.", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", and “See See Rider”. It even has Al Dvorin, Elvis’ tour manager and bandleader as one of the game’s announcers. Unfortunately, Stern had to use an Elvis sound-alike voice for the Elvis Commentary but Jamie Kelly does a real fine job filling in. The object of ELVIS is to collect Elvis songs, win the Top-Ten Countdown, and collect points by spelling out the name E-L-V-I-S. The player can then compete for the highest reward…a trip to Graceland! It has different tune themes located on the playfield like a jumping Hound Dog, a jailhouse & Heartbreak Hotel. (Fact: Elvis even played pinball & own a pinball machine. He had a Bally Knockout pinball machine at Graceland!)

The ELVIS pinball machine is a celebration of the Kings’ life, his legacy & the music he left behind.

Long live the King! The Elvis Pinball Machine is located at: Shoeless Joe’s Sport Cafe 13051 Bell Tower DriveFort Myers, FL 33907

(239) 437-0650

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

Have Fun,

Dan

Digital Pinball better.....because it has more games?

Digital VS. Original Digital Pinball better than a real pinball machine…. because it has more games? I would disagree with that! Let the comparisons be between the new Multipin vs. any brand new Stern pinball machine, *because including all the pinball manufactures, past or present, would be a large & lengthy task that would bring too many variables to our basic topic. The Multipin $6000- Based on a real size pinball machine with 17 different games- some original game play & Gottlieb remakes of older titles. Half of these titles can be played on your computer for free at: Futures Pinball The pinball playfield is replaced by 32” LCD monitor laid flat in cabinet with a 720p resolution while another LCD monitor is used for the backglass & score display area. The backglass changes theme to the different games selected & score display area can mimic even an older rotary score reels found in the old EM (Electro-mechanical) pinball machines. All game play is simulated once the ball plunger is released. The whole playfield is digital reproduced with the all the pinball parts that would be found on a regular pinball machine. The animated ball bounces against high definition bumpers, flippers, slingshots, ramps, targets & such but it has digital motion sensors built in to the cabinet so you can influence the balls travel. You can shift & move the animated balls with finesse by using original pinball machine techniques like bumps, shakes & other body language same as the real thing. Here is a link to a Multipin video showing a little of the game play that is offered. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44Ni3klD7I&feature=player_embedded# It reproduces authentic sounds for the no longer needed moving parts like the electric solenoids, pop bumpers, saucer kickers & even flippers to give the player the illusion that it is a real pinball machine. The Stern pinball machine $4000- A real pinball machine….end of story. It is what it is. It is not trying to reproduce or simulate anything, because it already is a pinball machine. There is nothing that replaces that real pinball experience that is on a true pinball machine. If the Mutlipin bridges the gap to a true pinball experience, I am all for it. But you can not compare until you played the original. If you ever have any questions, information or comments, post them here. Have Fun, Dan

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