Official Pintastic New England 2024 show and hotel discussion

5

#51 46 days ago

raisindot

Pinside member

I've gone to nearly every Pintastic event since it began and really appreciate all the effort that goes into making it a success.

However, the one thing that will probably make me not go this year is the fact that, at least on the game list showing up on the site today, nearly all of the best pins are only available in the Extra Ball Lounge or in the tournament area, whereas last year many top flight games were in the free play area.

I've said this before, but many people aren't going for three days; therefore having to pay $145 or more to get access to the EBL (and even then, only after 6pm or later with the Pro or Premium package) is just plain wrong against people who don't have tons of disposable income. Why not offer a one-day pass, say for $80, that would allow access to the show and the EBL anytime? Or why not put more of the best games out in Freeplay? This wouldn't be all hard to implement or for doorcheckers to verify. Just bring some wrist bracelets in different colors than the other ones.

0

#52 46 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Quoted from raisindot:
...nearly all of the best pins are only available in the Extra Ball Lounge or in the tournament area...

This is partly explained by which groups get their game lists assembled early. We still need to hear from some clubs, and Pinball Tycoon (aka Glimmerhold) won't have their list ready for another couple weeks, but they will provide more of the recent games. We also try to get lists from the vendors of what they will put in the Vendor Hall. I gather that your definition of "best" leans toward the recent games. Others may lean toward historic EMs not often seen on location, or toward the homebrew and custom games. Once again, we are very strong in the homebrew department!
.................David Marston

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5

#53 46 days ago

???

Irishbastard

Pinside member

12y 89,800 1,928 11

Quoted from raisindot:
I've gone to nearly every Pintastic event since it began and really appreciate all the effort that goes into making it a success.
However, the one thing that will probably make me not go this year is the fact that, at least on the game list showing up on the site today, nearly all of the best pins are only available in the Extra Ball Lounge or in the tournament area, whereas last year many top flight games were in the free play area.
I've said this before, but many people aren't going for three days; therefore having to pay $145 or more to get access to the EBL (and even then, only after 6pm or later with the Pro or Premium package) is just plain wrong against people who don't have tons of disposable income. Why not offer a one-day pass, say for $80, that would allow access to the show and the EBL anytime? Or why not put more of the best games out in Freeplay? This wouldn't be all hard to implement or for doorcheckers to verify. Just bring some wrist bracelets in different colors than the other ones.

Pintastic is a good show, haven't missed one, but I agree 100%. I hate when they push a custom pin, then say it's only available in the Extra balls room. Like, really? Weak ... I mean it's easy to sneak in, I've done it a few years, but "Weak" is a nice way to describe it.

0

#54 46 days ago

JDD

jackd104

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 101K 3,917 10 14 1

I will say that last show was the best availability of desireable games to play in the show’s history and I hope that continues. And I’d wager for most people “desireable” games are the more modern ones and a-list titles.

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#55 46 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Quoted from Irishbastard:
Pintastic is a good show, haven't missed one, but I agree 100%. I hate when they push a custom pin, then say it's only available in the Extra balls room. Like, really? Weak ... I mean it's easy to sneak in, I've done it a few years, but "Weak" is a nice way to describe it.

Just a FYI the creators of Happy Gilmore insisted that the game be put in the Extra Ball Lounge. So, either it's in there or its not at the show. Which do you prefer?

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0

#56 46 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Quoted from raisindot:
I've gone to nearly every Pintastic event since it began and really appreciate all the effort that goes into making it a success.
However, the one thing that will probably make me not go this year is the fact that, at least on the game list showing up on the site today, nearly all of the best pins are only available in the Extra Ball Lounge or in the tournament area, whereas last year many top flight games were in the free play area.
I've said this before, but many people aren't going for three days; therefore having to pay $145 or more to get access to the EBL (and even then, only after 6pm or later with the Pro or Premium package) is just plain wrong against people who don't have tons of disposable income. Why not offer a one-day pass, say for $80, that would allow access to the show and the EBL anytime? Or why not put more of the best games out in Freeplay? This wouldn't be all hard to implement or for doorcheckers to verify. Just bring some wrist bracelets in different colors than the other ones.

