Is Godzilla Pinball the Best Release in a Decade? We think so.

One of the last major pinball manufacturers left in both US and the world, Stern Pinball has been picking up business in the entertainment world over the past few years. Follow the people of Tech Insider as they do a factory tour of Stern and get down to business on the ups and downs of the pinball industry, nostalgia culture on Stern's recent upshift in the market, and their ultimate goals for the future.

Pure, unadulterated magic. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, it’s hard to stop on that one game on the pinball machine once you’ve gotten in the groove.  But what is it that makes the magic happen behind these bright, loud, and colourful machines that have us so entranced?  For this, we take a look on the inside and see what it’s all about.    Pinball Over The Ages To start, you must first understand the evolution of pinball machines over time. While the first ‘modern’ pinball machine appeared in the early 1930s, many of pinball’s familiar aspects have actually not changed over the decades.  To show what I mean, here are two videos that showcase two pinball machines eras. The first is Williams’ original Medieval Madness model that was showcased in 1997, while the second is Stern’s 2018 Deadpool pinball machine release.    One of Brian Eddy’s earliest works as a pinball designer, Medieval Madness has been regarded by fans as one of the best pinball machines that have ever been made.   Debuting in the same year as the movie sequel’s release, Stern manages to perfectly capture the anti-hero’s antiques into the machine’s gameplay.   While technology, graphics and lighting have clearly improved over the ages, you can still spot the signature ramps, chutes, and even interactive props that make mechanical pinball machines really such interactive and sensory experiences that cannot be mimicked through digital means. Both familiar and nostalgic, this is the reason why collectors and pinheads alike still flock towards pinball machines despite the decades.    Knowing What Goes On Inside: A Pinball Machine’s Anatomy While this video by Home Leisure Direct covers the playfield areas that we can see [link here to 1st article] and names some of the specific shots that players can make during their game, the finished, physical product that we can touch and see when playing is only a fraction of the effort that’s been put into making pinball machines work.    With years of skin in the business, Stern Pinball (the last major pinball manufacturers) breaks down what you’ll need to create one pinball machine from start to finish.   As you can see, pinball machines start out as conceptual ideas or designs first, before slowly making their way into becoming actual physical machines. And the more complicated or difficult designs or themes are, the more wiring or parts are required to fully actualise these concepts into reality. Regardless of machine or themes, the number range of these parts and wiring can easily rack up to a few thousand, and must usually be prepped and installed by hand due to their complexity and delicacy required. So the next time you decide to play a game on a pinball machine, think of the amount of work that has been done to ensure a seamless gaming experience for each individual machine.  But if this is just not enough detail for you, we’ve got you covered! Pinheads have also created plenty of pinball machine guides that can help you modify and even create your very own pinball machine!    Heck does a good job in illustrating the more technical expertise that is required to put your pinball themes and ideas onto an actual working machine. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran, someone just getting into pinball, or even a pop culture fan, there’s an aspect of pinball for everyone to enjoy! It’s also with this and the rise of technology that I believe the future of pinball machines will continue to be on the rise rather than diminish. As we go through better and better reiterations of pinball machines that give us more immersive gaming experiences, it’s obvious that pinball’s legacy has only just begun.  Inspired? Check out our fantastic range of pinball machines here.   At The Men’s Cave, we review, curate, and strive to provide quality content and inspiration on the coolest games from all around the world. If you enjoyed this article, why not show your support by signing up for our newsletters (at the bottom of the article) and we will keep you updated on the latest insider articles from all around the world!  

Does pinball seem fun to you at first glance, but you’re hesitant because you’re not sure exactly how it works? How do the pros make it look effortless to make high scores on the leaderboard while you’re struggling to make the ball go exactly where you want it? Well, look no further, because I’ll be throwing out all the slang and jargon to give you the most basic guide on what you’ll need to know to start your pinball playing journey.    Understanding How They Work   Just like what Sharpe mentions in the video, mechanical pinball machines can seem particularly daunting toward potential new players, especially with all their ramps, sounds, and flashing lights. Fast from the get-go and without an easily accessible manual to actually tell you the tips and tricks, this actually causes a lot of newbies to shy away from trying their hand at pinball after the first few tries, especially in social settings like arcades and bars.  But despite the chaos that is presented on a pinball machine’s playfield, there is actually an order to the chaos rather than just being ‘pure, randomised luck’. Just like any other kind of sport or game, you can teach yourself how to control the game’s pacing. Similar to your own arms and legs, you should think of the pinball machine’s flippers as an extension of yourself. Rather than spamming the flippers to make sure that the ball doesn’t fall into the gutter, use the flippers to ‘capture’ the ball. This will enable you to slow down the game’s pace while allowing you to make more precise shots for where you would like the ball to go on the playfield. Once you’ve mastered how to use the flippers (or at least gotten a hang of them), you can then move on to the next step.   Mastering The Playfield Every game comes with a set of rules, and pinball is no different. But what makes it different from other sports or arcade games is the fact that these rules are usually specifically tied to the theme of the pinball machines themselves. As such, all pinball games are distinct and unique from one another due to these different rule sets.  Therefore, while it might be impossible to truly ‘master’ the pinball machine, learning the fundamental and most basic parts of the playfield is a great way to figure out most, if not all, pinball machines intuitively.   Slingshots: These are the side bumps just right above the flippers. As the edges are usually covered or made with an elastic material, they give the ball an extra bounce when it comes in contact with them.    Target banks: Usually one of the first things you’ll notice when playing, target banks are placed around the centre of the playfield and are usually ‘word’ targets on most modern pinball machines that are activated when your ball rolls over them. These targets are usually a way to earn extra points or trigger certain modes on the pinball machine that would not activate in any other situation.    Chutes: Like a trapdoor or secret access room, hitting your ball into a chute will usually take it and ‘transport’ it to a different area of the playfield. For more experienced players, you can use the chute to access different or difficult-to-reach areas of the playfield that cannot be accessed by normal means to score more points.    Jet bumpers: Hate em’ or love em’, hitting jet bumpers can help you score points will giving the ball more velocity as it bumps between them for a faster and potentially more chaotic gameplay experience.   Ramps: No pinball machine would be complete without ramps. They’re also a good way to earn some big points while directing the ball back to your flippers so that you can control your shots better. While this isn’t an active feature on the physical playfield, all pinball machines have different modes or objectives that are aligned with the machine’s theme. Whether they are general or secret modes, triggering and completing them can usually give you a big point boost. And if you’re skilled (or lucky!) enough, you should always try to trigger the multiball mode for maximum points!    Tips & Tricks To Sharpen Your Skills Once you’ve mastered all of the above, it’s time to learn what separates newbies from pros. For this, there is no better way other than learning from the best. An active and experienced pinball player even to this day, Thomson highlights the top 5 skills you’ll need to become the master of the ball.   As all playing guides go, these pointers are just the basics that you will need to master to be on the way to becoming the next pro pinball player. Even if it might seem difficult at first glance, we assure you that once you’ve gotten the hang of them, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for a beloved game that has been around for decades.  If you like this article and are interested in learning more about how to play pinball, you can check out this full playlist by Home Leisure Direct or take a look at the rest of our pinball articles right here!   At The Men’s Cave, we review, curate, and strive to provide quality content and inspiration on the coolest games from all around the world. If you enjoyed this article, why not show your support by signing up for our newsletters (at the bottom of the article) and we will keep you updated on the latest insider articles from all around the world!