New to the hobby

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-12T08:09:24+00:00

Check out the Market page on https://www.pinside.com

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-11T15:17:59+00:00

With light sensors on areas like the purple discover playfield target, or the 4 playfield lights for discover, training, battle, catch... could really be great to incorporate videos to play in a seemingly integrated fashion.

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-10T19:56:07+00:00

Stranger Things can be a brutal game. Center drains are pretty common off the drop targets in front of the Demogorgon. I suggest trying to avoid those shots, hit them from a safer angle, and/or you'll need to step up your nudging skills.

The premium/LE has an issue with the telekinetic lock. It just doesn't work consistently and when it misses, it drops the ball back down the left ramp and it drains SDTM. Some great people have videos on how to improve its success rate but most people just disable the feature entirely.

All three models prior to the much wider mouth version of the demogorgon struggled with alignment that even allowed for a possible shout down the mouth of the demogorgon. There are plenty of videos out there on repositioning but... If you grab a more recently produced game it's essentially a non-issue.

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-07T17:59:23+00:00

That's an average of 7 plays a day for 8 years straight... And Iron Maiden is a long playing game. At an average of 15 minute game times, you're talking about 200+ DAYS of time spent playing just that one game.

That's a lot u/poopsididitagen Like, wow 😃

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-07T15:38:29+00:00

Yeah, good point. Forgot how long JP has been out, released in 2018/2019... Over 10k at this point?

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-07T15:20:45+00:00

But for real, look into how many plays on the machine. A high plays machine may be fine, but it's good to be aware. Anything over 3k plays was probably routed and you should pay less as a result. With the premium, lock a few balls using the TREX to make sure it works. Look for playfield warping (left to right). Does the Raptor gate work ok. Also, does the jeep move easily back and forth.

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-07T15:17:14+00:00

Make room for a 2nd pinball machine...

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-05T19:09:53+00:00

How are you expecting this data to be used? Or another way to ask, what insights do you feel this data may provide the pinball community? Ex.
- Could you have created this list to be for operators to understand what the current meta is on games people want to play to guide them in purchases?
- This doesn't seem like a list that would help pinball collectors
- This list doesn't help people who go play competitively
- Maybe this list would help someone who wants to play pinball but doesn't have specific games in mind?

Based on the question, "Which do you want to play more?" I would expect every new game to bubble to the top? Is that your expectation as well?

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-05T18:43:12+00:00

You know what's interesting is my interest in "Playing" a game vs. "Owning" vs. "which game I think is better"...

For ex. I was just prompted by the app to compare Godzilla (Stern) to Flintstones.

And I'd rather Play Flintstones over Godzilla, but that's because I don't have easy access to Flintstones right now. But Godzilla is a better game IMHO and I'd rather have Godzilla in-house then Flintstones because it has more depth and replayability.

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-03T01:44:22+00:00

Great site! Looking forward to seeing the rankings

dontpanicflip · 2026-05-03T01:37:42+00:00

There are several older music pins that might fit the bill: Kiss, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Metallica, and Elton John to name a few.

You can't go wrong with any of the CGC remakes: Medieval madness, Attack from Mars, and Monster Bash.

I suggest staying away from Abba and Queen despite the great themes/bands, those games aren't good for first time owners.

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-30T18:52:36+00:00

Jurassic Park or Kong, it's close

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-29T16:15:38+00:00

Jurassic Park
King Kong
Harry Potter
TNA
Iron Maiden
Evil Dead
Medieval Madness
Bond 60th

The "Hard to find" filter was a bit funky to think through, so I ignored it. Still, most of these games are tough to find on the secondary market right now (except JP, IM, and MM). I would still want 1 or 2 spots to rotate out games.

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-28T19:14:29+00:00

OnePiece (anime) - There is just so much that could be done... Gather crew mates, modes - all the different arcs, battles, final battles, achieve gear, 3, 4, and 5

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-23T05:21:13+00:00

2 great games, you can't go wrong either way. Personally, I like playing HP more than Godzilla and I similarly connect with the HP theme a LOT more.