Your question is not easily answered. But I can say that in order to put on the show and be profitable we need to rent hotel rooms. The multi day pass system is based around that. All the parties, free food, and entertainment are all based on selling out the hotel. Single day LE pass will only hurt that system and hurt the overall show.

Good news is we had the most games we ever had at Pintastic last year 273 in all rooms. So many DMD and LCD games were not in the EBL. Open for all to play with a day pass.

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0

#57 46 days ago

???

Irishbastard

Pinside member

12y 89,800 1,928 11

Quoted from dannunz:
Just a FYI the creators of Happy Gilmore insisted that the game be put in the Extra Ball Lounge. So, either it's in there or its not at the show. Which do you prefer?

Not at the show.... that's what I prefer. Only available to the 1%? What's the point of bringing it ....

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5

#58 46 days ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,385 268 15

Quoted from Irishbastard:
Not at the show.... that's what I prefer. Only available to the 1%? What's the point of bringing it ....

The point is probably to let enthusiasts have access to it, but protect it a bit from the wear & tear of the general public.

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#59 45 days ago

DOG

RatShack

Pinside member

7y 57,650 783

Quoted from Irishbastard:
Not at the show.... that's what I prefer. Only available to the 1%? What's the point of bringing it ....

It's one of those things that brings up more questions than answers.

Looking forward to checking out ~~Mustang~~ ~~Matt Hardy~~ ~~Ferris Bueller~~ Happy Gilmore!

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#60 45 days ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,385 268 15

Quoted from RatShack:
It's one of those things that brings up more questions than answers.

Not really. Pretty simple answer above.

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1

#61 45 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Quoted from Irishbastard:
the 1%?

Do you think we have 15,000 attendance in total? I think ForceFlow got at Brian's concern: it's safe to expect that those who buy an LE or Premium package, game bringers, and sponsors are all respectful of pinball machines owned by other enthusiasts. Brian evidently worries about random people who come in with the mentality of an arcade patron (me vs. the machine). We also need to recognize the benevolence of the person who commissioned Brian to create Happy Gilmore for his own home arcade. I think most people who spend big on a custom re-theme would not want their game shown in public at all.
.................David Marston

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#62 45 days ago

???

Irishbastard

Pinside member

12y 89,800 1,928 11

OP
Quoted from dmarston:
Do you think we have 15,000 attendance in total? I think ForceFlow got at Brian's concern: it's safe to expect that those who buy an LE or Premium package, game bringers, and sponsors are all respectful of pinball machines owned by other enthusiasts. Brian evidently worries about random people who come in with the mentality of an arcade patron (me vs. the machine). We also need to recognize the benevolence of the person who commissioned Brian to create Happy Gilmore for his own home arcade. I think most people who spend big on a custom re-theme would not want their game shown in public at all.
.................David Marston

Maybe I'll sneak in and check it out then.

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1

#63 45 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Quoted from Irishbastard:
Maybe I'll sneak in and check it out then.

Come find me i will gladly walk you in to check it out.

0

#64 45 days ago

CDW

Morehops4

Pinside+ Frequent

Enfield, CT

2y 35,400 40 5

Quoted from Rondogg:
Never mind, worked this time.

I'm getting the same error while looking for rooms. Is it truly sold out now or am I doing something wrong?

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#65 45 days ago

MRG

MG7322

Mitchell Lighting

11y 82,550 347 26

EBL does allow peace of mind to bringing fully restored pins to the show and exhibit. Every year we have brought such pins (Eight Ball last fall, BOP and TFTC the year before etc…). The year before that we put our fully restored X-files in the free play general area only to have an excellent belt buckle scratch all the way down the new cabinet decal on the right side. So from that point on it was EBL for me or leave the fully restored machines at home and just bring standard common games only for the open public.

