Around the Playfield with Scott Danesi

Interview Flyer

Scott Danesi is the creator of Total Nuclear Annihilation.

The Start Button: How did you first get into pinball?

I was always fascinated with coin op machinery as a kid and I ended up building my own NES emulation arcade machine in the early 2000s.  It was not until I started doing other arcade restorations that I found I could actually afford a pinball machine.  I had bought my first game in 2008 and I have been hooked since.  I sold almost all my arcade games and pinball took its place.

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The Plunge: What was the first pinball machine you bought?

I bought a beat-up Williams High Speed in 2008 for $350.  I was so new, I had no idea how to get the head pulled down until I got it home.  Don’t tell anyone about that…  oh, never mind…

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The Skill Shot: What is your best pinball achievement or favorite pinball moment?

My best pinball achievement is watching Bowen Kerins play, and beat the crap out of, TNA at TPF 2018. That was unreal watching somebody dissect and complete the game the way he does in front of a huge crowd like that. I was sweating the whole time. The best part was his excitement at the end once he killed Reactor 9. He even ran up to me in the front row and gave me a hug. That was unreal. Oh, I also once beat at a dollar game on . It was a fluke, but a legal victory, so I will take it!