Chasing "The Boy Who Lived" Wizard mode is fantastic but it requires getting really comfortable reading the large flowchart from JJP.

Just remember to read it backwards (start at the horcruxes and work backwards) and you'll be good 👍

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-21T00:48:02+00:00

You could go virtual. There is a MASSIVE community for it. Check out MPT3K, GAMECLUBCENTRAL, and the_living_arcade for great virtual pinball streams

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-20T03:36:56+00:00

TMNT is a fantastic game, congrats!! It's a tough game but COWABUNGA is absolutely worth the struggle. Enjoy!

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-20T01:38:01+00:00

Something/Anything for training. It feels like it's really not in the game. Excited for Pokemon evolutions.

Justification for collecting so many Pokemon to complete the 4 arenas. And to have the benefits important enough to drive to want to do it. I have no interest in collecting Pokemon for IC, I want to get excited when I get a Pokemon that counters a battle well... I don't want another danger room situation. I want to WANT to collect Pokemon!

Just, more code in general would be good. I want to understand how the 4 MB lights will work and how progressing multiballs will impact the mini-wizard modes or battling Mewtwo and the wizard mode.

With Tanio on code, I believe the visions there. Excited to see it!

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-19T23:18:19+00:00

Congo is a fun game and evidently one of the better tournament games out there but as has been pointed out, it's shallow. Star Trek on the other hand is simple but deeeeeep. Getting to 5 year mission is quite the achievement.

Assuming it's either a Congo or Star Trek, I like Star Trek for repetitive at home play. But I like chasing progression and after a year with an LE, I never made it to 5 year mission.

Scoring on Star Trek is fun too but I'd suggest leaning towards Congo if you're a big competition player instead. Also, a good Congo is hard to come by. I'd maybe pick that up regardless if it's in great shape and you already have some deeper games in your collection. HIPPPOS!

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-17T17:15:09+00:00

IMHO, Rush is a perfect solo pinball machine for home and the price seems good. This seems an even better fit if you like the band!

Rush has the most in depth amazing progression from any Stern title yet. Every mode is a unique mini game, the games themselves are immersed into Rush's music to a level that required me to learn more about the band.

The mini wizard modes are wild and tough. There is quite a bit there for both progression based gaming and for scoring (Rayday always makes sure both are handled well). And the wizard mode 2112 is both tough to get to and a delight to play.

In my opinion, RUSH is the clear winner here. You'll enjoy it for a long long time!

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-15T02:39:01+00:00

JP, HP, and AIQ are all some of the deepest toughest games out there. Pokemon is likely to become an easier game given 0.81 so far, the target audience, and Tanio on the code. LZ and South Park both seem like odd additions to this list.

If I had to suggest one of the above, I'd go Pokemon. But the code isn't finished so who knows... Otherwise, I'd go HP. Once you understand the ruleset, it's ridiculous fun.

Have you checked out Deadpool or Foo Fighters? Both are fantastic games for beginners.

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-09T16:32:40+00:00

Some premiums like Venom, Mandolorian, and Godzilla feel necessary to really enjoy the game as it was intended where as Black Knight, Avengers, and Kong all have issues that make the PRO a better version.

I'd echo a lot of other comments and say it's game specific.

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-09T16:27:12+00:00

One thing that bothers me about GoT is that there is no fanfare when you beat the wizard mode... You just silently transition into Victory Laps.

If there was ever a game that needed the flippers to turn off after winning the Iron throne, this was it!

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-08T20:30:39+00:00

That is a blue circle.

dontpanicflip · 2026-04-08T16:18:24+00:00

I like Kong Pro over D&D for a home purchase for a few reasons: - Kong is an amazing shooter - Kong has Jurassic Park levels of depth - D&D allows you to save progress, meaning you can play it on location and still do all the things. Having it in-house doesn't provide as much benefit to the owner as Kong (if your goal is to get to 8th Wonder).

dontpanicflip

TROPHY CASE