Now I do like the escort idea for true pinball enthusiasts vs. the general “let’s do something this weekend” public. Maybe at check-in enquire about the EBL tour and make a donation to charity or something for an escort”

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#66 45 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Quoted from Morehops4:
Is it truly sold out now or am I doing something wrong?

I think some nights are sold out. Friday is always the first to fill up. You could try Thursday only to see if you get further into the booking process.
.................David Marston

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#67 45 days ago

MCM

mcmnky

Pinside member

2y 25,300 96

I'm a relative newbie (this will be my 3rd Pintastic) and I usually only get the day pass for Friday. I would have strong interest in an upgrade for daily EBL access, but I understand why this isn't an option.

And honestly, there's barely enough time to play all the machines I want to in free play and the club rooms. I don't walk out of Pintastic Friday night thinking about the few games I didn't play. I'm usually thinking how sore my wrists are and all the things I want to do with my machine at home.

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2

#68 44 days ago

???

raisindot

Pinside member

10y 29,150 179

Anyone who has ever witnessed the countless Porsche drivers waving in an out of traffic on the Mass Pike at 120 miles per hour could refute the argument that those who have and spend more money on things are more respectful of things. If you want to protect the machines from abuse, just make sure the room is constantly staffed by people who are monitoring the usage.

But if you want to equate spending more with better behavior, then my original suggestion, offering a one day pass that includes the EBL for maybe $75-$80, and maybe then only allowing those people access to the EBL after 8pm, could be an acceptable compromise. These people wouldn't likely be members of the "general public" there seems to be so much concern about. And those spending more money for the pass would most likely respect the machines, since they're paying more money, right?

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1

#69 44 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Quoted from raisindot:
Anyone who has ever witnessed the countless Porsche drivers waving in an out of traffic on the Mass Pike at 120 miles per hour could refute the argument that those who have and spend more money on things are more respectful of things. If you want to protect the machines from abuse, just make sure the room is constantly staffed by people who are monitoring the usage.
But if you want to equate spending more with better behavior, then my original suggestion, offering a one day pass that includes the EBL for maybe $75-$80, and maybe then only allowing those people access to the EBL after 8pm, could be an acceptable compromise. These people wouldn't likely be members of the "general public" there seems to be so much concern about. And those spending more money for the pass would most likely respect the machines, since they're paying more money, right?

I already address the reason why we do not sell one day LE above.

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6

#70 44 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Pintastic 2024 art!

Pintastic2024_KeyArt15a (resized).jpeg

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#71 43 days ago

DEN

Colehvac1

Pinside+ Addict

11y 77,600 1,656

Is there a pintastic for sale thread? I cant seem to find it

0

#72 43 days ago

???

Pinash

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 72,050 1,041

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pintastic-2024-buy-sell-trade-want-etc-

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1

#73 43 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Quoted from raisindot:
just make sure the room is constantly staffed by people who are monitoring

Well that's easy to *say*. Go to https://pintasticnewengland.com/volunteer/ to help make it feasible.
.................David Marston

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#74 42 days ago

CDW

Morehops4

Pinside+ Frequent

Enfield, CT

2y 35,400 40 5

OP
Quoted from dmarston:
I think some nights are sold out. Friday is always the first to fill up. You could try Thursday only to see if you get further into the booking process.
.................David Marston

Yup, Friday is sold out. I was able to get Thursday but completely messes with the "play really late and have some place to crash during the day" plan. Now it doesn't make sense for me to get a pro or a premium ticket...I guess I will just do day passes.

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#75 42 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Quoted from Morehops4:
Yup, Friday is sold out. I was able to get Thursday but completely messes with the "play really late and have some place to crash during the day" plan. Now it doesn't make sense for me to get a pro or a premium ticket...I guess I will just do day passes.

Why not book at another surrounding hotel? You can walk to the Hampton Inn.

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#76 42 days ago

CDW

Morehops4

Pinside+ Frequent

Enfield, CT

2y 35,400 40 5

Quoted from dannunz:
Why not book at another surrounding hotel? You can walk to the Hampton Inn.

