r/pinball

I've been slowly, diligently making my way through cleaning up, fixing and restoring the Addams Family I posted about months ago here : https://www.reddit.com/r/pinball/comments/1t6mzvf/first_pin_30ish_year_dream/

I've replaced all the bulbs with LEDs, fixed whatever socket issues I found. Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned and waxed the playfield and installed the Cliffy's as needed (thanks Cliff!). Rubbers replaced and most targets aligned. The subwoofer ... LOL. The sub cone had completely separated so that was replaced. Some of the wire gates were problematic so those were fixed, mostly. There were a few wiring problems, just solder had let go so those were fixed up. A few blown fuses. It has the collector edition ROM and sound ROM in it: I'm not sure I'll keep that. Put a set of the metal protectors between leg and box. The playfield ... holy hell all that dirt really protected the playfield! LOL It's insane how little true wear there is.

I still have one of the wire gates to adjust ... it works but the switch trigger is too high. I know I need to replace a lot of the targets which seems a little overwhelming right now. Probably coming up on time to service the flippers but they are fine for now. The glass has some deep scratches I couldn't polish out so that'll come in time. I also have been debating the art blades, probably will since the inside black is a bit busted. The white on the backboard isn't really white anymore so I think I'm going to paint it, as it didn't clean up for shit.

But while I was doing all that I popped into a local-ish game store to check out an Aurora and ... well, Harry cast a spell on me. It's nice to have a brand-new game that requires almost nothing so I can actually keep going on TAF 😄

Thanks for all the messages, advice, support etc. on the first post. I took a lot away from it, helped me tons, as has the sub in general. 🤩

*I posted the pics in comments as they didn't come along with the original post for whatever reason.

Am I the only one that feels like pinball machines having multiple editions with full on gameplay changes between the editions and even worse, Stern offering PAYWALLED GAME CODE on their machines, which again, already have 3 different editions, is absolutely the same way the video game industry started with their bs?

Just like the video game industry, the gamers didn't speak up until now, where we don't own the games and were being forced into all digital. Stern and others is already chopping up what they're making to force you to pay extra for this or that on day one, how much longer until they figure out more ways to micro-monetize their pinball machines? How long until they start offering a home digital version of their machines with a monthly fee while jacking up the price of the physical machines to price out normal people?

Please vote with your wallet. I can't stand to see another incredible hobby die to this kind of bs.

I have a bally lost world pinball machine that powers on and the lights all activate but the game does not react at all to the start game button. This machine used to work fine. It initially started having some weirdness on the scoring counters not displaying or at the least being intermittent. Now the machine is a lovely lamp. Any guidance on where I should start when diagnosing the problem would be greatly appreciated.

So I’m considering buying a pinball machine for my home.

I have two young girls 7 and 5 and figured it would be fun.

Question what would be a great home game that we wouldn’t get sick of? I like the more modern machines with the screens and all the bling. I see the new Sonic and that looks crazy good in the CE edition.

Others I seen that look good got kids would be Jurassic Park, Jaws (not so much for my kids but looks awesome), Pokémon but I’ve been reading some not great play reviews about it.

Any other games I should be considering?

Thanks!

There's a beautiful LOTR near me and the owner is interested in trading for Elton John, which I own and enjoy a lot and haven't owned more than a couple months. I'm also rehabbing a Star Trek premium which is a similar layout to EJ (tho I don't find them reminiscent of one another TBH). Anyways, can anyone speak to the longevity of owning an LOTR?

Didn't see a post about this, but Stern dropped new code on what seems to most (all?) recent machines on 7/1. If you own a Spike 2 connected to wifi open the door up and enjoy a modernized settings experience!

I didn't notice this myself until I went in to check play count today.

As a new JP owner using the old fake LED UI was disappointing, but it's great now!