That's what I did! I wish I saw your post first...it took some "zooming in" on the map to see the Hampton and I almost booked somewhere else where I would have to drive. Kept my Thursday at the BW but the Saturday night was pretty expensive so I book Friday and Saturday at Hampton for a little more.

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#77 40 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Have you been unable to climb the ramp to tackle tough issues on your electromechanical (EM) game? Get some small-group training from one of America's best-known EM repair coaches (@markg) on the Wednesday before the show, at the Pintastic venue! Mark will guide a select group to higher levels of knowledge on EM Repair Day at Pintastic.
https://www.funwithpinball.com/events/repair-day-at-pintastic-2024 has details.
Note that he wants advance registrations by March 23!
.................David Marston

Post last edited 40 days ago: “lost a word”

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#78 37 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

We anticipate having two people representing Multimorphic at the show. We'll chat about the status of their P3 system during the Late-Breaking News seminar.
.................David Marston

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2

#79 34 days ago

PGR

PhilGreg

Ayscrim Studios

Québec, QC

11y 101K 2,446 6 1

Looking forward to it! Come say hi at the Ayscrim Studios booth!

20240209_081412~3-1-YZ9X7wN9X0uWKMkg (resized).png

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#80 33 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Good news, friends: Pintastic 2024 is still on!

On March 24th, our founder, Gabe, lost his house in an accidental chimney fire. The family is all safe and sound (including the pets), and we’re happy to also be able to say that all Pintastic games and behind-the-scenes materials are intact!

We are all doing our best to send Gabe our love and support, and he will keep working on bringing the show together for everyone.

If you are interested in helping, there is no need for a GoFundMe or anything of the sort, but there is lots you can do!

1. Attend Pintastic! Join us, have fun, and support the show!
2. We still have room for Flea Market vendors and working games to be placed in the Free Play Room.
3. Volunteer if you’re interested! https://pintasticnewengland.com/volunteer/ If you live near Marlborough, we could use more help on Wednesday the 10th and Sunday the 14th. We would also appreciate some setup assistance for Gabe's games on Tuesday the 9th. Another huge way you could support us would be to volunteer to participate in operations during showtime at the various stations around the convention space. David Scruggs is coordinating volunteer assignments.
4. Rest assured and let your friends know the show is still on!

We will try our best to answer the FAQs in this and other public forums. Everyone is ready to put everything together and have a good time, so let’s stay positive and make a great show happen once again.
.................David Marston (on behalf of the whole Pintastic Crew)

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#81 33 days ago

JDD

jackd104

Pinside+ Frequent

11y 101K 3,917 10 14 1

Oh man, that’s terrible. Sorry to hear.

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#82 33 days ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

9y 238K 31,385 268 15

Yikes, that's awful. Sorry to hear that...glad everyone is ok

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#83 33 days ago

DUG

GreenMachine19

Pinside member

Groton, CT

10y 63,800 1,554 5

Terrible news. Glad to hear everyone is ok. My family lost a house when I was a kid so my heart really goes out to you. I know how tough it can be.

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#84 33 days ago

???

Irishbastard

Pinside member

12y 89,800 1,928 11

Damn, very sorry to hear. Best wishes to Gabe and his family.

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#85 33 days ago

XXX

Gotpins

Pinside member

11y 91,800 993 1

That’s terrible news. Glad to hear that everyone including pets are safe. God speed pinball friend.

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#86 33 days ago

CAD

Crispin

Pinside+ Frequent

12y 133K 3,428 1

I heard the horrible news this morning. Wishing Gabe and his family all the best.

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#87 33 days ago

BOB

Butch2099

Butch's Game Garage

11y 124K 4,737 20 6 11

Very sorry to hear about the house! Luckily, No one was hurt and your awesome collection survived!

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#88 33 days ago

EEP

epeabs

Pinside+ Frequent

Auburn, NH

11y 82,300 1,276 3 1

Wow. Just goes to show you just never know what can happen. Glad to hear Gabe and family/pets/games are safe.

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4

#89 32 days ago

???

Nhpolarbear

Pinside member

Unknown

4y 37,050 773 1

Please join Dave and George as they preview the upcoming show:

TheClassicPinball Podcast:
http://pinballdoctor.com/the-classic-pinball-podcast/
https://podbay.fm/podcast/1469743456
Accessible to stream via any of the links below:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-classic-pinball-podcast/id1469743456
https://www.breaker.audio/the-classic-pinball-podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/6JGvAzDFwCSJUwwWgBMCDd
https://radiopublic.com/the-classic-pinball-podcast-WR95kj
https://overcast.fm/itunes1469743456/the-classic-pinball-podcast

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2

#90 31 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Quoted from Nhpolarbear:
join Dave and George as they preview the upcoming show

To clarify one item discussed in the podcast: there is an entire room devoted to custom/homebrew games, but with 18 (so far) that need to be placed, there will be overflow into other rooms! Look for them all over the show, other than in the Silverball Rumble.
.................David Marston

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5

#91 31 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Two weeks till Pintastic!

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2

#92 31 days ago

MCM

mcmnky

Pinside member

2y 25,300 96

OP
Quoted from dmarston:
To clarify one item discussed in the podcast: there is an entire room devoted to custom/homebrew games, but with 18 (so far) that need to be placed, there will be overflow into other rooms! Look for them all over the show, other than in the Silverball Rumble.
.................David Marston

Great news. The homebrew room was one of the highlights last year!

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#93 31 days ago

GTX

gdonovan

Pinside member

7y 185K 13,230 70

Quoted from dannunz:
Two weeks till Pintastic!

I have 2 games to bring if I can get the paint done.

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#94 30 days ago

DUG

GreenMachine19

Pinside member

Groton, CT

10y 63,800 1,554 5

Stupid questions. I want to bring a game but can’t get there till Friday morning. Also considering an LE pass. Do I get any kind of discount towards the LE? If so, how do I redeem it? Is it part of the check out process?

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#95 30 days ago

GFD

dannunz

Pinside member

Charlton, MA

12y 112K 4,557 14 12

Quoted from GreenMachine19:
Stupid questions. I want to bring a game but can’t get there till Friday morning. Also considering an LE pass. Do I get any kind of discount towards the LE? If so, how do I redeem it? Is it part of the check out process?

As long as you check in the game before 9am you will get a “game bringers badge” only difference for access from that badge to a LE badge is the 24hr access you get with the LE. Need to bring 4 games to get the 24hr access as a game bringer.

If you purchase the LE pass and bring a game ask for Gabe at the box office. I will reimburse you your day pass fee for each day the game is in free play.

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#96 29 days ago

DUG

GreenMachine19

Pinside member

Groton, CT

10y 63,800 1,554 5

Ok cool. I tried making an account through my flipr and it’s not working. I sent a message through the contact us link.

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#97 29 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Quoted from GreenMachine19:
I tried making an account through my flipr and it’s not working. I sent a message through the contact us link.

I saw your message in Contact and replied by email. We need to do an update on some MyFlipR software, but I think I got you past the hurdle.
.................David Marston

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1

#98 29 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

A much-closer-to-final schedule of seminars has been posted here: https://pintasticnewengland.com/guests/

Note earlier start times on some time blocks! In particular, I expect a lot of good material in Saturday morning's Late-Breaking News seminar.
.................David Marston

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#99 29 days ago

MTF

LIPinballSociety

Pinside member

Wheatley Heights, NY

<1y 20,650 25 2

Anyone going to have Chicago Coin parts? I specifically man looking for the top coin door frame.

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4

#100 25 days ago

OP

DM

dmarston

Pinside member

11y 59,900 1,547

Pinballs.com (or "Automated Services" to some of you) will bring a couple dozen games, including more copies of Jaws Pro and Premium, Venom, Cactus Canyon, Elton John, Godfather, James Bond (3 versions), and Pulp Fiction.
.................David Marston

By dmarston

4 months ago

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